Five Smart Home Security Tips for a Worry-Free Holiday Season

/in , , , , , /by

Do you feel that your home is more attractive to criminals during the holidays?

Two-thirds of homeowners do, according to recent research. After all, with valuable package deliveries, brightly-lit windows and the hustle and bustle of holiday travel, it’s easy to make home security mistakes—or to worry about them.

If you’re concerned about holiday security and looking to step up your crime prevention game for the season, start with these smarter home security tips.

1: It’s easier than you think to deter a burglar.

Have you ever wondered if your home security system will really keep a burglar away? According to the experts (a panel of actual burglars), it will. 83 percent of burglars look for them, and 60 percent say they’ll go elsewhere if they spot one.

This means that it pays to make your security system visible. You can do this by adding smart outdoor security cameras, placing stickers and yard signs where they’re easily spotted, or automating your outdoor lights to put prowlers in the spotlight.

Don’t have any of these features? It might be time for a home security upgrade from Boyd & Associates

2: Avoid leaving gifts out for package thieves.

Not all holiday crime involves breaking and entering. With more Americans shopping for gifts online every year, the holidays have become prime time for package theft.

If you’re concerned about your gifts falling into the hands of a porch pirate, it’s worth investing in a home security setup that includes a doorbell camera and smart lock. This gives you the ability to secure any package delivery in seconds, using only your phone. It’s an easier alternative to staying home for valuable deliveries, and far smarter than leaving things to chance.

3: Safeguard against security mistakes when you travel.

Half of homeowners worry more about home security when they travel—and with good reason. The hustle and bustle of a holiday road trip leaves plenty of room for security mistakes like leaving your garage open or front door unlocked, or forgetting to turn your alarm on.

If you own a modern security system, be sure to set up a few smartphone alerts and reminders before you travel this year. You’ll know if you forget anything essential, and you’ll often be able to fix the problem without having to return home.

4: Connect with your neighbors for peace of mind.

Not every holiday security safeguard needs to be hi-tech. Teaming up with your neighbors is a simple and effective way to stay safe and worry less over the holidays. It’s also one of the most popular home security measures: this year, more than half of US homeowners will keep an eye on their neighbors’ homes when they travel.

If you’re teaming up with your neighbors this year, consider trading in your spare keys for a smart lock. While you may not be among the 20% of homeowners who lost their house keys this year, a smart lock with temporary user codes is worth it to ensure that no one else loses them for you.

5: Think beyond the holidays for long-term protection.

Not all home security technology is the same. If you’re looking for year-round, whole-home protection, it’s worth doing some research before hopping online to buy a standalone doorbell camera as a quick fix. It’ll cover your front door, but not much else.

A complete smart  security system gives you many more ways keep your home and family safe–such as professional monitoring for emergencies, connected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for safety, and safeguards like unexpected activity alerts and “crash and smash” protection.

For more information on options to upgrade or add on a new system, contact Boyd & Associates today!

The Best Hiding Places For Valuables In Your Home

/in , , , , , , /by

Installing a home security system in your home is a great way to ensure you and your family stay protected. It also ensures any valuable possessions you have are also secure. But it never hurts to add those extra layers of security. Especially when considering the best hiding places for valuables in your home.

It may feel a little overcautious or paranoid. And in some cases, hiding your possessions seems like something out of a heist or spy movie. But for those precious family heirlooms, expensive jewelry, or prized collectibles, why risk the possibility of losing them at all?

Check out this list of great hiding spots and ideas that you might not have thought of.

The ‘Safest’ Bet For Hiding Places For Valuables

Outside of storing your most precious valuables somewhere outside of your house, like a bank safe deposit box or a secure storage facility, investing in a high-quality safe is a great place to start. Some things to consider when buying a safe include:

  • Size and location – you want to be able to conceal it while also practically storing what you need to protect.
  • Type of lock – combination, lock, and key, or electronic keypad. Your choice will depend on your protection needs, frequency of use, and how many people will need access.
  • Consider bolting your safe to a floor or wall for added security.
  • Hidden safes like vent safes and safes built into the wall.
  • Some safes offer dehumidifiers and fireproof capabilities to protect sensitive materials further.

But depending on your living situation, a safe just might not be that practical to have and use. Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to store, hide, and protect your valuables. Just be sure to avoid the obvious places. Forget about under your mattress, in a sock drawer, under a mat, in the cookie jar, in a desk or nightstand drawer, or fake rock by the front door. And keep valuables out of the master bedroom if possible.

Sometimes, the best hiding spot is the one that seems like it would be the last place you’d choose. Consider a few of these locations, which may even spur a few ideas of your own.

Find A Picture Frame

Not the back of the frame but rather the part between the frame and the picture. Most burglars won’t open up the frame to see what is inside. It’s a great way to hide important documents that you don’t need to access regularly. Now your favorite picture serves even more purposes!

Under The Carpet

Just like the picture frame idea, a small, accessible area of your carpet can be a useful hiding place. Simply pull back the corner of a room’s carpet and put cash or paper items underneath. And for even more protection, put heavy furniture over the area.

Use The Freezer

If you have a large storage freezer, you might also consider using it to store more than just food. Wrap valuables in aluminum foil and put them in the freezer with other frozen foods. Burglars probably won’t go through all the items in a freezer. Just be sure the items can’t be damaged by the cold!

Consider Lesser Used Rooms

Do you have a cluttered office room, storage attic, or even the laundry room? Obviously, you want to do everything in your power to prevent burglars. But sometimes it’s unavoidable. Instead, think about your defense as areas that potential thieves wouldn’t think to look in.

Fake Containers And False Bottoms

The ultimate trickery is to hide items in other items. Sometimes, those items can be decoys or fakes. Think fake canned goods that double as stash jars, in line with the real food in your pantry. Or even a garbage can, suitcase, or other storage container with a false bottom. From medical bottles to hollowed-out books, the possibilities are truly endless!

For More Security  Tips And Solutions, Stick With Boyd & Associates

Obviously, avoiding a burglary or home invasion altogether is favorable. And you should never confront a  burglar directly. This is why your best bet is always a monitored security system. But staying one step ahead of would-be criminals with some of the best hiding places for valuables never hurts your peace of mind!

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

How to Prevent Home Invasion: 5 Important Tips

/in , , , , , , , /by

Burglaries and home invasions are a primary fear for any homeowner. Your home should be a place of peace and comfort, and no one likes to think of their neighborhood as unsafe. But of the 2.5 million burglaries that occur in the United States, 66% are home invasions. Luckily, there are important steps you can take to learn how to prevent home invasion.

In general, if your home is clearly secured and well protected most burglars will likely bypass the home for an easier target. Especially if you’ve invested in a home security system. But it never hurts to over-prepare. Check out our round-up of tips to prevent home invasion and make your home as safe as possible.

  1. Secure Your Doors

Since doors are the primary entrance points for burglars, it makes sense to invest in the proper protection. And consider doorways beyond just your front door. Garage doors are often the easiest to breach, followed by the back door simply because they may be less monitored in general. Once hidden from view a burglar has more breaking-and-entering options available to them. Some general reminders to consider:

  • Replace rotted door frames so thieves cannot pry the door off its hinges. Use heavy-duty strike plates with 3-inch screws into wooden door frames.
  • All entrance doors should have a solid core (preferably metal).
  • Use heavy-duty, quality deadbolt locks with a knob-in-lock set and dead-latch mechanism.
  • Prevent fraudulent entry by installing door chains and wide-angle peepholes mounted no higher than 58 inches off the ground.
  1. Watch Your Windows

Of course, doors are not the only entry option for burglars. Since windows can also provide easy access for an intruder, it is essential that you take the proper measures to secure them. Particular attention must be paid to ground floor windows and windows visible at street level. Even upper floor windows can present a threat to your home, especially if they can be accessed from a stairway, tree, fence, or by climbing on balconies. The following are some general recommendations to better secure your windows:

  • Use blocking devices to prevent an intruder from being able to slide a window open from the outside.
  • Block the window open no more than six inches and make sure you can’t reach in from the outside and remove the blocking device, or reach through and unlock the window.
  • In sleeping rooms, any window-blocking devices should be capable of being removed easily from the inside to comply with fire codes.
  • Use anti-lift devices to prevent intruders from lifting your windows up vertically.
  1. Lights, Camera, (No) Action!

Luckily, as technology has advanced, there are new ways to integrate exciting new features into your home. Simply put, home automation has changed the game. With amazing features like smart lights and door cameras, you not only add an incredible degree of convenience to your home, but you also provide an extra layer of safety. With lights that you can set schedules to, your home appears occupied no matter where you actually are. Plus all that light eliminates any potential opportunities for burglars to hide.

Cameras are a little more obvious in their benefit to home invasion prevention, but that’s a good thing! In many cases, a door camera can ward off a potential burglar before a crime ever occurs. And if it does happen, there’s video evidence to provide evidence in the event you need to recoup the value of anything lost.

  1. Lock It Up

Another upgrade to consider adding to your front doors is a brand-new electronic smart lock. Electronic locks for your front door are more secure and reliable than traditional keyed deadbolt locks. Additionally, they provide an abundance of other benefits like:

  • Coded keypads for safe, secure, and convenient keyless entrance for you and your family.
  • Control (and monitor) your locks from anywhere through a single app.
  • You can also assign unique and temporary codes for guests and workers when needed.

Smart locks have better durability than traditional locks that wear and tear from constant key use. Plus, keypad locks do not use traditional locking mechanisms, which adds to their overall security. Without the mechanical key and tumbler system, keyless systems are unable to be picked or bumped like a traditional lock. This gives your home an added layer of security and protection from potential intruders.

  1. Monitored Alarm Systems

At the end of the day, one of the best ways to secure and protect your home is to invest in a quality security system. But alarm systems are at their most effective as a deterrent to burglars when used properly, and when properly maintained. Get the most out of your home security system:

  • Keep your yard sign visible and put alarm company decals in your windows and doors.
  • Do not write your alarm code anywhere near your keypad or entryway.
  • Be sure to update your alarm company and central monitoring station with pertinent information including your response call list.
  • Test your alarm regularly to ensure all access to your property is protected.

For More Security And Home Automation Tips And Solutions, Stick With Boyd & Associates

It’s impossible to be 100% safe in anything, but with the right precautions and proper maintenance of your home security features, you can position your home and family to be as safe and protected as possible.

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

Back To School Safety Tips

/in , , , , , , , , /by

Back to school is always one of the busiest times of the year. The change in routine—or the return to one–can be difficult for your entire family. Follow these safety tips to help your children and family stay safe during back-to-school season and throughout the new school year.

Use An Alarm System With Remote Alerts

If you don’t already have one, consider installing a home security system. You’ll receive alerts when your child enters their code into the alarm system, letting you know that they’ve arrived home safely. You can also set up sensors in sensitive areas of the house such as near gun cabinets, liquor cabinets, or medicine closets. With home automation, you’ll always be able to monitor the activities of your household through your phone.

Remind Your Kids To Lock The Door

Your children should know how to lock the door and know to do it every time they leave or enter the house. Educate your children about never opening the door to strangers, especially when they are home alone.

Show Your Kids How To Use The Alarm System

Ensure that your children know how to arm and disarm your alarm system. Show them how to hit the panic button and tell them what to do in case of an emergency. They also need to know the difference between burglar, fire, and carbon monoxide alarms.

Plan A Safe Route To School

If your child walks or bikes to school each day, plan a safe route to and from school. Avoid as many street crossings as possible and remain in areas that are highly populated. Encourage your children to refrain from using their cell phone while walking but to always have it on them in case of an emergency. If they ride a bike, be sure they have a properly-fitting helmet and always wear it.

Use And Teach Safe Driving Habits

While driving, always pay attention to the road. If you have children in the car, be certain that their seatbelts are buckled. Never use your cell phone while driving. It is important that you teach younger teen drivers these safe driving methods as well—and modeling good behavior is one of the best ways to instill it in your kids.

Help Children Memorize Important Numbers

Teach your children to memorize their home address, their home phone number, your cell phone number, and an emergency contact. It is important that they know how to contact someone in case of an emergency.

Teach Children About Strangers

Kids shouldn’t talk to anyone they don’t know. They should never accept a gift or a ride from any strangers. In case such an incident arises, children should also know whom to go to for help, such as a teacher or a police officer.

Get A Video Doorbell

With a video doorbell, you’ll be able to see who is at the door as well as answer it even when you aren’t home. This device also allows your children to see who is at the door, and talk to them, without having to answer the door.

Know Your Child’s Routine

Make sure you and your child know their routines before, during, and after school for each day of the week.

Keep Lines Of Communication Open

Ask your children to check in with you as they move through their daily routine so that you know they’re safe. Let them know it’s okay to call you at any time.

Practice Safety At Home

Decide whether your children are old enough and mature enough to use certain appliances or have visitors over while you’re not home. Be clear about your expectations. Children can’t follow the rules if they don’t fully understand them!

Review Social Media And Internet Usage At Home

Let your children know that you will have access to their social media accounts and warn them about appropriate usage. Warn them about the potential dangers of online strangers and how to avoid online bullying.

Our team at Boyd & Associates wants you and your children to remain safe throughout the school year. Start this new school year right by preparing for anything and protecting your home and family.

How Does A Motion Sensor Work: Best Placement Practices

/in , , , , , , /by

Outside of the physical structures of your home, motion sensors are often the first line of defense for your security system. But how does a motion sensor work? Basically, motion sensors trigger alarms and direct the home security feed to wherever the alarm was triggered. This is usually based on motion or intrusion (hence the name!)

This is why taking the time to plan out motion sensor placement for your home is so important. If your motion sensors aren’t in locations where they work the most effectively, your entire system may be flawed. Check out these helpful tips for motion sensor placements:

How Does A Motion Sensor Work: The Most Effective Motion Sensor Placements

Motion sensors work to detect movement in an area where there shouldn’t be. When thinking of the best placements for your motion sensors, consider important access points and any potential vulnerabilities in your home or business that an intruder might exploit.

Corner Spaces

Put a motion sensor in the corner of each room, aimed toward the doorway. That way, if the door opens or someone passes through, the sensor will detect the motion and set off the alarm.

Near Valuables

What exactly are you looking to protect with your motion sensors and security system? Place motion sensors directly at your most valuable items. Or, in the case of a small business, consider where you keep or display any important products or business profits. No one will be able to get close to them without you knowing.

Second Floor Bedrooms

Even if you feel as though a burglar couldn’t enter the house through the second floor, it is a good idea to keep a motion sensor near the bedrooms in your home. As a general rule of thumb, all entry points should be accounted for. This way you’ll be alerted if anyone approaches while you’re asleep.

Ceilings

When an intruder enters the home, they may already be looking for motion detectors. A great place they wouldn’t immediately look is the ceiling. Sensors work from any angle, so this is a great way to keep a thief from easily avoiding detectors. And these days, sensors are made to fit discreetly wherever you place them. So, they won’t be an eyesore in your home either.

Within Decorations

A great way to hide motion sensors is by making them part of your household decor. Hide them amongst photos and knickknacks so they aren’t easily spotted by intruders. Plus, they won’t detract from your home’s look and feel!

How Does A Motion Sensor Work: The Least Effective Motion Sensor Placements

Motion sensors are designed to detect motion, which means any kind of motion. Placing your motion sensors in certain areas can not only detract from the functionality of your system, but it can also cause false alarm triggers. Avoid placing motion sensors in the following locations:

Near Windows

This is a bad location for a few reasons. The first is that heat-activated motion sensors can be confused by direct sunlight, which most windows receive a lot of! The second is that the sensor works best when a burglar walks parallel to them rather than straight ahead. Finally, you wouldn’t want a false alarm trigger from every single passerby, or even just an innocent visit from the neighborhood cat!

Near Heat Sources

A heat source could potentially create a false alarm, so it is a good idea to keep motion sensors away from hot air vents and radiators. Any change in infrared heat could trigger the alarm. Plus, extended exposure to high temperatures could potentially damage your equipment as well.

For More Security Tips And Solutions, Stick With Boyd & Associates

Ensure that your security system is working to its full potential by strategically installing the motion sensors that are included with it.

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

3G Shutdown – What It Means And How Your Home Security System May Be Affected

/in , , , , , /by

You may be aware that cellular carriers have announced they intend to fully “sunset” 3G technologies by 2022. 3G is short for “third-generation wireless technology,” which carriers are phasing out in favor of faster and more advanced technology like the 4G (LTE) and 5G networks.

Many security systems rely on local cellular carriers to communicate system activity with the monitoring station. It’s possible at the time of your installation, 3G was the optimal technology available in your area and you may need to schedule an onsite panel update.

How Will The 3G Shutdown Affect Your System?

Your home security system includes a cellular transmitter that is necessary to communicate with our central service station in the event of an emergency. If your device is currently reliant on 3G networks, it will no longer function when the 3G sunset takes place.

As a result of the 3G network shutdown, even if your alarm appears to function, it will no longer communicate with our central service station to notify us that emergency services are needed. Any devices that use 3G technology will no longer be supported and affected consumers will need to schedule an onsite panel update to avoid any potential disruptions.

You Already Received a Notice from Us About 3G Shutdown

We are keeping a close watch on all areas and systems that will be affected by 3G sunsetting. If you live in an area that will be affected, you should have already received a notice from us to schedule your update.

If you have already received communication from Boyd & Associates about updating your home security system, it is very important that you get in contact with us as soon as possible to avoid service interruption.

Boyd & Associates is Here to Guide You Through 3G Sunsetting

At Boyd & Associates, the protection and peace of mind of our customers are our top priority. If your security system is currently running on 3G, after 3G sunset, your system may lose its ability to communicate with our central monitoring station in the event of an emergency.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Even if you’re not sure if your area is affected by 3G sunsetting, contact us today to check. We want to ensure your home and family stay protected.

Although wireless carriers have published specific dates for 3G termination, this does not guarantee 3G services will be fully available until the sunset, meaning your system may be affected before then. It is common practice for carriers to reduce coverage during transition periods.

Take action today and avoid service disruptions!

Your Guide To Cellular Alarm Monitoring

/in , , , , , , /by

Have you ever wondered what really makes your security system tick? It all has to do with cellular alarm monitoring! This technology helps ensure your devices and security system stay connected to our central monitoring stations. With cellular alarm monitoring, the help you need is always nearby in the event of an emergency. Learn more about how it all works right here.

What is Cellular Alarm Monitoring?

Cellular alarm monitoring service is the new standard in home security monitoring. Operating on a dedicated cellular channel, the system sends a wireless signal via a secure, encrypted transmission to our central monitoring stations in case of an emergency. Additionally, cellular monitoring uses its own dedicated network to send and receive signals, so you do not need a cell phone to upgrade to cellular monitoring.

Are Landlines Obsolete?

Almost 25% of Americans now live in homes without a landline. And that figure doubles among young adults aged 25-29. While there is no hard cut-off date for landline termination, most will likely be retired in favor of more reliable, cost-effective, and flexible cellular communication.

What are the Benefits of Cellular Alarm Monitoring?

Cellular monitoring systems are easy to install without the need for drilling or rewiring in your home or business. As more people switched to cell phones as their primary source of communication, Cellular Monitoring became more relevant to the point where it’s now the standard for home security solutions.

Plus, with cellular alarm monitoring, you stay connected no matter what. Since it transmits on a separate, secure wireless network, your system remains in constant communication with the central station. Even when:

  • Power outages cut lines due to extreme weather
  • You change telephone service providers
  • Burglars cut your lines prior to an attempted break-in

Make the Most of Cellular Alarm Monitoring with Smart Home Upgrades

Like an amazing universal remote control, Smart Home automation from Boyd & Associates gives you the power to control not only your security system but all exterior door locks, interior and exterior lighting, as well as temperature control, from anywhere!

Upgrade today and turn your phone into a remote control for your home. With cellular monitoring and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection, you have access to many additional features, such as:

  • Remote Arm & Disarm
  • Remote Lock & Unlock
  • Climate Control
  • Lighting Control
  • Live Streaming Video Surveillance
  • Real-Time Alerts

For More Security Tips and Solutions, Stick with Boyd & Associates

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

Home Security System Test: Why it’s Important and How to Test

/in , , , , , , /by

How realistic would it be to expect a car that sat idle for three years to start up and operate perfectly? Or how about a home that sat vacant for five years? Would you expect the air conditioner to work? And it’s exactly why conducting a home security system test is so important.

Just like with any piece of mechanical equipment, periodic testing of your home security system is essential for optimal performance. In the event of an emergency, there are no second chances. Your security system and home fire alarm system must work flawlessly when needed.

How to Test Your Home Security System

Testing your home security service helps to ensure that your home security system will work properly. It identifies problem areas that may require attention from your home security company. You want to test alarm signals as they appear on your home security alarm system control panel and at the alarm monitoring center to ensure proper communication between both.

Procedures for testing your wireless home security system may vary by manufacturer. Consult your owner’s manual for more details. However, the general steps laid out here should work well for most systems. Be sure to keep your account number and unique personal identification password or code handy when speaking to your home security monitoring service.

You Should Conduct a Home Security System Test Each Month – Here’s How:

Call your home security monitoring service and request to put your system in ‘Test’ mode. This is an important step so when you send in a signal from your security system, they do not contact the emergency services.

Arm your security system. Once the system is fully armed, open a few doors or windows that are connected to the security system. Once the siren has sounded, wait for 45 seconds, then promptly disarm the system.

Call your home security monitoring service back to confirm they received the signal from your security system. Then, confirm you are ready to take your system off ‘Test’ mode.

Test All Sensors and Motion Detectors

Testing the signal between your panel and monitoring station is important, but it’s just one piece of the protection puzzle. Double checking that all of your installed sensors and motion detectors are also properly functioning ensures that your panel has something to communicate if and when the time comes. Here’s what to do:

  • First, verify that your system is in “Ready” mode and not armed. Disarm the system to avoid the deployment of emergency services.
  • Open each door and window where sensors are installed, doing so one at a time.
  • Check your panel. It should display the door or window that you are testing.
  • Close the door or window. Your panel should change back to “Ready” mode.
  • Repeat this process for each of your motion detectors.

Test Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors

Testing your CO and smoke detectors regularly are other important pillars to your home and family’s safety. Test smoke and CO detectors monthly, and as a general rule, swap for fresh batteries annually. You don’t want to be at risk of a house fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Here’s how to conduct a CO and smoke detector test:

Remember, when testing either detector, it should make a noise after pressing the “test” button.

If no noise occurs when pressing the test button, start by changing the batteries in the device.

If this doesn’t work, make sure to contact your home security system provider.

As an additional in-home test, you may consider canned smoke. Available to order online or from your local hardware store, canned smoke simulates real smoke interacting with your detectors in a safe way. It allows for a more hands-on test than simply pressing the “test” button.

For More Security and Tips and Solutions, Stick with Boyd & Associates

Preventative maintenance is the name of the game for making sure your home or business stays safe. After all, if the security system in place doesn’t function properly, how can you expect it to provide protection? Boyd & Associates recommends testing your system every 30 days.

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

Halloween Safety Tips

/in , , , , , /by

Planning to trick or treat this year? Halloween is a night when some of our best childhood memories are created…just so long as things are fun scary, not actually scary. With a bit of planning, you can keep everyone safe this October. Make sure your children have an enjoyable, secure celebration with these child safety tips on Halloween.

Design Costumes for Visibility

Glow sticks, flashlights, and even reflector tape can help to ensure that any drivers see your children in the street. Incorporating these safety features into the theme of your child’s costume might take a little creativity, but they often can add another layer to really take the festivities up a notch. Think a glowing ghost or the bright lights of a Star Wars character. Plus, it’ll give you that extra peace of mind.

Also keep in mind that makeup is generally preferable to a mask, which can obstruct your child’s vision and put them at risk.

Take it Slow

Slowing things down a bit is a key safety tip on Halloween. Be sure kids walk slowly rather than run from home to home, especially as they cross neighborhood streets. While everyone is on the lookout for trick-or-treaters, children can dart in front of motorists, who may not have enough time to react. Try to plan to spend the evening in a neighborhood you know has sidewalks and is particularly active with other trick-or-treaters. These areas are less likely to cause potential risks with motorists.

Make Eye Contact with Drivers

A good habit to generally teach the kids: when crossing the street, make eye contact with the driver to make sure that they acknowledge you before you step into the street. And nothing beats the golden rule of intersections: always look both ways before you cross!

Know Where to Go

If your kids are getting to the age where they can trick-or-treat without an adult escort, make sure they stick to familiar areas and that you know the route they will be taking. Sharing their location on smartphones is an easy way to keep tabs on their whereabouts.

If you need to make a trip by car, drive slowly, and turn your headlights on early in the evening so that you can see the kids, and the kids can see you.

Home Safety Tips on Halloween

Halloween night can be easy pickings for burglars since they already know that so many families are out and about. Not to mention, they can knock on your door to see if you’re home without drawing suspicion. If your home isn’t passing out candy and welcoming visitors, keep an eye on things while you’re out with your home automation features.

For More Home Security Tips and Solutions, Stick with Boyd & Associates

The safety of all children comes first on Halloween. With some basic precautions, you can help to ensure a safe, fun night out, and with Boyd & Associates, you can rest assured that your home is safe.

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at www.boydsecurity.com. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

Top 10 Home Security Mistakes

/in , , , , /by

Are you making common mistakes that could leave your property or family vulnerable to theft or attack?  Here are our top 10 home security mistakes you simply must avoid:

  1. Leaving Doors and Windows Unlocked

Security mistakes 101, lock the doors to your home! Almost all thieves can enter a home through an unlocked door or window. What is the point of having locks if they aren’t locked? Burglars walk around testing doorbells and door handles all day. 30% of all burglaries occur through an unlocked door or window. Stay in the habit of keeping your doors and windows locked, and you might avoid opportunistic thieves.

  1. Installing Cheap Locks

Cheap locks are just that. Cheap. This is arguably the most important of all security mistakes affecting burglaries every day. Keep in mind when you’re shopping around for security locks that over 33% of home burglaries occur through the front door. Hardware stores have a wide variety of locks at a wide variety of prices, and you should invest in some good quality deadbolt locks and entry doors.

  1. Hiding Your Keys

Easily one of the silliest security mistakes in this day and age is not taking care of where you hide the keys. A burglar knows they are under the mat, in the mailbox, or under that flowerpot, and chances are someone may have been watching you. It’s probably not the wisest idea in this day and age to hide your keys anyway. You should consider installing a keyless entry system that will provide you with top-notch security while still allowing easy access.

  1. Allowing Valuables to Be Visible from Outside

Look through the windows of your home from outside. Can you see your television, computer, or other electronic valuables? If you can, would-be thieves can, and there’s nothing like the sight of some unguarded bounty to tempt burglars. Draw your shades and curtains or move your electronics to an area where they aren’t visible from the street. And when you’ve just unwrapped your new television screen, don’t leave the box outside where someone might see it as an invitation to target your brand new purchase. Flatten the box and dispose of it inside a trash bag for privacy.

  1. Not Arming your Alarm

If you were smart enough to get an alarm system, it won’t do you any good if you don’t arm it. Always activate it when you are going to sleep, on vacation, or out, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. If you do not have a system, consider getting one as soon as possible. According to one study, 1 out of 5 burglars reported cutting phone lines before attempting to burglarize a home. Also, consider getting a wireless setup. It would be the best choice in this scenario.

  1. Ladders in the Yard

Ladders are one of the best tools of the trade. A ladder serves as the red carpet to the second floor of your home. If you happen to have upper levels, make sure you don’t leave any ladders in the yard below, and don’t leave upstairs windows unlocked either. Lock away your ladder in the storage shed or garage.

  1. Posting your Vacation Plans on Social Media

Social media is great for keeping in touch with friends and family, but never advertise when your home will be empty or when you’ll be out of town.

A recent survey found that as many as 75% of convicted burglars used social media to target their victims. Avoid using apps with location-sharing features too. You simply never know who could be watching your social media updates waiting to pounce.

  1. Allowing your Home to Appear Vacant

You don’t want newspapers and mail piling up outside. This is the easiest way for burglars to identify your home as being empty. Try to maintain your home’s “lived-in” look. Pay someone to cut the grass, clean the yard and trim the bushes. Ask your neighbor or someone else to collect and hold your mail while you’re away. Install timers on lights so your home is always “occupied.”

  1. Leaving the Garage Door Open All Day

Unlocked garage doors are easy to access to the rest of the home, and just because it is closed doesn’t mean a burglar won’t just walk right and try it anyway. An open garage door invites entry and access to your property. Always keep garage doors and home garage access doors locked.

  1. Trying to DIY or Self Monitor your Home Security System

There is some peace of mind from at least having a security system. However, without professional alarm monitoring, there’s always the risk you might miss an important notification or not alert authorities in time. Monitored smoke, heat, intrusion, panic, or medical alerts need immediate attention. With a professionally monitored security system, the alarm center can call for help even when you can’t, often within a matter of seconds. This response has proved to save lives and property. Having that responsibility on your shoulders while trying to enjoy a vacation, during an important meeting, or sleeping deeply is an unnecessary burden and potentially costly.

Everybody makes mistakes, it’s normal. But you can learn from other’s mistakes too instead of repeating them. Remember to lock up and follow these easy fundamentals to avoid the most common home security mistakes and enjoy some peace of mind and a safer home.