14

Feb
2018

Watching Your Home from Anywhere

February 14th, 2018 | by admin admin | in Security Advice |    0   

Local thieves have been busy. The Vancouver Police Department’s new Property Office is holding more than 500 stolen bikes, including 62 seized last week. Meanwhile, clever crooks have been cutting open automatic garage doors of South Vancouver homes. Through a triangle cut in the upper panel, the thieves access the emergency rope to break in.

The VPD recommends that you reinforce your upper garage panels and/or tape up your emergency rope so that it does not dangle within easy reach. But is that enough?

Wouldn’t it be nice to keep an eye on your home 24/7? Not just to watch for break-and-enters, but to keep in touch with your family. Now you can, with residential video surveillance and wireless security solutions.

Rapidly evolving technology allows you to monitor multiple cameras and access your home security system from the convenience of your smartphone or other wireless handheld device. Forgot to set your alarm? No worries – you can do it from the airport lounge or your hotel. Want to see what your kids and pets are doing at home? Take a virtual tour of your house via iPad®.

You can peek in on your family while you’re on a business trip halfway around the globe, or check on your elderly parents from your office. Your security system can alert you if someone opens a medicine cabinet or the basement door. It will even send you video clips of intruders. That way, you can tell at a glance whether a stranger is stealing your bike or your dad forgot the alarm code again.

So, how do you find a system that works for you?

Consider your priorities. While video surveillance solutions can help you manage your home life, you may be content just receiving an e-mail or text message when an alarm is tripped. Most systems have multiple components and your security provider can tailor yours to fit your lifestyle. You may wish to adapt your existing security system or install a new, more advanced system, with or without video.

Think long term. Your local big-box warehouse may have a sale on video security cameras, but bargain-basement solutions seldom perform well over time. Invest in durable, well-supported products.

Think convenience. Today’s wireless security solutions come with apps that allow you to access a virtual control panel over the internet. A visual interface can make managing your home security system online more intuitive and less overwhelming. After all, it looks just like it does at home.

Invest in monitoring. Every police officer will tell you monitored security systems deter crime far more effectively than unmonitored systems. Although it’s fun to check in on your new puppy, do you really want to be on call 24/7, even on vacation? A local central monitoring station allows your security provider to respond immediately to any security alerts, even when you’re asleep or out of town.

Finally, talk to a reputable security provider. Experienced security professionals can introduce you to the latest products and discuss your needs. They will help you find a solution that works best for you, not necessarily the one with the most bells and whistles, or the cheapest.

For more information, visit Radius Security’s residential video surveillance page.

Author: Susanna Chu