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Month: May 2019
21 Things a Burglar Won’t Tell You (From a Burglar’s Perspective)
Michael Williams, a former Federal Agent with over 25 years of Law Enforcement experience, gives a glimpse into the thoughts of a burglar as they decide which homes to target.
The thoughts he reveals below are both shocking and unsettling for homeowners everywhere.
- Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes I dress like the lawn guy and carry a rake. I try my best to never look like a burglar.
- Of course I look familiar – I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters or delivering your new refrigerator.
- Hey, thanks for letting me use your bathroom when I was working in your yard today. While I was there I unlatched the window to make my return a little easier.
- Do you think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table AND the medicine cabinet.
- Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into the kid’s rooms. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it).
- If you don’t answer when I knock, I’ll try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
- I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home and for flat screen TV’s, video game systems and laptop computers (I usually leave desktop computers alone – too heavy).
- I’ll drive through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
- To you, leaving a window open (just a crack) during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To a burglar, it’s an invitation.
- Two things I hate the most: barking dogs and nosey neighbors.
- I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s just human nature. I know, I study human nature, it’s a burglar’s job.
- A loud TV or radio can be a good deterrent. Leave your TV on when you go out. You can buy a timer that turns it on and off at predetermined times when you go out or vacation.
- I’m not complaining, but why do you spend all that money on an alarm system and leave the house without setting it.
- I’m more likely to pass up your house if I see video cameras outside.
- If decorative glass is part of your front door entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes my job too easy!
- If you ask your security alarm company to arm the window over the sink, I won’t be your friend. And arming the windows on the second floor won’t make me happy either. Motion Detectors do not make me a happy burglar at all.
- Avoid announcing your vacation plans of Facebook or Twitter. It’s easier than you think to look up your address. In fact, I can even figure it out from some of the pictures you post.
- You’re right: I won’t have time to break into your safe but if it’s small and not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
- Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might put a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
- It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your keys and you forgot to lock your door- understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
- I ALWAYS have a Plan. Do you? Even my half-baked plan is better than your “No-Plan” plan.
If you have a monitored security system, your defense is already in place. But you need to use it. Make sure to arm your system when you are away from home, or safe inside.
Need a security system? EMC Security would love to earn your business. Give us a call at 770.963.0305 to discuss your options.
Michael Williams – Former Federal Agent: Michael Williams is a former Federal Agent with over 25 years of Law Enforcement experience. His work includes 15 years as an undercover narcotics agent. He was the Senior Instructor at the U.S. Army Military Police School. Michael is currently a Private Investigator in Atlanta, Georgia.
6 Spring Cleaning Tips for Better Home Security, Part 2
In the last blog we shared 6 tips for spring-cleaning and safeguarding your yard and home exteriors.
This month, we’ve got 6 more tips just for the interiors of your home.
By taking the time to thoroughly clean and inspect your home – especially with these 6 pointers – you’ll have a shiny, fresh, and SAFE place to enjoy during Georgia’s beautiful spring and summer seasons.
1. Be aware of your security system when you’re redecorating.
Does your spring to-do list include a new big-screen TV or furniture purchase? Re-arranging or changing furniture and appliances may cause a change in the efficiency of your security system. Make sure that when you re-decorate, your security cameras are not blocked and your motion detector sensors are clear.
2. Check your window locks.
Spring is a good time to clean the interior and exterior glass—it’s safer when you can see more clearly! It’s also the perfect time to open and close every window and make sure the locks and seals are properly securing the window. If any of the locks seem loose, tighten or replace them. It’s also a good time to install inexpensive window pins. They’re available at any home improvement store, and are easy to operate—just pull the pin out to unlock and open the window.
3. Check batteries on smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
If you read this tip a lot when you’re scanning articles about home security and maintenance, it’s for a good reason. These detectors could mean the difference between life and death. According to the Consumer Products Safety Division, two-thirds of all home fires occurred in residences without working smoke detectors. It’s also a good time to test your smoke alarms.
4. Clean your light fixtures.
Not only will your home look brighter, but you’ll also see better—and that’s a big safety plus! Dust those hard-to-reach chandeliers and ceiling fans thoroughly. An accumulation of dust and dirt can cause operating issues, which could lead to big trouble if there’s a short-circuit in the wiring. One spark could start a fire!
5. Clean out your fireplace.
If you’ve got a wood-burning fireplace in your home, it’s time to call in a chimney expert to make sure the flue is clear and there’s no creosote buildup. Discard any ash, clean the grate and surrounding areas, and close the flue. A clean fireplace will freshen the air in your home.
6. Clean around your refrigerator and washer-dryer.
Spring is a great time to pull your fridge out from the wall and give the floor behind it and around it a good cleaning. Sweep, wipe and mop as much as you can. Take a brush/duster specifically designed to clean the coils in major appliances and give it a good deep-cleaning. The amount of dust that gets into the bottom of a refrigerator is astounding. And when you’re doing the same to your washer-dryer combo, use that brush to clean out the dryer vent. Make sure you’re in the habit of cleaning your lint screen after every time you run your dryer. Remember, anywhere you’ve got dust and major electrical equipment, you’ve got the potential for a fire!
Customer Removes Security System Installed by Cable Company, then calls EMC Security!
EMC Security recently learned about the terrible experience a new customer in Powder Springs, Georgia had with a cable company and internet service provider who advertises home security services in the Metro Atlanta area.
About a month ago, she contacted this cable company and set up the installation of a new security system for her home.
Her first red flag that this was not going to be a great experience was on the day that the cable company was there to install her security system. The two technicians from the cable company repeatedly called their office during the installation with questions on how to install the equipment.
Though she was impressed with the keypad that came with the system, she had to carry it in every room with her in order to hear the alarm when the doors were opened. On the first night of having her new system, she armed the system and went to bed. Not long after going to bed, the alarm had been activated causing the siren to sound and frightening the poor customer out of bed. She was so startled and did not know if someone was in her home or trying to break in. She happened to see the motion detector on the floor. She realized that it had been so poorly installed that it fell right off of the wall. She began to doubt every part of her security system installation.
The Switch to EMC
Fortunately, this customer had a 3-day writ of rescission and this happened on the first day. The next morning, she called the cable company and notified them of her decision to remove their equipment from her home and that she would not be using their services for home security monitoring. Right after that phone call she contacted EMC Security. She chose a customized security system designed by the EMC Security sales consultant.
She has been happy with her equipment and monitoring service ever since joining the EMC Security family. She tells EMC Security that in hindsight, she should have seen the red flags that appeared to tell her the two cable guys did not have the proper training to install a home security system, which is why they made call after call to the office for step by step instructions on the day of installation.
She realized that she could have been locked into a 3-year contract with this cable company and stuck with the poorly installed equipment and doubtful customer service. EMC Security encourages customers to do their due diligence when choosing a security company to help protect your home.
A Security Company You Can Trust
Please be sure to choose a security company that you can trust, has specially trained professional security system installers and industry certified monitoring center operators, never requires a contract, and earns your business every day.
Six Must-Do Spring Home Security and Care Tips for Weekend Warriors
Before summer vacation explodes upon us, it’s time for all you Georgia homeowners – weekend warriors – to do some home improvements that will help make your dwelling more secure.
Exterior maintenance goes hand-in-hand with home security. Here are six must-do tasks to tackle this Saturday!
Even if it’s not quite warm enough in Georgia to get the A/C cranked up, it’s a good idea to do a quick visual inspection of your units. Perform basic service and replace the filters. It’s not too early to call in an expert to check the performance and parts of your air conditioner, either. An A/C unit that’s on the fritz can mean comfort and safety issues for everyone in the home.
1. Do Basic Landscape Maintenance.
Winter takes a toll on Georgia yards. Remove dead shrubs and trees. Clear out fallen debris and branches. You don’t want to leave any overgrown areas near the home that could provide cover for prowlers.
2. Inspect Your Tools and Tool Storage.
Pull out your yard toys and make sure they are in good working order. Ensure that the gasoline that powers them is stored properly – you don’t want a yard fire ruining your summer! Make sure the doors and locks for exterior storage sheds, outbuildings basements, and garages are not rusted or broken. Make repairs as necessary. Broken locks and yard tools are an easy mark for burglars!
3. Check on Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures.
Turn on your outdoor faucets and pipes. Do any of them drip or leak? Tighten them up. Leaking water can weaken exterior walls, too. If you’ve got a leak anywhere in your home – especially in your roof or your interior ceilings& – you’ve got a potentially serious security issue
4. Take a Walk at Night to Check Your Lights.
Stroll around your home at nightfall. Look up at your security lights on your roofline, the corners, and especially the lights on your entrances, front door, and driveway. Make sure all of them are clean of debris and dirt and have working bulbs. Pay special attention to your exterior motion sensor lights – make sure they’re coming on and off like they’re supposed to do! Motion sensors are an important part of your home’s security
5. Examine Your Door and Window Frames.
Winter weather can take a toll on the detailing around doors and windows, making the frames vulnerable to burglars using tools to break into a home. Get them replaced if they’re rotted or damaged in any way.
6. Protect It.
Now that you’ve read about why home maintenance is essential to keeping your home secure, why not give it the ultimate level of safety?
An EMC Security monitoring system can help you keep track of your home’s interior and exterior spaces with a touch of your smart phone. One low price per month, with no contract, ensures that your home is protected with and our 24/7 professional monitoring.
Call us at 770-963-0305.
The Anatomy of a Burglar-Proof Front Door
The FBI reports that 34% of burglaries enter through the front door.
What can you do to give your home’s main point of entry a better line of defense? Do some springtime touch-ups on its hardware and security features, or replace it with a newer, more secure model.
Here are the basic features every front door needs:
- This should be obvious, but with so much going on in our busy lives, the simplest critical error many victims make is to leave their front door unlocked. Even the strongest deadbolt in the world won’t work if you don’t use it.
- Invest in a great deadbolt lock for your front door. It should be made of solid metal with exposed screws and a throw bolt (that comes out of the door) that’s at LEAST 1-inch or more. If you struggle with installation, don’t mess around; get an experienced person to help you.
- Cylinder guards (metal pieces that go around the area where you insert the key) prevent burglars from taking a hammer or crowbar to the lock.
- Round-head carriage bolts will keep locks from being unscrewed. Many locks come with these features, but if yours doesn’t, you can purchase them separately.
- Reinforce your doorframe with simple products to install from Lowes or Home Depot. Products like EZ Armor or StrikeMaster hinge reinforcements make it very difficult for a would-be intruder to kick in your door
- Strike plates take a lot of wear and tear, and should be replaced regularly. A strike plate is the metal plate that surrounds the lockset, or the hole in the doorframe where the lock bolt enters. All exterior doors should have strike plates with four 3-inch screws. Make sure the screws can go all the way through to the stud and do not just attach to the doorjamb.
- Install Peep Holes. You need to be able to see out without being seen or opening your front door. If your front door doesn’t have a peephole, install one now. Look for a wide-angle viewer, and one with a built-in cover to prevent people from looking back in with a peephole viewer device.
- A metal plate across the bottom of a front door isn’t there just for the aesthetic image of the front door; it provides another layer of protection
- If you have a hollow-core door, or one with lots of decorative glass, your front entry is extra-vulnerable. Replace it with a solid-core door made of fiberglass, solid wood, or a solid wood core (veneer over solid wood.) Metal doors are fine, but don’t make sure they are reinforced inside and have a lock block, or they can be bent out of the doorframe.
Of course, the best line of security is one that protects all of your home’s doors and windows. A security system monitored by EMC can keep watch over every entrance and exit, and with redundant cellular monitoring and video security, you can control the locks and who comes in or out.
Request Your Home Security Evaluation
Want to know more? Call us at 770-963-0305 to request an evaluation of your home’s security needs.
Sandy Springs False Alarm Ordinance Updates
The City of Sandy Springs passed an update to their false alarm ordinance.
As of June 19, 2019, in the event of an intrusion alarm signal, Sandy Springs Police will require video, audio, or in-person verification of an actual event before dispatching an authority to your home.
EMC Security is compliant with all Sandy Springs ordinance requirements. Is your provider? Click here to check the Sandy Springs fine report.
City officials are in the process of communicating the change to all homeowners and businesses in Sandy Springs. We encourage everyone to learn more at www.sandyspringsga.gov/alarm-ordinance. Please make note of the fines for false alarms, including those for calls into the 911 center without the appropriate verification. View the video below for more information.
In order for EMC Security or any provider to continue to provide emergency dispatch on behalf of a Sandy Springs resident or business, a true verification system must be used. Citizens and/or alarm companies have 24 hours to provide video or audio clips (to verify an actual intrusion event) to the 911 Center.
We are committed to providing more protection choices and flexibility so our Sandy Springs customers can protect their homes and families while meeting the requirements of the new ordinance.
EMC Security service options include:
OPTION 1: Customer Verification and Dispatch
Provides smart-phone notification of an alarm condition to our customers. Our customers can then take action, up to and including contacting authorities. This basic notification service will make no provision for EMC Security to dispatch for any alarm signal on behalf of the customer.
OPTION 2: Customer Verification with EMC Security Dispatch
Includes full-service monitoring of fire alarm, personal emergency panic and silent hold-up signals from the home. Notification of homeowner and contacts by our central station will be provided for other alarm conditions, including all intrusion signals, but will not include police dispatch.
OPTION 3: EMC Security Verification and Dispatch
Full service including monitoring and dispatch services on all fire alarm, personal emergency, and silent alarm duress signals, and will include police dispatch on true verified alarms.
How to Choose a Home Security System (Part 4)
It’s not uncommon for home buyers to move into a house with a pre-installed, wired security system, at which point they wonder, “How can I activate this system?”
Or perhaps a homeowner currently has a wired system and finds themselves not satisfied with the service provider that monitors the system. We get customers who fall into these two scenarios all of the time, which is why we’ve decided to share some information to help you determine whether it’s best for you to reactivate or replace your existing system.
What’s a Takeover?
Reprogramming an existing functional security system to allow for a change in monitoring companies.
Why Do a Takeover?
A takeover is the most affordable way to switch monitoring companies. If you are searching for a great value that you are not getting now, switching to EMC Security may be the answer.
What’s Included?
- A full system diagnostic
- Reprogramming and testing
- Battery replacement if needed
- Training on system operation
- EMC Security yards signs and stickers
What’s the Process?
Contact us at 770.963.0305 to schedule an in-home appointment to inspect your existing home security system and determine your needs. Monthly monitoring is $16.95 for Wi-Fi, $23.95 for
cellular option.EMC Security Difference
- Monthly monitoring is $16.95 for Wi-Fi, $23.95 for cellular option
- No-Contract option
- Response averaging 14 seconds
- New EMC Group Chat notifications
Still unsure on whether your existing system can be revamped? If so, contact EMC Security to receive additional information or receive a free quote.
