Choosing the best lock for your home

It may seem like an easy item to check off your to-do list, but choosing a lock to protect your home is a very important decision. There are many different types of door locks, but not all locks are created equally. In fact many can be compromised with just a little skill, study each of these features to ensure your lock is safe and secure:

  §  The bolt. Make sure the bolt extends at least one inch into the door jamb; this will help keep the door secure if it is kicked or hit violently. The bolt should also have a hardened, free-spinning steel pin, which makes the bolt more saw-proof. Locks with a six-pin keying system are also more difficult to pick than a five-pin system.

  §  The strike plate. This is a metal piece that is mounted inside of the door frame that holds the bolt. It would be ideal if it was made of heavy-gauge steel or brass and should come with screws that are at least three inches long to securely fit it to the door frame.

  §  The plug. Both the plug (the part that the key turns) and the cylinder (surrounds the plug) should be make of forged solid brass. Avoid any locks that use brass-plated zinc, which is softer and easier to destroy.

  §  The housing. Choose a lock with housing that attaches to the door, rather than sitting on the surface of it. This will prevent a burglar from simply sheering off the deadbolt.

  §  The door. Sliding doors are a favourite target for burglars since they often have a lock on just the handles that can be easily defeated. Add an auxiliary lock with a steel bolt that attaches to the door frame, rather than another sliding panel, to prevent horizontal and vertical movement.

It’s also important to remember that home door locks should just be one component of your security system, you should still invest in a security system for your home or business.

Contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services for a reliable security system for your home or business. we can offer anything from general guarding to CCTV off site and alarm monitoring.

Written By: Christine Romans

Smart safes for your sidearm

If you own a firearm of any kind, it needs to be locked up any time it’s not being used! With items as dangerous and as costly as firearms, its best to keep them as secure as possible. Gun safes have been around for many years, but only recently have they been integrated with technology. You should invest in a safe for your firearm to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Why you need a safe for your firearm
A safe may very likely keep your firearms secure from break-ins or house fires. Since they are both expensive and desirable, firearms are one of the most common possessions stolen from homes. That being said, if you don’t lock them up, you’re almost asking them to be stolen. A gun safe will also help keep your firearms out of the hands of children.

Why get a smart safe?
When it comes to gun safes, you want the best, most advanced safe you can possibly find. This will help keep your guns out of the wrong hands – but did you know that you could get a “smart safe”? Smart safe’s can be linked to your Smart Home security system and react to your home’s security system. Smart safes can often be accessed from your smartphone. The purpose a smart safe is to keep intruders preoccupied long enough when they try break into the safe for the authorities to arrive.

Types of smart safes
There are many different types of smart safes to choose from and each of these safes have different capabilities and features. Because of the variety of options, you’ll need to sift through them to find the one that’s right for you and your home. Not all smart safes can connect to your home security; however, many have a fingerprint scanner, RFID capabilities and biometric technology. These safes can be customized and programmed to work in certain ways and they will do the best at helping to keep your weapons safe. Here are some safes and safe resources to consider:
- GunBox
- Inprint
- GunSafeStore

What to look for in a safe
If you've never shopped for a gun safe before, or you need to upgrade and don’t know where to start, there are a few things you need to do. If you find a well-reviewed safe, it’s probably a good choice for you. Another good thing to do would be to talk with someone at a place that sells or makes gun safes. Ask them what kind of gun safe they own and why. Expert opinion is one of the best ways to find out if something is worth buying.

Gun ownership is a BIG responsibility and one of those responsibilities includes gun storage. Getting a safe is not only a great idea, but it is also a necessity. 

Contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services for a wide variety of different security services, from general guarding and farm protection to CCTV off site and alarm monitoring.

Written By: Christine Romans

The Sesame Smart Lock

The Sesame is a new smart lock for your house. This great device replaces traditional locks and comes with a smartphone app that replaces your house keys!

The Bluetooth-connected Sesame smart lock was well on its way to making its funding goal on the very first day of a 60 day Kickstarter campaign, having racked up more than 60,000 dollars in pledges from some 400 backers just hours after they launched the project.

The nice thing about the Sesame Smart Lock is that it requires zero carpentry skills to install it on your front door. It has a patented design which fits any latch in the world! The device slips over an existing deadbolt and is attached with supplied 3M Command tape, meaning it can be installed in just seconds.

The Sesame (derived from the “open Sesame” command) also has military grade encryption, so no one is hacking this thing!

Security is pretty important for a device like the Sesame, especially given that this smart lock will allow you to give others the ability to open it even when you’re not around. The lock is run by a smart phone app, but there are actually different ways to work it inn addition to opening the app up. You can also device “special knocks” to tap on your door or your phone and Sesame will be alerted to draw back the bolt.

You can control the smart lock remotely with the Wi-Fi access point, meaning you shouldn't ever have to worry about if you left your front door unlocked! It will also send you an alert when the door lock is being used.

The Sesame’s supplied lithium batteries promise about 500 days of use, and the device will send your smartphone a notification when the batteries are running low.

The Sesame Smart Lock will retail for about 149 dollars when it launches, although it is available now if you want to purchase one for only 89 dollars.

For all your home security needs, contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services. Choose from a variety of options including general guarding, farm protection and CCTV off site and alarm monitoring.

Written By: Christine Romans

How can CCTV help you?

These days you have a wide variety to choose from when it comes to security, the only problem is finding the right security for your home or business. Some security devices have odd names that can make it difficult to understand their use, like CCTV cameras. However, many people may be unsure what CCTV even stands for, or whether it’s really even something you need.

So, what exactly are they and how do they help you? Here’s everything you need to know about them, including what CCTV means…

CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television, which means you can record and transmit video wirelessly. It also means that you can view both live and previous video feed.

You can choose to link your camera, infrared beams and alarm system. So, if the camera detects movement within its coverage area it’ll send a video clip to the monitoring centre. Each clip should be small enough to be sent instantly.

Once the monitoring centre receives the video slip it will be forwarded to the people you selected to be viewed.

These cameras will work during the day and during the night. They also work really well in poor and varying light conditions.

Most CCTV systems allow you to connect through an existing LAN network. However, some only allow authorized users to view the video footage.

You can also opt to view a live camera feed, which can be viewed from anywhere using your phone or computer.

Over time, the rise in crime has been matched by the development of technology in the security industry. CCTV cameras are the perfect example of this development.

If you are interested in increasing your home or business’ security with CCTV cameras you can contact a professional home security company like SIS – Security &Investigation Services.

How to protect your elderly family from home intrusion

You always need to ensure that your aging parents’ home is safe and secure. There have been reports that homes where women or senior citizens who are alone are prime targets for home invasions. There are many things that can be done to protect your elderly family members; here are some things that can be done to decrease the chance of your older family members from becoming victims:

  §  Trim trees and shrubs to eliminate hiding places for thieves.

  §  Keep the outside of your home well lit, especially outside windows and doors. You can install motion sensor lights to deter any burglars and alert you of potential criminals.

  §  Make it difficult for an intruder to enter your home. Be certain that all your windows and doors are locked properly and cannot be forced open.

  §  Many communities have free or low cost repairs to low-income seniors. Check with local senior organisations for more information.

  §  Create and maintain safe and easy escape routes in very room. You need to ensure that you know how to get out fast.

  §  When you are away from home, use timers on inside lamps and radios to create the illusion of an occupied home.

  §  When you return home always give the house a brief survey before entering. If anything looks suspicious, call the police immediately.

  §  Form a neighbourhood watch program and watch out for one another.

  §  Report suspicious activity to the police.

  §  Install a modern security system

  §  Follow safe practices with your elderly family members every day.

There has been many studies that indicate that home invasion is on the top of the list of concerns for senior citizens, this is understandable because property crimes represent the highest share of crimes against 65 years and older. If you do the steps listed above, you will give you and your elderly family member’s peace of mind.

For all your home security needs, contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services. They can offer your a wide variety of services, from general guarding and farm protection to CCTV off site and alarm monitoring.

Written By: Christine Romans

How to teach your kids about home security

If you have a child it is your responsibility to keep them safe, it is also your job to teach them how to follow the proper course of action if they are ever in a dangerous situation. Your children may have never thought about home security because they have never been faced with any potential threats; here is how to teach your kids about home security…

Small Children
It is never too early to teach your child about home security. It is especially important to teach them at a young age if they are often left alone with older siblings or babysitters. Make sure your child knows all these precautions:

       -          Never open the door for someone when an adult is not there.

       -          Refrain from answering the phone when a parent is not home.

       -          Know how to lock all the doors properly in order to keep the home secure.

       -          Know the plan for evacuating the house in the event of a fire or related emergency.

Tweens
Kids these days seem to be using technology at a younger and younger age, this can threaten their security without them even realising. If your child is often active on social media sites, ensure they follow these rules:

      -          Do not post information about where you live or your physical address.

      -          Do not post on Facebook or Twitter or any other social media network that you are home alone.

You should also always show your tween exactly how to use your home security system, make sure they know the code and how to activate and deactivate it.

Adolescents
If you have older children you probably know that they can be very unpredictable and irresponsible, you have to ensure that they know exactly how to use the home security and access control systems. If you want to get them more involved, have them teach their younger siblings about home security and how to use the home security system.

      -          If you have a smartphone and an advanced home security system, learn how to use it with apps.

      -          If you are installing a new home security system, involve your teens son they can understand how everything works.

      -          Make sure they know all the codes and how to activate and deactivate the security system.

If you would like further guidance in teaching your kids about home security, contact SIS –Security & Investigation Services today. They also offer you a wide variety of services from general guarding and farm protection to CCTV off site and alarm monitoring.

Written By: Christine Romans

Top home security trends for 2015

So 2014 is done and dusted in what seems like a flash. Last year shaped up to be quite a big year for home security as it continued to integrate and crossover into the world of smart home technology.

Every month there seemed to be a start up company popping up with a new and improved take on home security.  Some of the biggest security news of the year came from two of the largest global companies, Google who acquired Nest and Dropcam and Apple who introduced HomeKit.

Here are some things to keep an eye out for this upcoming year:

The Camera-centric Security System
Security cameras will soon become a focal point of home alarm systems, after all, it’s comforting to know what’s going on at your home when you’re not around. Many start up security companies have designed their systems around a camera, making video monitoring and live streaming the main features, other alarm companies continue to try and combine more video and image options into their systems.

Smartphone integration
As security camera use becomes more popular, it also makes sense that smartphone use for home security also increases. And why shouldn't it? It’s incredibly easy to just simply pick up your smartphone and control your home alarm system. With smartphone integration you can view live camera footage, monitor the system’s activity and status and so much more!

User experience
In 2015 the user experience is to become extremely important and thankfully, more companies are recognizing that. Home security companies are focusing more of their time and money on websites, apps, guides and other important collateral to be streamlined and user-friendly.

The home security industry is in for a very interesting 2015. Home security companies continue to innovate and introduce new technologies into their systems, make sure to keep up with the latest home security trends this year!

For all your home security needs contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services, they can offer you a wide variety of home security services from general guarding to CCTV off site and alarm monitoring.

Written By: Christine Romans

The dumbest criminals in the world – Part 2

Most burglars aren't the sharpest tools in the shed; they could be why they chose a life of crime. Still, whether due to poor planning or panicking under pressure, some criminals stand out as especially dumb; here is part 2 of the dumbest criminals in the world.

No. 5
On March 23, 2010 in Fairfield, Connecticut, Albert Bailey and an unnamed juvenile accomplice decided to rob a bank. Bailey was clever enough to call the bank in advance and let them know that they were coming to rob it, his intention was to give the bank plenty of time to get the money ready so the two of them could just walk in, take the cash and leave!

After the call, Bailey sent in his juvenile accomplice along with a note to avoid any confusion in case the bank was waiting for another robber. Meanwhile a bank employee called the police and updated them about everything that was happening. The robbers demanded 100 000 Dollars but only got 900, they then walked out the bank into the arms of the police, who arrested them immediately without incident.

No. 4
In Omaha, Nebraska, Melissa Peters was getting ready to take her son to school, she headed to her car when she found 17-year-old Mganga Mganga pointing a gun at her face. They quickly fled and he entered the car to steal it, there was one problem though – the car had a manual transmission and Mganga had no idea how to use it.

What happened next was like something out of a movie, Mganga turned on the lights and the windshield wipers trying to make his escape! A neighbour called the police and it took them minutes to arrive and find an empty car sliding gently into the neighbour’s yard, knocking over the fence.

Mganga had made a run for it, so the police officers went after him on foot and had no problem catching up to him a few blocks away. At least he avoided weapons charge, as the gun turned out to be fake.

No. 3
Try to imagine what would make the worst target for a burglar, how about a house full of police officers? That’s what Darren Kimpton of Abington, Northampton chose. The home he selected had already been broken into earlier that night, so police officers were on the scene investigating when Kimpton broke in. he tried to make a run for it but he was captured after a brief struggle.

But, that wasn’t his first unsuccessful burglary of the day, he’d tried to break into a nearby house but failed to do so, he did manage to cut himself on some broken glass and leave blood at the scene so cops easily linked him to the crime!

No. 2
The target was Halifax Bank in London, this particular robber entered the bank with a gun in one hand a gun in the other, he demanded 700 000 Pounds in cash – so far, so good! Next, he planned to hand over his bag so the teller could fill it up with money; instead he got a bit confused and gave the teller the gun.

There was a moment of confusion and the robber tried to grab his gun back, but the teller was clever enough to grab it and point it at him! Even so, the robber still managed to make a run for it and he didn’t go away empty handed, as he pedaled off on a bank employees bicycle.

No. 1
A good disguise obviously needs to hide your true identity and it also needs to help you blend in with the crowd, the disguise that Dennis Hawkins chose, failed on both counts. His disguise was this: a woman’s blonde wig, a pair of fake breasts and clown pants. The first problem was that the silly get-up revealed his face, which was captured on camera and if he wanted to fool people into thinking he was a woman he should’ve thought about getting rid of his mustache and goatee.

The second problem was that the disguise was far from conspicuous; right after the police releases a description to the public, a gas station attendant called to report someone wearing the unique look while trying to steal a car. And as if that wasn't noticeable enough, when the police arrived they found Hawkins covered in the red paint from a dye pack exploding in his face.

To prove that he was completely brainless, he tried to mug a woman and get away with her car before the robbery, but she ran off, taking the car keys with her!

So it’s clear that for every criminal mastermind there is a total numbskull sitting in a cell somewhere because they didn't have two brain cells to rub together when they decided to go through with their illegal acts.

For all your home security and business needs, contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services, they can provide you with anything ranging from general guarding and farm protection to CCTV off site and alarm monitoring.

Written By: Christine Romans 

The dumbest criminals in the world – Part 1

Not everyone is suited for a life of crime, we avoid it because we realise that it would be wrong to be a part of illegal activities. And then there is another special group of people – people who attempt a life of crime but really shouldn't because they are just plain horrible at it!

No. 10
In August 1995, a man named Klaus Schmidt tried to rob a bank in Berlin by walking in with a pistol and demanding money, pretty standard right? Well after a while the bank employees started noticing that the criminal was acting rather strange, at one point one of them asked if he needed a bag, and he replied “You’re damn right it’s a real gun!” It was then when they realised that Klaus Schmidt was deaf!

The employees took advantage and set off the alarm, obviously Schmidt couldn't hear a thing, even as the police approached the bank! When the deaf criminal was taken into custody he tried to turn a negative into a positive – by trying to sue the bank for exploiting his disability!

No. 9
In 2011 there was a police sting in Derbyshire, the police used a strategy of offering wanted criminals free beer. The criminals received notices through undercover officers informing them that they’d won a crate of beer each. To collect the beer they need to contact the company that ran the promotion.

Believe it or not, many were tempted by the offer. Nineteen wanted criminals called the number and set up a time and place to collect their free beer! Tragically for them there was no free beer when they turned up, only police officers ready to take them into custody.

No. 8
In 2008, an 18-year-old Ruben Zarate wanted to rob a muffler shop in Chicago, he entered the shop with a gun and demanded money, but there was one problem – most of the money was locked away in the safe! Only the manager could open the safe and the manager wasn't in, so Ruben decided he would try again later and he left his cellphone number with the store employees, that way they could call him when the manager returned.

First, however the employees called the police and then they called the robber and when the bright spark criminal returned he found the officers waiting to arrest him.

No. 7
Sometimes the criminal makes it almost too easy for the police, like the case when a Boston Robber snatched a woman’s wallet and left behind something that belonged to him – his birth certificate!

The man, named Zachary Tentoni stole a wallet containing just 40 Dollars in cash and the victims ID, but during the struggle he dropped two bags of his own. To make things worse for poor Zachary on the very top of one of his bags was his birth certificating and as if that wasn't enough the bag also contained a letter from his mom revealing his address!

Zachery obviously realized his dumb mistake because when the police contacted him he pretended to be someone else, but he failed when the victim identified him immediately.

No. 6
A fast car or a motorbike is a good choice for a getaway vehicle; do you know what isn't a good choice? A 10-year-old donkey! A gang of thieves in Columbia abducted a donkey named Xavi from his owner and proceeded to rob a convenience store. The heist went pretty well and they loaded their goods onto the donkey and prepared to make their escape, but Xavi didn't want to cooperate.

Up until that point, the police were not aware that the robbery had taken place, but good old Xavi started making so much noise that he attracted the attention of some nearby officers. The robbers ran away on foot, leaving behind Xavi and of course, all of their goods!

Contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services for a professional, reliable home security system. they offer a wide variety of services ranging from general guarding and farm protection to CCTV off site and alarm monitoring 

Written By: Christine Romans

The history of the burglar alarm

The burglar alarm has been around for thousands of years, the most basic alarm used long ago by ancient humans was the dog! In 30 000bc dogs would help protect property and guard against people trying to steal valuables.

In 3150bc moats were used as alarm systems to protect the castles and fortress during dangerous times, they were the first line of defense in keeping people secure during ancient Egyptian times. Over time, humans evolved and use other tricks like chimes to warn against burglars, the burglar alarms these days are far more complicated and use advanced technology.

In 1852, Edwin Holmes invented the first electric alarm system in Boston, his basic design had a tripwire that electrically powered a solenoid that struck a gong when it was set off. Holmes then decided to start a business and move to New York. In 1905 the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) bought the Holmes business, they used the advanced electrical grid that was in New York and linked the personal burglar alarms to police and fire departments.

Starting in the 1970s, a lot of alarm systems came equipped with motion sensors, they used basic ultrasonic technology that was emitted from a sensor and reflected back. If there was an change in sound the alarm would go off.

When the 1980s came along, there were improvements to motion sensors that merged with other technologies. Motion sensors then began to use infrared technology to avoid false alarms and establish full home protection systems.

Throughout the 1990s the prices on home security systems fell quite a bit. Many companies offered free installation packages with a monthly fee. The system was combined with not only safety services, but also phone support from the company itself.

These days alarm systems are so advanced many of us can’t even keep up! Forget about trying to dig a moat around your house or using an orphaned wolf pup as security, the alarm systems we have today are almost futuristic. Face recognition systems and alarm systems controlled by your smartphone, we can only wonder what alarm systems will be like in a few years.  

For an advanced, reliable home security system, contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services. They offer a wide range of services, from guarding and farm protection to CCTV off site and alarm monitoring.

Written By: Christine Romans