Tips from Security Pros

One of the easiest ways to thwart thieves from stealing your valuables is by etching or writing a unique number or code on them. Also known as property marking, the process itself is simple, yet few people actually take the time to do it.

First, decide on your unique personal code. Don’t use a full social security number, driver’s license number, full address or anything else that can be used to steal your identity. Instead, use a portion of your social security number, birth year, etc. along with a portion of your first or last name or initials.

Then using an engraving tool or a permanent marker, label the valuables in your home or office that are the most common targets of thieves – TVs, stereos, VCRs, cameras, firearms, computer components, for example – with your unique code.

A few more tips and ideas:

• Etching or etched markings are the hardest to remove. Engraving tools can be purchased for $5-$10 at most hardware stores.
• Stickers can be peels or washed off.
• Keep an inventory of all of your valuable possessions in a safety deposit box or a fire-proof safe. This will help in determining loss in the event of a theft or a fire.
• Make a video of every room in your home with a commentary about your valuable possessions. This should also be kept in a safe place and updated periodically.

Property marking can be an easy spare time or weekend project. If theft does occur, this will help law enforcement identify your property as well as aid in any criminal prosecution.

For more information, contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

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

With the rise of affordable alternate telephone services in the last few years, a number of Denalect’s customers are choosing to either eliminate their standard land line and relaying entirely on their cell phone or switch to other telephone line services like Comcast, AT&T Uverse, Astound and Vonage in their home or business.

While we fully support your decision to choose their telephone provider, please call our service department to discuss any changes you’d like to make to your telephone system before committing yourself.

This is because some alarm systems rely on a land line to communicate and it may not be able to report an emergency to our Central Station Dispatcher.

If you are interested in making these changes, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• When you order these service changes tell the salesperson that you have an alarm and make sure they guarantee that the alarm system will continue to send signals to Denalect’s Central Station.
• Make sure the new service will allow your alarm to send signals even if there is an electrical power failure.
• You should always test your alarm with our Central Station after anyone works on your phone lines before they leave. If there are problems have the installing company fix them or call us for assistance.

If the new phone service causes your alarm not to communicate with us we will need to install a new transmitter. The new transmitter will communicate with us using wireless technology. The system is very fast and does not rely on any telephone, fiber optic or cable TV lines.

For more information, contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

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

October is National Crime Prevention Month and we at Denalect are committed to helping you protect your loved ones, pets, valuables and property against crimes of opportunity. These include vehicle burglary, thefts from unsecured vehicles or homes, muggings, street robberies and wallet and/or purse-snatching.

Since common sense and precaution are the best prevention, here are eight tips from our security pros on how to protect yourself and others:

1. Be aware of what’s going on around you. Distractions, such as talking on a cell phone or juggling an armful of packages, may provide thieves with an opportunity to steal from you. Walk with a purposeful stride and keep an eye out for possible trouble.

2. If someone bumps into you, this may be an attempt to pick your pocket. Say “excuse me” no matter whose fault it is and keep moving.

3. Most thieves prefer easy targets so don’t leave your valuables unattended or out in the open. This includes leaving your purse in a shopping cart, hanging from the back of your chair at a restaurant or in the seat next to you on public transportation. Don’t show off your valuables to or in front of strangers.

4. Avoid dark or dimly lit areas at night. If you’re walking down on the sidewalk, stay nearer to the street than to the buildings. Be wary of corners, doorways and alleys. If you’re in a parking lot, keep your eyes open for individuals lurking behind or between parked cars.

5. If you carry a purse, use one with a strap that crosses your torso and shoulder. Wallets are best kept in your front pocket.

6. When you leave your house, don’t leave any doors unlocked, the garage door open or a window ajar. If you have an alarm system, activate it.

7. Keep your vehicle locked and the windows rolled up at all times. Never leave valuables visible in your car. Either locked them in the trunk or take them with you. Try to park in busy, well-lit areas.

8. And finally, trust your instincts. If someone or a situation appears suspicious, move away as quickly as possible. Common sense and precaution are the best prevention against crimes of opportunity.

For more information on our security systems or if you’d like a free estimate, contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

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.

 

The last thing you want is to be contacted by your security provider or monitoring company because your alarm’s been triggered. That worry can quickly turn to embarrassment if you discover it’s a false alarm triggered by your pet.

In fact, family pets accidentally cause a high number of false alarms each year. This is due to the placement of interior motion detectors as well as the sensitivity of certain sensors. Since you’re not giving up your furry friend, a pet-friendly security system is vital.

Modern home security systems typically use infrared motion detectors. They look for a significant change in the normal level of heat within its field of vision. So when a large heat source, like a person or a large pet, moves within its range, it sounds your alarm. Even a smaller pet can trigger the motion detector’s alarm if it gets close because the pet’s heat signature appears larger than it actually is.

So when designing (or redesigning) your security system, you and your provider need to consider your pets. If installed property, carefully placed pet-friendly motion detectors can coexist with your pets. Here are some tips:

• Place the motion sensor or detector high (about 7.5’ to 8’ high) on a wall so the pet can’t get close to it.
• Even if you set your motion detectors high, you need to make sure it’s not pointing towards any pet climbable areas that come within 6’ of the lens. Cats are notorious for setting off alarms by climbing on things like stairways and furniture.
• Install a motion detector with a pet-immune function. Certain motion detectors can be programmed where it’s less likely to sound your alarm for any pets under 80 lbs. However, if you have two pets, they may still set off these detectors (their heat signatures look different.)
• Break glass detectors, window screens and other sensors that aren’t movement sensitive also make your system more pet-friendly.

For more information on pet-friendly security systems or if you’d like a free estimate, feel free to contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Our business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

With all the different security system providers and vendors in the Bay Area, how do you decide which one will work best for your home or office? From common brand names to third-party dealers, here are five helpful tips straight from our security experts:

1. Most alarm companies and security providers don’t actually make alarm systems. They are the vendor (or dealer) that sells, installs and monitors them to and for the consumer. While there are many different brand names out there in the industry, the majority of this country’s alarm equipment is manufactured by Bosch and Honeywell.

2. Choosing a great vendor or security provider is much more important than whatever system brand or manufacturer you choose. Look for a company with a strong reputation that is responsive and customer-oriented. These are the folks that will come out at 2 a.m. to fix your alarm system.

3. Before signing on with a provider you may want to ask what will happen to your equipment if you decide to transfer to another company in the future. Most national and larger regional providers use customized, brand-name products (also known as proprietary equipment) that will only work with their systems. That means if you should ever decide to switch to another provider for any reason you may find that you will have to replace some or all of your alarm equipment. Smaller, local alarm companies (such as Denalect) usually carry non-proprietary equipment.

4. Some national companies use third-party dealers to market and sell their security systems. After a new customer is signed up, the dealer then sells the contract to the security company. That’s different than the cable companies, who will usually sell their products to you directly.

5. Many security providers that provide monitoring to their customers actually have those alarms serviced by giant, third-party centers located in a different state. That means that your system is being cared for along with 20,000-30,000 other alarms. If you prefer your system to be monitored locally, look for an alarm company or security provider who operates their own monitoring station.

Along with only carrying non-proprietary security systems, Denalect offers 24-hour alarm monitoring from our Central Station, located on-site in the Bay Area.

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.