Of late, it has been impossible to turn on the TV, scroll through social media or even pick up a newspaper without reading about the huge spike in aggravated home invasions and carjackings. It’s literally everywhere which is unfortunately causing more and more concern among our local communities every day. But what’s even more unfortunate… It’s reality!
Naturally this has caused many families and couples to contact us, asking what they can do to increase their level of safety. The Herald Sun’s latest article has Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana stated that ‘everyone should make their homes harder to break into’.
As we aim to provide peace of mind to all Australians, we have compiled our top tips to increase your security and provide genuine protection so you can live life with the peace of mind you deserve.
It’s astounding that with alarm monitoring rates as low as they are; there are still families who would rather risk the safety of themselves and their loved ones by trying to self-monitor their alarm (having it ring their mobile) or worse yet not having any form of monitoring what so ever.
Believe it or not, the overwhelming reason why people are risking it all is to save as little as $1.50 a day.
By having a professionally monitored security system in place you will have trained professionals ready to assist in the unfortunate event of a life threatening emergency e.g. home invasion. Depending on the situation at hand these professionals can quickly respond and where required deploy emergency services and or private security guards to assist you.
Most mainstream security systems installed within the last 10 years are compatible with professional monitoring and can be connected with little or no upfront investment. Once activated monitoring will open up numerous life saving features previously not available to those systems that were un-monitored or self-monitored. These life-saving features include fixed panic buttons, silent duress codes and wireless panic pendants all of which designed to alert those that are most capable of assisting you in your time of need.
Maximise the value of your alarm system by enabling stay at home arming mode. Most modern-day security systems allow you to use your alarm when you are home by turning some devices on whilst leaving others off.
Most families are unaware that their alarm systems even had such a function but once educated there was no hesitation and they immediately looked to arm parts of their home like door/window switches or even outdoor movement detectors whilst at home. This provided the freedom to move around the home, whilst still keeping their home safe, sound and secure from any unlawful entry especially whilst sleeping at night.
With technology evolving and the demand for higher levels of security increasing, CCTV is rapidly finding its way into homes all over the country. In addition to a monitored alarm system, CCTV is the perfect companion allowing home owners to verify any alarms from their smart phones as well as providing a continuous record of events, enabling police to piece together a time line in order to catch and prosecute those who are doing the wrong thing.
We recommend having a professionally installed High Definition CCTV system with night vision cameras and remote viewing function to give you the best chance of quickly identifying any incidence of concern.
The higher the definition of cameras you install the better chance there will be of capturing the finer details such as number plates, tattoos and facial features to assist with any police investigations.
Video intercoms provide a fantastic way to stay safe inside your home whilst speaking to any unknown visitors who arrives at your front door.
In some cases you may have a front gate which you can grant access to a visitor from the comfort of your own home.
Some video intercoms also have the ability to record snap shots and or video of all missed calls throughout the day. This is particularly important if a potential intruder is casing out your property more often than not they will ring a door bell numerous times to ensure no one is home. Unbeknownst to them, their face is being recorded at every attempt of ringing the doorbell.
There you have it, our four top tips to increasing your level of home security without costing the earth.
We understand that no two homes are alike and no two family’s requirements are the same, therefore our team of security specialists are readily available to thoroughly understand your requirements and provide the best possible advice available.
If you would like to speak with one of our friendly security specialists please don’t hesitate to call our team on 1300 73 83 93.
No longer is the great Australian dream staying in the same home for 20 years, rather a flexible and spontaneous shift in moving home is rapidly becoming the norm due to evolving career and lifestyle choices. As a result this causes hundreds of homes to be vacated and re occupied every single day.
It’s no secret but moving one’s home is the bane of our existence, so how do you make one of the most stressful transitions become as easy as going on a Sunday cruise.
Step 1: Fill The Tank
Once you have reached an agreement with the real estate agent and locked in your move in date, before you start ordering new blinds and furniture, start thinking about security! After all what’s the point of moving all your precious items and shiny new things into a home without any protection?
Step 2: Drop The Top
Before moving in, often you will have an opportunity to have a final inspection of your new pad. This is the perfect opportunity to arrange for your security company to meet you onsite to assess your home to organise a tailored quote.
Your security specialist should be licenced and is there to provide advice on all different security systems whether it be a monitored alarm system, CCTV or an intercom system.
In some cases your new home may have existing security equipment, whilst not knowing what state it’s in this is the perfect opportunity to have advice given and the system assessed, no matter whether the system requires a service, a full or partial upgrade.
Step 3: Hit Cruise Control
When you have received your tailored quote and you are happy to proceed it’s important to organise the upgrade or installation date as close to the settlement date as possible, before any other tradesmen. In some cases the previous owner or landlord may be kind enough to grant you access prior to the move in date, it’s always advisable to ask.
Monitored alarms and CCTV systems will provide a record of events which will allow you to keep tabs on all other tradesmen you may have after settlement.
Monitored alarm systems can track start and finish times of tradesmen whilst you are not home. This ensures any disparities in labour invoices are corrected, as you will be notified when your alarm is turned off or on, i.e. when tradesmen come and go.
We recommend you provide a temporary pin code per trade that you can set up and then easily delete once works are completed.
CCTV cameras allows you to view your cameras in real time on your PC or smart device, this allows you to check in whilst at work to make sure the tradies are doing their job (not taking excessive smokos’).
Step 4: Pump Up The Tunes
After all trades are finished you can move all your belongings into your new home with the peace of mind knowing they will be safe and sound. It’s important if you have installed new and expensive equipment into your home that you do not advertise this to the world by leaving the branded cardboard boxes out the front. The last thing you want is your new home entertainment system to be stolen.
Step 5: Enjoy the scenery
Finally, now you’ve moved and settled in its important to introduce yourself to your neighbours. They can help you feel safer in your new area and in the long term this benefits all parties as you can speak to each other about any news and events whilst fostering a real sense of community.
It’s also great to join any local community initiatives such as the neighbourhood watch, social or sporting clubs as this will allow you to get to know your new community and in turn the local community learn more about you.
Hamish May – Electronic Security Monitoring Specialist
If you would like to find out more about what security products or services are available to home movers Click Here.
If you wish to speak with our friendly security specialists don’t hesitate give us a call on 1300 73 83 93.
