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Details: Written by KeepSafe Systems

Feel secure in your home with a KeepSafe Systems security alarm system Since most break-ins are crimes of opportunity, following are some helpful tips on how to decrease the perception of opportunity and hopefully help you feel more secure in your home:

Ensure your yard is well lit and keep Shrubberies around windows and other potential entry points trimmed. Crooks are less likely to attempt to break in if there is a high risk of being seen. Motion sensor lights are one way to accomplish this, as are surveillance cameras with an audible warning.

When on vacation, have a neighbour or friend pick up your mail, leave a few lights in your home on timers, have someone come in occasionally to make your home look “alive”, if possible, have someone park a vehicle in your driveway for the time you are away, and you may even want to ask a neighbour to put some of their garbage in front of your home, on garbage day.
To reduce the risk of being caught, most Burglars stake out their targets. Make everything as unpredictable, this includes altering the on off times of timers to make it look like someone is walking through the home.

Do not advertise the purchase of “high ticket” items by putting the boxes outside in open view. Break the boxes down and bring them to the nearest neighbourhood recycle depot or bin.

Keep ladders and garbage bins hidden as they provide burglars with easy access to higher windows. While you are at it, you may want to make it difficult for anyone to use a fence to gain access to upper windows.

Look around your home, from the outside, and closely examine the possible ways an intruder could infiltrate your home and consider ways to make forced entry as difficult as possible.

Check to see whether your windows or sliding doors can be removed from the outside. Some older style aluminum frame windows can be lifted out of their frames while the window is still closed. Later models included a security feature that prevented the window from being lifted out unless it was open. Screws placed in the window frame, above the window are an inexpensive way of accomplishing this.
Ensure that your windows and sliding doors cannot be forced open. Many factory standard latches fall short of effectively preventing forced entry. Installing a secondary lock and ensuring the window cannot be lifted out of the frame unless it is in the fully opened position would be a good start
Install dead bolts in all your external doors. Keep in mind deadbolts come in several grades and bolt lengths. minimum 1" through and a security grade of Grade B or higher.

Do NOT leave a spare key outside your home Many people like to leave a spare key outside their home, perhaps this is under a rock, planter or garbage can. Some even try to hide a key above their door. Even if you think you are being creative, chances are someone has tried this before and a criminal has found it. If you absolutely must have a spare key, consider leaving one with a trusted neighbour or a nearby friend.
Secure Your New Home If you are moving into a new home it is important to ensure strangers cannot access your home by way of keys, garage door remote or garage overhead door codes. While most people will change their keys, this usually happens once you more all of your belongings into the home and you are settling in after the stress of moving. WHY WAIT sorry for the caps but this is critical, I have lost count of the number of times I have gone to install an alarm in a customers new home and they were broken into as they were moving in and everything was still in convenient to move and labelled boxes (Often stored in the garage). It is best to take care of this task as soon as you pick up the keys, ensure the agent or landlord handing over the keys has the master code for the alarm available. If you are renting and changing your keys, ensure your landlord has a copy of the new keys.
If the home has an alarm installed, activate the monitoring before you start bringing your cherished belongings in, if you do not want to have your system monitored, at least change the user codes as soon as you take possession. While monitoring used to require a landline, which often takes time to arrange, cellular monitoring is now an affordable option which costs less than the average cellular voice plan.

Consider small windows inside or beside entry doors as an easy way to break in and unlock dead bolts. Ensure dead bolts are out of reach from these windows.

Strengthen doors and door frames around dead bolts.

Install longer screws in door hinges. Most doors are secured to the frame with short screws. Replace these with 2 to 3" deck screws.

If the hinges are on the outside of the door, ensure they cannot be removed easily.

Protect rarely used basement and back doors from forced Entry by installing an anti-ramming bar across the inside of the door.

Consider security window film or window bars on high-risk windows. This extra step will make breaking your window more difficult.

Look through the interior of your home and consider possible entry points in relation to the location of your valuables. Keep in mind, crooks do not always come through the front door, or even the main floor. A roof hanging over a fence can provide a quick entry through an open second floor window.

Keep Computers stereo's and all other “high ticket” items away from windows that can be easily accessed or viewed from outside the home. Smash and grab thefts are commonplace in both commercial and residential situations.

Keep all jewellery and money hidden, wall and floor safes are ideal for this, mattresses and dresser drawers are not. I remember one instance where the thief lifted the marble top off a small antique dresser with a skeleton key lock, which latched into the easily removable top.

You may also wish to physically secure computers, fax machines and printers to the floors or desks on which they are placed.

As you may have noticed with the above steps, each home, regardless of size, has its own unique set of characteristics which need addressing when protecting it from intruders. The same holds true when installing a security system, which is why we treat every client and their home as an individual. For a free no-obligation security evaluation of your home, please contact KeepSafe Systems at (604) 874-8772. We service the entire Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

Contact us 24/7 at 604-874-8772

www.KeepSafeSystems.ca

KeepSafe Systems installs and services residential and commercial security alarm systems and provides alarm monitoring services in the Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley area of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Our service area includes but is not limited to Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Mission, Abbotsford, Hope, Harrison, Aldergrove, Langley, Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Richmond and everywhere inbetween. Give us a call and let us help you feel more secure. We are here for you

Details: Written by KeepSafe Systems

At KeepSafe Systems, we do not like to tie ourselves down to only one particular manufacturer. For that reason, KeepSafe Systems clients, can be assured they will have access to all the best products available in the security alarm industry.

Of course, there are certain security alarm manufacturer's we prefer, we will never force you into having a particular brand of security alarm system installed in your home. If you happen to like another brand better than any of our regular brand security alarm panels.... not a problem. It is all about fulfilling your individual security alarm system needs.

Although we do not limit the scope of the security alarm products we install and service, there are some products which do stick out as exceptional enough to list in here. Stay tuned as I add more products to this page. I must clarify, this is by no means a complete list of the security alarm systems and detectors KeepSafe Systems services and installs.

Lone Worker Safety Systems

Panic alarms have long been part of the security alarm industry, as have "Dead man" or "Operator Down" systems in monitoring stations where it is imperative operators are available 24/7.

The concept of a Lone Worker, "Man Down" or "Dead Man Switch" is quite simple. A local timer which activates a buzzer that requires the pressing of a button within an allotted period of time. If the acknowledgement button is not pressed within the required time period, another monitoring station is notified and the appropriate authorities are dispatched.

Recent government regulations on Lone Worker's require that all workers working on their own must have some sort of safety monitoring system in place. KeepSafe Systems Lone Worker Monitoring system is the ideal solution. As with all Systems designed and installed by KeepSafe Systems, the KeepSafe Systems Lone Worker monitoring system is completely customized to your needs. The number and location of verification buttons can be located in area's convenient and important to your business. There is also no limit to the number of buttons installed in a particular location. Lone Worker Buttons can act together, where the worker simply need press any of the buttons, or separate area's of the site can have their own Lone Worker buttons on the same or different time schedules.

Response to the Lone Worker system is also customizable to your own personal needs. The important thing to know is KeepSafe Systems operators are available for your workers 24/7 365 days a year.

In addition to standard time based Lone Worker Systems, KeepSafe Systems also has 2 Way voice panic alarm systems available. These are typically used as Medical alert systems, however they are also ideal for Lone Worker applications where the worker moves around alot during their shift. Unlike the old style wireless 2 way voice systems you hear about on the radio, the KeepSafe Systems Medical Alert System has the speaker and microphone included in the portable pendant. That way, your worker can get in contact with the 24/7 KeepSafe Systems Professional monitoring station wherever they are within the coverage area of the portable 2 way voice panic alarm pendant.

For More information or to arrange for KeepSafe Systems to design a custom Lone worker Monitoring System for your companies specific requirements, please feel free to contact us 24/7 at 604-874-8772. Your security needs do not take weekends off, so neither do we. KeepSafe Systems clients can be assured we are available for you when and where you need us.

360 Degree Ceiling Motion Detector

Blind spots and obstructions are always a concern when in comes to space protection. It is quite common for articles of furniture to be moved and dividing walls to be placed in a position as to block the coverage pattern of a motion detector.

Ceiling motion detectors are not new to the security alarm industry, in fact they have been around for quite some time. However, like the glassbreak detector, the ceiling motion detector has be widely underutilized. The primary reasons being cost and occasional difficulty average installers have in installing them in retro-fit situations. Luckily, KeepSafe Systems does not employ "Average Installers."

Unlike traditional corner mount motion detectors, 360 degree ceiling motion detectors look down on the scene, therefore, most items which would block the horizontal plane have no effect on the "view" of the 360 degree ceiling motion detector.

The 360 degree ceiling motion detector is not always the ideal solution, often a balance between corner mount long range motion detectors, ceiling mount motion detectors and floor sensors should be utilized for optimal space protection. The range of a 360 Degree Ceiling Motion detector is also inversely proportional to its' mounting height. A detector mounted on an 8 foot ceiling will provide much less coverage (24 feet by 20 feet) than one mounted on a 12 foot ceiling (35feet x 20feet). At KeepSafe Systems, we make it our job to ensure you have the best space protection possible. Give us a call and we can help keep you and your belongings safe :)

The Floor Sensor

Pet proof motion detectors are not a new thing, in fact, there have been quite a number of attempts at differentiating a human vs a pet. Manufacturer claims range from PIR type sensors being able to determine whether the object is in fact the proper vertical height of a human (As if Criminals cannot crawl on the floor and pets do not jump off furniture) while others lay claims to be able to determine the actual weight of the object by means of some calculation based on the amount of space occupied by the object combined with it's movement patterns blah blah blah.

Fact of the matter is, although some of these sensors work... well let's say occasionally. The reason I am so skeptical of PIR based "Pet Proof" motion detectors is because variables can change. While a simple change in the size of number of pets may adversely effect one sensor, location of furniture can drastically effect another. Combine with that, the reduced effective sensitivity of a "Pet Proof" motion detectors and you may well not be receiving the actual interior protection you expect and paid for.

So what can someone with a pet or a number of pets do to protect the interior of their home without having to deal with reduced coverage or false alarms? Well, there are a few options out there. In the past, I have spoken at length about glassbreak detectors. These are great audio sensors which are designed to detect the sound of breaking glass. When installed properly, glassbreak detectors will sound the alarm if someone attempts to gain access to your home or business by means of breaking a window. Since glassbreak detectors are not motion sensing devices, they are very pet proof. In some cases, a large dog barking right below the detector may cause a false alarm. Proper placement and installation, however, will alleviate most bark initiated false alarms.

So what about interior motion detection. Well, since we have determined standard PIR based "Pet Proof" motion detectors are a load of Bollocks, let move forward to a tried, proven and under utilized technology.. The Floor Sensor. This detector is designed to be installed on the under part of a floor joist. Once covered with drywall, the security alarm floor sensor is invisible, except for its' ability to detect activity on the floor above.

The Pulsar Security Alarm Floor Sensor works by detecting micro flex changes in the floor joist itself. Once installed, the Security Alarm Pulsar Floor Sensor can be adjusted for varying levels of sensitivity. This way, the movements of small pet can be ignored, while a much heavier human will trigger the alarm. As with any technology, Pulsar Security Alarm Floor Sensors do have a few inherent weaknesses, however, these can easily be overcome with proper installation, testing and maintenance. For example, moving a couch over a floor sensor will pre-stress the floor and reduce the Pulsar Security Alarm Floor Sensors' ability to detect activity.

Although the Pulsar Floor Sensor is designed to be installed during the construction phase, a knowledgeable Security Alarm Installation technician should be able to install the Pulsar Security Alarm Floor Sensor in most pre-existing home situations.

In addition to Security, the Pulsar Floor Sensor can be used for many home automation / convenience features such as lighting control, shower automation and even in place of a doorbell on the front porch.

Mobotix IP Camera's are designed and Manufactured in Germany. As you can see from the image of a Robin watching over her eggs, completely unaware of the camera watching over her, Mobotix IP Camera's offer exceptional resolution and are discrete in their design.

Mobotix IP Camera's also offer some pretty amazing integration possibilities which go beyond the typical surveillance cameras on the market. Give us a shout and we can go over how Mobotix IP Camera's can best be utilized for your unique application. From standard surveillance to Thermal imaging, KeepSafe Systems has the expertise and experience to best utilize all the features which Mobotix IP Camera's offer.

Contact us 24/7 at 604-874-8772

www.KeepSafeSystems.ca

Details: Written by KeepSafe Systems

Because we are the best security alarm company of course :)

Website designers and marketing people all seem to have something to say about my website. They all seem to be fairly unison in telling me how non-professional it looks and how much they can help me design it better or make it look "more professional"

The thing is, I want to provide information so you can make the best possible decision when it comes to purchasing and installing a security alarm system for your home or business. For that reason, I really don't give a crap about the outside appearance of my website. As long as the content is there and I can offer advice I am happy. Well and making a living at this gig I call owning an alarm company is also a bonus.

Some people have asked "Why the Chinchilla Pictures?" well, the answer is quite simple. Gizmo, Aquarius, Tigger, Scooter, Chaos, Cooper, Kanga and Roo are our pets. They help me get through the day to day stresses of life the universe and everything. Mascots perhaps. So while other security alarm companies choose to show pictures of bad guys breaking through windows and misc crap like that, I choose to show you pictures of my little mascots. I have always felt fear mongering has no place in selling security alarm systems... after all, isn't a security alarm system supposed to bring you comfort?

On the topic of the "Competition" and those who make their money off selling wireless security alarm systems. Well, let's just say they will not be inviting me over for dinner anytime soon. Of course the ones who come from a technical background agree with me but state they install wireless because they can make more money at it. Here is an actual quote: "I can either install 1 hardwired alarm and have it take me a day or more or I can install 5 wireless alarms in a day". Personally, I prefer the more reliable hardwire route. After all, I plan on being around for the long haul and really do not want to put in a system that will cause you nothing but headaches and false alarms.

So now onto why KeepSafe Systems is the best choice when it come to having a security alarm system installed in your home or business. Well, all marketing and sale vernacular aside, I can promise I will personally do my very best job installing and servicing your security alarm system. When it comes to Security Alarm Installation standards, KeepSafe Systems' are among the highest in the industry. From home-running all wires to soldering all connections and even our commitment to buy Canadian products are some examples of how we like to do business... The right way, because it matters.

KeepSafe Systems has been installing, servicing and providing monitoring services for both residential and commercial security alarm systems in the Metro Vancouver Fraser Valley region of British Columbia since 1997. I, the owner of KeepSafe Systems, have also been in the security alarm industry as a technician and installer since 1991ish. So you can be assured I know what I am talking about when it comes to installing and servicing security alarm systems. Not to toot my own horn but.... well this is the sales spiel section of my website.

So, if you are tired of the lack of service from the "Other Guys" give me a shout and I will do my very best to ensure your experience with KeepSafe Systems is one you will be happy to tell your friends about. After all, pretty much all of my business is as a result of "Word of Mouth" advertising. From what the ad professionals say, it sure as heck isn't because of my website.

Security Systems Installed The Right Way... Because it Matters

Cheers

Heinz

Owner,

KeepSafe Systems

BC Electrical Contractor Licence - LEL0037345

Security Business Licence - B3147

Business on the Level :<)

Contact us 24/7 at 604-874-8772

www.KeepSafeSystems.ca

Details: Written by KeepSafe Systems

KeepSafe Systems Installs and monitors security alarm systems in metro Vancouver area of British columbia As with the story of the boy who cried Wolf, false alarms can be the downfall of any security system. False alarms can be caused by many factors, these include but are not limited to poor system design, equipment failure, user error, environmental situations, and yes our furry friends.

Unfortunately, even in the best systems, false alarms do occasionally happen, the key to effective false alarm reduction is fast and capable service response. At KeepSafe Systems, we use our many years of experience to stack the cards in your favour. If you are currently experiencing false alarm issues, feel free to contact KeepSafe Systems and we will do our very best to remedy the situation. If you do not yet have a security system and you are considering the services of KeepSafe Systems, you can be assured we will provide you with the best system and service possible.

With the recent increase in false alarm awareness, many people have been either opting out or delaying the purchase of a security system. Others have distanced themselves from the decision-making process, by buying the least expensive "Package deal", without even considering how appropriate this system is for their needs and lifestyle.

Depending on whom you ask, the “main” cause of false alarms varies. Suspects include

Faulty installations /equipment
Environmental Conditions
Seasonal Decorations / hanging or floating objects
Pets
Pests and other critters
Wireless Interference
user error

Although these are all valid factors that should and will be addressed, there is also the problem of misapplications or, simply put, improper selling.

In speaking with many alarm salespeople, I have noticed a disturbing trend of a lack of industry knowledge. Although some very knowledgeable sales people do exist, there is no official set of guidelines or training. Sure, if you ask them what a motion detector or a door contact is most will know the answer - It is with assessing the customers’ real security needs that some tend to lapse. This statement is not meant to discourage you from purchasing a security system, but mearly intended to encourage you, as with any major purchase, to know what you are buying.

A few common causes of user-initiated false alarms are: windows left ajar; too short delay times; taking too long to come in or leave; re-entering the home just after leaving without disarming (assuming the exit delay is long enough to compensate); decorations hanging by or around motion detectors; pets; and of course improper testing. I remember a particular customer that would insist on testing out her alarm system and not notifying the monitoring station, in order to measure the police response time. This caused absolute havoc with both the monitoring station and police to the point where her system was disconnected from monitoring.

Another common cause of false alarms includes motion detectors being installed with the belief that they are “pet proof”. I have yet to be convinced that there is a good pet proof motion detector on the market. If you have a pet, either keep the pet in an area away from motion detectors when the system is armed, or do not have motion detectors installed and increase your perimeter and pre-entry protection (i.e. glass-break detectors).

Then there is the problem of faulty installations. I read something a while ago that is appropriate in this case:

“It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay to little ... The common law of business practice prohibits paying a little and getting a-lot in return -- it just can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”

In short, you get what you pay for. Do not let price be the sole determining factor in choosing your alarm system. I’m not saying that you should choose the highest price in order to get a decent security system, instead, you may wish to carefully consider what you’re purchasing and from whom you are purchasing it, keeping in mind you are not only purchasing the equipment but the proper installation of it.

Questions to ask the company are:

Do they have a list of standards that they follow (Solder all connections, test all devices, run individual cables to all devices, don’t double up on devices etc.)?
Do they stand behind their work?
How long is the warranty and what does it cover?
Do you feel comfortable with their knowledge and the system that they are selling you?
Does the company selling you the system have an installation license for the province, or do they just “Farm out” their work to whatever subcontractor is available?
Most importantly, does at least one of the technicians installing your alarm have a security alarm trade qualification ticket?

Finally, there is the problem of faulty equipment: Once again, the “you get what you pay for” rule kicks in. For the most part, the professional equipment in use is pretty much standardized. As well, equipment installed by most of the professional security alarm companies is run through stringent industry testing procedures. Now, I’m not saying that all of the equipment sold on a retail basis is low-quality, but before you buy something you should ask yourself why is this equipment only being sold on a retail level and more importantly, does this system suit your needs or are you only buying it because of the price?

Once your system has been installed, ensure that you understand exactly how it works and what you can do to avoid false alarms. The features and operation of your security system may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but as with anything new, it may take you a little time to get used to it. Ensure that everyone who will be using the security system knows how to operate it and, if you are monitored, how to cancel a false alarm. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you are unsure of any features, phone the installation company’s technical support line: Most companies understand the problems that you are going through and have no problem in helping a customer out.

Those are the basics of false alarms and how you can help reduce them by choosing a proper system. Next month I will discuss some of the basic options available to you and how you can determine your own security needs. If you have any questions on this months article or on security systems in general feel free to contact me at 604-874-8772.

Contact us 24/7 at 604-874-8772

www.KeepSafeSystems.ca

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