With so many providers on the market, knowing what to look for can make all the difference.

Look for Licensing and Certification

A reputable alarm company should hold all required state and local licenses. Ask about technician certifications and whether the company is affiliated with recognized industry organizations. Proper credentials are a baseline indicator of professionalism and accountability.

Evaluate Monitoring Options

Not all monitoring services are equal. Look for companies that offer 24/7 central station monitoring with fast response times. Ask whether monitoring is handled in-house or outsourced, and find out how alarm events are triaged and escalated to local authorities.

Consider Local Expertise

A locally based provider understands the specific risks and requirements of your area. Total Security Systems brings regional knowledge and personalized service to clients throughout Eastern Oregon, offering tailored solutions for both residential and commercial properties.

Ask About Commercial Security Capabilities

Commercial properties have unique security needs, including access control, video surveillance, and integration with existing building management systems. Make sure your chosen provider has demonstrated experience with commercial alarm installation and can scale with your business as it grows.

Review Contracts and Support

Before signing any agreement, review contract terms carefully. Look for transparent pricing, clear cancellation policies, and responsive customer support. A trustworthy alarm company stands behind its work with solid warranties and ongoing maintenance options.

Conclusion

Choosing a professional alarm company requires careful research. Prioritize licensing, monitoring quality, local presence, and commercial capabilities. The right partner will provide lasting peace of mind for your home or business.

Photos By: Stock Images

No matter where you reside, with smart homes, comes the need for better security and the advances in technology has made it possible for us to have the latest innovation and gadgets in our homes. Here are the different ways you can enhance the security of your home this year.

Evaluate the Risks

The home should have some kind of security system, whether it is a professional tool or a basic DIY system. There are many options for you to choose from. However, it is important to choose a system that you feel comfortable with. You must know the risks and then evaluate the home to see what steps you need to take to protect it. Have a home security evaluation of the property to get an idea of the type of security tools you need.

Start with the Doors

The first thing to secure in your home are the doors. Do not let a burglar stroll right through the front door of your home. Check all the exterior doors to ensure that they have a strong frame, and their hinges are in place and if there is a mail slot, ensure that someone cannot reach through it and unlock your door. Whenever you are moving into a new home, the first thing you should do is change the door locks. This will ensure that strangers do not have access to your house. Breeze screens, a provider of motorized power screen doors near San Diego California has seen a surge in demand for the doors over the past few months.

If you have sliding doors in the house, you need to ensure that you are protected. Use a dowel or consider a window bar in the track so as to keep the door from being opened. Alternatively, you can use a glass break sensor as an ideal solution. It will alert you whenever the glass door is tampered with. 

Secure the Windows 

Windows are an easy entry point for criminals and you should never leave them unlocked. Latches on the windows are not really effective today and should be done away with. You can start by using a window security film or add window sensors that are similar to the glass sensors for your sliding doors. You can also consider using window locks to keep strangers away. A very cost-efficient way to secure the windows is to plant prickly bushes right below your first-floor windows but keep them trimmed.

Secure the Garage

While you focus on the doors and windows of your home, do not forget to secure the garage. If burglars cannot access the house from the obvious entry points, they will walk toward the garage and you might have a lot of stuff stored right there. Remember to lock the interior and exterior of your garage. You can keep the garage door opener in the house so that the burglar has no chance of getting inside. Consider upgrading the smart garage door opener and covering the windows to hide everything you have stored inside.

Add Security Cameras

All of us have heard about the burglars who were caught by security camera footage. It is one security solution that works best for all types of homes and can keep burglars away while also helping you get justice if they sneak in. You can get the camera as a part of the complete home security system. It helps to have a camera with a mobile app so that the footage can be seen in real-time and you can even store it if you need it in the future. Choose a camera that comes with storage, night vision, and a weatherproof casing. 

Add Home Automation

Turn your home into a smart home with a smart home automation system. You might have secured the doors, windows, and garage but you can now turn the entire home into a smart home and ensure that everything falls in the right place. It can give you complete, remote control on the door locks, lights, security cameras, safety devices, and smoke alarms. That said, you can also get alerts about any activity that doesn’t seem normal. 

No matter the size of your house or where you reside, securing your home does not have to feel like a chore. It is an investment you make for yourself and your loved ones. You do not even need to do everything all at once. Simply take one security step at a time or identify which areas you need to secure first and then add the rest later. Once you are aware of the risks, you can take the necessary action to keep your home safe. Start small and slowly turn your home into a smart home.

Photos By: Martha Picciotti

A home is the most valuable asset to have. But the threat of crimes such as trespassing and burglaries is always there. Let’s look at a few ways to better home security and protection.

Strategically position your CCTV cameras

Burglars can strike at any time, and not just under the cover of night. Even if you have a CCTV system, there will still be a risk of a forced entry if the cameras are not strategically placed. Blind spots are definitely your security system’s main weakness, so it’s important that you install cameras in areas where burglars can hide.

There should be one pointed directly at the front door, positioned high enough to make the front lawn and the street visible. Likewise, you will need to install another camera at the back door, which is a favorite entry point for burglars. Make sure it also provides a good view of the backyard as well as the fence.

Though a properly installed CCTV system won’t prevent a crime from happening, it can still help authorities identify suspects, decrease your home insurance costs, and decrease the likelihood of future burglaries, according to Statistic Brain.

Upgrade your landscaping

Intruders can be very evasive. They can use the surrounding terrain in order to force their way into your home. They can hide behind bushes and trees as well as the tool shed you have out back.

If criminals can use your landscaping as cover, then you can also upgrade your landscaping to serve a more defensive purpose. You can plant thorny shrubs such as rose and holly near your windows to deter any intruders from making their way through. Plus, they will have to think twice before hiding themselves among the foliage.

Get a Guard Dog

Dogs are man’s best friends, but they can also protect your property. Check out different breeds to find your perfect guard dog. If you’re living in a high crime neighborhood, then a guard dog is your best deterrent against burglaries. For this, you can either get one from the local pound or you can have your dog undergo special K9 training.

However, it’s still important to know about the risks of professional training since you wouldn’t want your dog to be suspicious of strangers all the time, so make sure to find the right security training service.

Get your Home Insured

At the end of the day, the best way you can rest easy without the threat of a burglary to dampen your day is to have your home insured. Getting home insurance for burglaries is a great way to secure your property and your belongings from theft and damage.

That being said, it’s important to shop around and compare policies based on the level of protection you want. Allstate, for one, covers not only theft but also fire damage and hail. This gives your property all-around protection and security.