When I was younger, I remember leaving my purse in the car to run into places. You could also leave the windows down on you car and not lock doors. Upon return, your items were right where you left them, every time.
You probably agree those days are gone... possibly L-O-N-G gone. We'd best take some precautions to keep our belongings just that... our belongings!
Here at California Security Pro, we hope this is the most exciting or if you prefer, the most relaxing Summer of your life. The memories you make should be at your choosing, not in response to a break-in or theft.
Summer Safety Tips for your home's security...
You probably already know that burglary numbers go up for the summer months. Thadeus the thief must like the nice weather too... he's extra active during the warmer months. A possible reason sited is you are out enjoying the great weather and summer festivities. Whatever reasons old Thad is on the prowl, there are some simple tips to keep him out of your house.
1. Don't open the door unless you know the person - You definitely want to go to the door and let the person on the other side know that people are home. A common practice for burglars is to knock and knock to verify the house is empty and then break-in. So ask who it is through a locked door and tell the salesman or lost person or kid looking to give you a free exterior paint quote that it's not a good time. You are washing killer, your 100 pound wolf/rottweiler mix or just on a conference call. This will also save you from all the scams that come knocking on your door during summer.
2. If you have home security, use it. Have your system armed to stay with no delay as you answer the door or go about your daily duties. Sure you'll forget and set off the alarm a couple times when it's just Sue from next door (you know... you open the door without disarming first. RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG goes the alarm.) Don't worry, you'll get used to disarming first, just like any new habit. And if it were Sue being accosted by the local thug, you'll be thrilled the alarm is screaming in the background... and he won't be!
3. Lock your doors and windows - 30% of burglaries happen through an unlocked door or window. WOW!! Make a burglar work if they want in. Keep doors locked, keep windows shut, and make sure you have inexpensive window locks. Sliding glass doors should have a lock or a piece of wood in the track to keep it from being jiggled off the track and slid open.
Keep these habits all year long. Just like being aware of your surroundings instead of walking with ones face buried in a phone, simple changes give off a vibe that you and your home are NOT an easy target.
Summer Safety Tips for traveling and vacationing...
Fifty percent of summer travelers choose mid to late July. Apparently Aruba is calling!
Even if you are staying near by, a few simple tricks will keep burglars guessing if you're home or not.
4. DON'T post vacation plans on Social Media - This hilarious video from AllState is a great laugh but a serious issue, don't advertise that you are leaving all your belongings unattended.
5. Don't hide your keys - Burglars are hoping that you'll hide the key and they'll find them!
6. Have a neighbor park in your driveway while you are gone - Nothing says, we're home like a car in the driveway.
7. Close the blinds - A burglar hears, "take me I'm yours," when they walk by an open window and sees valuables on display.
8. Get to know your neighbors - Statics show that there are multiple safety benefits to knowing your neighbors. AND what better time than summer to do that. Maybe it's time to plan a National Night Out event for your street or plan to attend one together. Learn more here. Join or start a Neighborhood Watch program. Crime statistics in areas that join together drop. Also checkout NextDoor.com or this blog about Community Safety and Social Media.
Wherever you're headed this summer, take a few moments and make sure the house is not advertising that you are gone. You can still post all the great pictures on social media, just do it when you're back home. For some great safety tips to use while on the road, check out this great post by Ackerman security on travel safety.
Summer Safety Tips for an ADT standard Security System or ADT Pulse Alarm
As mentioned before, if you have a security system, arm it. Arm it while you are home and arm it while you are away. This quick blog goes over the four ways to arm a security system.
Now that you are always arming your alarm in the way that best protects you, here's a couple more things for you to consider.
9. Update you emergency contacts - If you use myadt.com, you can log-in and update there. If not, just give ADT a call at 1-800-588-2159 and let them know you want to update. If you are leaving on vacation, the app lets you set a reminder up to a year in advance to check the list right before your trip.
10. Test your system - It's an industry standard to test your system weekly. I won't ask for a show of hands but we suspect a small amount of clients just might forget to do that. NOW is the time. Again if you use the myadt.com app. You can log-in and follow the instructions. OR you can call the number above and have an agent walk you through it. With life and death issues like fire protection and burglary protection, testing the system is a MUST DO as you leave on vacation or start the summer stretch.
Use ADT Pulse features to make your summer cooler...
ADT Pulse allows you to remotely monitor your home systems AND set functions on auto pilot. Pretty cool! Here's a few more things to consider doing with your ADT Pulse system.
11. Your ADT Pulse Cameras - Sure you can check in on your kids and sitters anytime you like, especially if they are home a little extra for your summer. You can also set up an automation that sends you an alert with a video link each time someone comes on your front porch. Check out this blog: Setting up ADT Pulse Automations... and see who is coming over while you are out.
12. Review your thermostat setting - The bill to cool the house usually peaks in summer. Don't worry, I am not suggesting you forgo air conditioning! You can use your mobile app to check in remotely and adjust your thermostat. You might realize that it's not as hot as predicted and use the mobile app accordingly. That works if you forget to set an appropriate temperature as well. Keeping close tabs on your cooling this summer can keep more money in your pocket.
And one Bonus Tip!
Set up an "out and about" mode or a "vacation mode" - There are things that you'd like your home to do when you are out and about. One thing I do is have the doors all lock within minutes after setting the alarm. So if Andrew, my son doesn't lock the back door, or I forget while wrangling 4 kids and a dog into the Suburban, it still gets done. Even if I forget to hit vacation mode, I can do it from my mobile app or verify that it did get done if I can't remember. Also, if you don't want the thermostat keeping the house cool all week AND you don't want to change setting each time you take a day trip, set up a mode for thermostat control, learn how here.
True story - a week ago, I had an extra kid for a day. That day we happened to attended a potluck. I supplied home made root beer, root beer bottle decorated cookies AND a salad. The food all got inside. The kids even each had 2 shoes on and matching clothing (those of you with 3 toddlers will recognize that as a HUGE victory.) However, my faithful and usually reliable assistant, my 8 year old, did not close all the doors, grab my purse and lock the car like I asked him to. (YES, I get it that it's ultimately my responsibility to assure it gets done.) Hubby arrived minutes after me, brought in my purse, closed the driver side door that was wide open, then locked the car. WHEW, downtown is not the place to leave an open car. Although this was not my house and ADT has yet to make ADT Pulse available for cars, I was reminded having a back-up plan is a life saver!
Summer is a blast! A hectic blast. if you are anything like me, it might involve amazing home made root beer and cookies and the possibility of a stolen car.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that once you invest in a security system, you can check the check-box for safety precautions. It's the illusion burglars depend on! Make sure to lock the doors (and close them in my case,) arm your system and take that ounce of prevention. With ADT Pulse, you even have a back-up plan!
All the summer activities seem to quadruple the chances of forgetting to close the door, lock things up or just turn the thermostat down. ADT Pulse not only protects your home and puts all of ADT's resources on stand by to protect you, it also allows you see what's going on at your home and catch the things you might have overlooked while rushing.
If you don't have a security system yet and are interested in more information, contact us at 1-800-310-9490 today or click below and we'll call you to answer your questions and set up a FREE security review if that's what you need.
P.S. Refer a friend who is leaving on vacation and might need a system right away!
Kathy is a client of ours. She was leaving on vacation and needed a system before she left, here's what she had to say about her experience and peace or mind leaving on vaction with a protected home: "I had an exceptional experience with California Security Pro and was pleased with the professionalism of the staff. I contacted Jason out of the San Ramon office two days prior to our family vacation in desperate need of an alarm system. Jason was wonderful to listen to my concerns and guide me over the phone as to which system would be best for our home. Jason went above and beyond to have a technician Micah come to our home the very next day to install our ADT system. Micah did an excellent job installing the ADT system and we left for our vacation the next day feeling at ease that our home was protected. I have recommended many of my friends and families to contact this company and appreciate the superb experience I received." Kathy S. - Livermore, CA
Home security can save your peace of mind this summer.
