More and more careful homeowners are turning to home security cameras during these times of ever-increasing package theft, the never-ending risk of burglary, the need to keep close watch over children during outdoor play time, and for numerous other reasons.

It’s not wrong to opt out of the security camera scene, but it is a somewhat risky decision. Whether you’re sold on the idea or not, here are the primary reasons for video camera systems and just some of the numerous features available to you.

1. Instant Alerts. This type can be connected to your burglar alarm system and monitored by you at a home, on a remote mobile device, and by your security alarm service provider. The slightest trigger provides instant notifications right away to the homeowner and the security agency. This allows prompt action without wasting time.
2. Wireless. Older model security cameras required electricity to operate along with a connection to your telephone line. Well, burglars are smart and know how to cut the lines and gain unlawful entry inside your property. But technology has outsmarted them. Today’s video systems, you see, use mobile phone frequencies and their batteries are designed to last from 3 to 5 years. So, even if you lose power, you won’t lose video surveillance.
3. Home Automation. With built-in home automation, some video camera systems can lock doors, switch lights on and off, and disarm the security system from a distance. Another great feature is the ability to check from your bedroom to see if you remembered to lock up the house without having to get up to do so. Talk about convenience!
4. Interactive Monitoring. If you have a multi-camera system, you don’t want the hassle of having to check on them one at a time. With interactive monitoring you don’t have to since this feature enables you to watch live video feeds from every single camera on your home computer, tablet, or Smart Phone.
5. Home Insurance. Most homeowner’s insurance companies offer attractive discounts if you take measures to safeguard your home and property. If you add wireless sensors, like carbon monoxide and fire detectors, or install a wireless security system around your home, you could save significantly more.

Don’t think for a moment that home video surveillance systems are designed primarily for people who live with fear. They’ve been designed to give you less reason to do so.

For more information and a free in-home security analysis, contact Now Security Systems today.

Few things make you feel as unsettled and violated as coming home to a house that’s been torn apart by a burglar. Yet many homeowners unwittingly make it all too easy for a would-be robber to enter. In fact, it is estimated that roughly 30 percent of all home burglaries can be traced back to an open window or unlocked door.

But now, and with a few simple precautionary measures, you can make your house less of a target while better protecting your family and personal belongings.

• Don’t leave ladders in unlocked sheds or propped up against your home. Doing so can give a burglar a boost to an open second story window.

• If you’ve decided to have a security system installed, be sure to secure the entire home, not just the first story.

• Consider replacing old, wood-panel exterior doors with steel-wrapped doors, and make sure all exterior doors are equipped with deadbolts.

• Trim plants and bushes from entry points, including windows, to ensure they are visible from the street.

• Add motion-sensing lights near the garage, walkway, and exterior doors.

• A mirror can be a lovely accent to a room; just be sure it doesn’t help make your security system keypad visible should someone peer through a window. The idea is to make them think the system is armed.

• Store valuables in a wall safe over a portable safe that can be simply carried away. Better yet, rent a secure lockbox at your neighborhood bank.

• Avoid telling the whole world your travel plans. Have a friend, family member, or neighbor check on your house periodically, take in the mail, and keep up with lawn mowing or snow removal. Also, avoid posting on social media; save the pics for when you return home.

All good ideas, of course. But experienced burglars often can still find a way indoors. That’s where we come in – Now Security Systems. We install state-of-the-art home security alarm systems and offer in-house, proprietary monitoring – nothing we do is outsourced to a third party. Contact us today for a free in-home security analysis and new-system proposal.

Is a Ford Fiesta the same as a Lincoln Town Car? After all, they’re both automobiles, both made by the same company, both derive their power from engines and are fueled by gasoline – so what’s the difference? Duh – there are plenty of differences.

And the same goes for almost all other consumer products, including home security systems. So, consider this blog a security system primer, featuring the features most of our clients want included. Some are essential, some are optional, and both do a good-to-great job of providing the kind of added security we know you want.

Security System Elements

Home security systems (also commonly known as “burglar alarm systems”) start by monitoring your home’s perimeter for any kind of opening, including a broken door or window. They do this by creating an electric circuit, open or closed.

Burglar alarm circuits can set off by door sensors that have magnetic switches embedded in the frame that align with a magnet in the door. When the door is closed, the switch is pulled shut and completes the circuit. When the door is opened, the circuit is broken, triggering the alarm relay. This same design is commonly used for window sensors, as well.

The alarm system is monitored by a control panel. It’s a mini-computer that arms the system and detects attempted or successful break-ins. The control panel has its own power supply, so a burglar cannot cut off the power before breaching the perimeter. When the circuit is broken, the control panel will either sound an audible alarm or alert the security company – in some cases, both.

Wired vs. Wireless

Just as upgrades in electronics technology have changed so much of how we live and work, they’ve similarly changed how most security systems operate today. Instead of being connected by electrical wires, window and door sensors now communicate with the control panel via a wireless radio frequency. The control panel may then communicate with you or the security company by either a wired or wireless connection – often Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a cellular signal. These kinds of systems often work in conjunction with smart home systems, such as Z-Wave.

Smoke Detectors

Most security systems now come with smoke detectors. The advantage of these vs. the kind you would buy and install yourself is that they are connected to our dedicated monitoring system. So, if the detectors sense smoke or fire, we and your local fire department are simultaneously alerted for the protection of your home and family.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

CO detectors are less common than smoke detectors, but just as important. Carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. Without a detector, there is no way to know this gas is present. This can be extremely dangerous—thousands of people go to the hospital each year from CO poisoning.

Video Security Cameras

Video security cameras integrated into your home security system offer a world of benefits unto themselves. Just the sight of the camera outside your home is usually enough to send a burglar packing. They aid in criminal identification plus, when installed indoors as well, enable you to keep an eye on your children when they’re not in your direct line of sight or away from home.  That’s right – home security cameras, with or without video cameras, now come with Wi-Fi-accessible devices.

And, to the extent that cost matters, insurance companies offer lower rates for homes with security alarm systems. To learn more or schedule a free at-home security analysis and new system proposal, contact Now Security Systems today.

When was the last time you heard or saw a firetruck on your street – not just in a parade, but responding to an emergency? Maybe the answer is “never” or “I can’t remember” – or, far worse, “I’d rather not think about it.”

Well, not to raise an uncomfortable topic, but here are some rather grim statistics that are better worth knowing than ignoring:

• More than one-quarter (27%) of reported fires occurred in homes. Even worse, four of every five (79%) fire deaths and three-quarters (73%) of all reported injuries were caused by home fires.
• During a five-year period, US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 354,400 home structure fires per year. These fires caused an annual average of 2,620 civilian deaths; 11,220 civilian fire injuries; and $6.9 billion in direct property damage.

• Most home fires and fire casualties result from five causes: cooking, heating, electrical distribution and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials.
• Over the five-year period of 2013–2017, cooking was the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, while smoking was the leading cause of home fire deaths.

This information was compiled and reported by the National Fire Protection Association.

What does it mean to you? It means taking every reasonable precaution to ensure the protection and safety of home and family. Here are a few proven effective techniques:

• Inspect heating sources. At least once a year, have your furnace or boiler inspected for both efficiency and safe operation. Don’t leave space heaters on without an adult present and keep them at least three feet away from flammable objects. Don’t allow children or pets near them, either.

• Cook with caution. 73% of home fires start in the kitchen, so never leave your stove or oven on without a responsible adult in the room. Keep your cooking surfaces clean, and always remove residual grease before cooking again. Plus, keep a fire extinguisher in or near your kitchen and always remember they can’t be refilled.

• Regularly check the condition of electrical cords and watch out for frayed wires. Repair or replace damaged cords immediately. Electrical cords can produce heat, so don’t trap them under a rug or between furniture and the wall. When you’re not using them, unplug any appliances that feel warm to the touch when connected to power, including phone chargers.

For fire protection even when you’re away from home, contact Now Security Systems about adding smoke and heat alarms to your existing home security system – or, installing a system that includes the alarms. A home security system can provide an early warning system for smoke in the home as well as warn of sources of the heat.

Heat detectors can be added to a home security system, too. These detectors can determine if a fire is building in the area of the home and provide advanced notice of even the smallest of changes in heat. And that can prevent further damage from fire.

Family safety is our top priority; call us and learn more about how we can help.

Home burglaries are like most other problems.  Meaning, the best remedy is to prevent burglaries in the first place.

Then again, maybe you’re already doing enough to keep your home burglar-free. Before you attempt to answer that to your complete satisfaction, here are a couple of Connecticut crime statistics that might just surprise you:

• On average, there are 63,509 property-related crimes committed each year
• That number equates to 17.7 property crimes for every 1,000 people
• 10,045 of the total are home burglaries
• 7,107 are auto thefts

The conclusion? Burglars are busy people and they’re most likely to strike where they have the most to gain. Maybe even your house?

• To help better protect what’s yours, here’s some helpful advice from Now Security Systems:
• Don’t leave windows and doors open or unlocked even when running a quick errand or taking your dog for walk.
• Don’t let mail pile up or your lawn remain untended while you’re on vacation.
• Leave one or more interior lights on before going out for the evening.
• Better yet, equip your home with a lighting control system that enables you to program which lights turn on and off, and when.
• Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed back from windows, otherwise you’re giving burglars a place to hide before attempting a break-in.
• Don’t allow sales people or those claiming to be utility workers, etc. in, unless you have a scheduled appointment or otherwise can verify their identity and affiliation.
• Have a back-up plan for package delivery for those times you’re not at home.
• Don’t leave a garage door opener in plain view or in an unlocked car.
• Invest in an outdoor security lighting system, including motion-detection spotlights.
• Install a home security system, with a control panel where it can be seen from the street, even if it’s in front of a mirror.

At Now Security Systems, we have all the latest equipment and experience necessary to add greatly to your burglary defenses and your family’s peace of mind. Contact us today for more information and a free in-home security analysis.

As more and more US homeowners install, enhance, or replace their home security systems, property crime rates continue to decline.

In 2017, for example, crimes rates in suburban and rural areas by 3.9 percent and 1.5 percent in metropolitan counties. Decreases in crime must also be attributed to increased police presence, neighborhood watch groups, social media, and more.

That’s the good news.  The following statistics are somewhat more sobering:

• 2,000,000 home burglaries are reported each year in the United States
• About 30 percent of all burglaries take place through an open or unlocked window or door.
• Nearly 66 percent of all burglaries are residential break-ins

Here are three more statistics we KNOW you’ll find interesting:

• Homes without security systems are up to 300% more likely to be broken into.
• Only 17% of US the homes have a security system.
• Police usually clear only about 13% of reported burglaries due to lack of witnesses or physical evidence.

Now you know why Now Security Systems is in the home and commercial security business. People want and need the services we provide to protect their property, for their added safety, but mostly for greater peace of mind.

We’re not crime fighters, per se. But we do our best to help reduce the number of crimes committed throughout the state of Connecticut, year after year.

To learn more about what we can do to help, contact us today for a free in-home consultation and proposal.

There are several reasons to hide a spare key outside your premises: for your child to gain entry when you’re not home, in the event you lose your key, to allow a trusted service provider direct access, and so on. It’s a matter of convenience and avoiding the expense of hiring a locksmith.

On the other hand, leaving a spare key in an overly obvious spot or one well known to burglars could prove to be a very costly mistake. So where should you hide it?  Here a few creative suggestions.

• Bury a fake but realistic-looking sprinkler in the ground, one that really is a key holder. But this only works if you have other sprinkler heads in the ground.
• If you live in a house with a lot of tree coverage, most people wouldn’t think to check the trees for a key. Pick a tree far from your house and drive a nail into it on the side facing away from your house and hang the key on the nail. Or, place the key in a plastic holder and hide inside an open tree knot.
• You could always leave a key with your neighbor.  The trick is, they must be home when you get there; otherwise, you’ll need a key to their house.
• A similar, yet more secure option is a hitch receiver lock box. Obviously, it only works if your car has a hitch receiver, but it’s significantly more secure as it locks the contents behind a four-digit combination. You can also store a spare key for your car in a hitch safe without the fear of someone driving off with your vehicle.
• Or, how about in a magnetic lock box under your car? When you’re not home, neither is your key.  This approach doesn’t do much for the service provider or your child but works wonders if you lose your own keys.
• Yu know what burglars hate? Dogs. Especially loud ones. They don’t want to go near them. So hide the key under the dog house to keep it safe.

Even if a burglar can’t find your spare key and goes elsewhere, wouldn’t you still want to know that an attempt had been made? If so, contact Now Security Systems about security cameras to enhance your home security system. That way, you can keep an eye on your home even when you’re not there.

This will probably come as no surprise to you, but there are more home break-ins and burglaries during the summer months than any other time of the year, including the holidays.

What’s more, and according to the FBI:

• Most burglaries occur between 6 AM and 6 PM.
• About 30% of burglaries are initiated through an open or unlocked window or door.
• In the U.S., one home burglary occurs every 13 seconds
• 2 million home burglaries are reported every year

Needless to say, home burglaries are a widespread and persistent problem. But a problem that most often can be prevented.

Here’s how to safeguard your home during the summer season:

Think like a burglar. How might you break into your own home if you really had to? You might start by looking for a ladder left outdoors or in an unlocked garage, and shame on you if you find one!  You also might want to consider trimming back tall shrubs near windows. Those windows may be secure now, but a burglar won’t know that until he tries getting through one. Why give him that chance?

Keys and key chains. Do you have a hidden key for a family member who may have forgotten theirs? First, it’s probably not as well hidden as you’d like to think. Second, you’d be far better off leaving a spare key with a trusted neighbor.

Do not open the door to strangers. That person attempting to enter your home could be sales person of the year for the company they claim to be with, but you don’t know that! When in doubt, keep them out.

Keep the lights on. Exterior lighting is a wonderful burglar deterrent and one you should take full advantage of. Motion sensor lights that detect people, not animals? We highly recommend them. The same goes for pathway, patio, and other forms of outdoor lighting.

Lawn, papers, and social media – no way! Serious times call for a serious commitment to home security, and that includes not advertising your time away from on home. For example, nothing says “We’re away!” better than an unkempt lawn that usually is meticulously groomed, newspapers stacked up on your front stoop, and a mail box overflowing with bills, birthday invitations, and what have you.  Another calling card to put back in your pocket, so to speak is Social Media – as in, save sharing details of your trip until you return to your un-burglarized home.

Today, Now Security Systems would like to share one more FBI statistic with you: homes without security systems are 300% more likely to be burglarized than those without. Don’t already have one? Call us for a free in-home security appraisal and new system quote.  Have a system but not happy with the company monitors it?  Call us, share your concerns, and allow us the opportunity to put them to rest.  Now Security Systems: always ready and able to help.