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We aren’t living in the best of times! Crime is on an all time high especially, after the recent economic slowdown and the recession. For most businesses, it’s time to cut down on unwanted expenses. But it is also time to take the necessary steps to beef up the security at your home as well as business. While law enforcement agencies will do the best they can to help you, you can always take proactive steps yourself to protect your home and investments.
Today, we take a look at 5 smart security devices that your business can do with. These are not devices that you will see on TV or read about in newspapers. Yet, they smart, effective and inexpensive.
5. The counterfeit Money Detector: Definitely a must have for any business! Counterfeiting is a billion dollar industry and it is next to impossible to spot a counterfeit currency note with your eyes. The counterfeit money detector can help you detect a counterfeit note effortlessly. The best part is that it is extremely easy to use and works on US Dollars, Euros and Canadian Dollars.
4. Security Scanners: High quality hand held scanners help you to scan each person who enters your commercial premise. Powerful long range coils and unique vibration capability allows the unit to be used without embarrassing or alarming patrons and suspects. With scanners of different sizes and functions available, it ranks at number 4 amongst our Best 5 security gadgets.
3. Security Signs & Decals: One of the most inexpensive but effective security devices of all times, security signs & decals can help you prevent crime. Post the stickers or put up the signs where people can see them. Certainly helps scare away potential burglars and thieves. Inexpensive too.
2. Door/Window exit alarms: At number 2 in the list of smart security devices, we have door and window alarms. Door/window exit alarms help you monitor each and every person entering or leaving your commercial space. The alarm alerts you to any unauthorized exits/entries through emergency exit doors and rear doors. Completely customizable, you can control the alarm sound and alarm type.
- Dummy Security Cameras: Beating all the other gadgets, we have dummy security cameras at number 1. Nothing can scare away a potential criminal like the presence of a security camera. And this one doesn’t even cost you $25. Dummy security cameras are fake security cameras with the housing minus the electronics. They look exactly like a security camera and can help prevent petty thefts and crime. Definitely a must buy if you own a retail store.
That’s it! In our next article, we will take a look at smart security devices that your home can do with! Till then, adios.
A lot of retail stores seemed to be armed with dummy cameras nowadays. After all, they are inexpensive versions of the much more effective but pricey CCTV cameras. And for a layman, they are pretty much the same. (In case you didn’t know, dummy cameras are fake security cameras that have the camera housing minus the actual electronics) They are designed to look like actual cameras but are not real. Dummy cameras when used in the right place can prove to be useful.
But does installing 6 to 7 dummy cameras in a retail store really help prevent shoplifting? Or in a more serious situation, can they actually help you in gathering evidence or catching a criminal like real CCTV cameras do? The answer is NO.
In order to better understand their effectiveness it is necessary to look into the implications and limitations of dummy cameras.
PROS
- Inexpensive. While a real security camera will cost you an arm and a leg, the dummy security camera hardly costs $10 to $20.
- Authentic looking. Dummy cameras look exactly like real CCTV cameras and it would take an expert to know that it isn’t real.
- CAN help prevent crime. A dummy security camera can prove to be helpful in preventing crime as the sight of a camera is enough to deter criminals from attempting a crime.
- Can be used to strengthen your security network at minimal cost. Add it along with real CCTV cameras and your network suddenly looks much stronger.
CONS
- Cannot record real footage. There are people who feel that a dummy security camera is a cheap but working CCTV camera. No. It is what the name suggests, a DUMMY or a replica.
- A seasoned shoplifter will eventually find out that the camera is a fake when he/she is not caught after repeated offenses.
- Some models have a red LED light on the front panel that shows that the camera is working. But very few original cameras have such LED lights and this light itself can be an indicator that the camera is a fake one.
- Can give a sense of implied security.
The Final Verdict
The usage of dummy security cameras should be determined by one’s personal preferences. Yes, at times they can prove to be ineffective but it is also true that when used at the right place, they can prove to be extremely effective in preventing crime. But the best way to use them would be to pair them up with other security gadgets like door/window alarms & motion sensors so that you always have a back up.
The economy has been suffering for quite some time now and shows very little signs of improving soon. Unemployment has been on the rise and so have been prices. The result is that there has been a significant increase in the number of petty crimes (burglaries & thefts). While they are called petty crimes, the loss of $1500 electronic equipment is by no means ‘petty’. And while you can rely on law enforcement agencies, there is a lot more that you can do yourself. After all, you are the best person to protect your home.
And keeping the economy and the budget crunches that you may have planned in mind, here are the 5 best ways to enhance your home security and prevent being burgled without spending more than $30 out of your pocket.
- Start an awareness program: Does each and every person in your home know how to operate, arm & disarm a home security system? If no is the answer then this is the time to teach them how to do it. Surprisingly enough, a major percentage of burglaries occur because the occupants of the house failed to arm their alarm system. Teach everyone, including kids.
- Signboards and decals: Cheap and reliable, security signboards and decals are one of the best and most trusted ways to prevent a crime. In fact, you can very well start a neighborhood program and encourage your neighbors to put up these signboards as well. It wont cost you more than $20 to get a high quality illuminated signboard.
- The Hustlers: A lot of criminals now use smooth talking techniques to enter your home as a guest rather than trying to break into it. They can come disguised as well dressed salesmen or even as an electrician. It helps to be well prepared especially when you are not at home. So train your kids to not open the door to any stranger when they are alone at home. The last thing that you need is a criminal waltzing in through your front door without any security system stopping him. And once again, I emphasize on point one mentioned above.
- Protect the outside along with the inside: A lot of burglars now prefer to loot the garage or the storage shed rather than risk being caught inside the house. So, if you have neglected the protection for your garage, then please rethink your strategy and protect the outside of the home along with the inside.
- Adopt a pet: Apart from giving you endless hours of enjoyment and unconditional love, dogs can also protect your home. The mere presence of a dog can send shivers down the spine of any burglar. And no, we are not talking about some of the expensive breeds here. Even a normal barking dog is enough.
See? It’s something that each one of you can do without having to spend too much money. Beat the recession and secure your home today.
I was visiting my cousin in Connecticut last week and was surprised to find that his house was protected by the latest gizmos and gadgets. I could see a large signboard proclaiming that his house was protected by CCTV security cameras, right from across the street. The moment I entered his driveway, I could see a large box like gadget following me and my car. I figured that this was a camera and I was under surveillance. Other than this, there were two dome cameras outside mounted on the ceiling, sticking out like a sore thumb and three cameras inside the home as well. Wow! I was impressed for sure. But I had two questions bubbling in my mind and I popped it to him without even waiting for an exchange of pleasantries.
€¢1. Do you really need all this security?
€¢2. It must have cost you a bunch! How did you manage?
And boy, both the answers surprised me!
On my way back home, I was thinking and thinking like I have never done before. And I stopped my car just outside my gate and took a casual walk on the street looking at my house all the while. It was exactly like my cousin had said it would be. But I had never noticed it before. So let me take you back to his answer to my first question so that it will make things clearer.
“Hey bob, we all feel that everything bad only happens to someone else and never to us. And as a result, we are never prepared mentally to meet an untoward and unexpected incident. It happened to me last month when burglars broke into my garage and stole equipment worth a few thousand dollars. I considered it to be pure bad luck and informed the cops. But just after a week, they struck again. This time, there wasn’t anything to take away. But I was shocked out of my stupor. And the result, is what you just saw as you entered. If you feel that all this is mere extravagance and that you don’t really need it, then go back and take a walk on the street across your home. Now, look at your home. What are the ways in which a burglar can break into your home? Are there shrubs where he can hide? Is it easy to break into your garage? Is it easy to access your home through windows? I bet that you are in for a big surprise Bob old buddy!”
He was right. In fact, Bruce couldn’t have been more right. My house looked like a sitting duck. There were large shrubs right outside my home. What looked like an ornamental plant from inside the house looked like a hiding place from the outside. The window on the upper floor was easily accessible. The garage had no protection other than an old mechanical lock which even my 8 year old daughter could break with a little effort. Suddenly, my house looked totally vulnerable. I had found my answer myself.
Now for the second answer that surprised me even more. Bruce had smiled and said that “The whole set up cost me $200″. I had assumed that all the security setup would have cost him a fair deal. But all those gadgets including the security cameras and the large signboard had cost him just $200. Yes, the reason is that most of those cameras were dummy security cameras. They are designed to look exactly like a real camera but, they do not record any footage. But of what use is a dummy camera when it cannot record anything?
The objective of the dummy camera is to prevent a crime and not gather evidence. The mere sight of these cameras usually deters burglars from entering the premises because they cannot detect that it is a fake one. One of the dummy cameras that followed me as I entered his driveway was a motion detector enabled one. It follows people as they walk fooling them into believing that they are under surveillance. Exactly, like it had fooled me. For just $200, he had secured his home.
So, I am all set to give my home security a new meaning. No, I do not need real cameras. At least, not now! But dummy cameras, I can certainly afford and if it does the job, then why not?
Tip1: Multi-layered Security – The security setup at your home needs to be like an onion (multi-layered) and not an egg (it’s a breeze to crack it). Most burglars prefer a quick and unobserved entry. Make it difficult for the burglar to bypass the security system and he will give up sooner than you expect. Use burglar alarms, electronic watchdogs, motion sensors, driveway alarms, CCTV cameras, dummy cameras and mirrors in your home.
Tip2: Be the Burglar – It takes a thief to spot one. So become a thief and take a walk around your home. How does it look? Does it look inviting? Does the window on the first floor give a perfect view of the expensive paintings that you bought yesterday? Is there an excellent place to hide?
Tip3: Identify the weak link – You might have left a weak link in your security setup. This might be an unlocked door, an unsecured window or an outdated dysfunctional lock. Identify it before a burglar does and rectify the mistake.
Tip4: The right and wrong of shrubbery – Shrubbery that prevents a clear view of your doors and walkways from across the streets, very wrong. Thorny Shrubbery (cactus, rosebushes) that makes it difficult for anyone to reach a window, very right. Learn the rights and wrongs of using shrubbery and landscaping around the home.
Tip5: Love thy Neighbor – The lord preached this ages ago and if you still are not practicing it, then this is the time to do it. Include your neighbors in the scheme of things and inform them about your daily schedule. Give them the permission to inform the law enforcement agencies in case they spot anything untoward (a stranger standing in your lawn acting suspicious). A neighborhood watch program is also one of the best ways to secure your neighborhood.
Tip6: Let there be light – Using low voltage lighting and combining it with motion sensors around the perimeter of your home is one of the best cost effective methods to discourage intruders. You can of course, combine the lights and integrate it into your burglar alarm as well.
Tip7: Close the invitation – If your window provides a clear view of expensive equipment inside, then it is like a showroom advertising the wares inside and also an invitation for any burglar walking down the street to come in and try his luck. Close the invitation. Get heavy drapes that hamper visibility from the outside. Heavy drapes mean less guaranteed results for the burglar and hence, lesser chances of him attempting a break in at your place.
Tip8: Create an illusion – At times, an illusion is even better than reality. So create an illusion that your home is well protected. Use timers on TV and lights when you are going away for a long time. Use a combination of security sign boards, decals and dummy cameras in the exterior. It is inexpensive and can well serve the purpose.
Tip9: Monitor it – Security systems that work on battery can frequently run out of juice. The last thing that you would want is an alarm that failed to go off because of a drained battery. So keep monitoring your system from time to time and replace old batteries when they need to be replaced.
Tip10: Use it when you have it – Never ever leave your home without switching on the security system. You might be going down the street for a 10 minute walk but you should always switch it on. A lot of people have been found guilty of not using a home security system. Always use it when you have it.
Having kids at home means that you have all the more reason to be concerned about security. A lot of children in the United States come back from school to empty homes as both the parents are out at work. There are numerous dangers in the world that kids are completely unaware of. And it’s your responsibility as parents to educate them about these dangers and use the best possible resources to protect them. It helps create a safe and happy environment for the kids and also prepares them for any untoward incident that may occur when they are alone at home.
- The first thing that you teach your child should be to never answer the door when he/she is alone at home. At times, the person at the door might say that he/she is a security figure and has come for some urgent work. But under no circumstances should the child answer the door and let the person in. If it is indeed a cop then it will be as easy as a pie for him/her to find a way to communicate with the child without opening the door.
- Teach your child to call 911 emergency services in case of an emergency.
- Teach your child his/her name and address. This would come in handy if he/she were ever to be lost or kidnapped.
- Teach him/her your phone number, your spouse’s phone number and/or any other phone number that will come in handy in an emergency situation.
- Show him/her how to arm and disarm the home security system. Also show him the various ways in which he can alert the authorities about a possible intruder.
- Lastly, teach him/her phone etiquettes. In other words, he/she should never let an unknown caller know that he/she is alone at home.
These are some of the things that you can teach your child to ensure that he/she isn’t caught unawares if there is a possible intruder at the door. However, there are many steps that you can take besides these to enhance the protection level of your home. Let us look at some of them.
- Gas leaks are one of the gravest problems being faced by people around the world. Many homes are susceptible to gas leaks and subsequently fire damage. And a large number of fatalities occur every year in such accidents. The reason that you don’t find them on the front page of newspapers is because there are more interesting and ‘sensational’ things happening. However, installing a simple inexpensive fire and smoke alarm in the home can give you the necessary protection and peace of mind. You can also install a carbon monoxide detector that can alert you in case the gas levels go too high.
- Install alarm systems that monitor all the entry and exit points of the home. CCTV cameras, motion detectors and driveway alarm systems can also enhance the security level in and around your home.
- If you have a babysitter or a nanny looking after your kid in your absence, then you can use a nanny cam.
- If you have a swimming pool at home, then using a swimming pool alarm system is a must. Children love the sight of a pool and frequently go near them to play. A pool alarm system will alert you if someone enters the pool area or jumps/falls into the water.
- Enroll in a neighborhood watch program where one neighbor keeps an eye out for strangers and vice-a-versa. Neighborhood watch programs are a big success and are a red flag for criminals looking to enter your area.
These are some of the simplest yet most effective methods of protecting your children.
Almost every one knows that home security systems and burglar alarms are used to protect your family and assets from intrusions and burglary attempts. It would be naive to list that as an advantage of using one. But as the title of this article suggests, there are a few advantages of using a home security system that not everyone is aware of. Would you believe that installing a home security system can actually help you reduce your tax liabilities? Yes, you heard it right. Your check to the IRS can be reduced by installing a home security system.
Advantage 1: Reduce your tax liability
A home security system can easily qualify as a ‘capital improvement’ on a home. This means that the cost of installing a burglar alarm system can be added to the adjusted cost basis of your home at the time that you are looking to sell it. This cost is a reduction in the capital gain of your home and hence is a direct reduction of the capital gain taxes. You can always speak to your tax advisor about more ways in which you can use a home security system to reduce your taxes.
Advantage 2: It improves the value of your home
A home that is installed with the latest security system will always fetch a premium price in the market. More buyers are looking for homes that have a security system installed, as new installations are considered to be messy by most. Almost any Realtor will tell you that a burglar alarm system is considered to be a big plus.
Advantage 3: It helps you to lower your insurance costs
Now that is a first. If you have a monitored home security system installed then most insurance companies will be willing to offer you a discount on the insurance rates. Why is that? It’s pretty simple. A home security system will help prevent losses. A home with the latest burglar alarms and CCTV cameras installed has a far lesser chance of being burgled than one which doesn’t have it. And if you thought that the monitoring company charges were uncalled for, then here’s some more good news. You can always use that as a deductible business expense if you are running the business out of your home. You can speak to your tax consultant for more on this.
I am sure that you were unaware of these benefits of installing a security system for home. Well, that’s all the more reason for you to invest in one today.
Nothing beats the cool comfort of an air conditioner on a hot summer night. You can plug it on and instantly be transferred to a different climate zone. But hey, spare a thought for the home security, for the window air conditioner might just be the weakest link in your security setup.
‘Did you just say the ‘weakest link’? The air conditioner? How is that possible? My air conditioner is on the second floor. How would a thief gain access to it from the outside and even if he does, how can he move it? It weighs a ton’
Does that sound like you? If yes, then like most people, you are terribly underestimating the abilities of a burglar and also the tools available to him. Irrespective of where your air conditioner is situated, it can easily be accessed via a whole range of tools that burglars use. There are burglars who climb even up to the 15th floor of high rises to break into a home. The second floor should be a cinch.
Most people secure the window air conditioner from the outside and leave it as it is from the inside. The result is that any thief or burglar can easily push it inside and then use the opening to enter your home. And, the worst part is that no security system integrates the window air conditioner into the alarm system. I mean, most people are unaware that it can be used to enter the house. So how does one secure the window air conditioner to prevent access to the home?
Securing your window air conditioner
There are kits available in the market that allows you to secure the window air conditioner from both the outside as well as the inside. You can securely screw the air conditioner to the wall thereby preventing anybody from removing it or moving it from outside the house. The window air conditioner kit is relatively inexpensive and can guarantee you that no burglar can enter your home without tripping an alarm. Another thing that you would want to ensure is that the window cannot be raised above the air conditioner. This is another technique used by burglars to gain access to a home. If you have a wooden window then you can always install a wood screw into the stile at the top of the raised window. You can enhance the security level by using tempered glass.
So you see, there are aspects to the security of your home that you previously must not have even thought of.
The key, the easiest pass way to your home. And how many copies of the key to your home do you posses now? And do you have an idea how many copies are actually missing or in circulation (handed over to neighbors, maid, cleaning service or a repair man)? It is surprisingly strange to find that one of the most important security measures is often neglected. I have visited homes where I have seen the key to the main door lying idle on the desk, near a drawer and even under a watering can. And considering that it is fairly easy to duplicate keys, anyone who has access to your home can easily steal a copy, duplicate it and replace the original and you wouldn’t even know. So who’s got your keys?
Preventing unauthorized access
Key control as it is called is the assurance that none of the keys to your home can be duplicated without your knowledge. One of the best ways of gaining complete key control is to use patent protected keys. Patent protected locking systems have multiple levels of security and incorporate more than one locking mechanism. It may include a tumbler mechanism, a separate locking sidebar and more. These locks are multi cylinder locks that can only be opened by specialized keys that are designed exclusively by the manufacturer. Most burglars look to gain easy access and to do it fast. Patented locks and keys will provide them with a new challenge at every turn of the key. This is what makes patent protected locking systems the most secure. It is next to impossible for anyone to duplicate the keys and gain access to your home.
So how do I get a duplicate copy?
A patented locking system cannot be duplicated by an average Joe from the street. Only authorized dealers will duplicate the keys and that too with your permission and knowledge. This gives you complete key control.
Bump Proof keys
If you have been seeking information on locks, keys and home security then key bumping will not be a new term to you. But if you are hearing it for the first time, then it is technique that has become extremely popular and is used for opening a pin tumbler lock using a bump key. The advantage of using a bump key is that one bump key can be used to open all locks of the same type. In fact, lock bumping can very well make a mockery of your ordinary locks. And the worst part is that these keys are freely available on the Internet. Just about anyone including you can buy a bump key off the Internet. Besides there are several websites that have instructional videos on making your own bump keys. And these videos are so detailed, that even a child can buy a bump key and use it to break into your home.
So, you have to replace those old locks with more advanced high security bump locks and keys. A simple replacement is all that is needed to protect your home and assets from techniques like lock bumping. A bump proof lock is the best way to stay protected but it is also an expensive measure. High quality bump proof locks cost well over $200 and that is not a sum that everyone can afford. However, there is a relatively inexpensive way for you to convert an ordinary lock into a bump proof lock. Even your local locksmith can help you with it and it won’t cost you more than a few dollars.
So the next time you wonder about the security of your home and keys, then think about these points that I have mentioned above.
At times, I can’t help imagining the worst possible scenario. I have the best security system that money can buy and I try and think like a criminal or a burglar for ways that I can crack it. This helps me find any loopholes in the system. I have frequently walked around my place to look for ways by which I can dodge the motion detectors and the CCTV cameras but have found none. I have also looked for ways to disarm the complete alarm system without getting into the home and found no ways to do it. Even if I cut off the power supply, it still works on a backup power system.
It was during one such trip that I found that if someone were to follow me inside and threaten me with a weapon, then I would have to disarm the alarm system myself and no one would even come to know about it. The last thing that you want to try in such a situation is heroics. Now, that was one scenario that I hadn’t thought about. So, I called the security company immediately and explained the situation to them. The guy on the other end then coolly explained that I had no need to panic as I could still use the duress code.
What is the duress code?
The word duress is defined as ‘Forcible confinement’. It means that you are being held against your will and in case of an alarm system; it indicates to the security company that your house is being intruded. The duress code is a secret code that will disarm your security system but send a silent system to the security company. Whenever the security company receives a duress code activated alarm, it will instantly notify the law enforcement agencies and they will tackle the situation accordingly. The duress code will thus allow you to fool the intruder that you have disarmed the system but help will be on its way.
Know your security system
Information about the duress code prompted me to call up my security company for a user manual of my security system. A lot of people take their security systems for granted and hence are not completely aware of all the features that come with it. Does your security system have a feature like the duress code? Call your security company now to know more about it.
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