Month: September 2017

Social media has become a huge part of everyday life. People are constantly sharing photos, statuses, and other updates letting their followers know where they are and what they’re doing. Unfortunately, this can put people at risk, with burglars using social media to target certain homes and individuals.

Most applications use location services, often telling people where we are without our knowledge. This gives burglars an upper hand. Below are a few ways that burglars are using social media to their advantage, as well as some tips for preventing them.

Casual Facebook Friends

Many of us have Facebook friends who we have grown apart from or didn’t know very well to begin with. . Remove these people as your friends, as well as any unknown followers on other social media networks.

Additionally, make sure that your social profiles are private. That way, prying eyes will not have access to your personal information and whereabouts.

Facebook Check-ins

When traveling, people often “check in” at airports, hotels, or their destination on Facebook. Checking in at the airport or at a location in a different city lets a burglar know exactly where you are, and also indicates you’ll be gone for some time. Burglars then have plenty of time to commit a robbery.

The Location Feature

Many social media applications share your location whenever you post. Facebook includes your location automatically, while other applications let you choose whether or not to add your location. Fortunately, you can go to your personal settings and turn the location feature off.

Google Street View

Google Street View gives burglars a panoramic view of the area around your home. While there isn’t much to prevent burglars from using this feature, you should still be aware that Google Street View is a potential casing tactic.

Vacation Photos

We often want to show off the beautiful places we’re visiting while on vacation, updating Instagram and Facebook with photos of our trip. Our tip? Wait to upload your vacation photos until after you’ve returned home. That way, a potential burglar cannot take advantage of your being away from home.  

Social media is a great way to communicate and connect with people all over the world, but it’s important to be cautious of the potential dangers of social media. Use these tips to protect your home while you’re away.

Interested in extra protection against burglars? Contact Sonitrol to learn about our comprehensive home security solutions.

Moving into a new home can be fun and exciting, but it can also be stressful. From logistical issues to decorating, a lot of effort goes into moving. With all the commotion, it can be easy to fall behind on certain aspects of your move. But knowing how to secure a new home is an important part of the moving process.

Here are some steps on how to make your new home safe:

Check your locks & doors

Roughly 33% of burglars enter through the front door. That means securing exterior doors should be the first step when moving into a new home. Make sure your deadbolts are working correctly and that your door frames are secure.

Buy a security system

Home security systems offer the most protection for your home, not to mention peace of mind. There are many different levels of security systems, but carbon monoxide and smoke detectors should be your first priority.

Lock your windows

It’s easy to forget to lock your windows, especially when you’ve first moved. Maybe you opened some windows to air out a freshly-painted room, or you just want some fresh air in the house. Just remember to close and lock any open windows before you leave.

Install outdoor lights

You want to be able to see outside when it’s dark, especially around the perimeter of your home. And better yet, install light detectors that only go off when they sense movement. Motion-sensing lights will alert you to any suspicious activity going on around your home.

Meet your neighbors

You want to create some nearby friends in case of an incident where you are out of the house or need a helping hand. Not only can they give you helpful advice about the safety of the neighborhood, but neighbors can also act as an extra set of eyes looking out for you and your home.

It’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of a new house. While the steps above may seem like a hassle, they can save you time, money, and potential loss in the long run. Interested in learning more about securing your home? Contact Sonitrol today and learn how we can help!

You should always keep your most valuable possessions in a safe, secure spot. Safety deposit boxes are a great place to store valuables, but there are also safe places to store your valuables in your home. At-home safes can give you peace of mind that your valuables are well protected.

If a safety deposit box or home safe is not an option for you, don’t worry. Here are some places around the house where burglars are less likely to look in the event of a home invasion:

The Kitchen

Besides your appliances, burglars often don’t expect to find valuables in your kitchen. Many kitchen cabinets and cabinets go completely unnoticed to burglars once they enter your house. Consider placing things under the kitchen sink or in the cupboards, hidden behind household materials that are of no use to burglars.

Take an extra step and hide your valuables in fake packaging, like an old cereal box. Just don’t forget your valuables are stored there and accidentally throw the box out!

The Freezer

In addition to kitchen cabinets, burglars almost never open the refrigerator. The freezer is a great place to store valuables. Just make sure the items you store there are not sensitive to cold. Wrap them in aluminum foil or plastic wrap so they blend in with the rest of the items in the freezer.

Laundry Bins

Most burglars aren’t in pursuit of your dirty laundry. Keep your valuables safe by hiding them underneath the lining of the laundry bag. You can set them in small containers or slim boxes.

Innocuous Boxes

There are always boxes in your house that hold random items that you probably only use once a year. Label these boxes with something burglars would likely find useless, like “Christmas Decorations.” Place valuables in these boxes, towards the bottom.

These unexpected places to hide your valuables will throw burglars off, and more than likely keep them from finding your most valuable possessions. Keep your home and important items safe with security solutions from Sonitrol. Call today to see how we can protect your home!