Top Tips for Safe Moves

Depending on your point of view, moving can be either quite exciting or quite a hassle. To the burglar, however, your move is an opportunity. Burglars are opportunists and predators. And what do predators do? They look for the weakest links and pounce on it. During a move, you are busy, distracted, and probably a lot more relaxed in your approach to security.

On average, burglars take between 6 to 10 minutes to net $2,000 worth of your belongings. And that is on a normal day. When you factor in the common mistakes people make while moving, such as leaving boxes outside between trips or leaving the home wide open, the job can be a lot quicker and much more lucrative for the burglar.

Keeping your property safe needs to be at the forefront of your mind, even during a move. It is far better to be proactive and safe with simple steps than to neglect them and leave room for the potential for crime. These simple steps can help keep your belongings safe while you move.

Keep Your Security System

Keep your security system and security practices in place even as you move. A move draws a lot of attention and some of that attention could be from a potential burglar who is hanging around and evaluating the opportunity. Use your security cameras to keep an eye on the home and let others know you’ve got a steady eye on the situation.

Never Leave Your Belongings Out and Unattended

Even if it is a 15-minute trip, never leave the property until all of your belongings are either inside locked up or secure on a moving truck. It may seem like you are saving yourself a bit of time by moving the next load outside and close to transportation but you are actually making it a lot easier for a burglar to breeze by and grab your stuff.

Use Alternate Methods of Marking Boxes

Of course, it is important to know what is packed in each of the boxes, but if you list the items or label them you are also publicizing it to any potential criminal, making it easy to know which boxes to take. Even once you are at the new location, throwing away boxes with lists tells the burglar exactly what is in the house and where to look. Instead, try color coding or some other method of labeling.

Install Home a Home Security System in the New Home Before You Move In

Before you move into your new home, have a new security system in place. Include features such as home security cameras, smart locks, a video doorbell, and motion sensors to deter any criminal thinking a new resident is an easy target. Having security cameras in place is also an advantage if you are making multiple trips to move your household belongings because you can check in on the home between trips.

Founded in 2001, Brinton Security Services is dedicated to providing residential and commercial security and serving clients in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

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How Home Security Can Help With Dementia Care

Assuring the safety of someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia is one of the most critical concerns for caregivers. As the condition progresses, individuals with dementia experience diminished abilities that causes memory loss, dulled or changed senses, poor judgment, and a loss of the senses of time and place. The symptoms are frustrating and disheartening to the sufferer, who has no control of the condition. Unfortunately, they can also cause the individual to put themselves in danger as they attempt to accomplish tasks they were once able to do with ease.

As the individual’s needs change, the environment must also change in order to provide optimum safety and comfort. This can be especially challenging for caregivers who want their loved ones to be happy, safe and comfortable, yet do not want the environment to feel restrictive. Here are some valuable tips for providing safety without sacrificing the warmth of home.

Secure the Home with Door and Window Alarms

Door and window alarms can help secure your home and alert you if your loved one attempts to leave. Wandering is common among those with dementia, especially at night. Dementia often affects a person’s sense of time causing them to be awake at odd hours. Many instances of wandering happen while the other members of the household are sound asleep.

Do Not Use Latches

Never use latches on the outside of doors to prevent wandering. This can prevent individuals from getting out in an emergency.

Install Keypad Locks

Dementia can cause a person to forget familiar faces, even that of their closest family. This can lead them to lock family out of the house while they get mail or perform outdoor chores. Since hiding a key outside the home increases the risk of burglary, a keypad entry is a perfect home security solution.

Remove Bathroom Door Locks

Bathrooms can pose a huge risk for those suffering from the symptoms of dementia. In addition to locking themselves in either accidentally or purposefully, additional risks include accidental overdose, poisoning, or drowning. Remove the lock so you have access in an emergency.

Use Alarms to Secure Dangerous Items

Keep items such as medications, alcohol, and firearms in a locking cabinet and secured by cabinet alarms.

Install a Security System with CCTV

In the beginning stages of dementia, individuals may be able to stay home alone for short periods of time, but would benefit from a bit of supervision. Using security camera systems, or CCTV, can help you view what is going on remotely, enabling you to spot and prevent danger.

Living with Alzheimer’s means adapting to many changes. Home security products can help manage many of the challenging aspects of living with or caring for someone with forms of dementia, without making the home feel restrictive. If you have any questions about how to make your home safer for the ones you love, call Brinton Security today.

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6 Reasons DIY Home Security Systems Just Don’t Measure Up

In many cases, DIY is a great, affordable option. It is easy to see why it is an attractive consideration even in home security. But do DIY home security systems measure up to consumer expectations? In most cases, the answer is a resounding, no. In home security, the stakes are high and the system’s capability and functionality matter. While many tout the ease of installation in DYI systems, most consumers do not realize these systems lack the very features that make home security alarm systems desirable.

Here are some important ways DIY products do not measure up:

1. Installation is not as Easy as You Think

The installation of DIY systems may seem simple, and that fact alone may be a red flag. High-quality home security systems have many components that need expert placement. A system that is too simple may not provide the type of security coverage necessary to protect your family. A complex system requires expert installation of the components is crucial so that you do not leave gaps in your security. Improper installation can lead to a system failure which can place your family or property at risk.

2. Proper Placement

Setting up a DIY security system might seem like a slam dunk, but underestimating the importance of expert placement is a disservice to your security. Home security systems are highly technical systems that require professional knowledge to gain the most advantage from them. Not only can improper placement make components less effective, it can make the system nearly useless!

3. DIY Systems Cost More Than You Expect

Contrary to popular belief, DIY home systems are not the most economical choice in home security. Most DIY home security systems come with a few components, such as window sensors, with the expectation you WILL need more. Those expensive components add up quickly.

4. Incompatibility Issues

The technologies used to support home security systems are constantly changing and needing product support. With professional systems, these updates are never a problem to the end user, the consumer. With DIY systems, a simple computer system upgrade can make the entire system incompatible. Further, should technology advances make the system outmoded, the manufacturer of the DYI system may no longer provide any updates or support if they ever provided these at all.

5. No Connection to Police

Your home alarm system is your lifeline. At least that is what most people intend and expect. One of the most important components of any home security system is the connection to emergency services such as fire or police, something DIY systems do not offer.

6. A DYI System is not the Same as Professional Systems

While a DIY security system can provide some of the same features of a professional system, it is important to realize that it is not a comparable substitute. DIY systems meet a few needs specific to the widest number of people possible. A professional system is designed to meet the very specific needs of your family and the home structure. The technologies used are often different and the capabilities of the systems vary dramatically.

About Brinton Security

Our company is proud to offer affordable home security options and a dynamic pricing model, so you can customize your security investment to fit your budget. We are here to answer your questions with unparalleled 24/7 customer support. Call Brinton Security today for a more secure tomorrow.

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How to Foil The 6 Second Garage Break In

With over a million views on Youtube, videos on the 6-second garage door break-in cause more than a little concern. The videos show how thieves can break in through a commonly used automatic garage door in 6 short seconds, using nothing more than a wire hanger.

Garage entrance is not just common; it is one of the criminal’s favorite ways to gain entrance into a home. Why? Someone entering a garage does not throw up the same red flags as someone breaking glass or climbing through a window. Not only do most people overlook a stranger near a garage, once the door is open, the thief quickly slips in, closes the door, and breaks into the home (or prepares to steal from the garage itself) while under complete cover.

Here are some important ways you can secure your garage:

  • Replace your garage opening system to a modern “rolling code system” that hinders duplication.
  • Keep the garage doors in good repair.
  • Use a plastic zip tie to secure the emergency latch and prevent hanger entry.
  • Cover windows so thieves cannot see garage contents or if you have an entry to the inside of the home.
  • Make sure windows have locks.
  • Reinforce side door locks with metal reinforcements.
  • Install motion detection lighting.
  • Install an alarm or video surveillance system.
  • Do not leave automatic door openers in your car.
  • Keep the door from the garage into the house locked.

Thieves count on residents neglecting to secure the garage door. Take time today to learn more about home security systems and how to prevent break-ins by calling Brinton Security today.

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6 Ways to Use Home Camera Systems to Monitor Your Kids

There is an old saying that moms have eyes on the back of their heads, suggesting they see just about everything that goes on. The truth is that moms really do wish they had extra eyes so they never missed any potential danger. Keeping children safe is a parent’s number one priority. It is a difficult job and every parent feels the weight of it. The good news is that today’s parents have an added advantage in high-tech home security tools to help them keep the kids safe and out of harm’s way.
Home surveillance cameras do more than deter crime, they act as an extra set of eyes that keep parents fully informed. Here are some practical ways to use your system to help monitor your children.

Seeing Them Home from School

Providing age appropriate freedom means that the kids may get home before you do and let themselves into the home. As much as you know they are capable, you also know that there are real dangers in the world for which there is no way to prepare. When you have home security, you can get an alert and see that your kids made it home safely.

Checking in on them When They Are Home Alone

Kids need to exercise a bit of independence and stay home alone sometimes. While they are learning to maneuver the world, you can always stay close at hand by viewing the live video feed from your smartphone or tablet.

Make Sure Chores are Done

When your teen calls you at work and asks if they can go to a friend’s house to hang out, your one request is that the chores are done first. Instead of waiting to come home to find them not done, you can check first via live video feed.

Solving Whodunit

Whenever there is a problem or dispute it is difficult to know what actually happened. By checking the recorded video, you can definitively solve the mystery and settle the arguments.

Monitoring Backyard Play

The kids are playing nicely outside but you know that it does not take much for cooperative activity to take a nasty turn and turn into the war to end all wars. By tapping in to live feed on your security cameras, you can monitor the progression of play and intervene before things get off track.

Middle of the Night Tech Busts

Your kids are having a difficult time getting up in the morning and spend the whole day dragging. They seem to go to bed at a decent hour, but are they actually sleeping? With a little video surveillance sleuthing you find that they have their phones out and are spending almost all night on social media. Problem solved.

Founded in 2001, Brinton Security Services has been dedicated to providing protection for both residential can commercial settings throughout Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

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