Home Security Systems and Prudent Social Media Practices Keep a Home Safe

Going on vacation and want to tell your social media friends about it? That may not be a good idea. Thieves are always looking and listening to find opportunistic targets. Since the goal of a thief is to steal without injury or being caught, a home that’s empty due to family vacation time can be irresistible. A home security system along with enforcing rigid social media practices are necessities in today's crime-ridden world.

Social Media Targeting

In many cases a burglar is someone the family knows. It may even be a family friend, relative or the neighbor right next door. They often see burglary as a victimless crime thinking that insurance will replace what is lost. This altered thought process can push even a close relative into breaking into the home of family members.

This is why social media as well as direct communication control is crucial. Even for social media sites that allow full control of who sees posts, there is nothing stopping someone who sees a post from casually mentioning the planned vacation details in conversation. Since there is no way to control who hears what, it is important to use discretion when revealing the details about your vacation to others.

Enforcing this with teenage children is likely going to be difficult. Growing up in the culture of sharing by social media has many teens not seeing anything risky about posting even the most intimate of details. With some social media feeds being fully open to public searches, it is good to restrict the posting of photos and details about the vacation adventure, at least until after it is over.

However, if this seems like something that is impossible to do in certain families, then regular posts about a friend or relative staying at the house to do routine tasks while everyone is away lets potential thieves know that the house is not empty.

Home Security System Installation

The basic protection is very affordable with home security companies, and some of the more modern systems offer some great options like surveillance cameras that securely connect over the home's broadband Internet connection. This allows the homeowner to check on things at the house from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection, using a smartphone, tablet or computer. Some systems also allow you to connect remotely to different appliances in your house (such as the lights), enabling you to control a lived-in home facade.

Home security companies install systems that are monitored around the clock. When anything from intrusion to smoke sets off a sensor, the appropriate authorities are dispatched even though the family may be visiting another country on vacation.

Even the best security system available can be compromised if you share too much private information over social networks, so to be safe, the best practice is to not post anything about an upcoming or in-progress vacation on any social media site. There is plenty of time to share afterwards. Because it may be hard for everyone in the family to resist posting (even unintentionally), a home security system as a Plan B is an excellent investment for protection.

The Best Home Security System Accounts for Your Pets, Too!

Most residential security systems are designed and installed based on the needs of the family and the home. Family pets, however, such as dogs and cats, are part of the family ecosystem as well, and in order to achieve the best home security system possible, they should be factored into the equation. Ideally, the alarm technician will recognize the presence of the animals and design the system accordingly, but that isn’t always the case and is likely to come up short of a more proactive design.

Motion Detection

The most common false alarm received by alarm monitoring services is a motion alarm. False motion alarms can trigger because someone forgot to deactivate the alarm system or because an open window lets the wind rustle a curtain. The most common reason, however, that these false alarms occur is that a household pet sets them off. That occurrence can usually be avoided simply by raising the angle of the sensors.

Plan Your Security System with Pets in Mind

When you contact a security company about installing a system in your home, let them know what pets you have and what pets you plan to own. Ask them to configure the system with those pets in mind, and talk to them about the products and services for pets that are available from their company. If your pets are currently causing accidental alarms, have the company come out and adjust your sensors. Also, ask about what your other options are about pet-oriented products and services.

Home Surveillance System

Modern surveillance systems no longer need a dedicated console, and you can access them from any computer device in the home. If someone’s at the front door or there’s a noise downstairs, you can check the surveillance system first. A surveillance system also allows you to keep an eye on your pets wherever they may be in the house. This way, you know if they’re getting into any trouble or accessing areas they’re not supposed to be.

Remote Access

A surveillance system will be much more useful if the home security system also has remote access capabilities. With remote access, you’re not limited to viewing the video feeds from devices that are locally connected to the system. You can instead watch those video feeds from any Web-enabled devices, including laptops, smart phones, tablets and even dashboard systems. Imagine checking in on your beloved family pet as you sit in traffic on the drive home.

Smart Access

Most of the best modern systems also integrate smart capabilities, which mean that the security system is part of an overall home automation system. The automation system can allow you to control your entertainment devices, access points, thermostat, lighting and so forth, remotely. If you have remote access, that integrates as well. If you forgot to shut off your lights before leaving for work, you can do that from your cell phone. With smart access, you can even control the temperature for your pets.

Special Detection

The best home security systems for pets also take into account their well being. Consider the area you use to store household cleaners and other poisons. Now, imagine an alarm that alerts you or the alarm monitoring service when that area is compromised while you’re away from the house. Other popular options include water sensors for aquariums and monitoring for heat/AC failure.

The Best Home Security System for Your Carolina Vacation Home

Many homeowners wouldn't consider having anything less than the best home security system for their primary home yet leave their vacation home essentially unprotected. Not surprisingly, vacation homes are far more likely statistically to be broken into than primary residences are. In addition, most burglaries of vacation homes that lack a proper security system go unsolved, and the standard homeowners' insurance policy usually isn't enough to offset losses and damages.

Home Security

The most important step to protecting one's vacation home is to install the very best home security system possible and have it operational around the clock and throughout the year, even during those periods when the vacation home isn't lived in. Ideally, the home security should use wireless technology so that there are absolutely no limitations and it can be upgraded with ease and without great cost.

Monitored Service

Keep in mind that a basic security system isn't enough. Local alarms don't do anyone any good when there isn't anyone there to hear them. Instead, hire an alarm monitoring service that will watch the system throughout the year and respond to alarm notifications. Let the service know that this home is a vacation home, and consider entering into an agreement where the service has a spare key and access to the home in case of an emergency.

Video Surveillance

The best home security system for a vacation home also has interior and exterior video surveillance. Consider that when burglaries and similar crimes do occur, positive closure is much more likely to occur if local law enforcement has access to video evidence. In addition, it can be a great help to the alarm monitoring service if they're allowed to tap into the video surveillance system when an alarm triggers during those periods where you're family doesn't reside at the vacation home.

Remote Access

Consider also opting for a security system for your vacation home that has remote access. With remote access, you can monitor and control the system from a smart phone while on the road or from your desktop while at your primary residence. Remote access technology also allows you to add home automation features, such as programmable and remotely controllable thermostats and lights.

Lived-In Facade

It's also important to maintain the appearance of being lived in throughout the year. To do this, have mail and newspaper delivery rerouted or picked up regularly. Additionally, put lights and televisions on timers. Lights with window access can have sunlight switches in case of power outages, and exterior lights can operate on both a light sensor and a motion sensor.

Caretakers

Consider hiring caretakers that can maintain that lived-in appearance even further and inspect the home in person on a regular basis. The most basic caretaker necessary is a lawn service. For would-be thieves, an unkempt lawn is one of the most obvious signs that a vacation home is easy pickings. Keep in mind that vacation areas are often targeted and that criminals will be on the prowl and looking for these signs.

Priority One Security

If you have a vacation home in either North Carolina or South Carolina, consider contacting Priority One Security. Priority One is a leader in the residential security field. It specializes in designing and installing custom security solutions, and it has its very own alarm monitoring service with an impeccable record of performance.