Are Small Businesses More Likely to be Targeted by Burglars

 

Burglars can attack any business, but there are some that are more at risk than others. Retailers, for instance, tend to be a prime target for robbers because they have items that can be easily traded in for cash. Small businesses can also be frequent targets because they don’t always have the budgets to invest in high-tech security cameras and surveillance equipment.

Let’s take a look at some of the factors that can make your small business more likely to be targeted and what you can do to keep it safe.

What Makes Small Businesses Attractive to Burglars?

There are a handful of things that burglars look for. If your business has the following, it can be at a higher risk for theft or burglary.

• Cash register
• Products that can be turned into cash
• Evening business hours
• Few employees working
• No alarm system
• No surveillance cameras

Some of the most commonly burglarized retail stores include convenience stores, service stations, supermarkets, jewelry stores and liquor stores.

If your business does not fit the above profile, do not assume that it is safe from burglars. Criminals don’t care about who they steal from. Their intent is to get as many products as they can sell, barter or consume. While certain factors can make your business more or less attractive, there is risk to all businesses.

Employee Theft is Also a Concern

Consider that small business owners lose $25,000 to $33,000 every minute to shoplifters, according to the University of Florida National Retail Security Survey. In another survey, it was found that 64 percent of small businesses fall victim to employee theft.

Even more startling is that 95 percent of employees admit stealing from their employer. If you think that your business is exempt from theft and burglary, it’s time to think again. Think smarter, think safer.

Protecting Your Small Business

There are many steps you can take to decrease theft and burglary, but one of the best is by installing security cameras. Business surveillance cameras make all people - employees and burglars - think twice about stealing from you. If they know they can be caught on camera, it’s just not worth it.

Additional steps you can take include:

• Provide good visibility
• Install an up-to-date alarm system
• Put in lots of lighting
• Keep your property in good condition
• Post signs that prevent trespassing

When you think about how much money you can lose from theft and burglary, the cost of surveillance cameras doesn’t seem so bad, does it? To learn more about protecting your small business, contact Texas Security & Surveillance. We look out for our local businesses!

5 Ways Security Cameras Can Make Your Home Safer this Summer

 

If you’ve been considering having a home alarm system installed, now is the best time to do it! It’s summer, which means that the risk for burglary is higher. July and August are the most frequent months for break-ins, probably because people tend to vacation at this time of the year, leaving their homes unattended. It may also be because people leave their doors and windows open more often in the warmer weather.

Let’s explore five ways that home security cameras can keep your property safer this summer.

1. Keep an eye on the kids while you’re at work.

Wouldn’t you love to check in with your kids and make sure they are OK while you’re at work? Whether you’ve hired a babysitter for the summer, or your preteen and teenage kids will be caring for themselves, security cameras offer invaluable peace of mind that the ones you love most are safe. With a security monitoring system, you can do a quick check and ensure that the sitter and the kids are following the rules and are in good hands.

2. Monitor the yard while the kids play.

Another time that you want to keep an extra eye on your kids is when they’re playing outdoors. You may feel more comfortable with a fenced-in backyard, but what about when the kids want to draw with chalk on the driveway or ride their bikes on the sidewalk?

Security cameras allow you to keep an eye on your children while they are outdoors. Even teens who are hanging around your house can use the extra eyes!

3. Secure your pool area.

If you have a swimming pool, a video surveillance system offers multiple benefits. First, it can protect your own children from drowning. Accidental drowning is the number one cause of death in children between the ages of 1-4, according to the CDC. It’s suggested that if you can’t find your child, you should look in the pool first. Second, security cameras can keep unwanted guests out of your pool.

4. Protect your home while you’re on vacation.

Having a home monitoring system lets potential burglars know that your home is protected even when you’re not there. Considering that many home burglaries are carried out by local opportunists, a home alarm system is one of the best ways to protect your home. Burglars watch for residents to go on vacation, and this is when they attempt to carry out their crimes.

5. Get fire alarm monitoring.

During the summer, there are more risks of fire thanks to bonfires, cookouts and college kids coming home and using your oven to cook pizzas and Hot Pockets. Today’s home security systems have built-in features such as carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms. With these advantages, you can feel good about having your home protected from smoke, fire and carbon monoxide.

Get your free quote for a home security system from Texas Security & Surveillance and take the steps to make your home safer this summer!

Why Security Systems are a Good Fit for Rental Properties

If you own a rental property, a home security system is an investment that is worth considering. Not only can it make your property more attractive and help you secure a trustworthy renter, but also it can protect your property from theft, vandalism or burglary. If you do choose to install a security system, it’s important to be clear and upfront about what it means for your renters.

What are the Benefits?

First, let’s discuss the benefits to having home security system monitoring on your rental property.

• Prospective tenants are more likely to think highly of your property.

• You may be able to secure more reliable tenants who will care for your home.

• Possible tenants will feel safer, which can be helpful if your property is located in an iffy neighborhood.

• If there are any issues on the property - a fire, a break-in - first responders will be on the scene in a matter of minutes. This provides invaluable peace of mind that your property will receive immediate attention rather than counting on the tenants to make the first call.

• Most security providers include stickers or decals with their service that you can place on your property. This way, if your home has a month or two where it’s vacant, you can deter criminals.

• You may be able to charge more for rent because of the built-in features of a security system.

• Talk to your insurance provider, as you may be eligible for discounts by installing a home security system on your rental property.

Installation Tips

Do your homework and make sure that you select a reliable home security company. A trustworthy provider should have licensed installers, positive reviews, honest pricing, modern equipment and 24-hour monitoring.

It’s best that you are there for the installation so you can make sure that everything goes smoothly. Most of the time, you can choose the area where you want the security panel to be installed.

It’s also important that you have clearly defined instructions between you and the tenant for use of the system. Your tenants deserve to have peace and privacy, but it’s also acceptable to have the security code so that you can access the property without setting off the alarm.

Some tenants will be okay with this, and some will not. You can find more information about this topic at RentPrep.com. Also check with the laws in your state.  

Contact Texas Security & Surveillance, an Austin alarm company to learn more security systems and monitoring for your rental property.

Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Home Safety Plan

Now that spring is in full swing, it’s time to catch up on your home. You may have cleaned out your cabinets, organized your closets and scrubbed your floors. But what you may not have done is updated some of the safety features in your home.

Home safety and home automation deserves a category of its own. It’s highly important, but unfortunately, it’s often overlooked.

People tend to tackle many of the cleaning projects in the springtime, especially since it becomes obvious when the dust builds up on the blinds or the grout changes color. Yet just because home safety features aren’t staring you in the face doesn’t mean they’re not important.

Below are spring cleaning tips for your home safety plan that you should address before the summer starts.

Let’s begin!

Replace Your Filters

Did you know that indoor air can be five times more polluted than outdoor air? This is especially true in the winter and early spring when the windows and doors are closed and there isn’t any fresh air to circulate through the home.

To improve the air quality in your home, replace the air filters in your HVAC system. Also replace filters that are in your home appliances, such as the range hood, refrigerator, vacuum cleaner and dryer.

Choose Green Cleaning Products

Another way to improve the indoor air quality in your home is to use green cleaners. However, do be aware that “natural” does not mean “nontoxic.” Many cleaners, including natural ones, use chemicals that can be toxic, especially for children, pets and seniors.

If you don’t trust what’s on the shelves, find a recipe online and make your own cleaner. A few basic ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, castile soap and baking soda can give you cleaning products for every purpose while also saving you money. Check out some great recipes here.

Test the Batteries in Your Smoke Alarm

To ensure that your smoke alarm is in good working condition, check the batteries even in a hard-wired alarm. Each alarm should be tested individually. You’re looking for a couple things when you test the batteries. First, the smoke detectors should be working and responsive. Second, the alarm should be loud enough for you to hear. If it’s not, replace the batteries and retest. If it’s still not very loud, you may need to replace the fire alarm.

Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Many smoke alarms these days also have a carbon monoxide detector built in. If not, you should have separate carbon monoxide detectors on each level of the home. Test the batteries on a regular basis. The test button only accounts for the battery, however, and not the actual sensors. If your carbon monoxide detectors are 5 or more years old, you should have them replaced or recalibrated.

Secure Your Home

With summer approaching, homes are more at risk for burglaries. You will be leaving your doors and windows open more often, and you may be going on vacation.

If you already have a home security system but haven’t been using it to its full advantage, now is the time to get everyone in the home on board. Create a family safety plan that includes when the alarm should be set, what the access code is, whether or not you want security cameras, etc.

Now is the time to think about securing your home. Find a reliable Austin alarm company that will provide you with the peace of mind you deserve. Call Texas Security and Surveillance and let us check out your existing system and make sure that everything is in excellent working condition.

How to Protect Your Business from a Fire

Protecting your business from a fire takes careful planning. But, you aren’t just counting on yourself to keep your business safe. You’re also counting on others. Whether it’s your customers, employees or other businesses in the building, the risk of fire can come from a number of sources.

Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your investment and reduce the risk of a devastating fire. Let’s take a look.

Start With the Four Walls of Your Business

Clutter makes a potential fire even more difficult to put out. Go through old papers and files and discard what you can. If you have a lot of sensitive documents, hire a paper shredding company.

Now is also a good time to have an electrical inspection done. Make sure your building is up to code, and if it’s not, fix the issues immediately.

Install Reliable Smoke Detectors  

Your business should have the best fire protection possible, which in this case is a hard-wired fire detection system that is monitored by a business security company. This way, if there was ever a fire, emergency crews would be notified immediately.

Aside from having reliable smoke detectors, also check for how loud the alarm is. The alarm needs to be loud enough that it would alert customers and employees to evacuate the building.

Have Fire Suppression Methods Available

Add fire extinguishers to the appropriate places in your business, such as on the walls or in hiding spots. Your staff should be trained on how to use the equipment. Many businesses have fire extinguishers, but they are useless if their employees don’t know where they are or how to operate them.

Keep Sensitive Documents in Safe Places

Fires can happen to any business, which is why it’s important to safeguard important documents. Keep hard copy documents in fire-safe cabinets. Backup computer files regularly and store the files in a fire-safe cabinet or off site.

Educate Your Staff

We discussed the importance of training your staff to know how to use fire extinguishers. Staff should also be trained on how to turn on the business monitoring system each night before they leave. If anything were to go wrong overnight, the alarm will notify the right people.

It can also be beneficial to have your staff participate in fire safety seminars. Some of the things discussed in these seminars include how to use fire extinguishers, the safest exit routes and ways to reduce fire hazards at the workplace.

Fires can come out of nowhere. It doesn’t take much to safeguard your business and reduce the threat of fire. For maximum protection, install a fire alarm that is hard wired into your business security system.

Texas Security and Surveillance offers security solutions for all types of businesses. Call us today to learn about the different business alarm system packages we have available and how we keep our customers in good hands.

Going Out of Town? Protect Your Home in 3 Steps

Whether it’s a delayed spring break or an upcoming summer vacation, chances are that you will be going out of town in the next couple of months.

Traveling is fun, and it’s meant to give you a break from a monotonous routine. But what happens when you return home from your vacation and realize that your home has been broken into? Or what will you do if you get a call from a neighbor saying that your alarms are going off?

Fortunately, there are smart ways that you can protect your home before you head out of town. This way, you can enjoy your travels and come back to a safe, secure home.

1. Arm your home security system and notify your monitoring center.

Before you walk out the door, arm your home security system. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people forget to do this!

Many families feel rushed as they’re packing up the car or lugging suitcases into a taxi, and they rush out without ever setting the system. If you have a checklist of things to do, be sure to add that on there.

Also notify your monitoring center that you will be leaving the home. This is extremely important because if the center gets a signal that something is going on, they know that it’s not a false alarm.

2. Automate your lighting.

One of the best ways to show activity in your home is by turning on and off the lights. Thanks to home automation, no one has to go through extreme lengths to do this like they did in Home Alone.

Using your home security system, you can make your home look lived in without actually being there. Turn on/off the lights and open/close the curtains with home automation.

Aside from the safety features that home automation provides, you can also lower your energy consumption and keep your home comfortable while you’re away.

3. Don’t advertise that you’re going to be out of town.

Hold the mail, or have a trusted neighbor collect it for you. Give your yard a good cleaning before you leave so that the grass doesn’t grow much and give your absence away.

Also be mindful of what you post on social media. Sure it can feel great to share pictures of how much fun you’re having, but it also means that everyone knows that you’re not home. Consider sharing this information with close friends and family only and/or making your posts private. Or, simply wait to post the pictures until you are home.

You deserve to come home to a safe and secure property. But, you play a role in keeping your property protected. By following the three tips above, you significantly lower the chances of break-ins, burglaries or vandalism. Be smart about who you share information with, and keep your monitoring service aware of when you’ll be leaving.

If you don’t have an Austin alarm company watching out for your home, call Texas Security and Surveillance today. We have affordable, reliable home security systems that will keep your property safe no matter where you are.

Would You Know How to Handle a Break In?

Often times when we think about our homes being burglarized, we picture a situation where we’re not in the home. While burglars do prefer homes that are empty, crimes still occur with the homeowners inside.

Would you know what to do if your home was broken into in the middle of the night? It’s a terrifying situation that happens to thousands of people each year.

Here are some things to think about that will help protect you and your family in the event of a break in.

Avoid Confrontation

One of the best things you can do today is make a plan. Each home is unique, so take the time to identify which exit routes you and your family would take and how you would call for help.

Once an intruder is in your home, it’s best to stay away from them. You don’t know who you’re dealing with, so avoid confrontation at all costs. Either hide or escape, depending on what’s best for your home and the circumstances at large.

Assign a Code Word

If you don’t live alone, this means you have other people in your household who will need to be warned of an intruder.

It’s best to come up with a code word that you agree on in advance. This way, when you yell out the word, everyone knows what issue you’re dealing with. You should also have an escape route or safe room planned in advance.

Designate a Safe Room

Getting out of the home is usually ideal. You can then run to a trusted neighbor’s home or another place of safety. If you can’t get out of the home, a safe room or closet is the next safest option.

The door on your safe room should be thick and able to lock from the inside. It should also be easy to barricade. Consider installing a deadbolt on your bedroom door as well as the safe room door.

Finally, your safety room should be stocked with the essentials, including a phone charger and things you can use as weapons.

Call for Help

Obviously, alerting the police is one of the first things you should do. Let them know where you live, where you are hiding and how many intruders you think there are. Let them listen in on the phone call. Turn off all lights and keep quiet while hiding. Wait there until help arrives.

Conclusion

Talking about a potential break in isn’t the most fun conversation to have as a family, but it’s important to know how you would handle an intruder. Of course, the best way to protect your home is by installing a home security system.

Not only does a security system deter burglars but it also alerts local authorities immediately so that you can focus on getting to a safe place. To learn more about having a home security system installed, call Texas Security & Surveillance today!