World's Dumbest Criminals 24 #6

Watch as these criminals try to steal from a cell phone store.

Keep your family and home safe by having a security system installed by Safe Side Security, Inc.For the past 26 years, we have provided design, installation, monitoring, servicing and inspections of security and fire alarm systems. We are the "local" company serving Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, Solano Counties and the surrounding areas. Our success is a result of the thousands of satisfied customers who use our services daily, and are pleased with the results. Service is a high priority, with technicians on call 24 hours a day.

1-800-794-7575

Home Security Checklist For Summer Vacation

It's summer, and that means it is time to step up home security and think through your home protection strategy. The summer months are a prime time for burglaries, because people are away from their homes more frequently.

According to Aviva insurance, break-ins increase in June, July and August: 13%, 20% and 31% respectively. That is a significant jump, but you do not have to be one of the statistics.

Being intentional about home security while you are away will make a big difference in your protection and cause the criminals to pass by your home.

A vacation checklist is the perfect solution.

Below are several measures you can take to deter burglars. Implementing as many as possible will decrease the odds of your home being the subject of the next police report.

Of course, one of the best deterrents is to protect your home with a security system. Nine out of ten convicted felons say they would avoid any home protected by an alarm system. But let's also look at some other ideas.

This first list consists of ways to make it less obvious that you are away. A home that is obviously occupied is less likely to be invaded:

Mail Delivery: Rather than having your mail stopped, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail each day. When you alert your post office that you are going to be away, you are informing several strangers of your absence.
Intelligent Timers: Criminals are savvy about timers on lights and televisions; they watch for patterns and determine that home owners are away. Consider purchasing more advanced times that can be programmed for different times each day to keep any burglars watching your home guessing.
Telephone Ringers: Turn the ringer on your telephone down so that repeated ringing cannot be heard from outside.
Lawn Care: Arrange to have lawn care continue while you are away, giving the appearance of continued activity at your home.
Car Positioning: If you leave a car in your driveway, ask a neighbor to move it to a different position occasionally.
Lighting: Be sure to light all entry areas to your home, and install motion detectors. Trash Pick-up: Ask a friend to set out your trash on pick-up day.
House Sitting: Consider having someone come by your home and stay for a few hours a day or even for the entire time you are away
This second list consists of strategies to make breaking into your home so much of a hassle that the criminals pass on by. Think of frustrating the criminal as a home security system!

Sliding Windows and Doors: Place a stick into the slider area of doors and windows, but cut it two inches shorter than the space allows. This way when the thief lifts the window, the alarm will still trip, but the criminal will be unable to get his arm into the space.
Ladders, tree limbs and other large objects: Remove tree limbs, ladders, large trash cans and other objects that burglars may use to scale fences or access upper story windows.
Laminated Glass: Consider putting laminated glass into doors and windows that burglars are most likely to access. This glass resists shattering and will be a hassle to get through.
Glass Break Sensors: To trip your alarm as early as possible in the break-in process, use acoustic or shock sensing alarms to detect the breaking of glass.
Gate Locks: Lock all gates with padlocks. A thief will have to scale the fence going in and coming out, which is a lot of trouble, especially considering that he will have to scale the fence on exit carrying whatever he has stolen!
And finally, in the event the thief does invade your home, here are some tips to make it as painless as possible for you the home owner:

Computers and other electronics: Back up data and then put electronics in areas that are hard to find.
Valuables: Remove valuables such as cash, jewelry, medications, and other valuables from the master bedroom. Removing these objects from the home is an even better solution.
Large Objects: Consider bolting large objects such as safes and mounted televisions to the floors and walls. The longer it takes for the thief to get what he wants, the better.
Security system: Adjust the home invasion alarm to sound immediately upon entry while you are away.
This summer, your home does not have to be one of the statistics. Be intentional about protecting your home while you are on vacation. It will put your mind at ease and cause frustration for the would-be thieves.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6416886

Jailhouse Secrets: Inside The Mind Of A Thief

In a rare jailhouse interview, an Upstate inmate opened up to News 4's Mandy Gaither about his life of crime that started at age 12.

Keep your home secure by having Safe Side Security Inc. install a home security system! We were established in Davis, California in 1983. For the past 26 years, we have provided design, installation, monitoring, servicing and inspections of security and fire alarm systems. We are the "local" company serving Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, Solano Counties and the surrounding areas. As active members in the Sacramento Area Alarm Association and the California Alarm Association, we continue to work with our fire departments and law enforcement agencies on local and national industry issues.

1-800-794-7575

Climbing Into The Mind Of A Burglar

Chances are you know someone who has had their home burglarized, or perhaps you have been a victim of a home burglary yourself.

Home burglaries almost always leave the victim with a sense of violation, not to mention a deep sadness over the loss of those irreplaceable family heirlooms.

In order to keep your home safe from burglars, you need to understand how a burglar's mind works. I have reviewed several interviews with reformed burglars over the years and have gathered some important information in an attempt to help deter home break-ins. Understanding the criminal mindset can help keep families safe and secure in their own homes.

Burglars quite often start with "curb appeal" elements of a home. They notice unkempt, overgrown landscape that often suggests vacancy. Most burglars prefer to break in during the day when most homes are unoccupied.

Once a prowler has a home in his or her sights, the perpetrator often parks his getaway vehicle on another street and walks to the target home. Once there, he will nonchalantly knock on the door or ring the doorbell to determine if somebody is home.

If someone answers the door, the thief will make up some bogus story, usually related to finding an address or selling something. If nobody answers, chances are the burglar will walk around to the back of the home looking for the easiest, quietest way to gain entry, perhaps through an open window or unlocked door.

Most burglars don't pick locks because they don't have the skill or time. If a burglar can't make his grand entrance within one minute, he usually heads to another location.

Preferred entry is forcing a back door, sliding window or sliding glass door open. Once inside the burglar will usually head to the master bedroom looking for jewelry, money or drugs. Don't hide valuables in a dresser or lingerie drawer, nightstand or under the mattress: These are the first spots a burglar will look.

The next stop may be the living room, dining room or family room, so don't leave easy-to-sell, high-value, compact items such as laptop computers, iPods or cameras lying around or you can be sure to lose them as well.

For the most part, burglars are non-confrontational and will stay away from areas of entrapment, such as basements or attics. In fact, most thieves prefer single-story homes with the master bedroom on the main floor. Corner houses are not a housebreaker's favorite, because they tend to be too visible. They aren't targeted as often as middle-of-the-block homes.

Cul-de-sac homes are more of a target because they are more secluded and usually off the beaten track. Homes on greenbelts are always a burglar's favorite, offering an easy escape. Townhouses are a favorite strictly because they quite often have sliding glass doors with poor locking systems. The also have small, secluded, enclosed back yards, making them a dream come true for sneaky thieves.

But no matter where you live, understanding the mind of a burglar will help you assess and make the necessary changes to your home's security to help keep you and your family safe.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/364094

How A Fire Extinguisher Works

A fire extinguisher is an absolute necessity in any home or office. While there's a good chance that the extinguisher will sit on the wall for years, collecting dust, it could end up saving your property and even your life. Find out how these essential devices kill flames in this HowStuffWorks video.

Summer Home Security

Some tips on securing your home for the summer.

Home Security - More Than Just A Burglar Alarm System

A lot of homeowners think twice about installing a home alarm system in their houses. Some think that it's just not worth the trouble while others believe that the cost is too much to bear. They just rely on a plain old fence to ward off any home invaders or any other potential threats they may encounter. A home security system is not just an alarm system, as it does not only alert you but will definitely save you and your family's lives.

No chance of invasion. The primary benefit of having home security system installed in your home is the intricate features it has in enveloping your entire home with an anti-burglary system. This means that no matter what angle a potential threat enters from, the security system will go off. Of course, this depends on what time of home security you get. These days, no one is ever safe. As much as you may want to think that your neighborhood is a secure area, an intruder will always find a way to get to your home. When you have a home security system, it also wards off anybody who has a common sense in recognizing the equipment you have. They will not even attempt to enter your home knowing that you have top notch home security.

The safety it provides. Most home security systems not only sound off alarms, but also alerts the company that provided you with it of a potential breach. If you aren't familiar with the process, once the alarm goes off, the system sets off a notification in which the security company will be alerted. You will be contacted to see if everything is all right and if it's not, law enforcement will be sent to check out your home. Now that's a security feature for you! Whether you are home or outside the city, you can be sure that your home will remain safe from any intruders.

Saving lives. Think about an instance that you have fallen asleep. You will not know, without home security, that an intruder is already in your home and presents himself as a danger to your family. You may never know what is happening until it is already too late. With a home security system, the lives of your loved ones as well as yours will be saved. By alerting the authorities of potential threat, a lot of harm can be avoided from happening.

You can never really put a price tag on the safety of your family. While you may think that the cost is too much, the value of your family is even greater than that of a substantial amount. You would be actually spending more if damage is done and theft happens in your home than it is to set up a home security system.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6239996

Ensure the safety of your family and home by having Safe Side Security Inc., install a home security system in your home! We were established in Davis, California in 1983. For the past 26 years, we have provided design, installation, monitoring, servicing and inspections of security and fire alarm systems. We are the "local" company serving Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, Solano Counties and the surrounding areas. As active members in the Sacramento Area Alarm Association and the California Alarm Association, we continue to work with our fire departments and law enforcement agencies on local and national industry issues.

1-800-794-7575

Jon Douglas Rainey From It Takes A Thief

JDR, from It takes a thief, on Fox News Feb. 3, 2007, talks about ways to keep your home safe from thieves.

How Well Do Home Security Alarm Systems Work?

Do they actually do anything to protect your home? Do I even need a home alarm? I have been asked these questions by a lot of people. The answer is relatively easy for me to answer because of how security systems work. Depending on your security company and the system you use, in most cases security alarms are more reliable now than ever, making them best able to protect your home in the best way possible.

Security systems can function in many different capacities. They do not serve one function alone. Alarms work as a preventative measure as well as an alarm to alert when break-ins do occur. To start off with when a burglar knows an alarm system is in place they usually avoid the home. It is a great deterrent to criminals. Most people who know there is a chance of being caught will take another route.

To advertise that you have an alarm your security company will issue you security decals and signs to place around your home. I've known people who do not place them up in their windows because they feel they look tacky. While that may be true, security decals have been proven to add to home security. Because alarms do such a good job at scaring off potential burglars, many people use decals around their home even when they do not have a security alarm.

Security systems also add protection to your home if someone does decide to break inside. An alarm automatically goes off, alerting your security company who is monitoring the home. If you cannot be reached, emergency personnel are alerted of the break-in within moments. This drastically cuts down the amount of time a burglar has in your home, and raises the chances that they will get caught.

Security alarms are more reliable now than ever. Due to advancements in home security technology there are lower false alarms. Configurations are made now so that pets no longer set off alarms when you are away from home. Security systems do not just protect your home against break-ins. They can also protect your home against fires and gas leaks. If your family is not at home and a fire breaks out, this can be a real asset.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3955356

Keep your family and home safe by having a security system installed by Safe Side Security, Inc.

For the past 26 years, we have provided design, installation, monitoring, servicing and inspections of security and fire alarm systems. We are the "local" company serving Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, Solano Counties and the surrounding areas. Our success is a result of the thousands of satisfied customers who use our services daily, and are pleased with the results. Service is a high priority, with technicians on call 24 hours a day.

1-800-794-7575

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Now Required By Law

Single family home owners will be required to install carbon monoxide detectors starting July 2011, by a recent bill (Senate Bill No. 183) signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas, that can cause death if breathed in a closed environment. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is produced when any fossil fuel such as gas, coal, oil or wood is burnt without enough oxygen. Carbon Monoxide is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it is virtually undetectable without using detection technology.

A side note, if you are ever operating machinery that produces exhaust in your house, make sure to open the windows to get outside air ventilation. I heard a story of a construction company worker who was running a gas fueled generator inside a home during a remodel that died from CO poisoning, it's very dangerous!

According to the statistics, up to 40 California residents die each year from CO poisoning. These deaths are avoidable. Symptoms of CO Poisoning:

Drowsiness

Headaches

Visual Problems

Dry Throat

Nausea

Vomiting

These symptoms are very similar to flu like symptoms. Quickly identifying if you are experiencing CO poisoning can save your life.

A carbon Monoxide Detector is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased for under $30. Many carbon Monoxide detector's also double as smoke detector's so it is quite easy to retrofit.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors will be required in all Single Family homes that have a fossil-fuel burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage. July 1, 2011. Some common sources of CO in the home include open flames, space heaters, water heaters, blocked chimneys or running a car inside the garage.

Landlord of residential rental units will be required to comply with the Carbon Monoxide Detector law by Jan. 1, 2013.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6279318

Lock Bumping and Bump Keys

A WMC-TV 5 video! PeiferLock.com says, "buy better locks and protect yourself from thieves using the lock bumping technique." WMC-TV 5 investigates the lock bumping threat. PeiferLock.com adds, "If you are a victim of lock bumping, you may not be able to collect from your insurance because there is no sign of forced entry."