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Tag Archives: home protection tips

Be-Suspicious-When-You-See-People-Doing-These-4-Types-of-Things-in-Your-Neighborhood

Be Suspicious When You See People Doing These 4 Types of Things in Your Neighborhood

Be-Suspicious-When-You-See-People-Doing-These-4-Types-of-Things-in-Your-NeighborhoodA suspicious behavior or activity is an occurrence that is out of place in your neighborhood. As a concerned neighbor and citizen, it is your responsibility to keep an eye on such activities and report them in order to help the authorities reduce crime, make your neighborhood more secure and safer, and improve the overall quality of life.

Unfortunately, many times, people notice such activities but don’t call the authorities because they assume that someone else in the neighborhood has called. Don’t assume! Be suspicious of people doing these things and make the call – if the activity has already been reported, the dispatcher will inform you.

Following are 4 types of things that you should be suspicious of when they occur in your neighborhood:

1. Strangers Wandering in Your Neighborhood or on Properties

If you see a stranger in the neighborhood or on one of your neighbors’ property, without any signs of the homeowners, then be suspicious of it. Even an individual standing out front of a house for a long time, looking around aimlessly, could be a lookout or an accomplice. If you observe such behaviors in the middle of the night or during odd times, this could be a sign of criminal activity and you should report it immediately.

2. Strangers Peering into Windows or Cars

This is a clear sign of suspicious activity/behavior. If you see someone peering into a parked car in the neighborhood or even into windows of a house, it is highly recommended that you take a photo of the person from a safe distance, if possible. After taking the picture, share it with the police. It will help them identify the suspicious person.

3. A Stranger in a Parked Vehicle for Long Durations

Experienced burglars observe their target before they take any action. Some of the ways they do this include parking close to a home to survey routines, conducting multiple drive-bys to check the activity of the homeowner, etc. So, if you see a stranger in their vehicle, parked outside any home in your neighborhood, take note of their appearance, the vehicle’s license plate, color, and make just in case.

4. Door to Door Solicitations without Proper Identification

This is another strategy many burglars use when attempting to commit burglary. They tend to knock on doors posing as salespersons, religious groups, or construction workers. Oftentimes, they simply knock on doors to see if anyone is home as they don’t want confrontation. So, be suspicious when you see a stranger knocking on doors without properly identifying himself. And if he suddenly knocks on your door, don’t open it and first ask him to provide valid identification.

Oftentimes, reporting these suspicious activities and behaviors in the neighborhood lead to crime prevention. So, it is important to know what to look out for. It is recommended that you establish relationships with your neighbors so that you know the routines of each other. This will make it easier for you to spot something out of the ordinary and hence keep the neighborhood safe.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

6 Reasons to Protect Your Home with an Alarm in 2020

6 Reasons to Protect Your Home with an Alarm in 2020

6 Reasons to Protect Your Home with an Alarm in 2020Home alarm systems have a proven track record of protecting homeowners and their valuables. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people that tend to ignore its importance until it’s too late. If you aim to protect your home, your family, and your valuables and you haven’t installed a home security alarm yet, then 2020 might be the year to start shopping around for such system.

Here are 6 reasons to protect your home with an alarm in 2020:

1. Deter Property Crimes

The primary reason you should consider installing a home alarm system is that it deters property crimes and prevents your house from being targeted by burglars. According to a research, homes that don’t have a security alarm system installed are about 2.7 times more likely to be burgled. Just the presence of a sophisticated home security system can deter thieves from targeting your house.

2. Protection from Fires

Protecting a home from burglars isn’t the only reason to install a home alarm system. It can also keep your household safe by monitoring and raising a fire alarm. In case of a fire emergency, the alarm system will provide early warning so that you and your family can escape unhurt.

3. Detection of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The odorless carbon monoxide is released from gas heating and cooling systems, gas generators, stoves, and burning wood. Inhaling this gas can lead to serious health problems and even death in certain cases. You can protect your household against carbon monoxide poisoning with the right home security system.

4. Important Piece of Evidence

If unfortunately, a break-in happens, the footage from the security camera can be a valuable piece of evidence that you can present in a court case. It can help remove any reasonable doubt against the culprit and it will also allow the authorities to identify and capture the person responsible.

5. Safety of Valuable Items

Investing in a home security system is also crucial if you have valuable items inside your house e.g. an irreplaceable heirloom, expensive painting, jewelry, etc. Certain home alarm system features such as motion detectors can raise an alarm if they detect any activity near the valuable items. Furthermore, security systems nowadays also notify the local law enforcement agencies in case of a break-in attempt.

6. Increased Property Value

Most home buyers highly value safety features and installing a home security system can drastically increase the value of the property. If you have a sophisticated home alarm system installed in your property, you can expect to get a higher offer when selling the house.

The Bottom Line

The importance of installing a home alarm system cannot be emphasized enough. Not only does it keep you and your family protected against break-ins, it also prevents other dangers like fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and more. Protecting your home with an alarm might be the smartest decision you make in 2020 as it’s surely an extremely valuable investment.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

the-best-ways-elderly-people-can-avoid-rip-off-artists-who-target-them-at-home

The Best Ways Elderly People Can Avoid Rip-off Artists Who Target Them at Home

the-best-ways-elderly-people-can-avoid-rip-off-artists-who-target-them-at-homeRip-off artists always try to target vulnerable people as they assume they are easier to scam. Unfortunately, this is often the case in many instances, with elderly people being a common target.

Door-to-door scammers certainly take advantage of this, regularly targeting elderly individuals in their home. They usually claim they are a contractor or salesperson, manipulating the individual into handing over cash or checks up front for alleged services or products.

However, as soon as they get the cash, they take off without ever fulfilling their service, simply stealing the money and never being heard from again.

This is unquestionably a despicable practice, yet the sad truth is that due to the success of many door-to-door scams targeting the elderly, rip-off artists continue to try their scams against this demographic.

Thankfully, it’s possible for elderly people to avoid these rip-off artists using some of the following methods:

1. Never conduct businesses with a door-to-door salesperson without written information and verification

A simple yet effective stance to take is to avoid ever doing business with a door-to-door salesperson unless they provide plenty of information about their company. This means taking a company name, their office location, and the name of salesperson, all of which must be verifiable.

Emphasize this to your elderly parent or relative that may be at risk. Tell them that if a salesperson comes to their door and cannot provide any of the above info, then they are to be avoided at all costs. Never listen to excuses if they can’t give out this info – it’s a sure sign they cannot be trusted.

2. Contractors must have necessary licensing

Any contractor offering their services must show their contractor’s license, as any person claiming to be a contractor without a license is likely a scammer. Many will claim they don’t require a license for certain types of work, but never take their word at face value.

Yes, it may be true that they don’t require a license, but it’s still never worth taking the risk. Any contractor that shows up door-to-door offering their services should be regarded with suspicion, so be sure to inform any elderly loved ones of this.

3. Always request authentic references

Another great way to avoid rip-off artists is to ask for references, as they can never provide them due to their track record of scamming people. Make sure that the elderly person takes the time to call all references to ensure they are authentic, and be mindful if there are only newer references.

All rip-off artists leave a trail of unhappy “customers” behind them, so the last thing they ever want to provide is references. Anyone coming to your door that becomes evasive regarding references should be avoided at all costs.

4. Never hire anyone on the spot

Most rip-off artists that target the elderly in their homes are opportunistic. They want to deceive their way into being hired as soon as possible and be paid up front, using forceful tactics to pressure the person into hiring them.

For this reason, they rarely come back after their initial visit, so a simple way to avoid any problems is to never hire any contractor or pay a salesperson on the spot. If they claim the person requires immediate repairs or a service, always take a few days to gather second opinions, research their business, and check for references.

Nothing is ever so urgent that needs to be dealt with there and then, unless the service was requested directly by the homeowner.

5. Never give out personal information at the door

Another very simple, yet no less effective tactic – never let elderly people give out personal information to strangers. Many scammers want bank details or other valuable personal details, so it’s easy to avoid giving out this info to a stranger standing at your door.

Rip-off artists will use any number of claims to get personal information, from charities to healthcare to prize drawings – ensure you have warned any elderly loved ones to never give out their personal details to door-to-door sales persons, charity workers, contractors etc.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

What-To-Do-If-You-Hear-Your-Neighbors-House-Alarm-Going-Off

What To Do if You Hear Your Neighbor’s House Alarm Going Off

What-To-Do-If-You-Hear-Your-Neighbors-House-Alarm-Going-OffA lot of homeowners take their home’s security seriously and install a home security alarm system on their property. But few actually think about what they would do if the home alarm system of one of their neighbors goes off. Although, the advanced home security systems nowadays directly contact the authorities, there are still some that do not. Such systems rely on someone hearing the alarm and calling the authorities, or on scaring the criminal or burglar away with the noise alone.

While most people are well aware of what to do when their home security alarm system goes off, they fail to learn what to do when it happens in their neighbor’s house.

Following are some things you should do if you hear your neighbor’s house alarm going off:

1. Observe

If a home alarm system of one of your neighbors goes off, start by identifying the source of the noise. It is recommended to observe from a safe distance if you have a good line of sight to the source. Do not just glance for a few seconds; observe for at least five to ten minutes. If you are unable to see something going wrong, try to contact your neighbor via phone or text in order to let them know that their unit has gone off. It is also recommended to observe your neighbor’s house again every five to ten minutes, particularly if the noise is still sounding.

2. Avoid Direct Confrontation

If you see a suspicious individual near the source of the alarm, it is recommended that you avoid direct confrontation. Directly confronting a suspicious or mischievous individual can lead to a dangerous situation such as vandalism, harassment, or even violence. If your line of sight is not good and you have to get closer to make a good observation, then it is recommended that you keep a safe distance between yourself and the house where the alarm is going off.

3. Make Personal Contact with The Homeowner

Even if the alarm is switched off and there seems to be no signs of trouble, it is still imperative that you follow up. Especially, when you cannot contact your neighbor via phone or text, making a personal contact with him/her about what happened can make a difference. Because it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your home as well as your neighborhood.

4. Report to Authorities

Not reporting minor incidents (such as neighbor’s home security alarm going off) is one of the biggest mistakes neighborhood residents make. If your neighbor’s house alarm is going off and it may seem to you that a suspicious activity is going on in their home, it is recommended that you report the incident. Timely reporting to authorities regarding such suspicious activities in your neighborhood can help stop a burglar, a sex offender, or even a murderer before the situation gets really bad and results in scary incidents.

In conclusion, if you look out for your neighbors in such circumstances and take some action instead of ignoring it, it can have a great impact on reducing crime.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley, and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

5-Ways-To-Be-A-Part-Of-A-Neighborhood-Watch

5 Ways to Be a Part of a Neighborhood Watch

A neighborhood watch program is a proactive and effective way to fight crime and protect your home5-Ways-To-Be-A-Part-Of-A-Neighborhood-Watch, possessions, and family. Neighbors joining forces to monitor activity in their neighborhood generally experience a relatively lower rate of crime and a higher rate of convictions when they do occur. Communities working together with police and other law enforcement officials create a more closely-knit, safer place to live for families in their neighborhood.

How to Get Involved?

Building a successful neighborhood watch program requires many different people to work together. The easiest and the simplest way to get involved in the neighborhood watch program is as a participant.

Following are 5 ways to be a part of a neighborhood watch:

1. Observe

A neighborhood watch requires members who know what is normal in the neighborhood and what is not. You can be a part of the neighborhood watch by offering your help to observe activities in your neighborhood. This program does not want you to spy on your neighbor. You just need to be concerned for the overall safety of the neighborhood. Become familiar with your local environment by spending time out in your community.

2. Acknowledge

Knowing who your neighbors are and acknowledging them is essential for this program to succeed.  Communication is the key – waving and saying hello to your neighbors can discourage an outsider, in addition to suggesting that you are watching out for one another in the neighborhood. It is also your job as a part of the neighborhood watch to acknowledge the individuals you don’t know. Hence letting potential intruders know that they are being observed closely. This significantly reduces the opportunity for a crime to occur.

3. Report

Some members of the neighborhood watch program have a responsibility to report suspicious activities to police. You can be that person in order to be a part of the neighborhood watch, and report to police if you feel that something isn’t right.

4. Communication

Communication is a great tool that helps prevent crime. You can share important information with your neighbors as well as the police to help build an awareness and connect the neighborhood. In this way, you can play your part in building a safer neighborhood by communication important knowledge and your observances.

5. Post Signs

You can be a part of the neighborhood watch by placing signs throughout your neighborhood and indicate the existence of the program. These signs work as a warning for burglars, who may be more likely to stay away from neighborhoods that appear to have a close-knit population of highly alert residents.

Consult an Expert

If you are not sure about how to become a part of a neighborhood watch, you can consult an expert. Furthermore, you can also ask the members of your neighborhood watch program about which job will be suitable for you. They will give you valuable suggestions on how to tackle the issues of home security as well as what you can do in order to be a part of the neighborhood watch.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley, and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

guard dog versus home alarm

5 Reasons Why a Home Security System Works Better Than Having a Guard Dog

Whether or not you already have a dog that is capable of defending your home, it’s worth considering the risks of not having an electronic home security system. While it may cost less and be more enjoyable to own a pet, you shouldn’t depend on a dog to defend your home and your family.

1. A home alarm system will have less false alarms, unlike a dog.

With a dog centered security system, you are relying on the dog to bark at an intruder, and while this might work, you are going to get countless times where your dog will simply bark at something outside or something that isn’t even a threat. An alarm system will only ever go off when someone is trying to get into your house.

2. A dog might not react every single time, unlike an electronic security system.

guard dog versus home alarmThis reason pairs with reason number one due to the fact that a dog can also just as well not bark at someone. The intruder could calm the dog down before it makes too much noise, sedate it, or worse. Not to mention that if the person breaking into your house was a friend, the dog might simply ignore them due to the fact that they are familiar.

3. Your dog can’t contact authorities if an emergency is happening like an alarm system would.

The limit to a dog based alarm system is the fact that a dog can only alert the people inside the house that there might be an intruder. If your dog was left alone and an intruder happened to invade your home, your dog wouldn’t be able to alert anyone. If you were to have an alarm system instead, the police and you would be contacted as soon as an intruder was detected entering your home.

4. An alarm system doesn’t need to sleep like a dog does.

Dogs get tired, and eventually they just won’t be able to stay awake to protect the house anymore. While it might be able to wake up if an intruder was to come into your home, it’s better knowing that you have a home security system that protects you 24/7 three hundred and sixty-five days a year.

5. Your alarm system never leaves with you like a dog would.

The single biggest downside to having a dog as your sole security system is that if you ever took it with you, your home would be without even minor protection. A simple walk with your dog, taking it to the park, or going on vacation could leave your property extremely vulnerable to a home invasion.

While it never hurts to have both, you should never rely solely on having a dog to defend your property. For all the reasons stated and many more, it makes sense to spend money paying for a proper home alarm system. On top of that, an alarm might actually cost you around the same as a dog would have costed per month.

If you are wanting to improve the security of your home or business in The Coachella Valley, and want to take advantage of special offers to get started, contact the experts at Command One Security! One of our home security consultants will be happy to discuss the best and most cost-effective options we have available for you. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

home security system

home security system

7 Reasons to Use a Home Security System

A home security system may not seem like a priority, particularly in times of financial instability.  But, getting a home security system contract from a trustworthy and reliable company is a quality investment and a sound purchase. This system will certainly prove useful in improving your prosperity as well as helping your well-being to remain strong.

Following are the top seven reasons to use a home security system:

1. It Lessens Your Worries

When you know your house is equipped with a security system and your family is safe, it surely helps lessen your safety concerns.

2. It Lets You See What’s Happening in Your House Regardless of Your Absence

Internet connections and wireless cameras have made monitoring your home from a remote location a reality. Now you might check what’s happening in your house and check your pets regardless of being at work or outdoors.

3. It Gives Quicker Access to Help

Contacting for help is only a press of a button away as fire and panic buttons are available on your keypad. This quicker access feature will help in various household emergencies such as forced entries or fires, etc.

4. It May Lower Your Insurance Premium

There are many insurance companies that offer discounts on homes with security systems installed. This could range annually from 5 to 20%.

5. It Discourages Intruders

Signs, labels and stickers that come along with the security system placed in front yards and on windows and doors indicate that the house is protected with a security system and help discourage potential burglars. Outside security devices such as alarms, cameras, and motion sensors might help ward off street crime in your area.

6. It Helps Fight Crime

Monitoring devices such as recording devices and cameras could give primary evidence if a crime happens in your area.

7. It Lets You Guard Your House Even If You’re Not Around

With the help of wireless home security, you can activate your alarm system or control home automation features even from a remote location. All you have to do is log in to the home security’s console and activate the security system or other home automation features. This can spare you the worries for things such as not properly locking your house if you left in a hurry, because if you have home automation service that includes door locks, you can lock your doors remotely.

A home security system is not just for security, it keeps you and your family safe as well as protecting your important things and your valuables from intruders. These days, many security systems offer wireless benefits and features at a lower cost as compared to their wired counterparts. However, whatever is your choice, one thing is guaranteed: it will spare you the continuous worrying and will help you be at peace with your home security, which is probably the greatest benefit of all.

To experience these, and many other benefits of having a home security system for your home or business in The Coachella Valley, contact the experts at Command One Security!  One of our home security consultants will be happy to discuss the best and most cost-effective options we have available for you.  Call us today at (760) 568-0052.

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