How You Can Prevent Home Burglary - Alarm Systems
According to the Ministry of Public Safety, there was a general increase in the number of home burglary cases in British Columbia. Burglary cases increased by 3.1% in 2016 from 49.8 cases per 1,000 population to 50.9 cases per 1,000 population. Burglary victims lost an estimated 100 million Canadian Dollars, which is a significant amount by any standard. The above facts make installing alarm systems a must. Theft can completely shatter your sense of security at home. Here as some burglary prevention tips that can come in handy.
Always Keep Your Windows and Doors Shut
This may seem like an obvious security measure but nonetheless, many homeowners disregard it at times. Leaving your doors and windows open at night or when you away make you an easy target since it’s easier for burglars to gain entry into your house. Up to 25% of home break-ins happen through first-floor windows. Therefore, ensure that you secure them. Besides this, consider installing alarm kits on your windows and doors to deter would-be burglars.
Installation of Double Key Deadbolts
A significant number of burglars access their victims’ houses via the front door. Therefore, invest in securing the front door with access control and alarm systems since it will help deter criminals. Double key deadbolts can help secure your home because once burglars manage to enter your house, it is impossible for them to leave unless they are brave enough to break the door down.
Strategic Landscaping
Keeping your windows and doors locked, and installing extra security features alone may not be enough. You can make your home more burglar-proof by using strategic landscaping. For instance, growing thorny bushes under your windows make it harder for thieves to access your house via its windows. Keeping hedges and bushes around your house trimmed denies burglars a hiding place. In addition, having loose stones and gravel around your house is helpful since it may alert you about the presence of an intruder.
Secure Your Compound
The possibility of thieves attacking a well-secured home is almost zero. You can secure your home by installing features such as fences and surveillance cameras. In addition, ensure that your home is properly lit, more so when you are away. You should similarly consider installing motion-sensing lights by your driveway, doors, and windows. This will help deter criminals.
Hide Your Valuables
If you live in a neighborhood that experiences heavy human traffic, ensure that your valuables are concealed from passers-by. Consider buying privacy curtains that block the direct view into your house.
How Mobile Surveillance can Increase Both Residential and Business Security
It is important to protect residential and commercial premises. Residential and business security is a matter of concern due to the sharp increase in crime. Criminals are also using the latest technologies to perpetrate their acts. This has rendered some security systems redundant. Most homeowners and business owners install CCTV cameras at their premises.
Traditionally, these cameras were monitored on-site through PCs and monitors. However, you can now monitor these surveillance cameras remotely via your phone. This has proven to be effective since it negates the need for you to be within the premises to monitor activities going on there. Mobile surveillance can increase business security at residential and commercial premises in the following ways:
Remote Monitoring
This is the greatest benefit that mobile surveillance offers you. You can monitor activities within your property even when you are travelling. Mobile surveillance is particularly suitable if you need to keep your employees in check, or monitor the daily activities of your kids while you are at work. Remote video surveillance systems intimidate employees who have the habit of engaging in petty theft and other illegal activities. Therefore, installing them at your premises discourages them from engaging in such unproductive activities, thus increasing security.
Verification and Quick Alarm Response
False alarms are among the greatest shortcomings of business and residential alarm systems. In as much as false alarms comprise a large number of security alerts, they waste a lot of time and resources. You can avoid such situations by integrating these security systems with mobile surveillance technology. This way, it will be easier for you and the alarm monitoring company to verify whether the threat reported warrants a response. Besides this, mobile surveillance makes it possible to disarm the system remotely, more so if the alarm is false.
Identification of Potential Threats
Mobile surveillance combines real-time video monitoring and the reliability and speed of mobile networks to offer you intelligent alerts. This means you can easily identify potential threats and take quick action accordingly before the threat escalates into a security lapse. Besides this, the surveillance can be integrated into cloud storage systems. This way, it is easy for you to maintain an easily retrievable database of surveillance videos. What’s more, mobile surveillance gives you limitless situational awareness of all activities going on within the monitored space. Multiple sites can also be monitored at the same time, something that negates the need to employ additional staff.
Google Home Linked to your Security System
Google Home Linked to your Security System
Have you heard about Google Home, and how it has revolutionized home entertainment for users? Basically, this is a set of speakers that have integrated security system features. It gives you a chance to listen to music, watch videos, and get news alerts without having to look for extra devices. It has become popular in every part of the world because of its functionality and simplicity. This is evident through companies such as Alarm.com, a firm that helps people to protect their businesses and homes by using the same technology like Google Home. So, what is this all about? Read on to understand more.
The intelligent personal assistant
There is an intelligent personal assistant known as Google Assistant. It enables users to speak voice commands through home speakers. These voice commands are meant to help users to interact with various services. These services are both in-house and integrated, therefore, you have access to an endless list of music, videos, and news. In addition, the sources are varied so you can always choose the kinds of media that you want to listen to. Through Google Assistant, a user is able to customize their services through simple voice commands.
Home automation features
The biggest relationship between Google Home and Alarm.com is the use of home automation features. These features allow for an easier control of smart home appliances. For example, if you are using smart doorbells, you can integrate them with the rest of the system so that you can speak commands that control them. In addition to this, you can place different types of appliances in different rooms, but you can also still control them through a synchronized central system. They will be interlinked, but each one of them will still be functioning independently depending on the function that is assigned to it.
Blending into the environment through Google Store
One of the reasons you are going to like these speakers is the fact that they can be upgraded through a connection to google store. There are various applications that you may not need, but they still can add to your amazing experiences. For instance, you can add different color functions depending on what is best for the time. These upgrades will easily blend into the environment in the house since you have a chance to pick what suits you. No wonder everyone has a sound and video output that they like.
We at HomeForce will integrate Google Home with your security system and with proper linking, you will not even know that you are using different products from even more different companies. You also may want to know that since the original release, there have been various changes to this product, and they all make it better.
Insight Engine | Alarm.com’s Latest Cutting-Edge Smart Home Security System
Advancements made in technology have given rise to smart home security system cameras fitted with motion detectors and rotating capabilities to increase their range of surveillance. Despite these improvements, these gadgets still have a limited range of views because they cannot see around corners. This means that no matter how many cameras you install in your property, you will still have numerous blind spots. Besides, the chances are that your family will not like the fact that cameras are always watching them.
Enter the Insight Engine Technology
Alarm.com has come up with an innovative idea that solves the limitations of fixed security cameras by coming up with a cost-effective and efficient solution to providing blanket security to your home. This new system is Insight Engine; it is a non-intrusive and smart surveillance program that learns your family’s daily patterns and alerts you whenever something is amiss. This adaptive program easily learns what time you wake up, leave home, or go to bed.
Automated Drones
Insight Engine has the capability of programming your home alarm system to sound off in case of unscheduled intrusions, such as the back door opening at three in the morning. On top of sounding an alarm, Insight Engine immediately deploys automated drones to investigate. The drones are fitted with high-resolution cameras that can stream real video footage back to you, irrespective of where you are.
What’s more, you do not need to be experienced with drones to operate them, all Insight Engine drones are automated and can fly without a human pilot. According to a representative of Alarm.com, the company does not plan on adding any direct controls to the program.
Combining adaptive security features, alarm systems, and automated drones make for an extensive smart home security system. Since the drones can fly, they will easily carry out surveillance on any part of your property. Furthermore, Insight Engine will leverage the suite of sensors developed by Alarm.com to direct the automated drones to areas of a disturbance where they can easily sweep entire rooms.
On top of checking for disturbances, these automated drones will also be able to feed you vital information about the state of your home. They can capture issues such as mold in your basement or leaks coming through the ceiling that is not detected by leak sensors.
The new, innovative Insight Engine technology from Alarm.com is the perfect smart home security addition to all types of homes. Insight Engine is presently available with the automated drone technology expected to hit the market soon. ImperialOne Automation & Security will roll out the drone technology to its customers in British Columbia once available toward the end of 2017.
Smoke Alarm Detectors | Ionization vs. Photoelectric Units
Smoke Alarm Detectors | Ionization vs. Photoelectric Units
Odds are that you have a disc-shaped device on your kitchen wall or ceiling that allows you to rest easy. This is a smoke alarm detector. This device is specially built to alert you in time should a fire or fumes put your life in danger. The most commonly installed residential smoke alarms are the photoelectric and ionization units. Despite their similar look and purpose, the two distinctive smoke alarm detectors are built to detect different smoke densities and fire types.
Differences between Ionization and Photoelectric Smoke Alarms
- Structural and Mechanical Differences
The ionization smoke alarm uses radioactive material, Americium-241, to ionize the air inside its internal sensing chamber. This causes the air in the chamber to conduct electricity between the two charged electrodes installed. Presence of smoke particles reduces the electric conductivity inside the chamber which sets off the alarm.
Photoelectric smoke alarms consist of a light-sensitive sensor and a diode that emits light within their sensing chamber. When smoke particles enter the chamber, they scatter the light beam. This is immediately detected by the sensor and sets off the alarm.
- Types of Fires Detected
Photoelectric smoke alarms are quick to sense smoldering fires because they have a light-emitting diode and an extremely sensitive light sensor. Smoldering fires emit a lot of smoke, are slow to develop, and can easily burn unnoticed for a long time. On the other hand, ionization smoke alarms sense flaming and fast fires quicker than photoelectric alarms.
- Nuisance Alarm Tripping
Ionization smoke alarms, located in the kitchen, are prone to nuisance alarm tripping. Their high smoke sensitivity is due to quick response of the unit’s ionization portion. Nuisance tripping from photoelectric alarms is rare.
- Radioactive Components
Ionization alarms have a radioactive element called Americium-241 while photoelectric alarms do not contain any radioactive materials.
- Popularity
Ionization Alarms are the most rampant smoke alarms used in Canadian households compared to photoelectric detectors.
Which is the Best Smoke Alarm to Install?
The photoelectric smoke alarm is the best smoke detector to install in your home. This alarm has received numerous endorsements from top industry organizations including the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF). In order to remain safe, the IAFF and other fire safety organizations recommend that all Canadian homeowners should only install photoelectric smoke detectors.
Why?
The technology that is used in ionization smoke alarms causes a warning delay during smoldering fires. This is dangerous because smoldering fires emit a lot of smoke and poisonous carbon monoxide. In high airflow environments, ionization smoke detectors become weak, which increases their delays. In addition, ionization detectors are more susceptible to nuisance alarm tripping causing many owners to disable them. This leaves them unprotected.
Photoelectric smoke detectors are highly effective in detecting and warning against smoldering fires. They are also less susceptible to nuisance alarms. These alarm systems are affordable, easily available, and don’t go off when you burn toast.
Having the Best Christmas Lights Display in your Neighborhood
It’s that time of year again. The leaves have fallen, the trees are barren, and air is crisp and cool.
Although fall is not officially underway until November 22nd, the Jones's have already
prepared what and how they’re going to light up your block this Christmas season.
We’re not saying you have to keep up with the Jones's, per se , but it’s important to share a
little bit of your clout with your neighbours and any guests that will be visiting over the
Christmas period through either a subtle, or luminous, Christmas lights installation.
Before you begin your Christmas light planning, here are a few things to consider to make
the whole process as smooth and delightful as possible.
Start early
Trust us, this one is very important. Last minute planning always leaves you in a crunch. This is
your time to plan your colours, the level of subtly (which can be set to zero for the truly brave),
and what elements and props you wish to display this upcoming Christmas season. One of the
most important facets of planning ahead require knowing when to set up your lights. You don’t
want to set them up so late that you’re taking them down again within 2 weeks, and you don’t
want to do them so early that you’re the odd ball on the block blasting Christmas music two
days before Halloween.
Keep in mind that as you progress towards December, the chances of being hit with poor
weather or a snowstorm increase. This can throw off your planning and Christmas lights
installation process. We recommend installing Christmas lights midway through November or in
the first week of December at the latest so you can maximize your ROE (return on effort!).
Choose LED or energy efficient lights
When you finally make your way over to the department store to procure your lighting, you’ll be
given the choice of many Christmas lights that can be both friendly and terrifying to your lighting
bill. With Christmas gifts, food, and travel costs that are sure to surmount during the winter
months, losing money by using old lights or non-energy efficient lighting is the last thing you
should do. That’s why we suggest paying a little more for good Christmas lights that won’t spike
your monthly electricity bill. And, good ones may last even longer so you won’t have to incur
those costs again for another 5 or so years (at the minimum).
Enhance the look of your home
Try your best to emphasize the natural beauty of your home with the proper lighting display. If
you’re not sure which style of lights you’d like, or if you have an idea in mind but don’t know how
to go about it, contact our HomeForce team and we can gladly provide some nice options for
you that best fit your home. In the best case scenario, you already know what you want and
have a photo ready for our HomeForce team to review.
Keep it classy
We get it, everyone loves the warm glow of Christmas lights in the middle of the holiday
season, but before you go through your solar energy reserves, you should probably make
sure you’re not inconveniencing your neighbours. A simple conversation, note, or knock on
their door should suffice in bringing your Christmas intentions to life with the least amount of
confrontation. This, of course, is left to your discretion if you live on a large acreage of have
very few neighbours in your area, which can be quite common in our less dense urban
centres such as the Fraser Valley or Okanagan regions.
Follow best practices and stay safe
Though installing Christmas lights can seem like a benign endeavour, you should be aware of
any and all of the pitfalls involved with the process. It’s important to have a secondary helper
that can call for assistance if things go bad or simply to hold the ladder steady while you’re
doing the installing. Make sure there is no water touching any of the electrical outlets that can
cause shock or injury, and always be aware of slippery or icy surfaces when you’re choosing a
site for your ladder.
Call for the HomeForce professionals
Planning an intricate display, sourcing your materials, coordinating with your neighbours,
securing a helping hand, and then taking everything down again can add up to a sizeable amount
of time.
If your time is better spent working or with family, you can always call upon the professionals to
help you in your process to install Christmas lights. The HomeForce team is willing to take the
time to understand your vision and create a custom design while also installing it. Oh, and we’ll
also come back and take down the display once the season is over. Schedule a time, and we’re
there. No stress, no surprises.
How Can a Security System Protect Your Cannabis Business?
History has been made, marijuana use and distribution is now legal in Canada. It is expected that each region, both municipal and provincial, will approach the policy-making differently for this new retail industry. One main concern that business owners will have is the massive value of their inventory and the target that may be on their back from the... ahem...“ previous marijuana distributors.”
The savvy business owner would be wise to install a high-quality leading-edge security system, protecting the store from break-ins, theft, and even expensive lawsuits.
So... what kind of security system would a cannabis retailer need? We recommend a diverse and robust security system to protect the valuable green assets, here’s what we suggest:
Night Time
It would make sense to have a combination of motion sensors, flood-watch sensors, fire detection system, live video feeds. Assuming the storefront would have windows, motion sensors would be able to detect if someone smashes a window to break in. Flood and Fire could seem very unlikely for a commercial building with no one in it but these are very important. These type of businesses have expensive inventory and protecting that inventory is crucial to avoid major costs.
Day Time
Live feed for a business like a cannabis retailer is extremely valuable. These emerging retailers will have to develop a system for the identification of customers and ultimately could result in frequent monitoring from legal entities ensuring proper systems are in place, mimicking the sales process of liquor in Canada. Business owners would have two options for live feed video: Wifi based systems or hard-wired systems. HomeforceBC recommends a hard-wired system because, with a wi-fi system, your business is exposed to the possibility of wi-fi being down and your surveillance system no longer working properly
5 Things You Need to Know About Home Security Solutions
5 Things You Need to Know About Home Security Solutions
Making Home Security Solutions Affordable
Author: Erik DiGuistini
#1: Having a home security solution saves you money on home insurance.
Have you ever been asked by your home insurance company if you have a home security system? Turns out if you do, you can save between 10 - 20% on your home insurance. It’s a win-win for you and the insurance company: you save money and the insurance company has to deal with fewer break-in claims.
#2: You can reduce your electricity bill with a home security solution.
Most home security companies offer an app that ties into a smart home system such as Google Home, allowing you to manage your home wherever you go. Most security companies now offer a feature that detects your vicinity to your home and when further away, your heating/AC is turned down but when you are on your way home, the system cools your home in summer or heats your home in winter, saving on energy costs while still coming home to the perfect temperature. Cool huh?
#3: Some leading-edge security systems now come with flood protection.
Did you know that 35% of insurance claims are from water damage? Some home security packages now offer a device that is easy to install on your water shut-off valve and automatically detects floods from water lines bursting or leaking. The sensors throughout your home communicate with the water shut-off valve to your home and will automatically turn it off; saving you from thousands of dollars in repairs and insurance premium hikes.
#4: Security systems aren't just for break-ins, they can help prevent fire damage too!
A home fire is reported approximately every twenty seconds, and often times the fire is too big, the fire department cannot arrive soon enough to put it out! Home security systems are now able to detect smoke and heat signatures and notify you BEFORE the fire happens, once again saving you money and potentially saving lives.
#5: Home security goes beyond safety and can make your life that much easier through home automation.
Obviously, a home security solution can increase the safety of you, your family and your pets but did you know that new security systems are now allowing for complete home automation? For example, HomeforceBC’s security division uses the Alarm.com app, allowing you to lock doors, control temperature, monitor your home via live camera and more. Get notifications wherever you are, whether out for lunch, at work, or on vacation in the Bahamas, you can have the peace of mind of knowing your home, and everything in it is safe and secure.
Alarm System Installed for $0*
Over $1,300 in total value.
This special offer includes:
- free installation
- 1 smart panel
- 1 motion detector
- 1 Wi-Fi Doorbell Camera
- 2 Door Contacts
- Interactive App
*Requires 36-month monitoring contract. Early termination & activation fees apply.
Save 18% on your Home Christmas Lights Install
Save 15% off your home Christmas lights installation, which includes take down service.