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.
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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.

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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.

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