Security News
Lower Your Insurance Premiums With Home Security Systems
Dec 9th
Did you know that home insurance companies smile favorably upon home owners with home security systems? It’s true. It only makes practical sense because it equates to lowering the number of claims they need to process. It also means you are in line for discounts on your home insurance premiums. Of course each insurance company will have its own set of guidelines for what makes you less of a risk.
Insurance Companies Have Specific Expectations
Your insurance company may require that you have deadbolts on all your doors and windows, reinforcement on the entry points into your home and a burglar alarm system. Some even give you credit for participating in a Neighborhood Watch Program.
Having a security company that actively monitors your premises is a huge plus. For the insurance company it means your risk of being robbed is greatly reduces. Most burglars shy away from homes with alarms because they don’t like to be detected when they are stealing your valuables. They also know the sound of an alarm means the local authorities will be on the scene momentarily. Your entire family is less at risk because of fire and smoke detectors and motion sensors that come with the home security system.
You can end up saving up so much money on your insurance that your protective services are covered. Some companies offer a premium discount as high as 20%. It means that you may only pay $5 – $15 a month for insurance that is normally $30 – $40 a month. Imagine if you could insure your family and the contents of your home for only $5 a month.
Are You Eligible for Home Insurance Premium Discounts?
Ask your insurance agent about the discounts available for using security services. You deserve to have the benefit of lower insurance premiums and security equipment that scares off potential intruders from targeting your home. Your family is definitely worth it!
The Real Truth About Teen Violence And Home Security Systems
Nov 3rd
We tend to think of home security systems as a series of electronic gadgets that protect our property and possessions from being stolen or vandalized. In fact, the essential goal behind home protection is keeping you and the people you care about the most from being harmed. In this regard a security system entails all the preventative measures needed to keep your loved ones safe. With teen violence being at an all time high, it is imperative that you talk to your children about the warning signs that may eventually lead to putting them at risk. Although it may be difficult for your children to admit, the kids they “hang” with may not have the best influence.
- Young people with violent, abusive parents can develop the same character traits.
- Teens involved in street gangs are very likely to be violent.
- Youth with drug problems can demonstrate violent behavior.
- Young people suffering from emotional problems and depression can become violent.
How Do I Know What to Watch For?
It makes no difference if you are going out on a first date with someone you just met or if you are spending time with a person you have known for a long time, you could be at risk. If the person you are with starts treating you with disrespect, putting you down or humiliating you, these are signs violence may be just around the corner. If they threaten you, make you feel afraid, attempt to control your activities, force you to do things you don’t want to do, control who your friends are, shove or hit you, then you need to pay attention. You may find yourself trying to draw back from the relationship with that person but they threaten you and refuse to accept a break up. Get help. Ask a parent or a trusted adult to intervene.
Parents Can Help Prevent Teen Violence
Parents – be proactive by getting an education about teen violence and talking to your children about the problem. Monitoring your own behavior and refraining from violence in your home sends a strong message to your children that it is not acceptable. Paying attention to your teen’s activities and establishing rules with consequences makes a difference. Teach your children how to recognize the danger signs and how to take charge of the situation. Family safety is the most crucial element in home security systems.
Home Security Thwarts Graffiti Vandalism
Oct 23rd
One of the most costly expenses in a municipal budget is the fight against vandalism. According to statistics provided by the Bureau of Justice it represents 35% of the total types of property vandalism and is the most common. In 2006 a total of $17.5 million was spent by the cities of Phoenix, San Jose, Las Vegas and Chicago to clean up graffiti. Stepping up home security measures is an effective way to help prevent the incidents of graffiti vandalism. By demonstrating an attitude that you care about what happens to your home and neighborhood discourages graffiti artists from targeting the area where you live.
If you discover your home has been decorated with graffiti the best action you can take is to remove it as quickly as possible. Graffiti artists get a kick from the publicity that can follow an attack so don’t draw media attention to it. Call the local police department and let them know about it. Removing it right away typically results in a zero rate of recurrence.
Do your part to keep your neighborhood looking good. Organize the people on the street where you live to pick up trash, mend broken structures and fences and maintain the landscaping even on vacant properties. The LA police say vandals most frequently target areas that are unkempt and where it appears nobody cares about it. Keeping your own home in good repair, mowing your grass and trimming your trees shows that you care about the appearance of your property and you will not tolerate graffiti vandalism.
Ask your local police department if there are existing anti-graffiti laws you can help to enforce. Doing your part to ensure vandals are apprehended is a strong deterrent to the graffiti culture as a whole. The top reason given by these vandals after being arrested when asked what would get them to stop committing the crime was their fear of getting caught. Installing home security video surveillance cameras is another highly effective deterrent. Although graffiti artists enjoy the publicity from the destruction they create, they are threatened by the idea of being identified and charged with the crime.
Home Security Systems Join In The War Against Vandals
Oct 23rd
Here’s a bit of trivia you probably did not know – the word “vandalism” is derived from the word “Vandals” and this was a tribe from East Germany in the 5th century that entered into the Roman Empire. They are best remembered for bringing Rome to her knees in 455. The Vandals were not in essence more destructive than other warring tribes, but due to the fact that Rome was held in such high esteem by other European cultures, this tribe became associated with wanton, senseless destruction and those seeking to destroy beautiful objects and works that had been created with great labor and were treated with veneration.
In current times acts of vandalism describe any sort of criminally inflicted damages, defacement of respected property such as through graffiti and the erection of strongly distasteful eyesores. There is an element of contempt on the part of the perpetrators for society and members of such. Home security systems have been developed in the effort to support the authorities in thwarting the angry efforts of vandals to wreak havoc and destruction. Although certain sectors of the population view acts of vandalism as artistic expressions it is hurtful to others when done illegally and without permission.
Vandals can be motivated by any number of reasons:
- Anger or disgruntlement with a targeted victim
- General anger with their culture
- Jealousy or desire to retaliate
- Revenge
- Spontaneous acts of rage
- Peer acceptance as is common in gang cultures
If a vandal trespasses on your property or forces entry into your home you may discover nothing has been stolen but that your property has been severely damaged or destroyed. You could return home or wake up to find your walls and works of art have been spray painted, your furniture has been slashed with a knife, rooms have been flooded, appliances have been smashed, your home has been set on fire and so on.
There is no real way to know if a vandal or gang of vandals will decide they want to target your home, so the best thing you can do to protect your home and property is to be proactive about it. A home security system is the ultimate method to discourage unwanted intruders like this, since they have no desire to get caught in the act.
Hollywood Celebrities Need Home security Protection
Oct 21st
Hollywood celebrities get more than their share of burglaries, it’s sad to say. It just does not seem fair that the people sacrificing their privacy for the entertainment benefit of the public should be subjected to that kind of treatment but it happens all the time.
Home security goes hand in hand with being in the public eye. Paris Hilton, Hayden Panettiere, Orlando Bloom, Audrina Partridge, Rachel Bilson and Lindsay Lohan have made the news lately due to being victimized by unwanted intruders. One of the most recent victims of a home break-in is Kourtney Kardashian, daughter of the late Robert Kardashian, the lawyer that victoriously represented O.J. Simpson throughout his trials and tribulations.
Kourtney is most recognized for her role in “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”, an American reality television series which debuted in 2007. The start was reportedly out for dinner with her boyfriend, Scott Disick and when she returned in around mid-evening she was shocked to discover that her Calabasas townhouse had been turned upside down by an intruder.
Kardashian reported to authorities that around $80,000 worth of valuables were stolen from her home. Her insurance company should be able to replace some of it, but unfortunately she will never be able to replace the vintage jewelry and the $30,000 Cartier watch her father left to her upon his passing. Sometimes we can have the attitude that it does not matter when a person as wealthy as Kourtney suffers a loss, but it is just as traumatizing for her as it is for anyone else. No amount of money can ever replace the gifts left to her by her father.
Any victim of a burglary can tell you they are left with a very bad feeling in the pit of their stomach when the home they believed was safe is compromised. They never get over the frustration and anger that happens when irreplaceable heirloom items are taken from them. Your home security company can design a system that helps to thwart burglary attempts on your premises. They can advise you on how best to protect the people and property most precious to you.
Burglaries Increase as Economy Declines
Oct 2nd
The United States is tumbling into some very hard times. Some analysts are predicting a financial slide similar to the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Banks that managed to survive those very dark times are now beginning to fall and the Government is being forced to bail these giants out.
Undoubtedly you have felt the pains of our recent economic decline. Most American consumers are tapped out and broke, maxed out on their credit cards and struggling to make payments.
So what do people turn to when they are about to lose their house, their car, and their possessions? Well for some people the answer is crime. They don’t have any other option and are willing to do anything to help themselves. This is the time when burglaries on homes are going to rapidly increase. So what are you going to do to protect your family and your home? The answer to that is ADT Home Security. ADT has the protection you need for your family and possessions and can bring it to you at prices you can afford during this economic crisis. Don’t be a victim, Call ADT Home Security today.