Entries Tagged 'Safety' ↓

July and August Peak Season for Burglaries as Families Travel and Homes Are Left Unattended

OREM, UT-(Marketwire - Jul 12, 2011) - Pinnacle Security, a leader in the North American residential security market, today released its 2011 Home Security System Selection Advisory. As family travel increases during July and August, so do the number of burglaries, according to the FBI’s recently released Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report 2010. Even when families are at home, the tendency to leave doors and windows open during hotter weather can make a home more attractive to burglars, and more vulnerable to break-ins.

This makes choosing the right residential security system, and the right provider, a timely and valuable investment. Recent studies indicate that homes without security systems are almost three times more likely to be broken into, and incur greater financial and property losses from the burglaries they suffer. In addition, homes with security systems may qualify homeowners for extra deductions on their insurance premiums.

“Pinnacle recommends meeting face-to-face with trained and licensed security consultants so they can individually and visually assess the specific needs in a home-security system,” said Stuart Dean, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Pinnacle Security. “Safety and peace of mind is our primary concern for customers. We strongly urge homeowners to take the necessary steps when selecting a security system.”

Pinnacle Security advises homeowners to follow some important steps to ensure that they get the quality system they need, from a reputable provider they can trust, to properly secure their home.

Select your provider carefully: Right now, a lot of salespeople are going door-to-door to offer residential security systems, and you need to know you can trust them, and the company that employs them. Pinnacle Security provides its Rep Verification system so homeowners can instantly view a Pinnacle representative’s license status and verify their identification, simply by visiting the Pinnacle website.

Ensure you get the right system: Comprehensive, established security companies like Pinnacle Security offer a wide range of residential security solutions. A face-to-face meeting with a security consultant is recommended, so the consultant can visually assess your needs based on your home and neighborhood.
Make sure it works: Once you decide to invest in the security of your home, you want to make sure you’re getting the most reliable system you can. Pinnacle Security is an authorized dealer of GE Security, the North American leader of security, fire, automation, environmental monitoring, and medical emergency notification. In fact, Pinnacle’s new Image Sensor, a motion-activated security sensor, incorporates a built-in camera and transmits via a cellular connection, allowing customers mobile access to their system.

Find out what others think: Any company can tell you they’re great. What homeowners want is information from other users of the system you’re considering. For instance, Pinnacle posts testimonials on its website, and also polls its customers to assess their levels of satisfaction. Currently, our customers rate us four out of five stars in overall satisfaction, and an overwhelming majority say they would refer a friend to Pinnacle Security.

Know your rights: You have the right to change your mind, for any reason. In fact, the FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule means you have three business days to cancel if the contract does not meet your needs. Pinnacle Security goes further than this, offering homeowners over 70 years of age 30 days to use the system and decide how much they like it.

Pinnacle Security has implemented an industry-leading code of conduct, to create an effective personal and consultative sales approach, so our face-to-face security consultants can immediately assess customer needs and provide insight into choosing appropriate state-of-the-art security systems, a relationship model that drives the success of our business. For more information, please visit pinnaclesecurity.com.

Customer Influenced Package Includes Direct Two-Way Voice Service, Emergency Button, Extended Cancellation Period

OREM, UT – June 9, 2011 – Pinnacle Security, a leader in the North American residential security market, today announced the launch of its Security Plus package. Bundling two-way voice communication, an emergency panic button, which can also be programmed to indicate a medical emergency, and the choice of either a smoke or carbon monoxide detector where appropriate, Security Plus delivers greater safety, convenience and communication to seniors.

Because the majority of alarms received at monitoring stations are medical alerts triggered by panic buttons, Security Plus is now offered as the standard for customers over age 70. Prior to the release of this feature, a customer’s inability to answer the phone, having triggered an alarm, would make it difficult to prepare emergency personnel for the situation prior to arrival.

“We are pleased to provide this service as a standard option for these customers,” said Kelly Walker, CEO, Pinnacle Security. “This suite of features, in combination with a 30 day trial period, allows our customers the best innovations and customer protections in the industry, letting seniors become familiar with the functionality of the services and giving them flexibility they want.”

Pinnacle Security’s alert service has already enabled thousands of individuals to get the medical assistance needed and this latest package will provide even more powerful options for security in the home. In addition, Pinnacle Security has extended the government mandated three day right of rescission to 30 days to ensure customers are comfortable with the operation of their new system.

“Pinnacle is sensitive to the needs of its customers and we strive to incorporate feedback into our products and services,” said Stuart Dean, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Pinnacle Security. “With Security Plus, we’re responding to the unique security needs of seniors, and delivering a package they themselves helped us customize.”

Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are offered in alignment with local licensing and installation requirements and may not be available in all areas. For more information about Security Plus, please visit www.pinnaclesecurity.com.

Nanny cams have become high-tech tools for parents who must leave their children with caregivers while they’re at work. With so many options, it’s hard to realize just what you need to know before you buy a nanny cam. This article will cover some of the basics so you can feel more secure in your buying decision.

What is a Nanny Cam?

Nanny cams are video cameras that are used to record activity that happens when you’re not at home. The original idea was to review the recordings later in order to ensure that your children are being well taken care of in your absence. These cameras are generally quite small and may be hidden in other objects so that the caregiver is unaware he or she is being filmed.

Oftentimes, the nanny cam utilizes a motion sensor that switches it on when someone is in the room. This keeps the homeowner from needing to review hours of pointless footage. It also saves on electricity and the lifespan of the camera. There are other cameras, however, that are always on. One of the benefits of this type is that you can monitor it from the Internet to check in when you are away. This gives you a real-time view of what is going on in your absence.

The term “nanny cam” is now used to refer to other uses for surveillance cameras, as well; even those that are just filming an empty vacation home or a storage unit.

What to Know before You Buy a Nanny Cam

There are a few things to keep in mind as you choose which nanny cam to buy. Of course, cost is going to be a factor, and it will be influenced by several factors. For example, a smaller surveillance camera is likely to cost more. Also, the quality of the image will impact the price. Finally, you will need to determine if you want to have a feed to a secure website so you can monitor it from a remote location.

If you are planning to utilize your camera in order to protect your home from intruders, you want to consider making it more noticeable. A would-be burglar is more likely to skip a house where a surveillance camera is obviously in use. In the long run, it’s a much better idea to deter a criminal than to try and pick up the pieces after you’ve been victimized.

A final consideration to make when you buy a nanny cam is the legality of using it. In the U.S., it is generally considered legal to record a person’s image, even if they are unaware that you are doing so. It isn’t always legal, however, to record speech. Also, there is no guarantee that footage from a nanny cam will hold up in court. Problems can arise, however, from caregivers and other visitors to your home who discover they were recorded without permission. When asked, most childcare professionals are fine with being recorded, as long as they are aware in advance. Finding out after the fact has led to more than one childcare provider walking off the job with feelings of deception and betrayal.

Each consideration is something that should guide you in choosing and purchasing the right equipment. Understanding the realities of the situation will help you make a more informed decision, and ensure that you are aware of what you need to know before you buy a nanny cam.

Contact Pinnacle Security for more safety tips and information on how you can have your own home security system installed today.

When assessing the security of your home and property, any worthwhile professional will ask, “Is your garage secure?” If you’re not working with a professional, then this question may become even more important, as it’s your job to ensure that you have taken the right steps to make sure that your garage is, in fact, secure against theft and other damage.

While we generally think about theft when we discuss the security of our property, you may need to consider other dangers.

Is Your Garage Secure against Fire?

There are typically a multitude of electrical tools at use in any given garage. Add to that an electric garage door opener and perhaps a refrigerator or freezer, and there is a fair amount of electricity being used by your garage. On the other hand, it’s not the first place we think of when it’s time to upgrade the electrical system. It may be worthwhile to do an evaluation of your garage’s circuits. Be sure that everything is up to code and that you’re not overloading any of your outlets.

Another fire danger in the garage comes from the various chemicals that are often stored out there. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s suggestions for storage on anything that is flammable. In addition, rags (especially those covered in grease or other chemicals) add to the risk of a fire. There are safe ways to store these rags, and spending a few minutes educating yourself now can save a lot of headache and heartache in the case of a garage fire.

Is Your Garage Secure Against Theft?

In order to secure your garage against theft, there are a few precautions you should take. An electric garage door opener can be quite the helpful gadget, but it can also lead to a lack of security. In order to beef up your protection, consider changing the combination in both the receiver and the remote. This is relatively easy to do, just check the instructions that came with your opener or do a quick search on the Internet.

Another way to protect your belongings is to refrain from leaving your garage door open for extended periods of time. This is obviously important when you are away from home, as anyone could walk in and steal your belongings. Still, it’s a good idea when you are home, too, as leaving the door open gives others a clear view of your garage’s contents. If you have something especially appealing in there, it could encourage someone to break in the next time you’re gone.

The most important devices you have to protect your garage against theft are the doors. Make sure that small doors are solid, rather than hollow. Invest in good locks. If you are using a padlock, go with high quality. The large garage doors should shut completely and should not have any loose panels or bent corners that would allow a thief to pry them open. Finally, make sure that any windows are also locked and secured.

Contact Pinnacle Security for more safety tips and information on how you can have your own security system installed today.

A good lighting plan is a great defense against those who would break into your residence or business. After all, the more visible they are, the less likely they are to break in, and the more likely they are to get caught. If you are lighting your property in the right way, you will significantly decrease your chances for trouble.

In order to make the most of outdoor lighting, there are a couple of great options. First of all, consider utilizing motion-activated flood lights. These devices will only turn on if they are triggered by movement on your property. These can be especially useful because they make it abundantly clear when something is out of the ordinary. They have the added benefit of not drawing a large amount of electricity when they’re not needed.

Surprisingly, flooding your property with bright lights all night long may be less effective than one would suspect. First of all, homeowners can be lulled into a false sense of security in these types of situations. They don’t realize that bright lights also create very dark shadows during the night, and these give burglars better hiding places. They also have the potential to make intruders bolder.

Dimmer lights may actually be more advantageous for a homeowner. They don’t cast the harsh shadows that the brighter lights do. On the other hand, they do still offer enough light to dissuade potential intruders. Likewise, they make your property safer for your family and your guests, as you can use low-wattage lights to illuminate sidewalks and landscape features.

Should you believe that you have an intruder on your property, then it is definitely time to bring on the bright lights. A big blast of light at this point will generally act to scare a burglar away, and it will help you see what is going on outside.

Knowing what not to do with your outdoor lighting can help enhance your family or business safety plan.

Contact Pinnacle Security for more safety tips and information on how you can have your own security system installed today.

While it is common to discuss how to protect your house and property when you’re gone, it is every bit as important to know how to be safe when you’re at home. In fact, it may be an even bigger concern; as you can replace stolen items, but you and your family are irreplaceable. So, implementing a few of these tips on how to be safe when you’re at home can protect your family’s most valuable possessions—each other.

Know Your Neighbors

There is a difference between being a nosey neighbor and knowing what is going on around you. Getting to know your neighbors is a great way to stay safe, as you are all able to look out for one another. This is why Neighborhood Watch groups are so effective. In fact, you might want to consider starting one of these in your own neighborhood. Police officers will even attend meetings to teach you how to be safe when you’re at home, as well as how to protect your property when you’re gone.

Make sure that your neighbors have your phone number and that they know to call you if they notice anything suspicious.

Be Discreet

Being discreet means a couple of things when it comes to learning how to be safe when you’re at home. One way to do so is to watch what you throw into the trash. Any financial information—including those pre-approved credit applications—should be shredded rather than just tossed into the garbage can. Anything that has personal information should not just go to the curb, as it can be intercepted by people who do not have good intentions.

Another way to be discreet is to change up your routine. If you always go for a walk at a certain time of the day, for example, a burglar could easily recognize that routine and break in when he knows you will be gone for a set period of time. In addition, don’t talk loudly about personal business with your neighbors or while using the phone outside. It’s a great idea to let your neighbors know if you’ll be out of town, but you don’t want to announce it to anyone who happens to be within earshot.

Locks and Keys

Locks and keys are one of the best ways we have of protecting our property, and we often forget their importance when it comes to how to be safe when you’re at home. Locking the door when you’re inside the house will deter potential criminals from inviting themselves in to do you harm. Making sure that your locks are solid and in good repair is also important in making sure you remain safe.

Keeping keys out of the wrong hands is also important when it comes to being safe at home. Avoid handing out copies of your keys to friends. Even if they are trustworthy, you can not ensure that your keys won’t wind up somewhere you don’t want. You should also avoid hiding a spare key in any of the most obvious places: under the mat, above the door, in a potted plant, in a fake rock, etc. Burglars know all of these places, and it will just be that much easier for them walk right into your home. Finally, make sure you can easily detach your house key from your car keys so you don’t have to hand it over to a valet or parking attendant who could make copies.

There’s no sense in becoming overly worried about your safety at all times. On the other hand, it’s just as ridiculous not to utilize some common sense about how to be safe when you’re at home. Simple tips, like not inviting strangers into the house and keeping valuable items out of view of the windows, are quick and easy things you can do to dissuade criminals from taking too much interest in you and your property.

Contact a Local Security Company

While abiding by these tips will help to keep you safe while at home, a local security company can give you more tips on staying safe. They can also provide information about home security systems and the benefits one will provide to your home and family.