An image of a house during spring, part of a post on home security travel tips for spring break

How to Secure Your Home for Spring Break Travel

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Spring break is a fantastic opportunity to relax and decompress after a busy winter, but it might be tough to unwind if you’re worried about the safety of your home. Research shows that burglars are three times less likely to break into a house with a security system in place. If you don’t already have a home surveillance system, install one before you leave.

Beyond surveillance, making your home appear lived-in is the best way to deter burglars when you’re out of town. Here are some simple home security travel tips for securing your home during spring break.

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An image of a bank building exterior, relating to a theme of bank security

Three Top Bank Security Challenges and How to Overcome Them

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An image of a bank building exterior, relating to a theme of bank securityBanks are responsible for protecting precious financial and physical assets for their customers. What may seem like a straightforward task can be complicated by complex system requirements, outdated technology, and evolving needs. Here are some of the top bank security challenges and how to solve them.

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An image of banking ATM machines, suggesting a theme of bank security

Four Lesser-Known Bank Security Considerations

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An image of banking ATM machines, suggesting a theme of bank security

While features like access control, surveillance, and emergency response protocols are likely the first things that come to mind when you think of bank security, there are many nuances to an effective system. Using the latest technology can fortify and streamline security systems in financial institutions, making it easier to stay proactive against security threats. Here are some less-obvious bank security considerations.

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Preparing for Smash-And-Grab Burglaries

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A recent increase in instances of smash-and-grab burglaries throughout New England has resulted in thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise and property damage. If you sell high-value items, these unfortunate events serve as a reminder to audit your existing security system. 

The most effective security strategies incorporate elements that prevent, limit the impact, and assist in the aftermath of a robbery. Here are our suggestions for preparing your business for smash-and-grabs. Read more →

A shoplifter engaging in retail theft

Four Common Crimes Retailers Face

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

According to the National Retail Federation, retail theft and fraud amounted to 1.62% of sales in 2019 and about $61.7 billion in losses. While these numbers are daunting, there are simple steps you can take to reduce theft in your business. Keep these common retail crimes in mind as you devise a loss prevention plan for your business.

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Packages left on front porch, a reminder of holiday shopping security topics

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Holiday Shopping Security Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Packages left on front porch, a reminder of holiday security topicsBlack Friday and Cyber Monday both bring opportunities for great deals—and the potential for theft. As more shoppers switch from in-person to online shopping, the opportunities for package theft and fraud increase. In addition, more shopping activity means more possibility of credit card fraud or identity theft. To stay protected from theft of all kinds, follow these tips for holiday shopping security.

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A front door to a house with Halloween decorations, a reminder of Halloween home security

Three Halloween Home Security Risks for 2021

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A front door to a house with Halloween decorations, a reminder of Halloween home securityHalloween, the holiday of candy, costumes, and…crime? Halloween home security should be an autumn priority.

Unfortunately Halloween sits well above the national daily average in terms of residential insurance claims for both property damage (17% higher) and theft (60% higher). Add to that an increase in violent crime of 50% on Halloween night, and it’s safe to say that this holiday truly earns its spooky reputation. 

While there may be risks associated with this fun-but-frightening holiday, there are also ways to stay safe. You just have to know what to prepare for. Keep the following Halloween home security risks in mind to ensure that the only thing you need to be scared of this October 31st is the latest creature feature on TV.

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Image of someone using a car remote / keyless entry to unlock a car

How Your Car’s Keyless Entry System Makes Auto Theft Easier Than Ever

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Image of someone using a car remote / keyless entry to unlock a car2020 brought 873,080 car thefts—the highest number in a decade. The previous few years leading up to 2020 actually saw a decrease in car thefts before this 9.2% upward jump. The reason? Keyless entry systems and push-button ignitions.

These technological advancements have at once made our lives more convenient and our cars more at risk for theft. This is due to a combination of readily-available technology found on popular online shopping mega-sites and our very own key fobs, which provide for easy access and quick getaways.

Problems with Spare Key Fobs

Gone are the days of slow, manual hotwiring practices. Now, all a car thief has to do is spot a spare key fob in your cup holder to gain instant access to your car. This is because most keyless entry systems won’t completely lock if your key fob is still in your vehicle. That means anyone can walk up, open the door, and drive away.

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Image of front door open, signifying home burglary, home security risk

Home Security Myths: Debunked

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Image of front door open, signifying home burglary, home security riskWhen it comes to home security, it’s important to take action based on facts. While the movies may have taught us all about how burglars operate, the truth is quite different. Let’s debunk some popular home security myths to ensure that you are prepared for the real security risks that exist in the world today. 

MYTH #1: Most burglaries occur at night

FACT: The majority of residential robberies occur during the day

The middle of the night might seem like the most opportune time for a home invasion. However, the truth is that 51% of robbers break into homes between 10am and 3pm. This is because burglars want to enter homes they’re sure will be empty. In order to avoid a daytime break in, install a quality home security system with accompanying video surveillance and backup communications.

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Watch Out for These Common Scams Against the Elderly

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Fraud continues to impact people of every age, yet those over the age of 60 report more financial loss than any other portion of the population. Elders between the ages of 60-65 report an average loss of $500 per successful fraud attempt. That number increases right along with age. Those 80 and older lose an average of $1500 per fraudulent attack.

If you are a member of our elderly population—or if you have a loved one who is—be aware of the following common scams. Each one affects seniors 60+ at a higher rate than any other age group. Once you know how the scam works, you’ll be far less likely to fall victim to it.

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