It Takes A Thief....to give expert security advice

 

“You lock every door and window in your house. But they know every trick in the book. Two expert thieves size up, break into and rip off real homes. And unless you know how they get in, you don't have a chance of keeping them out.”

It Takes a Thief  is an alternative reality show produced by the Discovery Channel that ran for two seasons. The show is a fly-on-the-wall view into the inner workings of a burglary. The security of residential homes is tested with a fully-fledged burglary. This gives home owners invaluable insights into the security threats in their property.  It Takes a Thief  is hosted by two former convicted thieves, Matt Johnston and Jon Douglas Rainey. 

Who better to give advice on security than someone whose “job” was to breach it? Here are a few tips by Rainey and Johnston on security alarms:

• Homes without a home-security/alarm system have a significantly higher break-in rate, so invest in an alarm system to protect your home ... and use it. Most of us ignore the sirens of car and house alarms because they go off regularly, so make sure your house alarm is connected to the police and a central station to ensure someone will respond.
• When you connect your alarm system to a monitoring station, make sure you have a back-up cellular connection in case your phone service is disrupted.
•  If you move into a house with an old alarm system contact the provider to inquire about an upgrade.
•  Consider a security system equipped with ultrasonic sensors that can detect movement inside your home, not just breaches of your doors and windows. Certain alarm systems allow your home to have separate zones so specific areas can always stay armed. Also, a panic button can be hooked up to your alarm system's central server for added protection inside your home.
•  Less expensive security options include motion sensors, sound detectors and photocells, all of which can be used to turn on lights when triggered. Especially if you live in a hidden or dark area, motion sensors on outdoor lights are an easy and inexpensive deterrent for any possible intruders on your property at night.
• Individual window alarms, which are activated by vibration, can also discourage thieves. If you have an alarm system, make sure all your windows either have contacts on them or you have glass-break sensors in the rooms.
•  A thief may try to dismantle your alarm system, so make sure the system's central panel is in a secure spot. In addition, since construction or wildlife can disrupt outside wiring, have your system tested regularly.
•  A barking dog — even a small one — will deter most burglars. The noise draws attention, which is the last thing burglars want. However, dogs are never a proper deterrent. They only become scared like humans if strangers become threatening. It's not fair to your pup to rely on its canine bravado.
•  Reflective numbers outside on the front of your home will make it easy for police and ambulances to find your house in case of emergency.

Tips for Carrying Cash

Staff with responsibility for taking cash to the bank or transporting valuables will always be vulnerable to robbery.

But you can take a number of precautions to reduce the risks involved and make your cash less inviting to thieves.

Staff with responsibility for taking cash to the bank or transporting valuables will always be vulnerable to robbery.

But you can take a number of precautions to reduce the risks involved and make your cash less inviting to thieves.

One of the top rules for people who take cash to the bank is to have someone with you on every trip because robbers are much more likely to attack a single person. When there are two of you, it’s also more likely that one can get away to raise the alarm. 

Another very important routine is to have no routine! This means varying the time of day that you go to the bank and varying the route taken – whether you go on foot or by car.

Although you will always be at risk from opportunist criminals, most organised robbers watch their potential victim for at least a couple of days in advance.

If you use the same route every time, they can plan their attack much more effectively. They will look for points on the route where you are vulnerable – such as a quiet side street where you always park the car or the stairwell down from a multi-storey car park.

You will make things harder for them by using at least three different routes and alternating between them on different days so there is no pattern for robbers to follow.

• Never advertise the fact that you are carrying cash. Instead of using a briefcase or bank cash bags, disguise the fact that you are transporting valuables by carrying it in an office box file, a strong shopping bag or even an inside coat pocket if there isn’t too much.
• Make criminals aware that your cash is protected – for example, by dye which will be released when stolen. This makes the money unusable so they are likely to look for another target. Advertise your security precautions by putting up posters in the customer areas of your building.
• Bank only during good daylight hours if possible.
• If you think someone is following you, pull over to the side of the road to see if they drive on. When walking, watch in the windows of shops you pass to see if the same person is behind you for a long time
• If you’re on foot and suspect you are being followed, walk into any open business premises to see if the person behind carries on walking and obviously, be on your guard if you see someone in a motorcycle helmet or wearing headgear which obscures their face
• Remember that a robber might be very nervous, unpredictable or high on drink or drugs. Don’t do anything to anger or upset him. Hand over the cash calmly if he demands it. If a robber simply runs up and grabs the bag, don’t try to hang onto it. Let go immediately

Ensuring the safety of your money and staff when they are off your premises is not always in your control which makes it even more important to do all you can when it is in your control. Contact Free Alarms for a quote on an alarm system for your business.

How to Test an Alarm System

An alarm system is an essential element in all households. Whether one lives in the big city or the platteland one cannot put all ones faith in locks that can be picked and dogs that can be poisoned. 

That said an alarm system also needs some maintenance. It is advised that one tests an alarm system once a month. Which is relatively low maintenance compared to cleaning up after a dog.

Keep your alarm system’s manual handy when testing your alarm.  

1.    Read the manual thoroughly. While you can use a toaster after throwing its manual away it is advised to always keep the alarm system’s manual on hand.

2.    Familiar yourself with the procedure for testing from the manual.

3.    Memorise the disarm code and other procedures of disarming the alarm system.

4.    Consult with your service provider, Free Alarms, if you are uncertain.

5.    Warn all the people of the household of the alarm test

6.    Close and lock all protected doors as if you are about to leave the house and want it to be secure.

7.    Run the test operation on your system. When everything is ready, go ahead and punch in the keys to activate the test mode.

8.    Test each sensor. Some systems will systematically tell you which sensors to check. Go throughout your house tripping every sensor to make sure the signal to the controller is strong. Listen for the alarm when you trip a sensor

9.    Remember to re-alarm your system after the test has been completed.

10. Do not forget to test the non digital aspects of your security system such as locks, deadbolts, chains, windows, entry points and of course the health of the dog.

Source: www.ehow.com

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Hijacking Safety Tips

 

Take Precautions :

• Know your environment.
• Get to know who belongs in the vicinity of your home or workplace and who does not.
• Keep your eyes open for anything out of the ordinary.
• Lock all doors and close windows before driving off.
• Try to vary your route to places you visit regularly.
• Ensure all your mirrors are adjusted to give you an optimal all-round view of your surroundings.
• Try to stop about 5m behind the car in front of you at a stop sign or traffic light – it makes for an easier getaway if trouble arises.

Don’t be fooled by:

• False appeals for help.
• “Accidents” such as having you car rammed from behind.
• Someone trying to get help from a stationary car.
• Your electric gates being jammed

  Prevent Hijacking When Parking Your Vehicle:

• Check your rear-view mirror to ensure that you are not being followed.
• When returning home after dark, ensure that there is an outside light on or have someone meet you at the door.
• When exiting your vehicle, be cautious and aware of anything that may be concealing a hijacker.
• Never sit in your parked car without being conscious of your surroundings. Sleeping in a stationery vehicle is particularly dangerous.

If in doubt contact FREE ALARMS for FREE no obligation advice on security equipment that saves lives !