The rate of break-ins has declined, but they are still prevalent and a danger faced by all homeowners. Statistics Canada reported in the 2009 Police-reported crime statistics in Canada by Mia Dauvergne and John Turner that the majority of break-ins (60%) were to a residence. The authors also note that,
“Break-ins are not only the most serious type of property crime committed in Canada, they are also one of the most common. In 2009, there were over 205,000 break-ins reported by police, accounting for 15% of all property crimes…The 2009 rate was 4% lower than in 2008 and 42% lower than a decade ago.”

Although the reasons for the slight decline in break-ins is unknown, the report speculates that,
“The decrease in break-ins may be partly explained by the existence of specialized policing programs in some communities as well as the increased use of home security devices, such as burglar alarms or motion detectors (Gannon and Taylor-Butts, 2006).”

Having house lights on a timer and keeping your home well lite and visible are generally good break-in deterrents but advances in technology have made the possibilities of protecting your home seem boundless. With new equipment on the market it is now possible to monitor burglaries, fires, floods, low temperatures, even carbon monoxide monitoring is possible. For the person who wants it all- video surveillance, emergency panic buttons, phone tampering detection, and outdoor alarm sirens and strobe lights are also available. Most companies will even offer a live two way voice system with a wireless cellular connection to a monitoring centre operator. Many of these systems are pet friendly as well, meaning your animals can have free range of the house and not set off the motion detectors.

When you’ve decided on a security provider, most will come to your home for a consultation, evaluating your home and selecting the right equipment for your needs. Many companies also offer packages for equipment and additional services such as lock-out protection and holiday house-checks all under a contract paid monthly. Obviously the price depends on the products you choose, however some companies will offer a free or reduced price for home evaluations and installation, customers can usually save if they decide to purchase a package. If you really need to pinch pennies, some companies will also let you purchase their logo decals for windows, so intruders may be intimidated by the threat of an alarm system-even though one really isn’t installed.

A home should be a safe place, and with the array of options available on the market, don’t leave the security of your home to the family dog.

By : Jill Earl

Wired systems follow the tradition method of attaching sensors throughout the property and connecting them to a central monitoring station via cables. Wireless systems, on the other hand, use radiofrequency (RF) signals to communicate with individual sensors positioned through the house. Here are three factors to consider when choosing between the two, namely installation, reliability and cost.

For an existing house the biggest issue with wired systems is the cost of installation. There will be a lot of cabling involved, most of which will need to spread across the house to reach all the censors, and this is especially difficult in multi-storey houses. Afterwards, the task of concealing all the wiring also remains. In an ideal situation, the house should be pre-wired with all cables during the construction of the walls, making it simple to reach all necessary rooms as well as to concealing wires behind the drywall. Many houses have these cables already prebuilt, so the first step would be check if your house is already setup for a wired system. If you are considering a wireless system, then the installation is relatively straightforward and isn’t much of a concern. The main consideration in this case would be to position all the parts strategically close enough to each other in order to send and receive signals effectively. Also note that if you’re plan on getting a security system professionally installed, wired systems will usually cost much more than a wireless systems simply because they will take longer to setup.

A second factor to consider is reliability. Wired systems usually follow a loop configuration that triggers when a connection is lost. This can happen when a door or window is opened, or even if a cable is cut by an intruder. In addition, these systems are powered by the home’s power supply and do not require much regular maintenance. In contrast, wireless systems use RF signals to send their status to a central unit, since no wiring is involved. They also mostly run on batteries, which will need to be replaced periodically, depending on the battery life of that particular product. Wireless systems also have more components that are required to function, which could correlate to more things that will need to be serviced in the long run. In the end, a wired system may take longer to setup, but will require less maintenance.

The third factor to consider is price. As mentioned above, professional installations will cost more for wired systems than wireless systems. But on the other hand, a wired system itself will cost less than a wireless system. So the most economic method would be to purchase a wired system and install it yourself. Furthermore, many dealers offer 24 hour protection plans with their systems, for a monthly fee. This may or may not be a consideration for you depending on your economic mindset. However, some dealers offer free installation with such protection plans, which could be an attractive offer if you’re planning a wired system. Then again, it could also end up costing more if the deal is for a long term contract. It’s important to take all these factors into consideration before making the final choice.

Thusara S.
FindMy3.ca

Don’t: Hidden Keys
This is one of the most common mistakes – hiding an extra key somewhere outside your house in case of emergencies. The problem isn’t necessarily the act itself, but the inability to do it well. For example, hiding it under the door mat is a definite DON’T. The key idea here, no pun indeed, is to put it somewhere it is not easily discoverable. If you can get to the key and access it in a few seconds it’s not in a good hiding place, this includes anywhere around your door, mailbox or patio. A good place to start would be in your backyard, such as being buried deep in your storage shed. Remember, the idea is to rely on this key as less as possible, so it shouldn’t have to be conveniently placed.

Don’t: Visible Valuables
A common mistake is to make valuable items easily visible from outside your property. For example, expensive bikes, scooters, equipment and other valuables that are normally kept outdoors should be put in a place where they can’t be seen. Such as in a tool shed or garage. It is critical that your give as little reason for a burglar to rob your house as possible, and hiding as much incentives as possible is key to a good start.

Do: Lock Doors and Enforce Windows
A burglar will most likely try to break in through a door or window, so it’s imperative these be well protected. The first step it to always remember to lock them, it’s surprising that almost a quarter of people forget to lock their back door, according to ADT.
For your doors, ensure they are sturdy with enough weight to prevent them from being kicked in, also make sure their hinges on the inside. It is also vital that they have deadbolt locks installed in addition to the normal spring bolt locks on the door knob.
For your windows, always lock and close them at night, they’re far more frequent in a house than doors are and can be easily forgot about after they’ve been left open. In the case of sliding windows, a bar or pin should be placed to prevent them from being slid open. For windows that aren’t used much, such as those in basements, braces can be installed diagonally to prevent unwanted entry.

Do: Motion sensorlights
Visibility is a burglar’s enemy, and motion sensing lights installed on your property will not only keep then visible but also attract attention when they suddenly turn on. These types of lights are relatively cheap, for about $20 to $30 dollars each you can secure your most vulnerable doors and windows. Remember, the more you have the better; Cover as much of the home’s perimeter as possible.

Do: Open landscape
The more enclosed and covered up your house is, the more enticing it is for a prospecting burglar. This includes large hedges, secluded and shadowed windows, and large foliage around doors and windows. The more exposed you can make a burglar feel the less likely they are to take the risk. Make sure both your front and back yards are visible to your neighbours and trim down any bushes that could provide ideal cover for a burglar. An open landscape, coupled with the use of motion lights, should provide as an effective deterrent against burglars.

By: Thusara S.
FindMy3.ca