Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Reed Security Share Important Trusted Saskatoon Alarm and Security Tips

Reed Security believes when you become a client you will be entering into a relationship – one they want to grow and become long term...they work hard to meet all your Saskatoon Alarm & security needs from day one! Reed Security are Trusted Saskatoon Alarm and Security Experts 

HOW TO STOP BURGLARS FROM TARGETING YOUR HOME


In Burglary Prevention Tips :


  • Unlocked doors or windows
  • Front doors with glass panes
  • Open curtains that reveal what you have in your home
  • Open doors or windows (this includes garage doors)
  • Darkened points of entry
  • Valuables left out in the open, such as lawn equipment or bicycles
  • Large bushes that obscure the front yard or door to your home
  • Fences that provide cover
  • Neighbourhoods without neighbourhood watch



Signs that a home is an unoccupied target include:


  •     Newspapers or unchecked mail
  •     Overgrown yards
  •    “Sorry we missed you” notes on the door

Secure Entryways

BURGLAR-PROOF YOUR HOME: 

LOCK YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS

REINFORCE YOUR DOORS

GLASS FRONT DOORS ATTRACT BURGLARS

They will look through the door in order to see what’s inside.  A thief can see if you have a traditional, monitored alarm system as well.

KEEP YOUR GARAGE DOOR CLOSED

I think a lot of people take leaving their garage door open for granted. Maybe you could do that in 1952, but those days are over. I know a man who’s wife pulled into the garage and left the garage door open when she went into the house. By the time she went back out to close it, someone had already run in and stolen his toolbox full of expensive tools. Now, talk about emboldened opportunism! Luckily they caught the guy because the man had a security camera that had captured a clear image of his face.

GET AN UP-TO-DATE OPENER

LOCK THE DOOR FROM YOUR GARAGE INTO YOUR HOUSE

CLOSE YOUR BLINDS OR CURTAINS


 WHAT BURGLARS WANT AND WHERE THEY LOOK FOR IT IN  YOUR HOUSE

  • under the mattress
  • under the bed
  • master closest
  • shoe boxes
  • night stands
  • tops of wardrobes
  • bathroom cabinets
  • dresser drawers
  • medicine cabinets
  • children’s’ rooms
  • kitchen pantry
  • broom or utility closet
  • basement
  • attic
HOW LANDSCAPING CAN ATTRACT OR DETER BURGLARS 

Crime prevention officers suggest keeping bushes trimmed down to about 3 feet or shorter so that you increase the visibility for your neighbours or pedestrian onlookers. I can totally see keeping my front door and window bushes trimmed back. But let’s take a look at our other options below.

DEFENSIVE LANDSCAPING - AN ARMY OF POKEY, SHARP PLANTS AND GRAVEL UNDER WINDOWS KEEP TREES NEAR YOUR HOUSE TRIMMED


ADD LANDSCAPE LIGHTING FOR HOME SECURITY 

Basically, these are stand-alone security cameras installed in light fixtures. Whenever motion triggers them, both the light and the camera activate. Next, they send you an alert via text message. From there you can control the camera, which includes the ability to speak to whoever is there..ask Reed today! 


SIGNS YOU ARE AWAY

  1.  OVERGROWN LAWNS 
  2. TRASHCANS LEFT OUT BY THE CURB


WHAT DO BURGLARS LOOK FOR IN A TARGETED NEIGHBORHOOD?

  • settled homes
  • a particular type of home typically means disposable income..that means they have jewelry or cash
  • well-kept homes
  • yards with nice fences because they indicate nice interior
  • houses without alarm systems
  • glass front doors that let them see inside


 If you get that funny feeling in your body about a strange person, trust it. Our age-old instincts, by design, warn us of situations. Don’t let your head talk you out of that warning.

Trusted Saskatoon Alarm and Security Experts at Reed Security Share Security Tips

When you become a Reed Security client you will be entering into a relationship - one they want to grow and become long-term. Installing a security system will decrease the odds of having a break-in by nearly 400%. 

Reed Security is a Multi SABEX AWARD WINNING company and they are TRUSTED SASKATOON ALARM & SECURITY EXPERTS


Reed Security Top Security  Tips


All About Theft:


  • 66% of break-in's are forced entry and forced entry attempts
  • 34% of break-ins are an unlawful entry (without force)
  • In 2015, Saskatchewan had 9407 break-in's (180/week) and Alberta had 27,517 break-in's (529/week)
  • Break-ins occur in all areas of the City - not just the "bad areas"
  • Most Home break-ins occur when you are at work or travelling (daytime)
  • Most Business break-ins occur when you are at home (evening and weekends)
  • Cabin's and Lake properties are especially attractive
  • 98% of break-ins occur through main floor doors and windows (often unlocked)
  • Thieves target the Master Bedroom


Thieves steal:

  • Cash and Credit Cards
  • Jewelry
  • Designer clothes and sunglasses
  • Electronics such as TV's, Stereos, Computers, Video Game systems, Smartphones and Tablets
  • Tools
  • Sporting Goods
  • Cars and Trucks or the contents in them
  • Building Materials
  • Alcohol and Prescription drugs
  • Your Identity

 

How to Prevent Theft

Use Common Sense!


  • If you lose a key, get the locks changed.
  • Ask all strangers for identification.
  • Never hide an extra key outdoor - especially underneath a mat or on top of a light fixture. This is the first place the bad guys look. Leave an extra house key with a friend or a neighbour.
  • DO NOT advertise on Facebook or other social media that you are on vacation.
  • For insurance purposes take photos of the contents of your home.
  • Keep all receipts in a safe and easy to find location.
  • Write down the model and the serial number of all electronics.
  • Make it Difficult
  • Door chains are easy to bypass. Install deadbolts.
  • Install a stopper or stick on all sliding doors and windows.
  • Install window bars on all basement windows.
  • Make sure all doors and windows are properly locked.
  • Keep your premises well lit at night.
  • Install timers that turn lights on at different times. This gives the appearance that someone is home.


Install a monitored Home Security system and you are 400% less likely to have a break-in.

You will receive up to 25% insurance discount. and optional ALARM.COM with automatic lights.


In case you do have a break-in:


If it looks like a door or window was forced open, DO NOT go inside. The burglar may still be on site.

Call the Police from your cellular phone or from a neighbour's house and wait.



Trusted Saskatoon Security pros at Reed Security Share Some Vegas Secrets

Installing a security system will decrease the odds of having a break-in by nearly 400%. There are a few more things you can do to keep the odds in your favor, and they offer these security tips to their clients.

Reed Security are a Multi SABEX AWARD WINNING company and they are your TRUSTED SASKATOON ALARM & SECURITY EXPERTS

TOP 25 COOL SECURITY SOLUTIONS IN VEGAS 2017




Would you rather partner with a cutting-edge security LEADER that brings the latest and greatest crime-fighting technology back for their Clients? Or would you like to partner with the Dinosaurs that like to FOLLOW?

Every year we head to Vegas to attend ISCWest. With 1000 exhibitors and 30,000 security geeks it's the largest Security Expo in North America.

The near future is all about smart security cameras and video management software with Artificial Intelligence (AI). It's getting close to what you see on TV shows like CSI. One example is Face Appearance Search by Avigilon. The software is so smart it can quickly search for the Face of a Person at a site. In the example below the Avigilon representative chooses a thumbnail image of the person he wants to find and the recorded video with the persons face displays immediately. If you look closely, the person he is looking for is on the far right and has an identification box. This is ideal for high traffic locations such as schools, airports, hospitals, government and office buildings.



Our Sales Manager Ken Spence checked out the Qolsys IQ2 Smart Security & Automation system. This is by far the SMARTEST home and small business solution we've ever seen. Coming to Reed Security mid 2017.
The Qolsys IQ2 Smart Security & Automation system has a few unique features you will not find on any other system. The built in 5MP camera takes photos every time the system is Armed or Disarmed and e-mails it to you (on DisArm). Coming to Reed Security mid 2017.

To see the other 24 Cool Security Gadgets - read the full article with images on Reeds Website Here : WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS DOES NOT STAY IN VEGAS 

Reed Security Answer the Debate of Wired Vs. Wireless Security Systems!


Reed Security believes when you become a client you will be entering into a relationship – one they want to grow and become long term...they work hard to meet all your Saskatoon Alarm & security needs from day one! They are also recipients of multiple SABEX AWARDS - these Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce awards recognize excellence in business! 

Here they answer the question - Which is better, wired or wireless security systems?


Is it safe? Will it work every time? What if I have a power outage? We have to ask the question: are wireless security systems better than wired ones?

 


Home Security:

Wireless vs. Wired

It’s Saturday morning, and you’ve just woken up. You think to yourself “I could really go for some coffee right now”, but the kitchen seems so far away…fortunately, you have a WiFi connected coffee maker, and can start the process from the warmth and comfort of your bed, simply by opening an app on your phone. Life surely couldn’t get any more convenient.

It’s not surprising that when it comes to alarm systems, residential or commercial, many clients are looking for integrated solutions; something they can access any time, anywhere, at the click of a button. However, the stakes are a little higher when it comes to security then they are with your morning coffee. Is it safe? Will it work every time? What if I have a power outage? We have to ask the question: are wireless security systems better than wired ones?

This is a great question, but one that doesn’t lend itself to a “yes or no” answer. Saying a system is “wireless” can mean a number of different things. A “wired” system may still have wireless components, and vice versa. In fact, there are three distinct aspects to an alarm system, any of which can be wired or wireless, in almost any combination. These three components are:

1.  CPU – the main brain of the system, where all the processing of signals happens

2.  Communicator – the part that sends the signals from the CPU to the monitoring station

3.  Devices – the individual zones in the system; doors, motion detectors, etc

To understand the benefits and drawbacks of using wireless in an alarm system, we’re going to break down each of these three components individually and examine them closely.


Today we will look at the CPU.


What does the CPU do?


The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the real hard worker in the system. It receives signals from every other device in the system, including keypads, door sensors, smoke detectors, keyfobs, etc, and decides what to do with them. Without this part functioning properly, every other part of the system is effectively useless.

What’s the difference between a wired one and a wireless one?


Traditionally, the CPU (or “panel”, as it’s often referred to in the alarm industry) was housed in a secure metal box in a room that is hard to reach, such as a utility room or a locked server room. It is usually part-and-parcel with, or closely housed to, the Communicator; this means that when the CPU decides that someone needs to be notified of something, communication can happen instantly. The siren is also wired into this box.

With the advent of wireless alarm systems, someone somewhere said “hey, we could save money by putting the CPU, the communicator, the siren AND the keypad all in one box”. This seems like a great idea! A technician only has to install one piece of equipment, and run one set of wires to it.  Almost every alarm company offers these types of system, and it is single-handedly responsible for the “Zero down” deals we hear about on the radio every day. They can now install three or four systems in a day instead of one or two, and they’re not paying for multiple pieces of equipment. 

How does the CPU perform in an alarm situation?


The “fully wireless” CPU has a distinct disadvantage: the CPU and communicator are sitting right inside your keypad – probably right next to the front door of your house or business. Not only that, but the sturdy metal enclosure has been replaced with a piece of plastic. More than once I have seen a criminal enter a premise and then simply take a hammer to the keypad. After one or two swings, your keypad is destroyed, your siren is disabled, and your system is dead and has no way to communicate with the outside world. The burglar can take their time in checking out your property and possessions. 

If you had a hard-wired system, the keypad would certainly be destroyed; but the CPU and Communicator are still downstairs doing their job. They’ve detected someone walking in front of the motion detector and have seen that the keypad is no longer responsive, and the Police are on their way. Not to mention that the siren is still blaring, making the burglar think twice about sticking around.

When it comes to communication, the alarm industry has put some safeguards in place to make these kind of break-ins harder to pull off, specifically a technology called “Crash and Smash”, which means a quick distress signal is sent in most of these cases before the keypad is irreparably damaged. This is a great idea, though not without it’s own flaws. I will explore this in my next blog.  

The Bottom Line


The bottom line is that the CPU in a “fully wireless” system is cost-effective and convenient to install, and some even come with built-in touch screens and extra features which aren’t available in hardwired systems; however, they come at the cost of being incredibly vulnerable to attack. When you’re paying a monthly fee for your alarm system, and often an up-front cost as well, do you really want your alarm system to be only as secure as a $10 hammer? 

My recommendation: better safe than sorry. A hardwired CPU may cost you more to have installed, but if your security system isn’t secure, it’s missing the point!

Dave Schlegel
Owner
Oxford Security Systems
Reed Security Authorized Dealer (Calgary)



If you are having a problem with THEFT or MOVING TO A NEW HOME, we can Help!


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Reed Security, Your Trusted Security and Alarm Experts Explain Why They Care!

Your Trusted Saskatoon Alarm and Security Professionals believe that when you become a client you will be entering a relationship - one they are excited to grow, and become long term. They work hard to meet all your Saskatoon Alarm and Security needs from day one. Sounds like a healthy relationship to me!

REED SECURITY  is Trusted for a reason and their awards line up is definitely proof of that! Here are just a few of their most recent awards!