Light Switch Security and What is It?

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Seidman

wemo light switch cnvenienceThere are so many different components that you can look at for making your home a much safer and more convenient place to live. There is no doubt with the technology that is now available in the security industry many positive steps can be taken to secure a home and make it a safer environment. It even comes down to light switches being able to help with this.

Of course everyone is familiar with the standard light switches and with their purpose being to control the lighting in our homes. Many even know that they can put their lights on timers which is convenient, but now it can go beyond this.

These new and innovative light switches are produced by WEMO and are now available through Pre-Lock. All it means is having these installed where you will make the most use of them. You can either have your local electrician do this for you, or the Pre-lock Security experts will be happy to do this for you and even configure these switches for your most convenience.

Once installed all you need is your regular Wi-Fi hook up and you can now control the switches no matter where you are from your devices such as your iPhone, tablet or Android smartphone. It’s all done through a free app that you can easily download via the Apple App outlet or Google Play.

What Makes the WEMO light switches so Important?

They are just one more affordable and easy way to step up your security. If you want to turn the lights on before you or a family member arrives home, no problem you can do this no matter where you are at. There is no longer any worries about the kids having to come into a dark house, or yourself for that matter. This brings great comfort to those who live alone, or seniors who go out and forget to leave a light on when they are coming home in the dark.

It is true that you can do the same thing with timers, but these don’t give you the flexibility that turning on a light when you choose does. Besides, if an unscrupulous person is watching your house it’s not difficult for them to discern that the lights are on timers, because they come on at the same time every day.

Also, with the WEMO it can be configured to send you text messages whenever a light is turned on. This way you know immediately if any activity is taking place in the home as soon as anyone activates the WEMO light switch.

It is the little steps like this with affordable innovative products that can really take your security to the next level.

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Different Types of Alarm Services for Your Home

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Seidman

alarms for home securityWhen you think of what protection you need for your home the first thought that probably comes to mind is a security system. From here it means having a basic understanding of what is available to you by way of home security which means learning a little about the types of alarm services that can come with your security system

Hard Wired Alarms

Many feel that a hard wired alarm system is more reliable compared to wireless. Often people opt for wireless because it is a lost easier to have installed. Either way, you have a choice. If you are having a new home built or doing some major renovations then you will probably want to go with the wired installation.

Wireless Alarm Systems

These are considered to be the most convenient and cost effective based on its installation needs. The reason that they may be considered to be less reliable than the wired systems is because of interference in the signals.

Hybrid Alarms

There are different types of Hybrid alarms. Some of which you can install yourself and others that are used in a home security package like the one that Pre-lock security offers that is custom planned for your specific needs.

Email Alarm Alerts

With today’s modern technology it really can be used to step up the security of your home and really boosts convenience. This is what email alarm alerts are all about. You can receive an email concerning what it taking place at your home, like when the kids arrive home or somebody is delivering a package.

Home Invasion Alarms

There are many different types of security packages. You can get a home invasion security alarm system that will send signals to a monitoring center that will alert you if the alarm has been triggered and will take appropriate action if necessary.

Life Safety Alarms

Getting out of your home in a quick and safe manner when a fire breaks out is critically important and your life safety alarms is the best resource there is for alerting you in times like this.

Medic Alert Alarms

For the elderly or those with medical problems medic alert alarms can become their best friend. If they fall or become ill with a push of a button they can alert a monitoring center to send help.

There are several different types of security alarms mentioned here and it can be a little overwhelming to know what you need to choose. This is one of the big problems that do it yourself enthusiasts run into when setting up their own alarm system. You don’t have to become an expert in security to protect yourself. All you need to do is rely on the experts here at Pre-lock and they are going to help you determine exactly what you do need for the safety and security of your family on all levels. Pre-lock security reps are not into trying to sell you something you don’t need. At the same time they are not going to be remiss in their responsibilities by not making you aware of what is available to help scale up your protection.

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Using Common Sense Security for Home Safety

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Seidman

home safety common senseWith today’s modern technology there is little doubt that there is a lot of security equipment and services to keep your home, family and business safe. None of this replaces common sense and constantly being alert as to what is going on in the vicinity of your home and business to ensure your home safety is at a level where it should be.

When you live in what you consider to be a safe neighborhood it is easy for the entire family to let their guard down. During the day you may not even be bothering to lock your front door.

As we are breaking into spring we are beginning to get the odd day where we are leaving the main door open and just using the screen door for security. Or, you may have opened the windows to get that first breath of fresh air and although you remember to close them you have not locked them.

When a knock comes to the door especially when the home family is home its not usual to just answer it without checking to see who is them. The assumption maybe that its just one of the kid’s friends. This is a bad habit to get into and one that can lead to some serious consequences. A good example of this is what took place in Vaughan township recently.

Hopefully you have a quality alarm system that has been installed like those that Pre-Lock Security offers. If so then you have made a great choice in your security measures. This still means that you must use all of its features like.

Don’t worry about being classified as a “nosy neighbour”, just because you are one that keeps track of what is going on in your neighborhood. This type of practices puts you in a position of being able to quickly identify when something is out of the norm for your area. For example, someone hanging around the street that is unfamiliar to you, or a car or van that is parked on the street for any period of time that is not normally seen in this vicinity.

There are a lot of great security experts in the Toronto and GTA region but few with the skills and experience that Toronto Locksmith and Security Expert, Paul Seidman possesses. Here are some tips that Paul feels are important for enhancing the safety of your family and home.

  • Do not open your door to anyone not known to the family, avoid having children answer the door without an adult present. Do not confront possible suspects; call the Police.

 

  • Keep all doors and windows locked  and install a peep hole on your front door so you can be 100% who is at the door.

 

  • Always Keep your Pre-lock security system armed at all times by arming it in the “Stay” or “Away” mode.

 

  • Record the license numbers and descriptions of any suspicious vehicles as well as a description of the occupants in the vehicle if possible.

 

If you would like to test or review your security system, camera system, talk about adding better locks and bars please call me at 416 773-5625.

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Pet Home Security Tips for Keeping Your Pets Safe

Posted on March 4, 2017 by Seidman

security for petsThere is no doubt that you consider your pets to be part of your family. It doesn’t matter whether it is a dog, cat or even a reptile. If you have decided to become responsible for them then you have the task of looking after their security.

Many of the security measures that you have put in place for your family will also be applicable to your pets. One of the concerns that can come with pet security is to avoid having them stolen. Fortunately, for your pets (but not for you) break in thieves are after the most valuable items in your home. That doesn’t mean that they won’t consider your dog  to be of some value especially if it is a pure breed. By making sure that you have a good security system installed and properly activated you are cutting down the risk of your pet being stolen from the inside of your home.

A great risk of your dog or cat being stolen is when they are allowed to roam the backyard. A safety feature here of course is to have the yard fenced in. Dogs do want to go out at night so the protective measure here is to make sure that you have good lighting installed that lights up the entire yard. Also, make sure that you have a good lock on the gates that allow access to the yard area.

For extra protection not only for your pets, but the exterior of your home is to install cameras. These can act as a great deterrent.

You may also want to consider having a security chip placed internally in your dog or cat which your veterinarian can easily do with no discomfort to your pet and it is reasonably priced.

Another great resource that you can really rely on is Smart Home Monitoring. This will allow you the option of having live video installed so you can see what is taking place in your home environment at any given time. You can easily check up on what your pet is up to whenever you choose.

While many people like to have a dog as it is considered as security in itself, it is not something that everyone wants to do or can do. In this case, there are some great alternatives like Rex the electronic dog. Rex can emit a bark that anyone would be hard pressed to determine that this is not a real dog. It is a great resource for seniors who don’t want to have all the responsibilities that come with owning a pet.

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Why Fire Escape Planning is So Important

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Seidman

child safety and fire escape planningIn wake of the recent study that has shown that most children will not wake up when the smoke detector goes off the need for a solid fire escape plan is more necessary than ever before.

The study took a selection of children of various ages, both girls and boys and set off the smoke detectors at full blast in a situation that emulated the way a house would be set up with smoke detectors in most situations.

The study showed that the children almost entirely slept through the blasting alarm and barely moved. There were a few children, almost exclusively girls, who did wake up but the number was very disconcerting indeed.

While those studies have shown us that we need to improve in the way we alert people to an event that potentially has the ability to harm us and our families the fact still remains that we need to have a serious fire safety plan in effect no matter where we are.

Even when on the road, whether on vacation with our families or traveling for business we should always be aware of exactly where the exits are located and what the protocols are for an event like a fire or mass evacuation when staying in a hotel or other accommodations.

Knowing where you are going to go and even practicing that eventuality with those who are with you can mean the difference between getting out safely or being a part of the mass panic that those situations can sometimes bring on.

As far as your own house or dwelling you absolutely need to come up with a solid fire escape plan and communicate that to your family in as much detail as required.

Your children and other family members need to know exactly where they will go and what they will do if the unexpected should happen and you need to commit to practicing this at regular intervals.

It is not enough to say “you need to do A..B..C..” it needs to be practiced and then practiced some more so that it is fully imprinted on the brain and can be done in both the dark and in the light.

Anything you can do to make the practice more realistic is recommended.

The biggest thing to remember is that in a fire there is very little time to act and not having a standard fire plan that is well thought out and communicated extensively to everyone in the family can mean the difference between life and death.

Talk to the experts and get the help you need to develop a solid plan of action and then practice, practice, practice. Hoping that an event never occurs is NOT the same as planning for its possibility.

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Thinking About Your Security When Moving

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Seidman

moving securityYou always want to make sure that you and your family are safe at all times, and the same can be said about your home and all of your precious personal belongings.Security when moving is something you may have to think about.

Having a security alarm is not only a good choice, depending on where you live, it is almost a necessity. You may have lived in your home for 20 years or more and watched the surrounding neighborhood go down the drain, but you love your home and don’t want to move under any conditions.

Having an alarm system, especially one that is hooked up to the security company so it is monitored at all times, ensuring your safety, is something that will give you great peace of mind. Alarm systems range in price, but you will find that they are extremely affordable, and even the lower priced units work great and still allow you to be monitored at all times.

If, on the other hand, you have decided that moving on to a new home is something you really want to do, there are some precautions you should make, both at your old home, and your new dwellings. Of course what is needed is based on where you are moving to, for example, if you currently live in a house but you have decided to move to an apartment, then the security measures would be somewhat different. Also, depending on what type of apartment you have chosen to move to makes a difference in regards to your security.

If the building has their own security guards, and there are cameras all around the building, this will add to your safety big time. Even with that being said, having your own system is always a wise idea under any conditions. Units today not only protect you against would be thieves, they also can detect carbon monoxide poison, fire, as well as other threats and warn you before it is too late for you to react.

When you are moving in, try not to expose expensive items to anyone that might see you moving your stuff in.Also, make sure that there are no high-ticket items visible from any windows. This is especially true if you are not living in the place yet, but just moving your items in bit by bit. Make sure that you install a security alarm system even before you move in, and make sure that there are sensors on all of the windows, as often this is a way for thieves to get entry.

If your new home is in a new development, you really need to protect all you own, and an alarm is truly advantages. Especially if no one lives beside you yet, there is no one to hear someone break in, so an alarm hooked up to a security company that can call the police right away if needed is your only protection.

Having a good size dog stay in the new home over night when you are not there is also a great deterrent for many would be burglars  as well. As long as they are not left alone for a long period of time and they are somewhat obedient, then leaving them to guard the home is a great idea.

Depending on the breed they don’t even have to be trained as a guard dog, but instead just the sight of them will turn many burglars away immediately. Use deadbolts on your doors compared to spring locks, and for any locks that were installed by the builder, it is wise to always change them, even if it is only the locking mechanism itself, so that you ensure you have the only keys.

If you do sign on with a security company they will be able to better advise you as to what else is needed for your optimal security and safety through your moving experience. Be sure to check out what Pre-Lock has to offer for all of your security needs.

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Getting Your House Security Ready for the Away from Home March Break

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Seidman

Making ends meet nowadays is extremely difficult, especially if you have, or want to have, a family and kids someday. Most times, in order to raise a family with children, you will find it takes both parents working full time in order to just get by. It can be extremely stressful and even frustrating when you work so hard and yet never seem to get ahead.

One big problem in this scenario is that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, as the old adage would say. Your name may not be Jack, but if you and your significant other don’t try and take some time for yourselves, it is not only depressing, it can make for a miserable life. Putting away a few bucks here and there might not seem so easy, but it will pay out in the long run if you can finally get away on a vacation. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, or even expensive, just getting away from the same routine will help you more than you know.

So now you have the money to go and do something, and choosing where to go, when to go and what to do is the next step. Christmas is always a good time for a holiday away, but you are somewhat restricted as to what you can do outdoors because of the cold weather. Summer is good as well, but then depending on where you go, the heat can be unbearable.

The other best time is the March Break, as your kids are off from school, the weather is usually very comfortable, allowing you lots of other things you can do outdoors while you are gone. Okay, so all your plans are made, bags are packed, and all that remains is for you to make sure your house is locked tight and secure before you take off for a week or so. Making this effort will pay off big time when it comes to you worrying about your home and personal belongings.

First and foremost, and very important, even after you have locked everything up tight, always do a final double check before you actually walk out the door. It’s easy for someone in the family to use a door and then forget, leaving it vulnerable. If you have slidings doors anywhere in the home, make sure you put a metal bar on the tracks to make it harder for intruders to pry open the doors.

If you know your neighbors well enough to ask them to keep an eye on your place, this is always wise to do. See if they wouldn’t mind picking up any mail or newspapers from your door, as this is a big way would-be thieves have an idea when people are gone away. If you have any spares keys left around the home, make sure you retrieve them all, and perhaps give one to your neighbor, if needed. If you have a garage door, make sure you disable it prior to leaving, this can be done by unplugging it.

The best way to have the most peace of mind while you are gone is by investing in a house alarm that is operated by a reputable security company that can monitor your home while you are away, if you so choose. Nowadays these alarm systems are extremely affordable, and monitoring is also very reasonable as well. Look online and find the closest security company near you, and make sure you check their references before you hire them to take of your home and your precious belongings. Your holiday will be far more enjoyable and far more relaxing knowing that everything is safe and secure.

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Do We Need to Consider Children Security Devices?

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Seidman

Security for childrenIt isn’t easy being a parent nowadays, and even if you try and keep your children, especially the younger ones, safe and within your sight whenever possible, it isn’t always easy to do so. Kids have a mind  of their own, and even the best behaved sometimes decide to take a stroll once in awhile, You always want to be prepared for this type of situation, and truly the best way to do this is by looking at what could happen and plan for that emergency, if God forbid, it actually happens. Have a plan already put together on how you need to react and what is the best way to get your kid back safely.

As your kids get older you will have to adjust to their changing lifestyles, as well as your own, and when they especially start school you will have to allow them to spread their wings a bit, and this means giving them more freedom. As they progress in school there might be outings and school trips that will allow them to experience life and learn different things that will help to mold them as they get older.

Home security has come a long long way in a short period of time. If you are like many families where both parents are required to work full time in order to just get by, it can be very stressful when it comes to worrying about kids, especially when they start school. When they are younger you can hire a babysitter that you have chosen, who you believe is capable and trustworthy enough to take care of your kids, or perhaps enroll them in a close by reputable daycare. This should help to ease some of the worry.

It’s when they start school that the real worrying starts. Nowadays you can find out exactly when they get home, and even talk to them through video chat. You yourself, no matter where you are, can then lock the doors in case your kids forget. So that fine when they are home, but what about when they are out of the home?

Fortunately, with recent technological advances, it is getting easier to keep track of your child, no matter where they go. One such advance include wearable GPS units that your child can wear that will allow you to know where they are at all times. There are many different types of units available that are available, from the basic right up to the state of the art units, that go far beyond what people would have thought might be possible, even in the near future. There is a large variety of these devices to pick from, with a number of different features. They don’t have to be large and cumbersome to be effective, as they are small and fashionable, and depending on the unit, some even work like a cell phone, allowing you to get ahold of your kid and talk to them at any time, day or night.

These devices are affordable and are just one example of new innovative products that are designed to help parents keep track of their children, of any age, any time, and if you are a parent you know there is no price tag on your children’s safety.

These are just one example of some of the security measures that parents are taking with their children. However, safety begins at home and knowing that you have the property security measures installed here have to be the priority. For all your home security needs you can count on the experts at Pre-Lock.

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Security Solutions for Small Businesses

Posted on February 18, 2017 by Seidman

small business securityRegardless of the size of your business you want and expect to have options that will secure your business from all manner of security risks whether that is from theft from outsiders, from employees and most importantly the physical security of the location itself.

Just because your business is not as large as some of the massive corporations in the country does not mean that you should have to settle for anything less than those companies enjoy with regards to security. There are security solutions for small businesses that are affordable and work well.

There are many ways that you can ensure that the security of your small business is addressed properly and just as importantly efficiently and with an eye on cost effectiveness.

A very big priority in today’s highly technical age is cyber security and threats that come from outside via the modern ways that we both communicate and do financial transactions which is mainly through our phones and other smart devices.

No matter the size of your company, the infrastructure that you set up and employ for your security must include ways to make those areas both safer and more secure.

One of the areas that experts consider of paramount importance when trying to secure your small or medium sized business from cyber-attacks is the use of the computer systems in your place of business for personal use during office hours or even after hours.

Regardless of when the employees are using the system if they are connecting to sites that may have the potential of importing threats into your closed system then you are opening yourself and at times your customers to attacks from cyber criminals just by virtue of the fact that you are giving them the entry that they need to do massive harm to your technology infrastructure and possible gain access to not only your companies private information but also that of your customers.

The easiest way to combat this potential threat is to enact a policy companywide that limits or eliminates the use of the companies systems for any private web browsing. While this may seem easier said than done there are actually programs that you can purchase and employ that will allow you to do this quite easily.

Ensuring that you always employ the proper connections, connections that are secure and password protected.

Passwords are another huge source of potential problems not just for businesses but also for the private individual. Making sure that all employees follow a certain protocol when choosing passwords that makes them as secure as possible is paramount to the security of your networks and the information contained therein.

The bottom line is that you need to make sure that all of your security issues whether cyber of physical need to be addressed fully and completely.

Contact the professionals here at Pre-Lock Security Services to discuss any security issues your company may have, the professional and informed staff will happily help you with any security issues you may have!

 

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It Doesn’t Pay To Become Lazy About Your Security

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Seidman

security for the familyMost of us are pretty astute when it comes to our major security protection. It’s not hard though for one to let their guard down. If you live in a nice neighborhood where nothing bad ever seems to happen then it’s easy to become comfortable in regards to your security.

Common ways that people let their guard down with their security.

Not locking the door. Or at the very least not bothering to check that the windows are locked, and the security system is activated for the night. This is common place in quiet neighborhoods. Unfortunately, thieves are well aware of this and will take advantage of any opportunity they can get.

The other fallacy is that most people don’t believe that a crook will try to gain entry if there are people at home. All of the events that have taken place in the news in the last year or two substantiate how untrue this is.

Opening the door too easily. When a knock comes to the door especially during the daylight hours people will commonly open their door without checking. Even though they may have a security intercom system in place it gets ignored. In today’s age, this is not a wise thing to do. Home invasions do happen and many crooks have entered simply by knocking on the door then forcing their way once it’s opened. It doesn’t take long to do and they go unnoticed because it happens so quick.

Not keeping your security system up to date. Don’t think that just because you have a sticker in your window that you have security in place is the only deterrent that you need. Amazingly thieves have a way of discerning if a security system is up to date and in good working order.

Then there is senior’s security that we tend to take for granted. We assume because our elderly loved ones still are in their own home and self-sufficient that they are safe. Any emergency can happen at any time and they should have some form of an alert system they can rely on. Especially if they live alone.

Then how about when you take the batteries out of your smoke and fire alarms because they trigger too easily. The goal is that you are going to move them but you never seem to get around to it. So this life saver sits for weeks or months dormant because it simply does not have batteries. There is no turning back the clock and if a fire breaks out then you are putting yourself in a very precarious position.

You need to extend your security thinking to your vehicle as well. Leaving it unlocked even in your own driveway is a big mistake. It doesn’t matter how safe you think your neighborhood is, it’s not invulnerable to unscrupulous individuals.

It’s time to do a check on your security measures to make sure you have not become lazy in this regard. You may also want to give Pre-lock a call and ask them how you can beef up your security to keep your family and home safe.

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