12 Home Security Strategies To Combat Burglary

We all want to believe that our neighborhood is safe and that we’d never be the victim of a break-in. The sad and frightening fact is that over two million home burglaries are reported every year in the United States. Of those, only about 13% are prosecuted due to lack of evidence and witnesses. That’s pretty startling. But it’s okay, there are many home security strategies you can use to combat burglary.

Burglars Take More Than Stuff

When a burglary happens, the perpetrator takes far more than your belongings. They violate your privacy, cross personal boundaries, and rob your sense of security and safety. All of these things take a huge emotional toll that can last a lifetime. And the effects of burglary do not stop with the immediate victims. When one home is burglarized, there is an increased chance of another home or homes in the neighborhood being burglarized. It also encourages a rise in other crimes in the neighborhood.

Home Security Matters

The good news about burglary is that there are things you can do to dramatically reduce your chances of being burglarized—and the benefits can extend into your neighborhood. Here are just a few of the many home security strategies you can use to improve your safety and security.

  • Make it obvious that you are serious about security. Nearly 60% of burglars say they will avoid a home that has security systems in place.
  • Use home automation to simulate presence in the home. Most burglars will avoid a home that is occupied.
  • Install home security cameras both inside and out. Use remote viewing to check on the property.
  • Use glass break and motion sensors on windows.
  • Use motion sensors throughout the home.
  • Install smart locks on your door instead of traditional lock and key.
  • Use codes to let in service providers instead of providing or hiding keys.
  • Get a smart garage door.
  • Install a video doorbell and use it to answer the door when you are not home so you do not disclose your absence.
  • Check video doorbell footage when activity trips the motion sensor. Take a snapshot or video clip of all suspicious activity.
  • Use motion sensor lighting around the perimeter of the property.
  • Use home automation to provide alerts if doors are left unlocked, and either lock them remotely or have them lock automatically if you leave the area.

Having a home security system and using home automation can greatly reduce your chances of being burglarized. It can also reduce the chances of y0ur neighbors being burglarized as well. When a neighborhood has a number of homes with home security systems, burglars tend to avoid those neighborhoods because of a greatly increased chance of being caught on tape.

About All Action Alarm

All Action Alarm is a family owned business that has been caring for Long Island families since 1980. Our 5 diamond central monitoring station keeps watch 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Contact us todat at (631) 549-7225.

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How Smart Home Security Systems Can Save You Money

Believe it or not, air conditioning is a 100+ year old invention – one we all continue to embrace to this day. Unfortunately, utilizing this invention doesn’t come cheap. But did you know smart home security systems can help you lower your AC bill as we move into the hot summer months? Here’s how.

The Smart Thermostat

One of the coolest (no pun intended!) optional features of a smart home security system is the smart thermostat. A smart thermostat is no ordinary thermostat; rather, it’s engineered with advanced technology that connects to your home security system. This technology intuitively communicates what’s happening in the house – like who’s home and how much longer they’ll be there – and adjusts the temperature accordingly.

Smart Temperature Sensors

But that’s not the only difference between a traditional thermostat and a smart one. Unlike your “regular” thermostat, which is likely mounted in a single hallway of the home, a smart thermostat has multiple temperature sensors. These can be placed on many walls throughout the house, in any room you want. That means the thermostat will know the temperature of all those rooms. You can cool down each and every one, using the same amount of energy your previous thermostat used to cool down only the hallway.

Change Up Points of Reference

Your smart thermostat will have a precision comfort feature that lets you switch the device’s main point of reference to any temperature sensor in the home. What that means: If you want the temperature in the master bedroom to be 72 degrees, you can make the bedroom the point of reference. It will cool the house until your bedroom temperature is that magic number of 72.

And the more specific your routine, the more specific you can be with the temperature sensor. Want a different room to be the point of reference on a certain day of the week? You’ll be able to do that. What about weekends? Make the most popular weekend hangout room – the family room, kitchen or dining room – the point of reference on Saturday and Sunday. While a traditional thermostat only cools down the room it “wants” to cool down, a smart thermostat can be programmed to cool down the room you’re in. That extra control can lower your AC bill substantially this summer.

To learn more about smart thermostats and your home security, Long Island homeowners can call All Action Alarm. We would love to tell you more.

About All Action Alarm

We have experience in the electronic security industry and experts in smart home security systems. If you are looking for ways to simplify your life, give us a call.

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Internet Safety Tips From A Security Company

For students, the internet is a great tool for connecting with friends, researching, and doing homework. It can also be a dangerous place, filled with serious risks such as online predators, cyber bullies, and internet scams. Thankfully, with a little knowledge and precautions, you and your children can stay safe on the internet. If you have children or teens in the home and using the internet, the safety guidelines you put in place will positively impact their safety as well as their online safety. Here are some important internet safety tips.

Parents Lead the Way in Internet Safety

To keep kids safe online, you must be involved and take an active role in how the computer and other internet devices are used in your home and family. Consider these tips just for parents.

  • Keep computer and internet device usage in the open and in communal areas such as the living room.
  • Install computer safety programs that restrict usage and filter websites.
  • Set up alerts if usage goes beyond certain set boundaries.
  • Take all incidents of bullying seriously and report it to the authorities.
  • Always report suspicious activity or threats of self-harm.
  • Have regular talks with your kids and ask the hard questions about what they are doing on the internet.
  • Set and enforce internet safety rules.

Important Internet Safety Tips for Children and Teens

When used safely the internet provides a lot of value. The problem is, many kids just do not realize that what they do could put them in serious danger. Consider implementing these rules.

  • Do not give out any personal information about your name, birthdate, current or past locations, or the school you attend.
  • Do not use personal information such as names or birth date as part of your screen name.
  • Use online screen names that do not identify you as male or female.
  • Choose complex passwords and never share them.
  • Do not send or share photos of yourself, your family or friends without checking with your parents first.
  • Before sharing pictures, make sure there is no identifying information in the background.
  • No matter how close you become online with someone, never agree to meet in person.
  • Talk to your parents if an online friend suggests meeting in person.
  • If something about the person or conversation does not feel right, tell your parents immediately. Trust your instincts.
  • Tell your parents about inappropriate or threatening messages.
  • Never download anything without permission.
  • Never shop online without permission.
  • Do not engage in online fights.
  • Never send messages that could be considered mean-spirited or threatening.
  • Never use the internet to make anyone feel sad or scared or to encourage others to engage in bullying.
  • Report bullying to your parents immediately.

About Our Long Island Alarm Company

All Action Alarm is a family owned business that has been protecting Long Island and New York City homes and businesses since 1980.

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