Peace of Mind: Life Saving Advice From Joel the Ripper -Issue 1

Peace of Mind: Life Saving Advice From Joel the Ripper -Issue 1

SafeTech’s Peace of Mind Newsletter SafeTech’s Peace of Mind publication includes security tips from SafeTech’s loss prevention experts as well as in-depth statistical crime reports and facts on safety and security. Peace of Mind is the only way to get this exhaustive resource of security, crime, safety and loss prevention delivered to your inbox for absolutely free. Peace of Mind is the definitive resource for loss prevention advice and the most recognized and trusted authority on safety and security, just as SafeTech has established itself as the premiere loss prevention company in North America. How Proper Lighting Keeps You And Your Home Safe By: Sean O’Leary Criminals do not want to be seen. It is much easier to break into a dark property and stay hidden in the shadows than it is to walk through a lighted area where people will notice you. This is why many break and enters occur at night. Lighting is an excellent way to protect your home or office. One of the best ways to install lighting that will protect your property is to add perimeter motion-activated lights. These lights will turn on when movement is detected. Not only does this save energy, but it also can startle burglars and draw attention to anyone approaching your property. Leaving a light on all the time usually isn’t practical, but motion-activated lights are a real nuisance for anyone intent on burglarizing a home! Another great way to use lighting to protect your home is by installing X10 programmable light timers. These can be scheduled to turn on and off at different times, making it look like people are inside going about their daily lives. A light that is on 24/7 (especially during daylight hours) is a good indication that the home is unoccupied. By creating an atmosphere where lights are automatically set to come on at different times and turned off during the day, no one will know when you’re at home and when you’re not! Lighting also makes it easier for security cameras to record details. In complete darkness, standard surveillance cameras won’t record anything but black. An infrared camera can help the situation, but having light shine on the area your cameras are recording is even better. The positioning and placement of your lighting is also important. If the paths from the street to your front door or the garage to your house are especially dark, you should definitely place lights in these locations. Not only will the lights prevent trips and falls, but they will also deter criminals and prevent ambushes. Did You Know? Toronto has the 3rd lowest Crime Severity Index rating among metropolitan areas in Canada? Only Guelph and Quebec City are lower. (Source: Stats Canada) Life Saving Advice From Serial Killers People tend to believe that people such as British Columbia serial killer, Robert Pickton, are of a rare species. Yet, in addition to approximately 40 serial killers already caught in Canada, many Canadian serial murderers run free. In fact, 12 serial killers were notorious enough to be given nicknames without ever being found. They still live somewhere among us. The Edmonton Prostitute Killer, the Canada Highway murderer, the Highway 16 Killer, the London Ontario Killer, the NW Territories Headhunter, The Ontario Lover’s Lane Killer, The Ottawa Teen Killer, The Toronto Hospital for Sick Children Murderer, the Toronto Prostitute Executioner, the Toronto Rape Slayer, the Montreal Boys Slasher and the Montreal Gay Ripper are all serial killers who were never caught. Also, many homicides will never be linked together even if some of the murderers are captured. It is sometimes impossible to know if the crimes were committed by the same individual. What can we do to avoid being victims of attackers? We all know the basic rules: lock your doors, do not talk to strangers, get an alarm system, have a guard dog at home and trust your instincts. Other less-known advice includes having deadbolt locks on all doors and avoiding wearing a pony tail at night. In addition, never bring God into a conversation when you face an attacker, as it will only enrage them. Fortunately for us, American serial killers today open up to give us tricks in their own words on how to better protect ourselves from others like them. Their advice is effective against any type of aggressor. Take their tips into consideration since they come from the experts and, ironically, usually relate to their own crimes. Nadia Fezzani is a Canadian journalist who has conducted extensive research and interviews with many notorious American serial killers. As a specialist on serial killers, Ms. Fezzani gives conferences on the topic to university students and to different organizations. She also works with production companies on TV documentaries. She’s gotten into the minds of some of the most dangerous serial killers alive and learned to understand how they think. She has used this knowledge to provide helpful tips on how you can avoid becoming a victim of a violent attack. Joel The Ripper A little bullied boy from kindergarten, always rejected, adopted Joel Rifkin was treated terribly during his entire childhood at school. His father then killed himself after being diagnosed with cancer, which put Joel into an even greater depression phase. Although he had two friends and a few girlfriends we can count on one hand, he was withdrawn into silence and developed a “social phobia.” Consequently, he turned to prostitutes for 17 years and became addicted, to a point where street workers were his main expenses. During his activities, he contracted herpes, gonorrhea and was tested positive for hepatitis (he later on found out he did not actually contract hepatitis). He killed 17 of the prostitutes. He did so out of rage, out of vengeance and to keep them from dying miserably from drugs or diseases. He even murdered to save husbands from contracting AIDS before going back to their wives. Today, he wants to start a foundation that would help “eliminate” prostitutes, by helping them to leave the streets and housing them after detoxication, so they can move on with their life. Security Advice: Street girls don’t have to be anywhere on a regular schedule, so if they are missing for a couple of days, no one really notices. Avoid being in that situation; tell people where you are going, who is accompanying you and when you’ll be back. With Internet dating becoming increasingly popular today, if you’re going to meet someone for the first time, go with another person you trust. Your friend doesn’t have to sit with you; he or she can hang out in the background. However, if you ever end up alone at some point and are in a situation where you feel you have to defend yourself, don’t go for the throat but rather kick or punch lower. This has a better effect: no matter how big the guy is, if you hit the right spot, he’s down! Client Spotlight: Architech Solutions Architech Solutions is a software development firm in downtown Toronto. The company works to help businesses understand the challenges they face, determine how technology can help and provide software solutions to meet their needs. Major clients include Rogers, Bell, Walmart and the Heart & Stroke Foundation. When the company moved into its new offices, they installed a SafeTech alarm system. The system keeps the company’s downtown offices protected and secure at all times. David Suydam, Architech Solutions Toronto, Ontario http://www.architech.ca 416-607-5618 SafeTech’s 2010 City Crime Report Now Available Protect yourself! Find out where and what type of crime is happening in your neighbourhood and your city with SafeTech’s 2010 City Crime Report. Use the 2010 City Crime Report to: Determine exactly where crime is happening in Canada Examine the types of crime taking place in your region and across the country Compare different areas of the country on several different types of crime Recognize the severity and likelihood of crime taking place in your city Understand the overall crime situation in this country Crime statistics vary drastically across the country and only by knowing the information for your region can you properly protect yourself, your family and your possessions. SafeTech Alarm Systems has been protecting people and property for over 20 years. We have compiled crime statistics from across Canada, broken them down by province and city and presented them in a straightforward manner that will help keep you safe! To receive a free copy of SafeTech Alarm Systems’ Canadian City Crime Report 2010, please click here. What Do You Want to See? Do you have a question, comment or story idea for “Peace of Mind”? Do you have some news regarding recent crimes or break-ins? Email us and let us know! Online Technical Support, Special Promotions and More! On the new SafeTech Alarm Systems website, you’ll have access to special product promotions as well! Don’t miss out on exciting deals and promotional offers! We’re always working to add and improve website features in order make our website more appealing, more functional and easier to navigate. We invite you to visit the new site and let us know what you think. Stay tuned for even more enhancements to the SafeTech Alarm Systems website over the next few months! Need help troubleshooting your alarm system? The new safetechalarms.com online technical support features and live online help that will guide you through any issue! Now you can solve any problems you may have with your alarm system quickly, easily and without picking up the phone or waiting for a technician to arrive! We even offer live online chat with members of our technical support team if you have any questions. Visit our technical support page here. Stay In Up-To-Date With SafeTech! Stay up-to-date with the latest security news Hear about upcoming events Find out about new products, services and promotions first Access technical support services And much more!

Peace of Mind: Home Invasions: An Ongoing Threat – issue 3

Peace of Mind: Home Invasions: An Ongoing Threat – issue 3

SafeTech’s Peace of Mind Newsletter

SafeTech’s Peace of Mind publication includes security tips from SafeTech’s loss prevention experts as well as in-depth statistical crime reports and facts on safety and security.
Peace of Mind is the only way to get this exhaustive resource of security, crime, safety and loss prevention delivered to your inbox for absolutely free.
Peace of Mind is the definitive resource for loss prevention advice and the most recognized and trusted authority on safety and security, just as SafeTech has established itself as the premiere loss prevention company in North America.

Home Invasions: An Ongoing Threat

By: Sean O’Leary

Your home is the one place where you should feel safe.· It’s where you sleep at night.· Where you place your prized possessions.· Where your family stays.· Where your children play.· It’s your sanctuary.· It’s your safe haven.· It’s where you can put your feet up and relax. Unfortunately that’s not always the case. Criminals pray on the fact that most people let their guards down at home.  They take advantage of the perceived safety of your home and the expectation you have that you’re safe.  They understand that you will be less vigilant and less diligent about security when you’re resting in your own home.  Criminals take this opportunity to strike. Most recently we have seen this happen in Markham, Ontario.  A woman was killed and her husband was shot repeatedly in a home invasion in the town north of Toronto.  There were 14 home invasions in York Region last year. Over the summer, there was a violent home invasion in Winnipeg and just recently a brutal attack took place following a home invasion in Alberta. So what can you do in order to prevent these violent, and often deadly, crimes?  The first step is to secure your property.  Lock all doors with deadbolts and ensure that your windows are secured as well.  Bars can prevent people from climbing through broken windows.  A monitored security system with surveillance cameras is a must as well.  In the event of an attack, an alarm can safe your life. It’s also important to remember to stay safe, even when you’re at home.  Never allow a stranger into your house and do not open the door completely for anyone.  Many home invaders will knock on your door and then force their way in once you answer. Having security cameras will capture the intruders and lead to a faster conviction.

Children and Fireplace Safety

A fireplace can be a beautiful, relaxing and romantic addition to your home.  Unfortunately, it can also be a dangerous one.  This is especially true if you have children. A gas or electric fireplace can get very hot very quickly.  It can heat up so fast that a child may not even notice the heat before the touch it.  A child can be seriously burned, even just by touching the glass or metal trim of a gas fireplace. So what can you do in order to prevent serious burns?  Thankfully there are a couple of steps you can take to ensure your little ones stay safe around the fireplace. Create a gate or barrier around the fireplace so that it’s difficult to touch the glass or hot metal. Teach your children about the potential danger of the fireplace just like you would teach them about the stove or heater. Do not leave young children unattended when the fireplace is turned on.  Despite your best intentions and most informative lessons, sometimes the fire is too tempting! ·

By following these tips and always keeping an eye on your kids, you can make sure they’re not burned by your gas or electric fireplace. A burn can occur within several seconds, so it doesn’t take long for a beautiful, calming scene to turn into a painful one. Also, remember to keep a fire extinguisher on hand if you have a fireplace.  You never know you’ll need it!

Computer Security & Safety

A large amount of personal and business information is stored on computers.  Everything from company finances to banking information to passwords to client lists, and everything in between ,is saved on hard drives around the world. Many people have a false sense of security when saving information on their computers.  Unfortunately, information saved on a computer is incredibly vulnerable. When you think about the potential value of the data and discover just how costly, time-consuming and difficult it is to rebuild or reacquire lost data, you start to think more and more about data security. Businesses have suffered huge financial losses and some have even been forced to shut down after losing critical information. Individuals have had their bank accounts hacked into and their identities stolen due to a lack of computer security. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your  computer and your data safe and secure at all times.

Use up-to-date antivirus and anti-spyware software Do not open unknown attachments, even if they come from someone you trust Keep your computer locked with a password whenever you are not using it Consider encrypting data Use a secure Internet browser and stay away from suspicious websites that may host viruses Do not enter your password or any other personal information into a website until you are 100% sure of the site and know what the site will do with your information Keep multiple copies of critical data – Despite your best intentions, computers can fail and you can lose everything.  Make back-ups and store critical data in alternate locations.  Have printed copies of the most important information stored in a safety deposit box off site

SafeTech’s 2010 City Crime Report Now Available

Protect yourself! Find out where and what type of crime is happening in your neighbourhood and your city with SafeTech’s 2010 City Crime Report. Use the 2010 City Crime Report to: Determine exactly where crime is happening in Canada Examine the types of crime taking place in your region and across the country Compare different areas of the country on several different types of crime Recognize the severity and likelihood of crime taking place in your city Understand the overall crime situation in this country Crime statistics vary drastically across the country and only by knowing the information for your region can you properly protect yourself, your family and your possessions.

SafeTech Alarm Systems has been protecting people and property for over 20 years. We have compiled crime statistics from across Canada, broken them down by province and city and presented them in a straightforward manner that will help keep you safe! To receive a free copy of SafeTech Alarm Systems’ Canadian City Crime Report 2010, please click here.

What Do You Want to See?
Do you have a question, comment or story idea for
“Peace of Mind”?
Do you have some news regarding recent crimes or
break-ins?
Email us and let us know!

Online Technical Support, Special Promotions and More!

On the new SafeTech Alarm Systems website, you’ll have access to special product promotions as well! Don’t miss out on exciting deals and promotional offers! We’re always working to add and improve website features in order make our website more appealing, more functional and easier to navigate. We invite you to visit the new site and let us know what you think. Stay tuned for even more enhancements to the SafeTech Alarm Systems website over the next few months!

Need help troubleshooting your alarm system? The new safetechalarms.com online technical support features and live online help that will guide you through any issue! · Now you can solve any problems you may have with your alarm system quickly, easily and without picking up the phone or waiting for a technician to arrive! We even offer live online chat with members of our technical support team if you have any questions. Visit our technical support page here.

Stay In Up-To-Date With SafeTech!

Stay up-to-date with the latest security news Hear about upcoming events Find out about new products, services and promotions first Access technical support services And much more!

How? It’s simple! There are many ways to stay up to date with SafeTech Alarm Systems. You can Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, Subscribe to our Youtube Channel or get the latest news by visiting our website at w

Beware of Electronic Pick Pocketing this Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us. The streets are full of snow, houses are decorated with bright colourful lights and Santa Claus is making appearances at malls throughout North America to see what children want for Christmas. Now that we are in the final few weeks before Christmas those of us who left the holiday shopping to the last minute are dashing off to the malls to purchase gifts for friends and family. This time of year stores and malls are packed full of people and unfortunately this type of environment can be a prime target for criminal activity. In the past, the main security concern in big crowds was pick pocketing, if you let your guard down for even a second you could lose your purse, cell phone or wallet. However, these days a new criminal phenomenon is emerging called electronic pick pocketing, where a criminal can steal your credit card number without even touching you.
Electronic pick pocketing relies on radio frequency identification technology or RFID. This is the technology present in credit or debit cards that allows you to make a purchase with a simple swipe over a scanner placed at the cashier of many stores throughout North America. While this technology allows for a great deal of convenience while making your holiday purchases it could also leave you open to electron pick pocketing. Criminals can purchase the RFID scanners that stores use online for as little as $100. Once they have the scanner they can conceal it in a computer case or bag and attach it wirelessly to a small notebook computer. They can then walk through a crowd scanning people’s purse or pockets with the concealed scanner and in seconds transfer individuals credit card numbers, expiry dates and even names to the nearby notebook computer. Over the course of an hour a criminal could get hundreds of credit card numbers. Once the numbers are in the computer they can easily be sent around the world and used to make purchases in your name.

Advantages of Wireless Burglar Systems

These days it seems like every electronic device is available in a wireless format. Your internet, your smart phone, your headphones, everything seems like it has the capacity to function without wires. The advances of wireless technology have been widely adopted in the security alarm industry. These days you can purchase powerful and technologically advanced wireless burglar systems to protect your home or business. There are a great deal of advantages to outfitting your premise with a wireless burglar system and it will be the goal of this blog post to shed some light on these advantages while at the same time explaining exactly what a wireless burglar system is.
What is a wireless burglar system?
A wireless burglar system is a home or business protection system that may include a keypad, door and window contacts and motion sensors. The key feature of this type of system is the fact that no wires are needed to connect the burglar system to the main controller. Once installed, the sensors of the burglar system will wirelessly connect to the main control panel to ensure that your home or business is well-secured and protected.
What are the advantages of a wireless burglar system?
The most obvious advantage of a wireless burglar system is the fact that in most cases they are a less expensive alternative to traditional wired home alarm systems. There are a few reasons why wireless burglar systems are less expensive, the first is these systems are much easier to install. There are no wires connecting the various burglar system components to the main panel, therefore there are no wires to hide under the floor or behind walls. No one will need to come into your home and rip up floor boards, put holes in the wall or sync your system with the existing electrical panel. Another reason a wireless burglar system can be cheaper is because you do not need to buy all of the security system’s components at once. You will of course have to buy the initial system consisting of a keypad, contacts and sensors but with a wireless system you always have the option to add additional sensors or contacts in the future. Wireless burglar alarm system can be installed by you and there are many do-it-yourself wireless burglar system kits available on the market including at http://www.YourAlarmStore.com.
Another great advantage of a wireless burglar system is the fact that since it is not hardwired into your home, business or apartment it is portable and thus easily transferable to another location. This is great news for individuals who rent a home or apartment or lease commercial space and want to invest in a security burglar alarm system. By electing to use a wireless system when your lease is up you can easily take your burglar system with you. Another fantastic advantage of having a wireless home burglar system is the fact that since the components are not hard wired into the wall they don’t need to be placed at specific locations in the house. You have the freedom to place the wireless sensors anywhere within your home. This gives you the ability to hide the sensors in an area where an intruder may not expect to find them. Many contacts can be hooked up to your wireless burglar system like entry contacts, PIR motion detectors, carbon monoxide sensors and smoke sensors.
As technology in the home and business security industry improves so will the advantages to having a wireless burglar system. In the meantime if you have one you can rest assured that you have a state of the art security system in place to protect you, your family and your business.

Weatherproof Security Cameras Offer Protection Against the Elements

We are entering the heart of winter, blistering cold temperatures, bone chilling winds, heavy snow storms, wet sleet and slush storms are all weather conditions that we will endure over the next few months. It is obvious that these extreme weather conditions we face during the Canadian winter can wreak havoc on any of your exterior security surveillance equipment. The damp air, freezing temperatures and strong winds can interfere with the signal of your camera or worse destroy your camera completely. Since security cameras are not only a monetary investment but an investment in the safety of your property or family it is imperative that if your security camera is going to be exposed to the elements it should be weatherproofed.
Weatherproof security surveillance cameras are the best option for providing security surveillance in extreme Canadian weather conditions. The reason being is that weatherproof cameras are mounted inside an all-weather and waterproof housing. This housing protects the camera from the elements but does not take away from the quality of video it can record. The sealed housing prevents damage that is easily caused by humidity, water, wind, condensation and snow. As a result weatherproof security cameras offer the best exterior security protection for homes or businesses. A weatherproof camera may also be useful in some interior locations. Areas such as workshops, warehouses etc where there may be a lot of dust and debris present can be harmful to security cameras. A weatherproof security camera can also combat these conditions.
All of the weatherproof security cameras that SafeTech provides can be easily synced up with a SafeTech security alarm system to significantly add to your level of protection. Recent statistics indicate that the amount of loss can be reduced by 50% with the proper installation of security cameras, when coupled with an alarm system these stats can be reduced even further. To learn more about SafeTech’s weatherproof security cameras contact us today.

Security Monitoring

Most of us are familiar with the term home alarm system. We know what alarm systems are and for the most part we know how they function. Chances are we have seen an alarm system at a store or a friend or family member’s home; at the very least most of us have seen the alarm system logos and decals on store or home windows, or home alarm lawn signs throughout our neighbourhood. However, most of us don’t realize the amount of protection that comes with the installation of an alarm system in a home or business. The security protection does not end with the alarm system as many are backed by security monitoring. It is the security monitoring that increases the level of protection; it is the security monitoring that enables your home alarm system to become a virtual security guard while you are away. The security monitoring of an alarm system is the most important aspect of home security.
When a home or business alarm is installed, the owner has the option to elect for security monitoring. SafeTech will even install your alarm system for free, when you agree to a three year monitoring contract. What this means is that the alarm will be linked up with a central monitoring station that employs staff who will watch over your security alarm system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a home or business that has security monitoring is broken into, the alarm lets the monitoring station know right away. When the alarm sounds, a staff member from the monitoring station will call the home or business immediately to see what the cause of the alarm was. If the owners don’t answer, or they do and indicate that their home security has been breached the security monitoring station will call the authorities and dispatch them to your home. If the owners indicate it was a false alarm the security monitoring station can help determine what caused the false alarm.
Another great feature of security monitoring stations is that they can monitor more than just your home alarm system. The more elements you add to your home or business security system the more it can be monitored. For example if you have a CCTV security camera or other security surveillance equipment it can easily be linked to a security monitoring station. This will allow the staff at the monitoring station to see your CCTV feed in the event that an alarm goes off. This will not only help them determine if it is a real or false alarm but will help them direct the necessary authorities to exactly what is going on.
Security monitoring stations can also be linked up with fire or flood detectors among many other security devices. We will cover these topics in a later blog post. For now if you have any questions please contact SafeTech today.

Home Monitoring

When you think of home security and home monitoring the first thing that comes to your mind is probably home alarm systems. While home alarm systems are easily the most common element of home monitoring there are quite a few others that when added to a home security system can tremendously improve the amount of protection your home or business experiences. In addition to home alarm monitoring many security companies also provide, flood detection monitoring, carbon monoxide monitoring, smoke detector and finally heat monitoring. All of these elements are excellent add-ons to your home monitoring system.
Flood detection monitors are one of many elements that can be added on to a home monitoring system. A flood detector can provide warning of a possible flood before the damage is done. Flood detectors work by detecting water or moisture that should not normally be present in a specific area. Flood detectors are usually placed in areas that are prone to leaks such as basements and garages. They work especially well during the winter months when pipes are prone to freezing and bursting. When linked up with your home monitoring system a flood detector can notify your central monitoring station which in turn can notify you so you can solve the problem before it causes significant damage.

SafeTech Alarms wins HomeStars.com’s Best Alarm System Provider in Toronto for 2010

SafeTech Alarm Systems is proud to announce that they have been named the 2010 Best Alarm Systems Provider in Toronto by the customer review site HomeStars.com. Homestars.com is an online word-of-mouth site that ranks local renovators, repairmen and home service retailers based on customer satisfaction. Each year HomeStars.com awards there best in Toronto award to the service provider that has the top customer reviews in each of the categories of the website. In essence the Best in Toronto designation ranks SafeTech as the top customer rated Alarm Systems Company in the city.
“I am very excited about the distinction”, says Sean O’Leary, President of SafeTech Alarm Systems. “There is no greater reward in any business than getting recognized for dedicated and professional service by your customers. I am proud of the entire SafeTech staff for delivering top quality service without forgetting the importance of personal interactions with customers”.
SafeTech Alarms won the best Alarm System Provider in Toronto distinction by receiving 68 customer reviews on the HomeStars website with an average customer ranking of 9.8 out of a possible 10. Customers who reviewed SafeTech were impressed with a wide variety of services but some of the themes that were present throughout the reviews was an appreciation of SafeTech’s no pressure sales approach, exceptional customer service, easy to use website and most commonly the quality of the alarm systems and installation process. All of these features inspired customers to visit Homestars and share their experience on a public review site so that others can benefit from the same high quality customer service.
SafeTech Alarm Systems has been offering security services throughout Canada for over 20 years. SafeTech specializes in security alarm systems, video surveillance, security guards, access control and security monitoring services. HomeStars.com is a growing online community of homeowners and home improvement companies throughout Canada and the U.S. HomeStars offers a free service for homeowners to find reputable renovators, repairmen and retailers by searching its database of almost 2 million companies.