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home security when the weather is hot

Four Extra Home Security Precautions You Should Take When the Weather is Hot

home security when the weather is hotWarm weather isn’t without its setbacks. From dehydration to heat stroke, there are plenty of hazards that come with the hot weather, so many people understandably take precautions around their home to help cope with the heat.

Opening windows and doors is a common fix, as is cranking the air conditioning up to full, but these may pose unexpected risks to your home’s security. In fact, there are many opportunistic thieves that take advantage of the hot weather and the possible lowering of home security that comes with it.

Here are four extra home security precautions you should take when the weather is hot:

Close all ground windows at night
The most common reason that homes are more susceptible to break-ins during hot weather is that more windows remain open than normal. This makes sense, as most of us that want to cool down from the heat simply open the windows across the house.
However, many tend to leave them open throughout the day and night, which creates a big risk for homeowners. Windows on the ground floor are the biggest culprit in this regard, as they make entering the home much easier, so always keep them closed at night no matter how hot it gets!

Check second floor windows for easy access
It is normally safe to leave second floor windows open overnight as they are quite difficult to access so most burglars don’t take the risk. However, some windows on the second floor could still pose a risk is they have easier access, typically in the shape of a tree, wall, or fence near to window.

Check to see if there are any risks near a second-floor window you want to leave open, paying attention to trees and fences in particular. For trees, consider trimming branches that are near windows, while applying spikes to the top of a fence helps detract would-be intruders.

Keep your garage door down when working in the yard
The hot weather is great for getting work done around the yard, whether cutting grass, planting new flowers, or making repairs to fences. Most people store tools and lawnmowers in the garage, and don’t think twice of leaving it open as they get to work outside the home.

However, this does pose a risk from opportunistic thieves that see the open door and nobody close by to stop them. For instance, taking a bathroom break could give a burglar the chance they are waiting for, so always leave your garage door shut when working outside!

Don’t leave ladders lying around
Chances are you are going to do some work to your home’s exterior during the hot weather. It’s a great time to repaint the house or clean out the gutter after a long winter, so you may be using a ladder during this time.

Ladders are a big risk for homeowners when left outside, so always make sure you never leave ladders unattended when doing work outside the home. If using frequently during the summer, chain them up at night so nobody tries to use them to break in!

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!

5-ways-to-prepare-your-home-when-you-go-on-vacation

5 Ways to Prepare Your Home When You Go on Vacation

5-ways-to-prepare-your-home-when-you-go-on-vacationForgetting to secure the home before heading off for a short or extended vacation is one of the biggest mistakes most homeowners often make. There are many suggestions you should keep in mind because if your home is not secure, it will lead to undue stress and worrying which will make it harder to enjoy your vacation.

Following are 5 ways to prepare your home when you go on vacation:

1. House Sitter

When planning a trip, it is recommended that you make arrangements for a house sitter or simply ask a friend or relative to stay over. Most burglars want to avoid confrontation. They want to find a home which is empty so that they could work quickly without any interruption and be on their way. The key to protecting your home is to make it look like it is inhabited, and not empty. While there are a number of ways to make it look inhabited, the best way is to actually have somebody staying there.

2. Timers

If you can’t arrange someone to stay in your home, you might want to invest in a few timers. Timers are relatively inexpensive and can be easily bought from either a hardware store or a home improvement store. Some homeowners simply leave their lights on when going on a vacation; it is not recommended because it can have the reverse effect of informing a potential burglar that the house is empty. It is recommended that you use timers to establish the appearance of activity continuing inside the home.

3. Locks

Make sure your locks are secure and the screws are sturdy, etc. Also, be sure to lock all your windows and doors before leaving.

4. Valuables

Put all your valuables in a safe place. If you have a safe in your home, use it. If not, then take your time and move your valuables to a safe deposit box. Jewelry and artwork are a popular target for thieves, so make sure to take care of those first.

5. Home Alarm

Simply installing a loud alarm won’t be enough. If you want to use a home alarm, then it is recommended that you use a monitored system. There are many choices when it comes to monitored home alarm systems; a do-it-yourself system, a local home security company system, and a national home monitoring system. While a do-it-yourself installation system is very cheap and may seem like a good choice, it is highly recommended that you stick with the pros and hire the services of a local home security company.

Conclusion

Securing your home and valuables should be your top priority before going away for a while, no matter whether it is a short trip or an extended vacation. With a little bit of preparation and action on your part, you can easily enhance the security of your home and possessions so you can have a carefree, relaxing getaway.

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!

security systems in gated communities

Are Gated Communities Really Safer than Open Communities?

security systems in gated communitiesOne statistic shows that about 10 percent of people in the United States live in gated communities. This number is on the rise too. The reason for the large increase of people living in gated communities can be attributed to the fact that gated communities are no longer reserved for the rich in the United States. In fact, gated housing is becoming more and more affordable.

 

Why do people buy houses in gated communities?

The biggest reason that someone would consider buying a house in a gated community is that they are thought to be much safer. However, many studies show that gated communities have little to none effect on the crime rates in those areas. In some cases, the crime rates are actually higher in gated communities than regular ungated communities.

 

Why are gated communities not as safe as they seem?

When people living in gated communities feel safe, they are less inclined to take the extra steps needed to protect themselves and their possessions. For example, someone living in a gated community might not lock their doors as often, or leave their home alarm off when they leave their house. Another huge reason for gated communities possibly being unsafe is that criminals may intentionally target a gated community with the assumption that the people living inside are wealthy.

 

Can these neighborhoods be safe?

If set up and regulated right, a gated community can be extremely safe. One of the biggest factors to a gated neighborhood’s safety is having guards employed on the premises to watch who comes in and out of the gates. Another factor that could make a gated community much safer is changing the gates codes often. People who live inside the gate have to give the code to anyone they invite, such as friends, family, or even the pizza delivery guy. This makes it very easy for the entire neighborhoods code to get out to someone who may use it for malicious purposes.

 

So which type of home should I choose?

If you are leaning towards a gated community, look into the types of security procedures that neighborhood has. Try to remember that merely having a border fence and a gate code doesn’t make you safe, and that a lot more goes into a safe community. If the community has an active security patrol, a great gate, and a sturdy wall, then it may be safer than a regular home. However, be sure to remember that living in a gated community could very well make you more of a target than a regular house.

If you are now swayed more towards an ungated community, then remember that there are many important things to help you stay safe without security guards to protect you. Home security can be done well if you do things like turning on your alarm and locking all of your doors before you leave your home. Criminals often break into homes according to someone’s schedule, for example as soon as they leave for work. It never hurts to set your security alarm before you leave, or even when you go to bed. This applies equally to gated communities as well, keep setting your alarm even if you already feel safe, an extra layer of security is never a bad thing.

 

To experience the peace of mind of having a security alarm 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!

keep your home safe in coachella valley

How to Keep Your Home Safe When You’re Out of Town

keep your home safe in coachella valleyAn empty house is probably the most wanted target of burglars. Thieves prefer to get inside an empty house because there would be no encounters with homeowners and there are minimum risks of being discovered as well.

Burglars are the biggest threat to the safety of your home when you are away. They keep an eye on houses to observe the activities of the family. And when they see no activity in a house, they make their move; break into the house and take whatever possessions they want. This can be prevented if a home security alarm is installed to monitor the house.  When you are out of town for vacation, business meeting, or any other purposes, a home security alarm associated with a home security system can protect your house from intruders.  When an alarm is triggered, it instantly calls the monitoring center where they have trained operators ready to alert the authorities.

There are many additional things you can do to help protect your family even better when you are out of town. These include using light timers that can automatically turn lights, radios, televisions, etc. on and off at specific times. This will give the appearance that the house is occupied and not empty. Additionally, having the newspaper and mail either stopped or picked up by a neighbor, family member, or a friend can also provide the same appearance.

Furthermore, having window decals and signs labeled with a home security system logo will also work as a warning to burglars and they may forgo the thought of breaking into your house. Burglars look for those signs. First they see whether the house has a home security system installed, then they check whether it is occupied or empty. They do this because they want to minimize the risk of being caught and avoid complications. Therefore, if they think that an alarm system is installed in a home that may contact the monitoring center to alert the police, they are less likely to attempt breaking into the house.

A home security alarm is the best tool to keep your home safe from burglars when you are out of town.  It provides difficulties to thieves who want to steal from your house as they perceive it as a threat because they know that by the time they break into the house, the authorities are already on the way. The new technology implemented in home security systems is making it difficult for the thieves to break into a house. Even if the phone line is cut, the home security system will still function and has the ability to contact the monitoring center via cell phone when the home telephone is not accessible.

From the benefits mentioned in this article, it is clear that a home security alarm is an ideal choice for you if you want to truly enjoy your vacation and feel more relaxed when you are away, knowing that your home is safe.

To experience this peace of mind, and inquire about 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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