News & Tips

To help protect your home against burglars, you need to learn how to think like one. Each year more than two million U.S. homes are broken into, with an estimated $4.6 billion in goods stolen and property damaged. Not to mention a break-in’s impact on your sense of safety and well-being. Here are some tips on how you can enhance your home’s security.

• Burglars almost always knock first. If someone answers the door, they’ll usually ask for directions or offer to do odd jobs around the house. If no one answers, he or she will usually try the next house. One-third of all burglaries don’t involve forcible entry, which means they entered through an unlocked window or door. Before leaving the house, double-check to make sure all your doors and windows are secured.

• They love peeking in windows. They’re checking for signs that someone is home and scoping out any high-value items you might own, such as a game system or laptop. If you have decorative glass as part of your front entrance, make sure your alarm company doesn’t install the control pad where he or she can see if it is set or not. Also, be sure to prune any shrubs or trees near your home’s doors or windows so burglars can’t conceal themselves while trying to break in.

• Never let newspapers, mail or flyers pile up. If you’re going out of town, have your services held. Or better yet ask a trusted neighbor, family friend or house sitter to collect your deliveries every day and bring in the garbage bins on collection day.

• When you’re out of town, always make your home look lived-in. You can do this by installing outside motion-sensor lights and parking a car in the driveway (remember to remove your garage door remote first). Inside, set lights and a loud radio or TV to turn off and on randomly with an automatic timer.

• Secure your valuables where burglars least expect it. Usually in and out within minutes, a burglar will most likely start by searching the main bedrooms first, including dresser drawers, bedside tables and medicine cabinets. If you have a small safe, be sure to bolt it down so they can’t walk off with it.

• A burglar might look more familiar than you think. He or she may have been at your house last week cleaning your carpets or delivering a new refrigerator. Or a burglar may carry a clipboard or dress like a maintenance worker while scoping out the neighborhood. They will do their best to never ever look like a thief.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

With all the hundreds of different home security systems available on the market, how can you choose the best one to give you piece of mind, works within your lifestyle and fits into your budget? From evaluating your needs to selecting a security provider, here are some tips on how to decide which alarm system is right for you.

• Evaluate your lifestyle. How do you enter and leave the house? Do you have children? If so, what ages? If you have pets are they large or are they small? Who else comes into the house? Do you want to be able to turn on the alarm when you’re home? Answers to these questions will help you determine what features or enhancements you may need, including multiple keypads, mobile access, video surveillance, and small animal-immune motion sensors.

• Then do the math. Determine your budget. Along with your lifestyle, this will help you decide what type of alarm, features and installation you need. A basic alarm system should include at least one keypad, an alarm panel, a loud siren and a combination of door and window sensors, depending on the layout of your house.

• Ask for referrals or recommendations. Look for an established, reputable company that has enough employees to service and monitor your system. They should enjoy a solid relationship with local police, sell good-quality equipment such as Honeywell and Bosch, and offer at least a one-year warranty. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against them.

• Consult with a security provider. Get two or three quotes to evaluate. Was the salesman informative and helpful? You should never feel pressured to purchase a system. If you do, it’s a good indication that the company isn’t worthy of your business.

• Professional versus DIY. You can decide to install the system yourself or have one professional installed. Some vendors will sell you the equipment directly to install yourself, which can save money on installation and monitoring fees. While a professionally installed system usually requires an installation fee and a two- or three-year monitoring contract, it could be more cost-effective to take advantage of the equipment discount that a security provider can offer. It’s also important to note that a company that monitors your system will be more sensitive to your needs then a vender you purchased from in a one-time deal.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

A good security system is more than the sum of its parts. But have you ever wondered what, exactly, are those parts? Even a rudimentary understanding can help prevent false alarms, increase confidence in your system, and ease communication with security providers. Here’s a breakdown of the four basic components you’ll find in most business or residential security systems.

• Keypad. The command center of your system, this is where you arm and disarm the system or silence a sounding alarm by typing in your code. Though alarm panels vary by make and model, many offer a bypass button to circumvent specific sensors and/or an emergency or panic button. A home or office can have multiple keypads but only one alarm panel.

• Alarm or Control Panel. The brains of the operation, the alarm panel’s circuit board or processing unit receives information from the alarm panel and sensors. Depending on the info it receives, the panel will decide whether or not to turn off the alarm, sound the sirens and report to the Central Station. Alarm systems are usually monitored by telephone, internet or cellular.

• Sensors or Detectors. The third component in your system, sensors and detectors tell the alarm panel when someone enters into or is moving around your property. (Such as opening a window or walking upstairs.) The most common sensors are door, window, and motion. More exotic (and expensive) ones include glass break sensors and heat detectors.

• Sirens or Bells. Mounted either inside or outside your home or facility, your system’s sirens or bells are meant to make noise in order to alert you or an intruder that the alarm has been triggered. If your system is monitored, a silent signal will also be sent to your security provider so they can dispatch a police car to your property.

For more information on our system components and how they work, give us a call at (925) 932-2211 or (800) 273-2680.

Denalect Alarm proudly serves the home and business security needs of Contra Costa County in Northern California: Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

False alarms can have a serious impact. Not only a noisy nuisance, false alarms can take police away from other emergencies and other life-threatening situations. They can also cost you hundreds of dollars in fees, create dissatisfaction with your system and your security provider, and make you reluctant to use your system, exposing your property to theft. Here’s how you can help reduce your chances of a false alarm.

• Change any system batteries every three years.

• Older systems are more prone to false alarms, so try to upgrade aging or outdated equipment.

• Check to make sure all protected doors and windows close and latch securely.

• Regularly test your alarm system to make sure it’s functioning properly and that you’re arming it correctly. If you decide to test your system yourself, be sure to let your security provider know before getting started.

• Let your security provider know if you’re planning any remodeling projects or changing phone companies.

• Pets may accidentally trigger sensitive motion sensors, so try to choose a security system that uses another form of protection.

• Have everyone who uses the system practice canceling an accidental alarm. If your alarm is monitored, you should call ahead to your security provider and let them know you are testing the system.

• Human error is the number one cause of false alarms. Examples include incorrectly entering the alarm code on the keypad and failing to secure all doors and windows before turning on the alarm. The best way to reduce this is to ensure that everyone who uses your system (kids, babysitters, relatives, visitors, etc.) is properly trained

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home alarm and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Help protect your family, home and property this season with these holiday safety tips. With shoppers out in droves and many people traveling out of town, it’s little wonder that crime rates increase in winter. The holidays should be filled with good cheer but even the most wonderful time of the year can be ruined by crime, weather or disaster.

Home Safety

• Be extra careful to lock doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
• Unless your home during the week day, have any holiday gifts shipped to your office. Packages left out on your porch can easily be stolen when no one is home.
• Never burn wrapping paper in your fireplace.
• Make sure holiday gifts aren’t visible through the windows or doors of your home.

Shopping Savvy

• If you carry a purse, never leave it in the shopping cart or hanging on the back of your chair in a restaurant. Also, if you keep your keys, driver’s license and cell phone in an interior jacket or sweater pocket, you’re not stranded without a way to call or get home if your purse is stolen.
• Keep a record of your driver’s license number and credit card numbers in a safe place at home. That way, if they do get stolen, you have the information you need to cancel them ASAP.

On the Road

• If you’re heading out of town, have a trusted neighbor or friend watch your house and pick up your mail and/or newspaper. For more tips on protecting your home while on vacation, go here.
• If you’re road tripping to visit family or friends this winter, be sure to carry food, beverages and blankets, just in case bad traffic or inclement weather.

If you have a Christmas Tree

• Make sure your tree stands at least three feet way from any heat source, including fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents and lights.
• While Christmas tree fires aren’t common, when they do occur, they tend to be serious. One out of three tree fires are caused by electrical failure.
• Only use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Replace any broken or worn strings of lights and don’t connect more than three strands of mini string lights together. For LED lights, read the manufacturer’s instructions for how many strands to connect.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed.

Lighting Candles

• Candles can produce a lot of heat so be sure to leave a 2 foot gap above any lit candle.
• Using a metal candle holder? place it on a heat-resistant surface to prevent burning. With glass holders and containers, only use ones specially made for candles. Other glass holders can overheat and explode, which can cause a fire.

Party Smarts

• If hosting a party, always have a non-alcoholic beverage available for your guests. Find alternate transportation for intoxicated guests or arrange an official designated driver for your party.
• If attending a party and plan to enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two, try to eat something high in protein beforehand to help slow the absorption of alcohol into your system.
• Know your safe limit. Only time will eliminate the alcohol in your system.
• Never drink and drive.

Beware Holiday Scams

• Sometimes criminals take advantage of holiday generosity by masquerading as solicitors for door-to-door for charitable causes. Ask for identification and what the donations are being used for. If you’re suspicious, do not donate or ask for a brochure so you can research the charity.
• Or donate to a charitable organization you recognize or can verify.

 

Denalect Alarm proudly serves the home security and business alarm system needs of Contra Costa County in Northern California: Anitoch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.