Home invasion is on the rise in the United States. With alarm systems, surveillance cameras and reduced cash availability becoming common for stores and other businesses, residences are becoming more attractive targets for thieves. Organized neighborhood watch programs are designed to strengthen the sense of community in an area, and to warn criminals that residents are watching out for one another. Whether or not your community has an established neighborhood watch program, you can benefit from the same concept by building relationships with your neighbors and being a considerate neighbor yourself.
Getting to know your neighbors makes your home and neighborhood safer by instilling a sense of unity and ownership in the community. Make sure to introduce yourself to your neighbors on each side, across the street and behind your home if you have them. Communicate with your neighbors and their families, and make sure they are aware of who should be at your home. Interacting with your neighbors on a friendly level makes them familiar with your family routine and regular guests, increasing the likelihood that they will notice and take action if they witness suspicious behavior at your home.
Familiarity among the community becomes especially important when you are away from home for an extended period of time. If you will be away for several days, it is a wise idea to notify your neighbors in advance. If possible, make arrangements for someone to check the inside of your home periodically, leaving different lights on and collecting mail and newspapers to give the appearance that someone is home. Trusting a neighbor with a key to your home is preferred to hiding a key outside, since intruders tend to know where to look for hidden keys that will give them easy entry. Another good idea is to utilize a keyless door lock and share the entry code with a trusted neighbor.
In order to benefit from having good neighbors, you must be a good neighbor yourself. Volunteer to do everything for your neighbors that you hope they would do for you. When your neighbors will be away for several days, offer to gather mail, keep an eye on their home, and even park your car in their driveway occasionally to give the impression that someone is home. But stay alert for suspicious people and behavior in the area, even when your neighbors are home. Making a mental note of the regular visitors to your neighbors’ homes, such as scheduled lawn care personnel and friends, will make you more aware if you notice a suspicious visitor. Building trusting relationships with each of your neighbors creates a beneficial situation for everyone in the community.
About the Author: Nolan Mondrow is the owner of Zurich Products, a leading provider of quality security equipment, including the right keyless door lock to protect your family. For more information, please visit http://www.zurichproducts.com.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Home Safety through Awareness
Home is your sanctuary from the rest of the world, where you should enjoy security and be confident with the safety of your family. But sadly, home invasion and burglary can be a real threat to anyone, with any income level and in any kind of neighborhood. By viewing your home through the eyes of a criminal, you will see that simple oversights can give criminals the green light into your home and your security. Awareness is the key to protecting your palace.
Burglars are burglars for a reason. They are scouring for ways to obtain money to fulfill their financial needs, minus honest work. The key here is to realize that criminals are looking to take the easy road, which in your home translates to an open garage door, an unlocked back door, or a cracked window. Like other areas of their lives, burglars do not want to spend a lot of time or energy gaining access to your home. By being aware of the most common ways that homes are broken into, you can prevent your own home from being the easy target criminals seek.
The most seemingly obvious way you can protect your home is keeping all windows and doors closed and locked, all the time. As easy as it sounds, most burglaries occur during the day, with effortless access being gained through unlocked doors or windows. If you live in a household with children, make sure to emphasize to them the importance of closing and locking doors and windows. Children live in a world of incognizant bliss, and cannot fathom unforeseen consequences such as a home invasion.
If you have the option, installing an alarm or video surveillance system to protect your home will provide great additional protection. Surveillance systems, with their accompanying decals for deterrence, can be set up to automatically contact the police department if you so desire. But keeping in mind the “easy access” mentality, the main benefit of having an alarm system is that criminals do not want to bother.
You may also consider protection inside your home, in case a burglar does gain access. Storing money, precious jewelry and other valuable, easily pocketed possessions in a safe will serve as an added barrier against theft. Experienced burglars know to go straight for the places that people commonly hide valuables, such as drawers, closets and jewelry boxes. So owning a safe, preferably a fireproof safe, that is properly bolted to a floor or wall can prevent total loss if your home is entered by a thief.
Burglars do not only take your tangible possessions and money, but more devastatingly rob you of your sense of security at home. Being aware and taking action can alleviate you of worry and can ultimately prevent your home from becoming a thief’s next free for all.
About the Author: Nolan Mondrow is the owner of Zurich Products, a leading provider of quality home security products, including the right fireproof safe for every need.
Burglars are burglars for a reason. They are scouring for ways to obtain money to fulfill their financial needs, minus honest work. The key here is to realize that criminals are looking to take the easy road, which in your home translates to an open garage door, an unlocked back door, or a cracked window. Like other areas of their lives, burglars do not want to spend a lot of time or energy gaining access to your home. By being aware of the most common ways that homes are broken into, you can prevent your own home from being the easy target criminals seek.
The most seemingly obvious way you can protect your home is keeping all windows and doors closed and locked, all the time. As easy as it sounds, most burglaries occur during the day, with effortless access being gained through unlocked doors or windows. If you live in a household with children, make sure to emphasize to them the importance of closing and locking doors and windows. Children live in a world of incognizant bliss, and cannot fathom unforeseen consequences such as a home invasion.
If you have the option, installing an alarm or video surveillance system to protect your home will provide great additional protection. Surveillance systems, with their accompanying decals for deterrence, can be set up to automatically contact the police department if you so desire. But keeping in mind the “easy access” mentality, the main benefit of having an alarm system is that criminals do not want to bother.
You may also consider protection inside your home, in case a burglar does gain access. Storing money, precious jewelry and other valuable, easily pocketed possessions in a safe will serve as an added barrier against theft. Experienced burglars know to go straight for the places that people commonly hide valuables, such as drawers, closets and jewelry boxes. So owning a safe, preferably a fireproof safe, that is properly bolted to a floor or wall can prevent total loss if your home is entered by a thief.
Burglars do not only take your tangible possessions and money, but more devastatingly rob you of your sense of security at home. Being aware and taking action can alleviate you of worry and can ultimately prevent your home from becoming a thief’s next free for all.
About the Author: Nolan Mondrow is the owner of Zurich Products, a leading provider of quality home security products, including the right fireproof safe for every need.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Small Business Video Surveillance
A video surveillance system is an excellent business investment in terms of reducing losses from theft and vandalism. Video monitoring should ideally be used in combination with other precautionary measures as a part of a company’s comprehensive safety strategy. Prevention and deterrence are more desirable goals than apprehending a criminal after a crime has been committed, and having an established company-wide safety plan helps reduce the chance of a business being targeted. As components of the safety strategy, business owners should ensure that parking lots are well lit at night, and that employees are taught what actions to take if they are confronted by an intruder. Having a fireproof safe for storage of excess cash and valuables, as well as secure, keyless door locks will provide additional protection from intruders who ignore the threat of conviction by the video surveillance system. Besides giving business owners peace of mind, utilization of surveillance systems in small businesses helps deter crime, reduce employee theft and create a stronger long-term workforce.
Deterrence is a major benefit of having video surveillance equipment in use at a business. Cameras and video monitors, when prominently placed, show criminals that their actions are being recorded and that the business owner is serious about prosecution of thieves and vandals. Knowing that criminal activity is monitored at a certain business reduces the chance that a criminal will target that location.
Many business owners also enjoy the productivity benefits of having a video surveillance system in place. Employees who know that their actions are subject to review are more productive, and are considerably less likely to steal company money or products. The mere existence of the equipment again serves to deter malicious activity that would otherwise cost the company money. Firing or convicting employees who are taking unlawful advantage of access to company money sets a precedent that prevents future employee offenses, resulting in more trustworthy long-term personnel.
Sometimes businesses will be targeted by criminals regardless of the presence of recording equipment. In the event that a business is burglarized, vandalized, or the scene of other unlawful activity, the existence of video footage significantly increases the likelihood of a perpetrator being caught and convicted. Video footage of a criminal in action gives investigators important clues that can lead to arrest and evidence that can result in conviction. Similarly, stealing, harassment, or other misconduct by a company employee can be proven, so that appropriate action may be taken.
Affordable video surveillance systems are available to meet the needs of all business sizes, and pay for themselves in reduced losses and employee productivity.
About the Author: Nolan Mondrow is the owner of Zurich Products, a leading provider of quality fireproof safes, keyless door lock, and video surveillance equipment. For more information, please visit http://www.zurichproducts.com.
Deterrence is a major benefit of having video surveillance equipment in use at a business. Cameras and video monitors, when prominently placed, show criminals that their actions are being recorded and that the business owner is serious about prosecution of thieves and vandals. Knowing that criminal activity is monitored at a certain business reduces the chance that a criminal will target that location.
Many business owners also enjoy the productivity benefits of having a video surveillance system in place. Employees who know that their actions are subject to review are more productive, and are considerably less likely to steal company money or products. The mere existence of the equipment again serves to deter malicious activity that would otherwise cost the company money. Firing or convicting employees who are taking unlawful advantage of access to company money sets a precedent that prevents future employee offenses, resulting in more trustworthy long-term personnel.
Sometimes businesses will be targeted by criminals regardless of the presence of recording equipment. In the event that a business is burglarized, vandalized, or the scene of other unlawful activity, the existence of video footage significantly increases the likelihood of a perpetrator being caught and convicted. Video footage of a criminal in action gives investigators important clues that can lead to arrest and evidence that can result in conviction. Similarly, stealing, harassment, or other misconduct by a company employee can be proven, so that appropriate action may be taken.
Affordable video surveillance systems are available to meet the needs of all business sizes, and pay for themselves in reduced losses and employee productivity.
About the Author: Nolan Mondrow is the owner of Zurich Products, a leading provider of quality fireproof safes, keyless door lock, and video surveillance equipment. For more information, please visit http://www.zurichproducts.com.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Minimizing Loss in a Fire
Home fires can be ignited by lightning, electrical shorts and human error, to name a few, and no one expects to be a victim. The unpredictability of fires and devastation that ensues makes it imperative for you to have a plan for keeping your family safe and to take precautions to protect your valuables.
Families need to discuss a fire escape plan in advance, which will significantly reduce the chance of a family member being tragically injured or killed in the event of a fire. Having an escape plan is especially important for households with children, who may not understand the importance of getting away from smoke or that a doorknob can be dangerously hot. Children and adults alike need to recognize the dangers associated with smoke inhalation and fire, practice getting out of the house safely and know the family’s designated meeting location. Having accessible second story fire escape ladders should be a part of the plan, since regularly used doorways and stairs can be inaccessible due to fire and smoke.
Protecting your irreplaceable possessions from the unexpected is an important step you can take to ensure peace of mind and to help your family move forward after a disaster. Besides having an escape plan, it is also important to store legal documents, valuable heirlooms, and other irreplaceable items in a fireproof safe. Knowing that you will not lose crucial documents and keepsakes in a fire makes the circumstances more bearable and allows the family to focus solely on saving lives.
What should be kept in a safe? This depends on what items are most important to your family, and what you cannot afford to lose. It is always a good idea to keep documents such as wills and life insurance policies in your safe, ensuring that they will survive a fire and can be retrieved when needed. Additionally, many people keep photographs and other items with sentimental value locked away and protected from fire and other disasters.
There is no shortage of fireproof safes on the market. It is in your best interest to speak with a qualified expert from a specialized company to ensure a sensible purchase. Safes come in all sizes, with different ratings and different types of locks. For example, the same safe that keeps paper documents from burning may not necessarily protect electronic data from melting. Compose a list of the items that you plan to store in your safe before you speak to a specialist. The expert will be able to make suggestions that you may have overlooked, and ensure that vital factors such as safe size, rating, and the strength of your floor are taken into consideration.
About the Author: Nolan Mondrow is the owner of Zurich Products, a leading provider of quality fireproof safes, wall safes, keyless door locks, keypad door locks and combination door locks. For more information, please visit www.zurichproducts.com.
Families need to discuss a fire escape plan in advance, which will significantly reduce the chance of a family member being tragically injured or killed in the event of a fire. Having an escape plan is especially important for households with children, who may not understand the importance of getting away from smoke or that a doorknob can be dangerously hot. Children and adults alike need to recognize the dangers associated with smoke inhalation and fire, practice getting out of the house safely and know the family’s designated meeting location. Having accessible second story fire escape ladders should be a part of the plan, since regularly used doorways and stairs can be inaccessible due to fire and smoke.
Protecting your irreplaceable possessions from the unexpected is an important step you can take to ensure peace of mind and to help your family move forward after a disaster. Besides having an escape plan, it is also important to store legal documents, valuable heirlooms, and other irreplaceable items in a fireproof safe. Knowing that you will not lose crucial documents and keepsakes in a fire makes the circumstances more bearable and allows the family to focus solely on saving lives.
What should be kept in a safe? This depends on what items are most important to your family, and what you cannot afford to lose. It is always a good idea to keep documents such as wills and life insurance policies in your safe, ensuring that they will survive a fire and can be retrieved when needed. Additionally, many people keep photographs and other items with sentimental value locked away and protected from fire and other disasters.
There is no shortage of fireproof safes on the market. It is in your best interest to speak with a qualified expert from a specialized company to ensure a sensible purchase. Safes come in all sizes, with different ratings and different types of locks. For example, the same safe that keeps paper documents from burning may not necessarily protect electronic data from melting. Compose a list of the items that you plan to store in your safe before you speak to a specialist. The expert will be able to make suggestions that you may have overlooked, and ensure that vital factors such as safe size, rating, and the strength of your floor are taken into consideration.
About the Author: Nolan Mondrow is the owner of Zurich Products, a leading provider of quality fireproof safes, wall safes, keyless door locks, keypad door locks and combination door locks. For more information, please visit www.zurichproducts.com.
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