Four routines for a safe home

Do you ever rush to make it to work on time and forget to lock your back door? Have you ever had that sinking feeling that you may have left your garage door open all day? We make home security mistakes all the time, but it does not need to be that way. If you just take 5 minutes of your time, you’ll be able to secure your home properly. Here is a quick guide.

     1.       Now that the weather is really hot, go from room to room and give your windows a quick check. Make sure that windows are locked and do not appear to be tampered with. Be sure to lock windows on second floors as well; burglars have been known to use ladders in order to access second story windows.

     2.       Be sure that outside items are picked up and put away. It may be ridiculous, but some of the most common items stolen from a home are children’s outside toys and lawn furniture left outside for extended periods. Criminals who are looking to make a quick score will grab high dollar bicycles, squirt guns, braai grills, pool equipment and so much more. These items are then sold for money, it’s not exactly the crime of the century, but some criminal’s specifically look for these items as they know the police are not going to put much effort into finding the culprit.

     3.       Make sure security cameras, fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and gas detectors are working, if you’re not sure how get a professional from a home security company like SIS – Safety& Investigation Services to check for you. You’re probably wondering how this relates to your home getting broken into. These items relate directly to the safety and security of your home and family, we’re not suggesting you check these items every time you leave, but you should check them throughout the year.

     4.       Last, but not least, make sure you turn off your oven and the iron! Seriously, leaving these two items on has become quite a cliché. However you might be shocked to learn of the high number of home fires which occur each year due to the unsafe use of these items and others like them.

Some of the items do not have to be performed before you leave your home every day, but you should always keep them in mind and try and fit them into your routine. Pick and choose what works best for you and your living situation.

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.

Why you should change your locks

Door locks provide you with a protective layer of security for those inside your home or other building. While it would be nice to live in a world where locks are not needed, that simply is not reality. Having quality locks on doors is important to assure the safety of both people and property. Here are some good reasons why you should replace your existing locks…

Outdated technology
As with many other devices, door knobs, deadbolts and other locks get better over time. As thieves discover ways to pick existing locks, lock manufacturers create new technology to prevent it. In order to have the best security locks possible, home and other building owners need to update their locks from time to time. SIS –Security &Investigation Services can also provide additional security services to keep your home and business safe from thieves.

New Home
Whenever you move into a new home, it is important to have the locks changed. Though he or she may have received keys from a real estate agent or past occupant, there still may be other sets of keys in existence. In fact, there could even be forgotten emergency keys hidden outside of the home where someone may find later.

Lost Keys
If keys are ever lost, the locks should be changed. As there is no way of knowing where the keys are, or who may have them, it is best to change the locks to keep your home or business completely secure. Even if the keys are returned to you, a thieve may have copied the keys and can later gain entry to the property.

While locks will have many years of useful service, you still need to replace them for these above reasons. 

For a professional home security system and services, contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services. They can provide you with general guarding, farm protection and CCTV off site monitoring.

Written By: Christine Romans

3 different types of burglars

It is commonly said that homeowners should “think like a burglar” when planning their home security systems. Take a look at these common criminal personality profiles and remember them when you are making decisions about your home security…

The Impulse Thief
This thief may not be career criminal; they are usually just immoral people who see an opportunity to steal. They frequently make their scores from garages and commonly target power tools, lawnmowers and bicycles.

Motion lights will do a great deal to deter these thieves, they obviously don’t want to be seen when trying to steal the items in your garage. Security cameras and security signs will add to the effect.

The Mastermind
Although most criminals occupy the bottom of the IQ scale, there are some who are capable of meticulous planning. The mastermind burglar will stake out your home and establish your schedule weeks before the burglary. They prefer to enter with advanced methods like lock picking and they know the most common hiding spots for your valuables. The burglary is usually over in 15 minutes or less.

It is possible that the mastermind thief has studied the most common alarm systems and knows how to disable them from the outside. The wires from cameras, motion sensors and other elements of your home security system should always be concealed or protected. A reliable, sturdy deadbolt will keep thieves from entering even if they pick the lock.

The Smash-and-Grab Thief
This type of thief is somewhere between the mastermind and the impulsive thief. While they do set out with the goal of burglarizing a home, they do not think very far ahead. Usually, they enter your home by breaking a window or kicking in a door. They tend to aim for whatever valuables are in sight such as TVs and other electronics.

Foiling the smash-and-grab thief is typically very easy. Most of them will be driven away if you have glass break sensors installed on your windows by a home security technician. Reinforced door jams will stop them from breaking down a door. Very few smash-and-grab thieves have the finesse to enter a home through any method other than brute force, so these steps will likely stop them in their tracks.

In addition to seeking out a professional home security system provider like SIS – Security & Investigation Services, you should also remember these different criminal profiles when planning your home security strategy.

Written By: Christine Romans

Four safety tips for living with roommates

Getting a roommate to help cut down on your living costs is often the best thing to do. If you are thinking of sharing a room, house or apartment with anyone outside your family, use these tips below to help keep you and your roommate’s safe…

     1.       Run a background check and ask for references if you do not know your potential roommate personally. This is especially important when you advertise the available room or space on the internet or in the newspaper.

     2.       Take the time to get to know your potential roommate. While you might now instantly bond with them overnight, try to talk over your lifestyle differences and meet in the middle. This step might also help you pick up major red flags about their acquaintances and friends.

     3.       Invest in simple home security measures, like a high-quality lock and chain for the front door (and your room door, you can never be too careful!) Check the locks of all windows to make sure they work, when your roommate moves out, change all the door locks especially if you did not part on the best of terms.

     4.       When you and your roommate’s first get to your new apartment or house, get in touch with a home security installation company like SIS – Security & Investigation Services to discuss your home security options. Working with a company like SIS – Security & Investigation Services can help you identify major problems in your new space. You might also want to consider installing a home security system for additional safety in your home.

Getting to know your roommates might be a bit frightening at first, but keeping your home safe is pretty easy. Build a safe, happy living space by following the easy steps above.

Written By: Christine Romans

How to keep your kids and home safe when hiring a babysitter

Are you a parent? If so, then you’re probably going to require a babysitter once in a while. Whether it’s simply someone to watch over your kids after school or perhaps you just want a night off, the top priority is keeping your kids safe at all times. Follow these easy steps to ensure your kids are always in good hands…

Get recommendations from friend and family
There are plenty of qualified babysitters that advertise their services, but it’s always best to find a babysitter through someone that you know and trust. It will give you peace of mind and verification that this person is good at watching over children. Next time you need a reliable babysitter, ask your friends and family first.

Make sure they’re old enough
A babysitter should be mature and responsible enough to keep your children out of trouble and handle any problems that may come up. In general, I would say that your babysitter should be at least sixteen years old, if you have several children who need to be watched then it may be a good idea to get a babysitter who is a bit older than that.

Set up an interview
Always make sure to meet your future babysitter in person before you let them look after your kids. Aside from asking basic questions about their qualifications and experience, pay attention to their general nature and observe how they interact with your children. A good babysitter should be authoritative when necessary, but also very calm. The last thing you want in a babysitter is someone who always loses their temper.

Run the security cameras
Even if you trust your babysitter, it won’t hurt to have some extra assurance. Most of the security cameras that come with many alarm systems provide you with a way to review the footage. In some cases parents have caught babysitters stealing and abusing children. Get a reliable and professional security system installed from SIS – Security & Investigation Services.

Verify that they know basic first aid
Children sometimes suffer injuries around the house and in the yard, usually from falling down stairs, crashing a bike or even choking on small objects. A babysitter who is familiar with first aid is a definite must!

Familiarize them with your home security strategy
When you are gone, the babysitter is in charge of the house, so it’s important that they know your home security strategy. Ensure that they know how your alarm system works, where the motion lights are located and how to contact emergency personnel. The services from SIS – Security & Investigation Services would be a perfect choice.

Check in periodically
You may have found a trustworthy, responsible babysitter, but it’s still always a good idea to check in on things at the house. Call or SMS the babysitter whenever you need to check up, if you don’t get a reply, call a trusted neighbour or friend and get them to see if everything is alright.

You can never be too careful when choosing a babysitter, after all, the safety of your children will depend on this person’s competence. These tips will help you find a reliable babysitter who can protect your kids.

Written By: Christine Romans