Tips from Security Pros

Renters are 85% more likely to experience a home invasion than those who own their homes. Folks living in an apartment or condo have additional security concerns. Close proximity to other tenants and increased foot traffic means that your home is more at risk of intrusion and burglary. To help, our security pros offer some tips on how to keep you, your family and your place safe.

Consider exterior security. Buildings with a door person posted at the entrance to monitor comings and goings and/or a call box for tenants to “buzz in” their guests are generally safer.

Practice entrance etiquette. While it’s awkward (and often considered rude) to close the door on someone while you’re entering or exiting the building but if you don’t know the person it’s safer to close the door behind you without letting him or her in.

Get to know your neighbors. Not only is it safer to have trusted neighbors looking out for you and your apartment, many buildings also have their own neighborhood watch group.

Add a deadbolt and/or a chain lock on your front door. A standard doorknob lock is easier to pick and force open than a deadbolt, which is much more secure. Also consider a chain lock. It’ll allow you to crack your door to talk to a stranger and/or ask for identification before opening up completely.

Strengthen slider glass doors. Many sliding doors have inadequate locks and can come off their tracks with just a nudge. Secure your sliding door with an inside bar lock or a pole on the track. You can also install a secondary locking mechanism such as a metal pin inserted through the door frame and into the sliding door.

Install a safe. This can be an effective way to hide valuable items (such as jewelry, cash, passports, etc.) from thieves who are just looking to grab valuables in plain sight and escape quickly. Find a safe that’s fireproof and fits your budget and needs, and talk to your landlord about bolting it to a floor or wall, so a burglar can’t pick it up and take it.

Invest in good blinds or curtains. Install blinds or curtains on all your windows to block the view from outside and be sure to close them when you go out. This will keep wandering eyes from checking out your valuables, reducing the risk of a break-in.

Get renters insurance. Many insurance companies offer policies specifically for renters that run about $20 a month and cover all your property at the full replacement cost. Consider the cost of replacing everything you own in the event of a theft, fire, or severe weather. If you wouldn’t be able to recover from the loss, then renters insurance is a good option.

Consider getting an alarm system or security devices. Depending on your needs and budget, you can install a system yourself or have one professionally installed. For more pro tips on choosing the right home security system, click here.

And finally, be vigilant. Always lock your front door and avoid poorly lit areas and communal spaces (such as a laundry room) late at night. Also, it’s important to always lock your balcony door when it’s not in use and don’t leave you car unlocked or the trunk open when you are not with the vehicle.

For more information, contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

One of the easiest ways to thwart thieves from stealing your valuables is by etching or writing a unique number or code on them. Also known as property marking, the process itself is simple, yet few people actually take the time to do it.

First, decide on your unique personal code. Don’t use a full social security number, driver’s license number, full address or anything else that can be used to steal your identity. Instead, use a portion of your social security number, birth year, etc. along with a portion of your first or last name or initials.

Then using an engraving tool or a permanent marker, label the valuables in your home or office that are the most common targets of thieves – TVs, stereos, VCRs, cameras, firearms, computer components, for example – with your unique code.

A few more tips and ideas:

• Etching or etched markings are the hardest to remove. Engraving tools can be purchased for $5-$10 at most hardware stores.
• Stickers can be peels or washed off.
• Keep an inventory of all of your valuable possessions in a safety deposit box or a fire-proof safe. This will help in determining loss in the event of a theft or a fire.
• Make a video of every room in your home with a commentary about your valuable possessions. This should also be kept in a safe place and updated periodically.

Property marking can be an easy spare time or weekend project. If theft does occur, this will help law enforcement identify your property as well as aid in any criminal prosecution.

For more information, contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

With the rise of affordable alternate telephone services in the last few years, a number of Denalect’s customers are choosing to either eliminate their standard land line and relaying entirely on their cell phone or switch to other telephone line services like Comcast, AT&T Uverse, Astound and Vonage in their home or business.

While we fully support your decision to choose their telephone provider, please call our service department to discuss any changes you’d like to make to your telephone system before committing yourself.

This is because some alarm systems rely on a land line to communicate and it may not be able to report an emergency to our Central Station Dispatcher.

If you are interested in making these changes, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• When you order these service changes tell the salesperson that you have an alarm and make sure they guarantee that the alarm system will continue to send signals to Denalect’s Central Station.
• Make sure the new service will allow your alarm to send signals even if there is an electrical power failure.
• You should always test your alarm with our Central Station after anyone works on your phone lines before they leave. If there are problems have the installing company fix them or call us for assistance.

If the new phone service causes your alarm not to communicate with us we will need to install a new transmitter. The new transmitter will communicate with us using wireless technology. The system is very fast and does not rely on any telephone, fiber optic or cable TV lines.

For more information, contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

October is National Crime Prevention Month and we at Denalect are committed to helping you protect your loved ones, pets, valuables and property against crimes of opportunity. These include vehicle burglary, thefts from unsecured vehicles or homes, muggings, street robberies and wallet and/or purse-snatching.

Since common sense and precaution are the best prevention, here are eight tips from our security pros on how to protect yourself and others:

1. Be aware of what’s going on around you. Distractions, such as talking on a cell phone or juggling an armful of packages, may provide thieves with an opportunity to steal from you. Walk with a purposeful stride and keep an eye out for possible trouble.

2. If someone bumps into you, this may be an attempt to pick your pocket. Say “excuse me” no matter whose fault it is and keep moving.

3. Most thieves prefer easy targets so don’t leave your valuables unattended or out in the open. This includes leaving your purse in a shopping cart, hanging from the back of your chair at a restaurant or in the seat next to you on public transportation. Don’t show off your valuables to or in front of strangers.

4. Avoid dark or dimly lit areas at night. If you’re walking down on the sidewalk, stay nearer to the street than to the buildings. Be wary of corners, doorways and alleys. If you’re in a parking lot, keep your eyes open for individuals lurking behind or between parked cars.

5. If you carry a purse, use one with a strap that crosses your torso and shoulder. Wallets are best kept in your front pocket.

6. When you leave your house, don’t leave any doors unlocked, the garage door open or a window ajar. If you have an alarm system, activate it.

7. Keep your vehicle locked and the windows rolled up at all times. Never leave valuables visible in your car. Either locked them in the trunk or take them with you. Try to park in busy, well-lit areas.

8. And finally, trust your instincts. If someone or a situation appears suspicious, move away as quickly as possible. Common sense and precaution are the best prevention against crimes of opportunity.

For more information on our security systems or if you’d like a free estimate, contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

 

The last thing you want is to be contacted by your security provider or monitoring company because your alarm’s been triggered. That worry can quickly turn to embarrassment if you discover it’s a false alarm triggered by your pet.

In fact, family pets accidentally cause a high number of false alarms each year. This is due to the placement of interior motion detectors as well as the sensitivity of certain sensors. Since you’re not giving up your furry friend, a pet-friendly security system is vital.

Modern home security systems typically use infrared motion detectors. They look for a significant change in the normal level of heat within its field of vision. So when a large heat source, like a person or a large pet, moves within its range, it sounds your alarm. Even a smaller pet can trigger the motion detector’s alarm if it gets close because the pet’s heat signature appears larger than it actually is.

So when designing (or redesigning) your security system, you and your provider need to consider your pets. If installed property, carefully placed pet-friendly motion detectors can coexist with your pets. Here are some tips:

• Place the motion sensor or detector high (about 7.5’ to 8’ high) on a wall so the pet can’t get close to it.
• Even if you set your motion detectors high, you need to make sure it’s not pointing towards any pet climbable areas that come within 6’ of the lens. Cats are notorious for setting off alarms by climbing on things like stairways and furniture.
• Install a motion detector with a pet-immune function. Certain motion detectors can be programmed where it’s less likely to sound your alarm for any pets under 80 lbs. However, if you have two pets, they may still set off these detectors (their heat signatures look different.)
• Break glass detectors, window screens and other sensors that aren’t movement sensitive also make your system more pet-friendly.

For more information on pet-friendly security systems or if you’d like a free estimate, feel free to contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Our business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.