Tips for Homeowners

Tips for Homeowners

Fall season is here and it’s time to revisit home security

  • By Wade Gibson
  • Sep 19, 2022

Now that summer vacations have come to an end and the skies are getting dark earlier, it’s a good time for homeowners to take a look at their home’s security. Security systems can help consumers maintain a safe and secure property during the cooler months by implementing a few smart tips to detract any unwanted attention.

Take stock of your equipment. As the seasons change, we encourage consumers to inspect their home’s security equipment to confirm that everything is in working order. This includes changing any batteries to smoke detectors and smart locks. It is also a great opportunity to make sure that security cameras are properly recording and storing footage, and double-checking that equipment is secured to your home’s exterior by tightening any screws or mounting hardware.

Install exterior lighting and security cameras. A well-lit property makes it difficult to sneak around—both for the exterior and interior of a home. Exterior lighting, which can be connected to smart home automation systems, not only provides safe entry, but it also helps to deter unwanted visitors who may have bad intentions. Good exterior lighting combined with visible and functioning security cameras are two strong ways to secure the perimeter of your property.

Around-the-clock security system monitoring. Consumers should take a look at self-monitored security systems that they installed themselves, and consider upgrading or adding on professional monitoring so that if an alarm triggers, the local fire or police department will be dispatched. Professional monitoring, like the 24/7 monitoring provided by Brinks Home™, is an affordable way to ensure your home and your loved ones are always protected.

Bring packages inside or install a doorbell camera. More people working from home has led to an uptick in packages being delivered to front doors. Unfortunately, that also means there are more opportunities for someone to gain access to those packages before you have a chance to bring them inside. A common deterrent to packages being stolen from front porches is a doorbell camera. This is a cost-effective and simple way to monitor who is approaching your home’s main point of entry.

Use all the tools available to you. Most modern-day home security systems come equipped with a mobile application. Downloading this app means that consumers can monitor their home’s cameras from anywhere. Whether they are out of town or just down the street at the local high school for a football game, visibility and alerts through a mobile app can make a big difference.

Don’t overlook your lights. Today’s energy-efficient light bulbs make it easy to leave a light on inside your home without having to worry about a fire hazard or drastically impacting your electric bill. Strategically leave lights on in front entryways, hallways, or living rooms. There are dozens of smart light bulbs and lighting options available on the market today, so this is a good way to keep your home safe.

Ultimately, home security is up to the individual. Homeowners should take a proactive approach to maintaining their property and keeping it from being an easy target. There are numerous simple and cost-effective ways to create a secure environment both inside and outside the home and we are happy to be a part of an industry that contributes to the safety of our communities.

This article originally appeared in the September / October 2022 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Wade Gibson is the chief sales and customer acquisition officer at Brinks Home.

Featured

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.