20

Jun
2016

Home Security Tips for Summer Vacation

June 20th, 2016 | by admin admin | in |    1   

Who’s watching your house while you’re away on vacation this summer? Thieves, for one. Neighbours, family or friends, if you’re smart. Radius Security, if you want to relax and not worry. You, with mobile technology.

One of the best ways to protect your home during your trip is with a home security system. Even a basic motion sensor, door/window contacts, and audible alarm will dissuade a thief. Police, however, strongly recommend a monitored system because neighbours tend to ignore alarms. An alarm is useless if no one responds.

Video alarm verification will tell police there is a crime in progress, resulting in a faster response. For added peace of mind, consider a video surveillance system with remote guarding. Our central monitoring station will watch over your home 24/7 and respond to any intruders right away. You can receive instant notification of fire, flood or intruders, along with video clips.

Even better, you can take a look around your house from anywhere in the world on your smartphone or other wireless hand-held device. Imagine: Arming your burglar alarm from an airport lounge. Or peeking at your cat and pet-sitter from a faraway beach. Showing your homesick child that Teddy is still safe. Security cameras can digitize and encrypt a live video stream, putting your home in the palm of your hand.

Even with the best residential security system, an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure. Here’s how NOT to attract burglars in the first place:

1. Get help. Give your key and a temporary alarm code to a friend or neighbour to check on your house. Collect mail, clear flyers, water plants, care for pets, mow the lawn etc. Hire someone if you have to. But make sure your home monitoring service knows who has access in order to avoid false alarms.

2. Light Up. Make the house look lived in by setting lights on (random) timers in the evening. Don’t forget bright lights outside to discourage burglars.

3. Unplug. TV, computer, coffee maker, any unnecessary appliance. It will save you money and prevent fires from power surges.

4. Lock Up. Doors, windows, any point of access. Seal the cat door, put away the spare key, disable the garage door.

5. Keep Quiet. Don’t tell the world your house will be empty for a month. At school, at work, on social media—you never know who might be paying attention.

6. Tell the Police. Especially if you live in a smaller community, officers patrolling your neighbourhood may pay extra attention if they know you’re away.

7. Open up Curtains. Covering all your windows is a sure sign no one is home. Remember to hide your valuables, though.

Source:

Get Prepared, Government of Canada. Is Your Home Safe When You Go on Vacation?

Note: This blog discusses general safety and security topics. It is not intended to provide comprehensive advice or guidance. In all matters of personal safety and security, we encourage readers to research topics in depth and consult a security professional about specific concerns.

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