What do you think you could learn from a home burglar that could help protect you and your families’ belonging?
That’s the subject Debra Roberts and ABC TV set out to explore in a recent 20/20 newscast. They worked with a reformed home burglar to learn his secrets on how burglars identify, target and rob a home. He also identified those items that deterred him from robbing a home.
In this informational video, you will learn that a home burglary occurs every 15 second. It took this burglar less than 15 minutes to rob a home of its valuables. No matter what the race, nationality income or type of neighborhood, he will always find the jewelry in the master bedroom. That is the first place the thief starts. Drugs in the bathroom are valuable to sell on the open market. Burglars use social media sites to identify when families are gone on vacation. Video devises with the charger cords still attached are more valuable than video devises without the cord. Most home robberies occur during the daytime hours.
Take eight minutes to review this wonderful video. Then apply the tips identified in the video to make your home and belongings safer from potential house thieves.
Give us a call so we can help you with implementing these home security tips.
A potential customer, Phil, recently called me. He described the process he was using to select a home security company for his home and family.
“I went on the internet to do my research about home security systems. After two hours of searching and reading, all the claims and promised of the home security companies on the internet confused me. Can you strip away all of the hype and tell me in simple terms the benefits KMT Systems offers to a family home like mine?”
Benefits of a KMT Systems Home Security System
Here is my simplified answer to Phil’s questions on benefits of a home security system.
According to FBI statistics there are over 2 million home burglaries a year. With a home security system, you are 3 times less likely to become an FBI statistic.
A home security system offers 24/7 protection for you and your family.
Depending upon your insurance company, you may get as much as 20% discount on your homeowner’s insurance premiums.
At $14.99 monthly cost, KMT Systems is one of the lowest costs in the industry.
You have the benefit of dealing with a local Atlanta business. You are not dealing with a national chain.
Conclusion
I cannot make the KMT Systems home security benefits any simpler. I might add one remaining benefit, you get peace of mind for you and your family.
Benefits of Wireless Home Security for Your Atlanta Home
When people ask me about the benefits of a wireless security system for their Atlanta homes, I usually reflect with them about the changes smart phones have brought to our daily lives.
We can now buy on line anywhere our smart phone operates. Home computer no longer rules our world. We can share pictures and texts with our friends on social media sites. When we want directions or a good place to eat, we use our smart phones. We have become a mobile society. For some their smart phones are never more than 3 feet away, even when they sleep.
The technology that brought us the smart phones is the same technology behind the wireless home security systems. Using the wireless home security system you can get complete home security protection 24/7. You can install a variety of options like motion detectors, water and fire sensors, video cameras as well as windows and door sensors. With today’s wireless technology you can control your home’s lights, heat, and cold, raise window blinds along with remote door locking.
At the heart of these options, is that control you have wherever you go. With all of these home security options, you control them from your smart phone or remote computer. You are always in charge. You can be two places at once!
When you consider the hard wire home security alternative, the choice favors wireless. Hard wired systems involve messy installations with holes in your wall; they involve phone lines that can be cut by the bad guys to gain entrance to your home; they involve higher costs for hard wired home installations; and hard wired systems do not give you the ability to take your system with you if you should move.
Wireless home security systems have revolutionized the home security business just as the smart phones have revolutionized the way we live. Give us a call and let us explain how a wireless system can provide the home security you want for your family.
With more than 100 home security alarm companies in Atlanta and surrounding areas, it can be hard to tell one company from the other.
It can also be hard to identify the reputable companies from those that are a little shaky.
We’ve been protecting homeowners in Atlanta since 1998, and we’ve heard our fair share of tall tales told by others. Here are five of the most common lies we’ve heard about home security companies in Atlanta:
# 1 – All Atlanta Home Security Companies Can Be Trusted.
It would be great if that statement were true. In today’s society, however, virtually every institution and industry have been rocked by scandal. The security industry is no exception.
Check out any company before you talk to them. Search their business name on Google. Go to review sites like Kudzu or Yelp. Check with the Better Business Bureau and state licensing agencies.
Always know who you are dealing with before inviting them into your home.
# 2 – All Companies Perform The Same Way.
Some people view all Atlanta home security companies as performing exactly the same way, with the only difference being the price of the security system. Believing this lie jeopardizes the safety of you and your family.
Different companies have different operating philosophies and business models. Hiring and training practices can vary between companies. Companies have different standards of performance and expectation levels.
# 3 – All Companies Protect Homes The Same Way.
That’s like saying all people make barbeque the same way. Your lifestyle and home are unique and effective Atlanta home security companies recognize your uniqueness. They custom design home security systems that protect you and that fit into your lifestyle and your budget.
Different companies will have different approaches to protecting your home. Make sure you understand what is being recommended, why it is being recommended and how it helps you achieve your objectives.
# 4 – All Atlanta Security Companies Sell The Same Equipment.
You’ll often hear this lie told as something like, “All home security equipment is basically the same.”
That simply is not true. There is low-end security equipment and it is high-end. Some equipment comes with longer warranties and better guarantees than others. Some companies use hard wired alarm systems while others use wireless.
It’s important you understand the equipment that is being used to protect you. Know its reliability, warranty, and reputation in the marketplace.
# 5 – All Atlanta Home Alarm Monitoring Companies Do The Same Thing.
We’ve seen this lie result in more heartache for homeowners than you could shake a stick at.
There are currently no state laws requiring how home alarm systems are monitored in Georgia. Some companies actually monitor alarm systems from the living room of their home! That’s not very secure. Some monitoring centers don’t meet UL performance standards and many are not redundant, leaving you vulnerable during an attack or natural disaster.
Look beyond the price of the monitoring to see the value of what you are getting. The most critical component of any home security system is who responds and when. Make sure you know what you are getting.
Were you aware that every year at this time Protection Concepts and area police departments receive numerous complaints about the fraudulent sales tactics of door-to-door security sales workers?
So does the Federal Government. In fact, the US Government receives so many complaints about door-to-door home security sales tactics that they issued this report to protect consumers from these scams.
These temporary summer security sales workers mislead consumers. Their goal is to deceive consumers to convert their service from their existing provider (like Protection Concepts) to an unaffiliated third party service. They also attempt to “trick” consumers into buying new equipment or a new security system from a disreputable out-of-state company.
These unethical temporary workers descend on a community like locusts on a field. They’re followed by installation crews to install equipment and make transfers before unsuspecting victims can question what’s going on.
Because these scams are so prevalent throughout Georgia, we offer these tips about what to look for and how to protect yourself:
Who Are Prime Targets:
Elderly
Families
Busy Professionals
Existing Protection Concepts Customers
Deceptive Tactics Used:
Showing up without an appointment saying they work for Protection Concepts (we never show up without an appointment and we don’t practice door-to-door selling)
Saying they’ve been directed to “inspect your system” by Protection Concepts
Trying to convert contracts to what they claim is Protection Concepts “new company name”
Stating that Protection Concepts is going out of business
Wearing shirts or hats from alarm manufacturers like Honeywell, Ademco, and GE
High-pressure sales with offers good “only today”
To Verify You Are Dealing With A Reputable Security Professional:
Call the company the person claims to represent to verify employment
If the person claims to work for or be affiliated with Protection Concepts, call us to verify 770-612-9073
How To Protect Yourself:
Never allow any door-to-door security worker “inspect” your security system, as they may be looking for information for criminals to use to burglarize your home
If you have concerns about your Protection Concepts home security system, call us at 770-612-9073 to have a free review of your system
Always verify that you are dealing with a reputable professional before signing anything and giving anyone your credit card number or money
Don’t waive your right to cancel the contract. In Georgia, you have the right to cancel a contract you enter into in your home. You have three working days to cancel the contract. Get more details at http://consumer.georgia.gov/consumer-topics/canceling-a-contract.
Here are seven simple steps you can take to select the correct home security system in Atlanta:
Determine your goals and objectives so you know exactly what you are trying to accomplish. Different home security companies in Atlanta use different ways to protect homes. It’s best to know your needs before you begin the search.
Ask for referrals from family, friends, and co-workers. Getting a recommendation from someone you trust can make selecting the right alarm system much easier. Find out exactly what system they are using, who installed it and who monitors it. Getting feedback from their experience can save you from making the wrong choice.
Only use Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certified equipment and be fully aware of the equipment’s capabilities and limitations. The only way to rest assures that the components of your home security alarm system meet strict performance standards is to use the certified equipment. Demand that your alarm company representative clearly defines the decision-making process behind any security approach or device they recommend for your home.
Research alarm companies on the Internet. Consumer reviews from websites like Kudzu can really provide valuable insight into the overall customer satisfaction. These review sites can sometimes provide feedback on particular pieces of equipment that other customers have purchased as well. It is a good idea to look at the reviews as a whole rather than placing too much value on any one single review. View them all to develop a consensus.
Investigate and assess each security company that you are considering. See if there is information about the company with the Atlanta Better Business Bureau. You want to fully understand who you are dealing with before committing to their products, services, and fees.
Require an evaluation of your home along with a sales presentation from any alarm company you are considering. Never buy an alarm system until you know it is going to meet the level of protection you are expecting. You should have a clear understanding of what will and will not be protected as well as how everything will be monitored and how much your protection coverage will cost. Go over any contract thoroughly so you won’t run into any surprises down the road should you want to move or cancel your service. There are often many terms and conditions associated with hiring a particular security company that you need to be made aware.
Don’t be coerced. There are a lot of high-pressure sales tactics that can be quite effective. Try to avoid companies that try to pressure you into using their products and services. “Today only” offers, scary crime statistics and “special deals that are just for you” are just some of the many tactics that pushy salespeople use to try and get you to sign up. Be patient and know all the facts before you sign a contract. After all, if the company, their products, and services don’t sell themselves then you might want to look for one that does.
Taking your time to find the right security company will give you peace of mind knowing you gave your best effort in finding the right protection for your home and family. Apply these tips to help you reach the best decision.
