Category: Security Tips
Tips on how to better secure your home and business.
Home Invasion Burglaries - An Unfortunate Truth
Home invasion is generally defined as an unauthorized and forceful entry into a dwelling. A recent home invasion in Spiceland, Indiana has sparked a lot of discussion among our clients and friends. What exactly is a home invasion? Am I at risk? What can I do to prevent this from happening to me? Read on...
A knock at the door...
Believe it or not, that's how most home invasions begin. Deception. A seemingly innocent visitor offers to shovel your drive way or use your phone. Once they gain entry, their real motives become apparent. They overpower and restrain victims. Then use terror, force, and violence to steal cash, jewelry, PIN numbers, etc.
How To Prevent a Home Invasion
Preparation is the best way to prevent a home invasion. Staying safe often requires changing your habits. None of the following prevention methods will work if you aren't diligent.
Keep your doors, windows, and garage locked at all times when you are home an ...
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It's That Time Of Year Again...
The door knockers are out in full force! Not familiar with the phenomena of summer time door-knocking security sales people? Read on to learn more...
An important message about fraud
I'd like to preface this by saying that not all door knockers are unethical. We even knock on a door or two here and there (mostly neighbors of new customers), but the past few years this situation has gotten out of hand.
Here at ASI we value the trust you've placed in us as security industry experts. Because of this, I feel like it's important to alert you to the fraudulent and misleading sales tactics that some security companies use in the summer months.
Here's the scoop...
Out of state security companies hire college students to go door to door in different neighborhoods selling security systems. These swindlers are often nicely dressed, well spoken, and friendly. They have a whole list of tricks they'll use to get you to sign a long term contract with them. Even if you al ...
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Time For Another Story...
Once upon a time (about two years ago) I met with an elderly woman named Harriet. Harriet had recently been burglarized in broad daylight. She was gardening and a man drove up to her house, walked in the front door, took her purse from the counter, waved to her and left. Yes, really. I have been in many homes shortly after the residents have been burglarized. Typically, they call us to help them get their peace of mind and sense of security back. Their number one concern is keeping something like that from happening again. Harriet was concerned about the same thing, but she was even more concerned about something else. Harriet's number one concern was purchasing a system that was easy to use. I knew that we had a solution that would be perfect for her.
Why was she concerned?
Eye sight - Harriet has trouble seeing small text. She wanted a solution that wouldn't require her to strain her eyes to read.
Mobility - Harriet is almost 90. She gets around great for her ...
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Oops... I made a mistake...
Weird way to start a post, I know. Just the title of a book I read to my daughter. I want to start this off by telling you about a social media mistake I made. I represent ASI on twitter and facebook. We post tips on safety and make conversation with our clients and fans/followers. A few days after Christmas I was scheduling some post to go out to our facebook fans. I was reading what other people were talking about, and I noticed a running theme. Every one was discussing what they got for Christmas. I decided to join in the fun. I posted a simple question on our facebook page trying to get some interaction. "What did you get for Christmas?" Good idea, right? Wrong. Shortly after the post was up a loyal client commented. He said that he expected better from a security company. That we were asking people to advertise their valuables online. I immediately knew that what I had done was a mistake. I apologized for the post, and removed the original question before a ...
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Story time...
So you're heading to the grocery store... you arm your alarm system and head out. Unfortunately, you forgot to lock your door. Your daughter comes home from school while your gone. She sets off the alarm, but she forgot the code. You're notified, but have the police respond because you aren't home. They arrive to find your daughter. After a quick investigation they leave. End of the story, right? Here comes the part you didn't expect... a big fat false alarm fine from your county government.
False alarm fees.
Many local governments are resorting to charging for false alarm response. It's not that they don't have the right. They are using tax dollars to pay police officers to respond to homes when there is no emergency. They could be using those resources for more important issues. The problem is that many alarm companies have a 30% false alarm rate (ours is under 1%). Some counties fine after three false alarms a year. Some fine after five. Some fine after one. Bottom line, if you ha ...
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The adage "you get what you pay for" is just as true when dealing with your security as anything else in life. The big difference is however, your life could easily hinge on the effectiveness of your security system.
For decades alarm systems have been providing security for millions of homes and businesses. From year to year the features and benefits provided by alarm systems change rapidly. Systems can be installed that communicate using a cellular communicator and are powered totally with solar energy. Another technology feature that is available to consumers is video enhancement. Video can be integrated with your alarm system to perform a multitude of tasks.
When the kids come home from school and disarm the alarm system you can see them on your computer at work or on your smartphone while you are at the mall. If you have a burglary occur at home, the central station upon receiving the alarm signal simply takes a quick “live view” using your video enabled alarm system.
False alarms ...
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We have clients come to us all of the time wanting to solve employee theft. While our electronic systems can solve many of their problems, there are other things that need to be considered when eliminating and preventing employee theft and fraud. Here are 9 of the best ways.
1. Hotlines: have a number, email, or drop box where employees can inform you of their suspicions.
2. Install a Surveillance System: cameras can help you track where and when theft is happening. They also provide hard proof if legal action is necessary.
3. Random Checks: Perform random audits and inventory checks to keep your employees honest. Performing these regularly will also keep employees singled out when they are checked.
4. Keep Your Door Open: Allow employees to feel comfortable discussing their concerns with management. When they do discuss things with you be honest and supportive.
5. Employee Involvement: Employees are the most aware of theft vulnerabilities in your business. Talk to them about your concerns.
6. ...
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I was reading the local New Castle paper online recently, and something really grabbed my attention. I always read the police reports, but the past few have been a bit different. There have been more burglaries this month than in any one month since I have worked at ASI. Not only are the burglaries happening more often, the burglars are becoming braver and more dangerous. There was a home invasion this month were two home owners were bound with duct tape and robbed. The burglars took everything from personal documents to Christmas presents. You can read the newspaper article if you want more info on that crime.
Here is a list of the burglaries from the past week in New Castle and Henry County. The list begins with Monday the 13th and goes back to Wednesday the 8th.
Monday, 11:28 a.m. - A New Castle resident reported a burglary in the 1100 block of Audubon Road. (there was a physical altercation during this burglary).
Monday, 11:45 a.m. - A New Castle resident reported a burglary in the 20 ...
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1. Keep all doors, windows, and garage doors closed and securely fastened. Doors should have 3 inch deadbolt locks with at least a 1" throw and reinforced strike plate with 3 " screws. All windows should have window locks.
2. Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or pieces of wood in the track and install vertical bolts.
3. When service or delivery people come to your door, ask for ID. If you're still not sure, call the police first and report the stranger. Call the company to confirm.
4. Cut up boxes for TVs, computers, stereos, etc. so that a burglar going through the garbage can not see any of your highly valuable items.
5. Do not leave ladders or tools lying around outside. They can assist a possible intruder.
6. Install a wide-angle peep hole in your front door so you can see who is at the door.
7. Organize a neighborhood watch program. Neighbors working together make one of the best crime-fighting teams around.
8. Make a home inventory list, complete with photos or video. ...
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Going out of town for the holidays? Here are a few tips to help keep your home safe while you're gone.
1. Ask police to check your home and patrol your neighborhood more closely while you're away.
2. Stop mail and newspaper deliveries, or have a trusted neighbor collect them while you're away so that they do not accumulate.
3. Secure all doors, windows, pet entrances, and garage doors.
4. Transfer your valuables to a safe deposit box.
5. Place timers on indoor lamps to illuminate your home during the night, and set timers to turn on radios and televisions randomly.
6. Check that no bulbs are burned out on your indoor lamps, outdoor lighting fixtures, or low-voltage lighting system.
7. Arrange to have your landscaping continue, or your drive ways and walk ways shoveled. A snow-covered driveway without tire tracks or an overgrown yard is an immediate indicator to burglars that nobody is home.
8. Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to maintain a normal appearance.
9. Hav ...
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