Vacation home security is now more important than ever. With rising unemployment, vandalism due to high scrap prices for copper, metals and aluminum, and longer times between visits due to high gas prices or airline fees.

While foreclosure rates remain high, even for vacation homes or second homes, criminals will be seeking crimes of opportunity.

Some of us turn to time-share properties as a more affordable alternative. Each of these two forms of vacation home ownership present unique home security issues.

If you own your own vacation home and live there either seasonally or on a weekend basis, you’re leaving your second home unoccupied for significant periods of time. You’re also establishing a pattern of occupancy that any savvy intruder can soon learn and use to his advantage. If you own a time-share property, you own a percentage of a vacation home. You’re sharing it with complete strangers who may or may not adhere to the same standards of security that you do. And, of course, you trust your time-share company to properly maintain and secure the property during those periods when nobody is staying there.

You may believe that merely applying the same safety practices you follow in your primary residence should be enough to protect your vacation home. But in fact, you need to go above and beyond the rituals of safety you’d observe in a home you live in on a more frequent basis. Homes that look unoccupied are easy targets. You’ve seen those homes with newspapers piled up outside or that appears pitch black at night when the rest of the neighborhood is lit. Consider the following guidelines for protecting your vacation home year-round:

Consider a GE Home Security System from your local Fortune Hi Tech Marketing representative. With FHTM and GE Home Security, it is now easier than ever to protect what means most to you. With customizable systems to meet your specific needs, keep your family, possessions and investments safe. GE is continually advancing new technologies that help homeowners monitor their properties, make schools safer, improve airline security, and more. Plus GE can integrate new security technologies with existing equipment and IT systems. Whether you need an entire system, or individual products, GE has the right technology to keep you safe.

Introduce yourself to your neighbors – particularly those who reside in your neighborhood year-round. Tell them what your schedule is, and ask them to keep an eye on things while you’re away. That doesn’t mean handing them a key, although you may wish to do so if you know and trust your neighbors well enough. And watching over your home doesn’t have to be a job to which you burden your neighbors; simply ask them to remain alert to your home’s appearance. Leave with your neighbors all of your contact numbers at your primary residence, so that they may contact you immediately in the event they spot suspicious activity. Give them verbal approval to contact the local police department in your absence, particularly if they spot suspicious activity and can’t reach you by phone.

Consider the personal items you’re leaving in your vacation home when it’s unoccupied. Anything expensive – including cars, computers, televisions, DVD players and stereo equipment – should be stored under lock and key while you’re away. Take photographs of all of your possessions in your second home, and store them in a safe at your primary residence for insurance purposes. Engrave your name on the back of your expensive electronic equipment.

If you own a timeshare property, find out from the management company exactly what kinds of security measures they have in place. This includes the policies to which maintenance staff are required to adhere. Find out if the management company replaces the locks on doors in the event that tenants lose a key.

For most homeowners, the acquisition of a vacation home is the culmination of years of hard work. That’s why you owe it to yourself and your family to obtain for your vacation home the most stringent standards of safety within your means.

With the GE Home Security lifetime replacement of parts warranty and state of the art UL listed technology, you can rest easy. The highest quality products, competitive pricing and up to 20% off of homeowner and vacation home insurance makes GE Home Security the leader in the industry. One button arming, pager features, door chimes and a 24 hour emergency button make around the clock peace of mind a reality. Let FHTM and GE Home Security give you the power to protect your family and your home.

Here are just a few of the reasons to trust your security with a GE Wireless Home Security System:

One Button Arming: You arm your wireless home security system by pushing a single button.

The Peacekeeper® wireless home security system comes with entry/exit delays at the doors you select, and you can also put these same doors and windows on instant alert with the push of a single button.

Pager Feature: The wireless home security system has a pager feature. Should your child not return from school at the proper time and turn off the system, the system can be programmed to page you.

24-hour Emergency Button: You have access to an emergency panic button that allows you to summon help 24 hours a day.

Battery Back-up: In the event of a power failure, your Command Station will automatically convert from AC to DC.

Door Chime: The wireless home security system will, at your request, act as a door chime. Should your child try to slip out a door unattended, the system will notify you?

Your security and the security of your guests is the most important concern, if you are considering a home or vacation home monitoring system, please contact your local Fortune Hi Tech Marketing Representative, a GE authorized dealer or visit this link to get a Free GE Home Security System  http://fhtmus.com/monaview.

Your Travel Buddy uses and recommends GE Home Security by Fortune HI Tech Marketing. Your Travel Buddy (http://www.ytbvacationrentals.com) is a free vacation rental listing services and publishes vacation rental marketing and cost savings articles for the vacation home or vacation rental owner.



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Among the other entire common phenomenon, thefts and burglaries have become the most popular. As a house owner you have to be equipped with all the things for your sweet home to be protected, and if you are sitting as a duck that may be the next target of your neighborhood cat burglar. The number one priority ought to be given to your home, its valuable assets and your family and if you are ready to face the challenge of fighting against these culprits then the home security system serves as the best solution.

When it comes to security systems for home, the modern technology offers facilities like motion detectors, burglar alarms and surveillance cameras, and many others for the protection of our homes. Another thought which crosses your mind at this time is that a DIY home security system can be installed at home by yourself, which could foil the attempts of a burglar trying to invade your house. The disadvantage of a DIY security system is that it informs us about the occurrence of the theft only after it has happened. Thousands of dollars might have been looted before checking the surveillance tapes of the robbery. To avoid such worse happenings it is advisable to invest in a home security system monitored by a home security system which is well successful.

The thing that can be best done by you to assure that your home is safe is by trusting your belongings and your home on a successful and popular home security company. The companies of home security keep a close eye on your home for any activity that is unusual from the time the installation of the security surveillance systems is done at your home. The alarm is tipped off immediately if any attempts are made by the burglars to enter the house when you are away. In this kind of situation the home security call the cops to handle the situation or they might send someone who will thoroughly check the house. This totally depends on the contract that has been signed up by you with the company of home security. Calling up the cops or sending some of their professional and well trained security staff during the event of theft taking place at your home are the options given during this kind of time.

The home security systems are always at our stones throw for the maintenance of the security systems each year or when ever the situation arises. However, all these are not given free. So you ought to be ready to spend some dollars for installation and monthly charges. The insurance companies offers discounts for those homes which they think are more secure and hence home security companies lessen down your payments for insurance premium to a great deal which is an added advantage for the users.

Apart from these, you have to keep in mind and do some researches before choosing a company for home security. The time of operation of the companies, if is it insured or not, about the home security staff’s back ground, etc, need to be checked. Once a particular contract is being signed by a client the home security companies start to offer their services very often. So it’s better if the contract is well checked so that you don’t get trapped in expensive security add-ons that are not really required by you, before investing in the home security companies.



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In times past, people didn’t have electronic home security monitoring systems to watch over the security of their homes and families. They relied on a more primitive means of monitoring their home’s security, the watchdog.

The watchdog was more than just a home security monitoring system, however, it was a trusted member of the family. Homeowners knew that so long as their loyal and faithful watchdog was monitoring their home’s security, they were safe, and so were their families and possessions. When an intruder or suspicious person was about, homeowners were confident that their living home security monitor would raise a quick alarm.

Times have changed, but the fundamental necessity of trust between a homeowner and his or her home security monitoring system has not. Homeowners need to feel the same unshakeable, unquestionable, faith and trust for their home security monitoring company as past homeowners felt for their loyal watchdogs.

Home security monitoring can cost anywhere from $10 to $100 per month. Selecting a company you can trust to provide quality home security monitoring is vital to ensuring the maximum return on this investment.

Modern home security monitoring generally works like this: when a home alarm system is tripped, a central home security monitoring station sends an alert to the central home security monitoring station via phone. Within just a few seconds, the central station will contact the homeowner over the phone or through the security keypad to determine if there is a threat to the safety of the home.

If the home security monitoring provider reaches someone in the home, the provider will ask for a passcode to ensure he or she belongs there. If the contact can’t provide the passcode, or if no one answers, the home security monitoring provider will call law enforcement to the scene and may also call a designated secondary contact.

How quickly your home security monitoring provider responds to an alarm can mean the difference between just a frightening experience and a potential tragedy. After many years of decline burglary rates have stabilized, and with worsening economic conditions, it’s only a matter of time before they begin to rise again. With burglary goes the potential for other, more violent crimes such as **** and murder. To protect your family, you need a reliable home security monitoring provider.

When choosing a home security monitoring provider, don’t be afraid to ask questions. What is the home security monitoring provider’s average response time? What relationship does local law enforcement have with the home security monitoring provider? What is the provider’s reputation among other home security monitoring firms?

When you choose a home security monitoring provider, you’re putting your life, your property and your family in that company’s hands. The relationship between you and your home security monitoring provider is just as important as the one you have with your doctor, accountant or attorney. Choose a good watchdog to monitor the security of your home, and you never need worry about your safety or that of your loved ones.



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If you want to purchase the best home security system, then you should start with home security compare. There are many home security companies, all of them claiming to provide reliable and safe options when it comes to security systems. You have to spend some time and efforts in order to determine the best home security system, finding the one that will make you feel both safe and free from complications.

Thanks to the Internet and its specialized resources, you can engage yourself in a home security compare analysis and discover various home security alarms. Using the same resources, you can take a look at the equipments installed in your region. Having gathered all that information, you can select the best option for your home, matching your requirements completely. So, you see, comparing different systems available on the market really helps.

If this is the first time you are considering such products, then you can ask for free demonstrations from several home security companies. Feel free to discuss with other homeowners (perhaps your neighbors) who had home security systems installed, inquiring about how they function and what kind of protection they offer. You can obtain some valuable information and feedback regarding the effective of anti-theft and anti-intrusion warning instruments they had installed. They will be able to offer proper guidance in identifying the best home security companies. By doing a little bit of comparison shopping, you will be able to find a professional security system at a cheap price.

There are many websites dedicated to selling home security equipments and also providing home monitoring services. There are also many companies testing the latest home security systems on the market. By performing a regular home security compare analysis, they are able to pinpoint the best products out there and their most attractive features. You can go through the articles and comparisons provided by these online sites to get detailed information about secure homes and available options for home security systems.

You have to be careful when it comes to selecting a firm that offers home security systems. Do not fall prey to eye catching advertisements from unprofessional companies. Perform a home security compare analysis and find a company that is reliable and reputable at the same time. There may be many home security companies out there but not even half of them are as reliable as you might think. Find out how long has the company been in the field, check out some client testimonials and records in order to check out their level of experience.

You can spend some of your time identifying a professional agency to install home security systems in your home. You have to see that the home security company you select offers customer care support all through the 24X7 hours in a week. They should have professionals ready to support you in any circumstances. The best deal will come only from companies with vast experience in home security systems.



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Finding a good home security system is of paramount importance in the dangerous day and time in which we live. You need look no further than the headlines of the latest daily newspaper, television broadcast or Internet news site to read about horrific home invasions and violent crimes that might have been forestalled by a home security system.

Not convinced? Here’s a few statistics that may convince you of the need for a home security system.

- A burglary occurs about every 15 seconds

- Homes without security systems are nearly three times more likely to be broken into than homes with security systems.

- The average loss per residential burglary stands at about $1607.

- Losses due to burglary average nearly $400 less in homes with home security systems than for residences without home security systems.

When you select a home security system, you’re putting the security of yourself and your family in the care of this system, so it’s important to make an informed decision when choosing your home’s protection.

When choosing a home security system, there are four factors you should consider: price, features, service and effectiveness.

Prices vary from home security system to home security system. A general range lies between $100 and $1,000. Some home security providers offer free installation coupled with a monthly fee while others charge a flat price. When picking a home security system, it’s important to ensure the price you’re paying offers a quality security package for your home.

The features your home security system offers should be the main concern you consider when selecting a system to protect your home. Home security systems are primarily divided into indoor and outdoor systems.

Indoor systems are generally used to check for motion inside the home or a security breach at the doors and windows. Outdoor systems monitor movement outside the home and activate security lights if activity is detected. More expensive security systems make use of video recording equipment.

When choosing a home security system, decide on the level of protection you want, make sure the system being offered meets your needs and don’t be afraid to ask questions of your home security system provider.

A home security system is only as good as the company that stands behind it. Before purchasing a home security system, do some research, find out what the average response time is for your home security provider, how often they do equipment checks, warranty information and whether they have a relationship with local law enforcement.

Lastly, before settling on a home security system, check into its effectiveness. Find out specifics about features such as police contact, sensor sensitivity and power outage backup. Ask local law enforcement and public safety officials their opinion of various home security services and also check the Web for customer reviews.



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Home security involves protecting the house from all imaginable angles. Maintaining a safe, secure home environment means making sure all entry points are not damaged or compromised; for instance an overlooked area of the house that often requires serious door repair San Diego home security specialists tell us, is the back of the house where burglars often enter the home in a home invasion. To increase security at home, experts strongly recommend readers to consider the following measures.

Lights that are motion-sensitive: Prevent nighttime prowlers from breaking into your home by installing motion-sensitive lights. Installing a solar-powered light won’t even require electrical wiring — it gets all the power it needs from the sun and attaches to your home’s exterior with the screws provided. A 12-foot cable lets you position the light and the solar panel in different locations for maximum sunlight retention.

Securing Auxiliary Doors And Investing in San Diego Roll Up Door Repair For Worn-Out Garage And Roll Up Doors

For both commercial roll up doors and home garages doors, though using a case-hardened steel padlock is an effective temporary fix if you don’t have a self-locking automatic garage door, investing in fixing damaged doors is the best long-term solution in preventing break-ins of this kind.

After securing your home’s front and back doors and the windows, it’s important to look for other points of vulnerability. Homeowners often overlook safeguarding them, however, they must be aware that attached garages and sliding doors that open onto patios and balconies are favorite points of entry for burglars.

Sliding door

Locking bar: The standard locks that come with sliding doors are easy to pry open. Use a locking bar (or a wooden dowel) to keep the door from being forced open. Also be sure to seriously consider investing in San Diego glass replacements for old, damaged sliding glass doors and windows to further discourage burglars from breaking into your property.

If there is too much space between a sliding door and its upper track, the door can be picked up, tilted outward, and removed — just like a sliding shower door. Leaving just enough room for the door to slide by installing screws along the inside of the upper track prevents the door from being able to be lifted out.

Doors with knobs

Door jammer: Ideal for a hotel room or a rented apartment or house with weak locks, a door jammer is essentially a door stopper on a stick. It looks like a footed cane, with a top that hooks under the doorknob and a base that grips the floor, preventing your door from being forced inward. A door jammer is easy to use and fits in a suitcase. For more information on home security, contact your local San Diego locksmiths to learn more.



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In this day and age, it is very easy to get caught up in the gadgetry of home security systems.  From simple motion detectors to the more sophisticated video cameras and biometric systems, the advancements of technology has certainly made it both easy and difficult to protect yourself, your loved ones and all you value in your home. 

Technology has made it easier in terms of providing different levels of protection and access.  But the plethora of choices available sometimes makes choosing the right home security system a bit daunting.  This is where hiring a reputable home security company can help.

If the homeowner has a basic idea of what he is looking for, the better he will be able to explain his needs to the home security company that is installing the system.  If the homeowner’s security needs and budget do not seem to match the security system choice, a reputable home security company will offer advice and some options.

Although there are a lot of do-it-yourself home security kits available in the market, it is advisable for those who are serious about protecting their home and loved ones to hire professionals. 

Home security companies are well worth the expense.  Can you put a price on your peace of mind?  Can you put a price on the safety of your loved ones?  Hiring a reputable home security company ensures the proper installation of your home security system.  Don’t do it yourself unless you are a licensed expert at installing home security systems yourself.

So here’s a little bit of help for those who are intimidated by the wide array of home security choices.  Treat this as a basic guide to helping the harried and hurried homeowner make a faster decision on his home security needs.

Perimeter sensors indicate when a window or door has been breached.  Indoor sensors such as mats strategically placed under windows, let the homeowner know if there has been a break-in.  Another type of indoor sensor detects motion such as a burglar entering a house through a window.  Ask your home security expert for details about perimeter and indoor sensors.

Ultrasonic sensors are more sophisticated than the simple motion detectors.  These sensors send out sound waves to detect movement in or around the house.  Your home security expert will know if this is the right choice for your home given the layout of your house and the relative location of windows and air vents.

If the ultrasonic sensors won’t work in your home, an alternative might be a microwave sensor.  Instead of sending out sound waves, these sensors send out microwave radio waves which are unaffected by air currents.  If not installed properly, this type of home security system can be triggered by movement around the corner of the home.  It is best to have a home security installation expert install a microwave sensor to avoid the hassles and fines of false alarms.

More sophisticated security systems are the photo-electric sensor and the passive infrared sensor.  The photo-electric sensor is a light sensor that triggers an alarm when blocked.  The passive infrared sensor is a more intelligent version of the motion detector.  Ask your home security professional for details.

Now consider yourself equipped with the basic knowledge about home security system options for your home.  Your home security professional will be able to guide you to the right security system given your security desires, the size of your home, and your budget.

 



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When you decide to sell your home, and it’s going to be vacant, you may be thinking of installing an home security alarm system. But before you do, you have to make sure you understand a few things. For starters, the secret code won’t be a secret for long. Whether it’s published on the MLS, or given to all potential buyer’s agents via phone or email, the secret will be out.

Alarms provide protection while your home is vacant or not. But you have to remember that the alarm can actually become a nuisance when instructions aren’t followed, whether it’s the instruction on the listing page stating that the buyer’s agent should call beforehand for the code (and they don’t) or if the step-by-step instructions hanging on the wall directly next to the alarm seem to be written in some other language.

To avoid these mishaps, selling agents can opt to show the house by appointment only, since too many times buyers agents don’t call for the code and the proper authorities are contacted, the alarm company is contacted and eventually the selling agent is contacted. But there are other options too. That’s why you have to decide whether or not the alarm system is actually a good idea.

Here are some tips you can utilize if you don’t want the hassles of an alarm system:

Fool the dummies with dummies. Dummy cameras, yard signs and window decals are all great ways to try and fool an intruder. Install motion detectors for all areas. Front yard, back yard and the sides of your homes will light up if motion is detected and generally scare the intruder away. Timed interior lights could also deter intruders and trick them into thinking someone is home. As a selling agent, recommend to your clients that leaving some furniture in the home, including knick-knacks on windowpanes and a couch or hanging plants will help make the home look like someone is living there still.

Again, these are just some ideas to help you get through the joys of home selling, with hopefully, less stress. Alarm systems are a great way to secure your home, however sometimes they’re more of a hassle than a luxury.



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Home security is on everyone’s minds these days, as we Americans are feeling more and more vulnerable in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, and even our country. Do what you can to secure your own little part of the world by increasing your home security.

Nowadays, deadbolts and a Doberman aren’t enough. Sophisticated criminals get past such home security measures, and violent criminals know how to bypass your basic home security. You have to fight to keep them out. Home Security Stores gives you the defenses and the weapons to protect your castle.

The Statistics

It may shock you to know that more than 40 percent of break-ins occur during the day, in broad daylight. Criminals know when you are away at work or school, and they take that chance to smash-n-grab. Secure your home 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because you never know when a criminal will strike.

Basic Home Security

Though basic home security may not be enough, it should not be ignored. Protecting your home starts with three basic home security measures: lock up, yard word, and light up.

1) Lock Up

Begin by installing sturdy locks on all your doors and windows. It may be tempting to leave the door unlocked when you are home, or to leave the window open on a hot night, but that is poor home security. Home security common sense requires you to remain vigilant at all times, and that includes properly securing yourself in your home.

2) Do Some Yard Work

Next, trim back bushes from lower windows. Criminals can easily hide in bushes and break in through windows. Trees provide problems as well, so cut tree limbs that create easy access to upper stories. The thought of someone scaling a tree to break into your home may seem implausible, but it happens. Total home security is a must, no matter how unlikely something seems to you.

3) Light Up

Finally, put the criminal in the spotlight—literally. Light up your property with motion sensor lights or flood lights that leave criminals nowhere to hide. Home security starts by making criminals NOT want to break into your home. Shedding some light on the matter may be enough to drive them away.

Three Best Home Security Options

But what if this criminal is particularly determined to get past your basic home security? Not to fear, because technological advances have made home security into a powerful art form.

Home Security Stores offer a wide variety of methods to protect your home and family. Home security can mean alarms, locks, motion sensors, safes, and personal safety devices.

Option 1: Alarms

When we hear the term home security, alarms are what we might think of first. Whether wired or wireless, home security alarm systems are a major deterrent for criminals. They monitor points of entry, such as doors and windows, or they monitor for motion when the home should be empty.

• Motion Sensor Home Security

Motion sensor home security monitors and detects when unauthorized motion occurs in what should be an empty home. Modern motion sensor home security can even distinguish between a pet and a criminal, making this method of home security even more effective and dependable. Install a motion sensor home security alarm system in your home and know you have no unwelcome guests.

• Window Break Home Security

Windows are a popular point of entry because they are made of breakable glass. But there are home security devices that can detect when that glass is broken, setting off an alarm and scaring away the intruder.

Option 2: Motion Sensor Floodlights

We’ve already suggested good lighting around the exterior of your home, but you can save some energy by installing home security motion sensor floodlights that only come on when motion is detected. Security professionals highly recommend floodlights as a criminal deterrent.

Option 3: Security Cameras

How about having your home guarded 24/7 by a watchful eye? Security cameras, which are popular with merchants and other businesses, are fast becoming popular home security devices as well. A home security camera system monitors and records activities going on anywhere around your house. You can monitor a live feed or secretly tape what’s going on when you are away from home. Cameras act as an excellent deterrent and are extremely useful in the prosecution of criminals. Home security cameras catch them in the act.

So Many More Options

You have many options in home security. Complete home security means securing your home from more than just intruders. Protect yourself and your family from a variety of emergencies with:

• Smoke Alarms

• Heat Sensors

• Fireproof Safes

• Freeze Alarms

• Temperature Sensors

• Water Alarms

• Water Sensors

• Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Personal Safety Alarms

• Pepper Spray

• Animal Repellent

• Panic Buttons

• Guide Lights

• Voice Dialers

• Biometric Readers

• Wireless Intercoms

Home security is big business these days. Follow our simple guidelines and you’ll have peace of mind and comfort in your home.



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You won’t be able to call your valued structure a home until you get the Best Home Security System to assure you a peaceful and safe haven. Most homeowners consider security their priority in home building. For when it comes to protecting lives and properties, you can’t just let luck play as it pleases. Thank the locksmiths for today’s wide variety of home security systems.

The good thing about this particular aspect of home building is that setting up a protective shield for your home wouldn’t require a professional’s intervention at all. With just the right knowledge of what system best suits the home; novices can put their hands into the safeguarding process anytime. Home security systems are often complex enough to ward off anyone who even thinks of disturbing your well-deserved peace.

But too many security tools are made available in the market that choosing which combination you need can be very confusing. Sometimes, you couldn’t figure out how one tool differs from the other in function. Thus, it is important to note that in choosing the best home security system, one must know his home structure more than anyone else – the materials used in building the house, the entry ways, and the intruder-prone areas.

The door supposedly safeguards the house. But the door just as it is can often times defeat its very purpose. Anyone who wills to break in can find all the means to do so. An aspect of the best home security system is door security. Door security tools can come in different forms such as door alarms, wedges, chains and viewers. Installing a viewer porthole will only require one to drill a hole straight through the door, so it can be very easy. For an occupied home, the chains can come into handy. For constant assurance, it would be helpful to also install door alarms to secure your home while you are away.

Window alarms have been created to suit any window design. Since burglars usually pass through where they think is less obvious, windows may be considered an intruder’s favorite. Window alarms call your attention when someone who is unauthorized passes through the window, be it from inside or outside the house.

For the Best Home Security System , do not forget to consider your lighting. Dark environments are very inviting for burglars. Here, they feel that they are safe and can stay hidden. Keep your front door and other entry points illuminated to minimize the risk of attracting thieves into your home. Infrared lighting sensors that can trigger lights outside the house may be practical and efficient defense against thieves.

If maximum protection is what you intend for your home, choose from the integrated high-end burglar alarm systems available. This security system achieves high-level security by making unauthorized home entry a very challenging task for an intruder. It also makes valuables in the home difficult or even impossible to access. Also, it makes stolen items recoverable by ensuring that a burglar can be identifiable for further investigations. A burglar alarm system provides the best home security system, an integration of door alarms, window alarms, and lighting, for an even greater assurance of safety, whether you are outside or inside your own home.



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With the festive season fast approaching, we are left with many decisions and preparations to make before packing our trailers and making our way to our holiday destinations. Ensuring the security of family and property is a key priority at this time.

Statistics clearly show that criminal activity increases during the holiday season and it is therefore imperative for homeowners to take the right precautions and not let their guard down.

There are several handy tips to bear in mind which can help alleviate the risk to family and property. The first and most important step to take is to ensure that your alarm is in working order. People tend to forget that an alarm system, like a car, has parts that age and wear out and therefore should be serviced at least once a year.

Spectacular thunderstorms during the summer months, can also wreak havoc on alarm systems. As a result of this, clients should regularly check their systems in case of lightning damage. Homeowners who have house insurance should also consider that in the event of a burglary, their insurance company will, in all likelihood, question whether they have properly maintained their alarm.

December is traditionally a busy period for security companies, so homeowners should try and test their alarms at least three weeks before going on holiday. Testing should be done anytime (ideally between 0800 and 2000 hours Mon-Fri) and if a fault is discovered, it can be immediately reported to the security service provider’s technical team.

Additional security tips to follow include:

• Advise your security company if you are going away and ensure that you supply all the necessary information regarding nearby emergency contacts, in case of an emergency

• Inform your neighbours of your holiday plans so that they can keep an eye on your property

• Stop all newspaper deliveries and ask a friend or neighbour to collect your post. A bulging post box is a real giveaway that you are not at home

• If hiring a house sitter, ensure that you teach them how to use your alarm correctly

• Double check that you have locked and secured all windows and doors before leaving home

• Ensure that all your outside locks are a minimum of four lever locks or double cylinder security locks

• Never leave a key in the inside of an outer door which has glass panels or glass near the door lock

• Having security gates fitted on outer doors is a highly effective security measure that gives you an extra line of defence

• Sliding doors can be secured simply by placing a piece of timber cut to size in the sliding rail. Make sure that sliding doors cannot be lifted vertically

• Full fencing and sturdy gates are a good deterrent

• Have good exterior lighting, preferably on a timer

• Do not leave ladders, spades or tools outside, as they can be used to break into your house

• Clear signage indicating that you have security also helps to discourage

Burglars

Another important security tip is to be discreet when preparing to go away. People should where possible pack their cars in their garage. Homeowners should also never leave a message on their answering machine stating that they are out of town.

The festive season should be a time of relaxation and giving but let’s ensure that we are not giving our belongings to criminals on a golden platter.



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