We can never have enough plugs for our dozens of juice-hungry devices. Multiple power strips are pretty much essential.
But despite being commonplace in the home, these little plastic gadgets can be extremely dangerous when used improperly or when they malfunction. Surge protectors can actually cause electrical fires. According to the ESFI, over 3,300 home fires originate in extension cords and power strips each year, killing 50 people and injuring 270 more.
After hearing harrowing stories from our customers of burn-outs and near-catastrophes stemming from extension cords, we want to make sure everyone knows the best practices they should follow to minimize the risks.
Here are the home safety tips you need to know about power strips to protect your belongings from fire:
1. Know the limits of your power strip.
Your power strip can only draw so much electricity without getting overloaded. When you overload your powerstrip, that’s when you get the sparks a-flyin’ and in a matter of seconds your upholstery is going up in flames.
Usually, the manufacturer will clarify how much their power strip can handle on the package somewhere with a series of numbers.
For example, the “AmazonBasics 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, 790 Joule – White” has the following specifications:
“AC 15A, 125V, 60Hz, 1875W”
The important number is the number of watts this thing can handle: 1875. If you draw more than 1875 watts, you’ll overload the power strip. If you’re lucky, you just end up with nasty burn marks and a molten plastic mess. Others have lost their entire houses to fires started by power strips. To be safe, you should never push your circuits to the limit.
2. Know how much power your devices are using.
Most devices like phone chargers, TVs, clock radios, hair dryers, and laptop computers won’t come anywhere close to drawing that much power, so if you’re mostly just plugging in smaller appliances into your surge protectors, you’re probably pretty safe.
Power-hungry machines like:
window air conditioners
dehumidifiers
space heaters
high-end gaming/productivity PCs
all have the potential to overwhelm a cheap power strip that’s already under a lot of strain because they don’t just draw a lot of power, they draw it continuously (over 3 hours of use).
Are power strips a fire hazard?
Power strips can be a major fire hazard under certain circumstances. Remember that when using devices like these that draw continuous power, the maximum load your power strip can take will be reduced by about 20 percent, so your 1875-watt power strip can only handle 1400 watts of continuous power safely.
Before you plug any of these appliances into a power strip, glance over the packaging or do some research on the manufacturer website to make sure the math checks out. Avoid plugging multiple power-hungry devices into the same power strip. When in doubt, consult an expert.
Don’t daisy-chain your power strips/extension cords together.
A floor covered in cable spaghetti isn’t just ugly; this kind of daisy chains set-up is a serious fire hazard.
The wires inside power strips tend to be cheap and lower quality than the wires you find in your walls, so when you start chaining power strips, you lose a lot of electricity capacity in the process. Plugging in an appliance with high power usage will heat up those low-quality wires until they burst into flames.
3. Get a smoke detector
The best way to stop a fire is to catch it before it gets out of control. We can’t always be at home to watch over our power strips 24/7, so for the moments when we’re not around, smoke detectors can pick up the slack. They’ll give you peace of mind about other fire hazards too.
Smoke detectors are great for protecting your home, but fires caused by power strips are hardly the only safety threat in the home. Smoke detectors are most effective when combined with a security system and alarm monitoring to ensure fast response times from police and fire departments. Talk to a security company near you to learn more about what steps you can take to protect your home.
New technology in the home security market is starting to eliminate the need for you to carry around house keys with you. But just how safe are electronic door locks?
This article will address new trends in home locking systems and how safe, reliable and user friendly they are.
Are Electronic Door Locks Right for You?
Today’s high-tech locks use biometric access, Wi-Fi systems and Bluetooth. If any of these terms are unfamiliar to you, you may not be ready to give up your keys just yet.
On the other hand, if you are a tech-savvy homeowner who loves all the latest in smart home innovation, electronic door locks may be a great option for you to consider adding on to your home security system.
Cutting-Edge Electronic Door Lock Technology
Here are some of the latest electronic door locking technology to hit the market:
Key fob locks or proximity locks allow you to carry a key fob that will unlock your door as you move towards it and lock it as you move away from it. Similar technology is popular with automobiles; many manufacturers boast “keyless entry” as a feature of newer car models.
Smartphone locks or keyless deadbolts are controlled by your cell phone which syncs with your lock via Bluetooth. This technology allows you to control entrance to your home remotely, without you even being there, and control we comes and goes into your home.
Some locks will even alert you with a text when someone enters your home. Depending on which home automation protocol your devices use to communicate with each other, you can tie your locks into the same app as your thermostats and lighting systems.
Are Electronic Door Locks Safer than Regular Locks?
Not always. The main benefit of an electronic door lock is its convenience and ease of use. However, some electronic locks alert you to any entry into your home, providing an additional security benefit that traditional locks cannot.
Check out our guide to reinforcing your doors to learn about steps you can take to secure the entrances to your home.
Problems with Electronic Door Locks
Since electronic door locks rely heavily on technology, and technology doesn’t always work according to plan, there is a possibility that the lock will encounter an error and not respond to your phone or remote.
Most electronic door locks come with a manual lock that you can open using a key, providing you with an alternative way to get in should the software encounter issues.
There are a number of reasons why your electronic door lock may not work including:
A power outage at your home
Failed circuit boards
Smart phone failure
Even so, such occurrences are rare and our customers rarely have issues with the smart locks in their system. If you are a tech-savvy individual who likes to test out the latest gadgets, you’ll likely find this to be a convenient addition to your home. If not, you should probably keep it simple and stick with traditional locks.
Are there signs that your home is being targeted by burglars?
While nobody wants to dwell on this depressing thought, it’s always better to be prepared and informed.
What Does Casing a House Mean?
You have probably heard the term “casing a house” to describe how burglars analyze a home’s vulnerabilities. Many burglars are smarter than you’d think. When looking for potential targets, they do their research. When casing homes, the most important goal for burglars is to learn when no one’s at home. When a house in unoccupied, that is when they act.
This article will walk you through burglary statistics, how to know if you’re being targeted by burglars, and simple things you can do to protect your house in this scenario.
Home Burglary Statistics
The more you know about home burglaries, the better you can prepare and protect your home against them. That’s why knowing the statistics is important.
The statistics of home burglaries are shocking. The FBI has reported that a home break in occurs every 13 seconds in the United States. That’s around 2.5 million per year.
The most common place an intruder breaks into a house is through the front door. About 34% of burglaries occur through the front door of the home. This may seem like a bold move, however, if an intruder has done a good job watching your home, learning your daily routine, and knowing when you are away, the front door is the easiest place to slip into.
Only 28% of break-ins occur when the person is home. The other 72% occur when they are away. This is further proof that burglars watch and target homes to determine the best time to make their move.
Most home break ins occur between the hours of 10am and 3pm and usually only take on average 10 minutes to be accomplished. Thieves like to get in and out quickly to avoid being caught.
The two most frequent months for break ins are July and August. You are out and about more in the summer– and burglars are too! Criminals would rather do their work in the summer when it is warm and the greenery is full, providing optimal coverage for them to discreetly rummage through your property.
What Homes are Most Likely to be Cased?
Criminals want to make their jobs as easy as possible, so the homes most likely to be cased are ones that offer easy access like unsecured windows or garages. Home location is also important. Burglars will be more likely to strike a house that is in a quite, subdued part of town rather than in a busy area with a lot of foot traffic. The more people that are around, the more likely it is for a crook to be spotted. Also, some homes unknowingly advertise that no one is home like if the property is unkempt or if multiple weeks worth of mail is piled up at the mailbox.
Signs That Your Home is Being Targeted by Burglars
Your best protection against burglars is being informed and knowing what signs to look for that someone may be casing your home. Make sure to keep your eyes and ears out for the signs we list below.
Common Tactics Burglars Use to Case Homes
New Traffic Near Your Property
Whether on foot or in a car, if you notice new or suspicious looking people near your home, it could be a red flag that someone is watching you.
If you start to see a particular vehicle parked near your home frequently that you know does not belong to your neighbors or anyone visiting them, this could indicate that someone is watching your property. Use security cameras to track vehicles when you’re away and be on the lookout for any patterns.
Burglars often sit in vehicles with tinted windows to mask their identity. If you notice a car parked near your home for a period of time with no explanation, don’t be shy about calling the police and voicing your concern. In most cases, they will be more than happy to swing by and look into it for you.
The same goes for foot traffic near your house. If you notice a stranger frequently walking near or past your home, they may be scoping your house out in search of weak points.
When a criminal is casing a home, they may appear to be innocently walking or jogging by. However, they will likely linger for a prolonged period near your home to scope it out. If you notice this type of behavior, take note of their appearance for future reference.
Be sure to get a good look at the individual or purchase high quality security cameras that can distinguish faces. This will provide you with an accurate description to give to the police. But keep in mind, not every new person who walks past your home and casts a glance your way is a potential burglar.
Solicitation Scams
Another way that burglars case homes is to go to the door pretending to be from a legitimate business, local government agency, or having some other reason to connect with you that seems reasonable. This is a method for criminals to get a better sense of your home, gain key information, or perhaps find out if you have a home security system, dog, or anything else that might make getaway more difficult.
If granted access to your home, they can scope out windows, doors, and valuables that would inform them about a potential break in.
While you may get visitors that legitimately are looking to sell you a product or service, you should always have your guard up when an unsolicited visitor knocks on your door. Keep in mind that you are under no obligation to open your door and interact with a stranger.
Fake Emergencies
One of the oldest tricks in the book is for a criminal to come to the door and feign an emergency. They may tell you that their car broke down and they need to use your phone or that they need a glass of water.
Criminals know how to pull at your heartstrings to get you to feel sorry for them and help them out. We have a tendency to want to see the best in people. Unfortunately, there are people out there looking to take advantage of that.
Criminals use your kindness and willingness to help them in a time of need to take advantage of you. They may swipe some of your belongings while your back is turned, or they may simply gather intel and come back at a time when you are not home.
Many burglars will use the opportunity to subtly open up a door or unlock a window while inside so that they can come back and gain easy access to your home.
Taking A Picture of Houses then Walking Away
In today’s world of prevalent smartphone use, pretty much everyone has a camera on them. It is now easier than ever for people to snap a quick photo of your home for later research.
If you notice someone taking pictures of your house and then walking away, this could be a red flag. Be vigilant and look for any other suspicious activity, even if it’s occurring at a home further down the street or another block over. Alert your local law enforcement if you perceive a threat. Your help could aid them in an ongoing investigation.
Posting Flyers on the Door
Not only is having a bunch of flyers or stickers stuck in your door a nuisance, it can also serve as a way for burglars to mark your home.
Many burglars will stick flyers or stickers on homes that they think are unoccupied to serve as an indicator for their accomplices that the home is unguarded.
In these cases, it is wise to remove any flyers from your home immediately. If you are going to be out of town, ask a friend or neighbor to remove any flyers or newspapers that could be piling up outside your home indicating that you are away.
Think Your House Is Being Cased? Trust Your Gut Instinct
When it comes to protecting your home against break ins, one of your best defenses is your gut instinct. If you have a strong feeling that something suspicious is happening, follow it and report the suspicious activity.
Not every stranger walking through your neighborhood is a threat. However, if you see someone acting strangely, like not making eye contact or engaging in other suspicious behavior around in front of your home, there may be cause for concern.
Stay alert when you see this kind of activity. Take notes on what the person looks like or take down their license plate number if they are in a vehicle. Be sure to report anything suspicious to the police.
Simple Methods To Protect Your Home From Casing
The truth is, many people don’t consider taking precautions against robbery because they feel as though they don’t have anything worth stealing.
However, burglars don’t know what is inside your home; they simply seize the opportunity when they realize you’ve neglected to take adequate safety precautions. Everyone should take the basic steps to protect their homes from burglars.
Consider the following tips to help protect your home from break ins:
Invest in a reliable security system to monitor entryways and make sure the devices are visible. Studies show that just the appearance of a security camera can dissuade intruders from trying to break into your home.
Make sure your home is well lit by installing lighting near every entrance way. Motion detection lights are a great option for garages and doorways.
Keep your shrubbery trimmed back to avoid unintentionally creating protection for criminals.
Get to know your neighbors and keep an eye on each others’ houses. If you are friendly with your neighbors, they are more likely to be vigilant about watching your home and reporting anything suspicious to you.
When you are away from your home, keep your TV or radio on to give the appearance that someone is inside.
Although it may seem drastic, putting bars on your windows and doors can help to keep intruders at bay.
Get in the habit of keeping your doors and windows locked. Even if you are just out in the backyard working, make sure that you home is locked up so a burglar can’t gain access when you are not paying attention.
Don’t flaunt the fact that you are going away on vacation by posting to social media. Tell your close friends and family, not the whole world.
Stop your mail and newspaper service while you are away or have a friend or neighbor collect them for you. You don’t want your personal mail piling up for someone to go through while you’re away. Identity theft becomes another issue when personal mail is left outside your home.
Remove any spare keys that you have hidden. Experienced thieves know the best places to look and will easily locate your hidden key.
Don’t open up your door to strangers. Instead, use a video doorbell (if you have one) to confirm an individual’s identity first.
What to Do If You Think Your House is a Target for Casing
If you have noticed suspicious activity around your home and feel as though a burglar may be casing your house, follow our steps below.
Take note of any details involving the suspicious person or people around your home including what they look like, vehicle information, etc.
Talk to your neighbors to see if they have noticed any suspicious activity and let them know your concerns.
Alert local law enforcement and provide them with the information that you have gathered so that they are aware and can keep a closer watch on your area.
If you haven’t already, this would be a good time to invest in a home security system. You can even grab some inexpensive security cameras online that will do the trick without putting much of a dent in your wallet.
When it comes to burglaries, there are many things that you can do to be vigilant about potential break ins.
While no one wants to think about protecting their home from potential threats, it is important that you feel safe in your own home and are aware of the warning signs of potential criminal activity.
You may feel as though some of the above mentioned steps are a bit extreme or border on paranoia. However, when it comes to your safety and security, you can never be too prepared. Admittedly, it’s an old cliche, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
By following our steps and remaining vigilant, you can help to ward off burglars and prevent break ins so that you can maintain the safety and security you should feel in your home.
In this day and age, technology provides powerful protection for an affordable price. If you are serious about keeping your home safe, a fence, locks, and cameras aren’t going to cut it. To truly protect your property, invest in a security system.
Security systems perform a whole host of critical functions, including:
Protecting against theft
Protecting against property damage or vandalism
Monitoring the traffic in and around your home
Guarding against intruders
Calling for help in medical emergencies
Deterring criminals from breaking in
Keeping track of pets and young children
Two basic types of home security systems are on the market today: wireless and wired security systems.
Wired security systems use existing electric and telephone lines to connect each piece of the security system, making moving equipment and adding on additional elements a complex process.
Wireless security systems are the next generation of security equipment: They offer comprehensive protection, lower installation costs, and easy upgrades.
Essentially, a wireless security system is comprised of alarms, sensors, cameras, and various detectors all connected to a main control panel via radio signals.
The Honeywell Lyric System, a professional-grade wireless home security solution.
With the variety of security systems on the market, it can be a bit complicated to understand the differences between types of sensors and equipment, and it’s tough knowing whether to purchase a wireless or wired home security system.
To add to the confusion, many people have preconceived notions of which security methods are best based on anecdotal evidence or outdated information.
That’s why our focus is centered around the latest research and decades of security expertise.
In this guide on the difference between wired and wireless security systems, you’ll learn:
Essential features for your wireless security system
How Do Wireless Security Systems Work?
Wireless systems, including sensors, cameras, and alarms, work using radio frequency technology instead of wires.
There are countless models of wireless security systems, all of which work similarly with minor variations. When a wireless device picks up anomalous activity, it tells the alarm that something isn’t right, triggers the 85 dB siren, and the alarm monitoring service calls the police on your behalf.
Pros of Wireless Home Security Systems
While people often assume wireless security is less safe than to wired systems, industry veterans know that this is far from the truth.
Wireless home security systems offer several advantages over hardwired security systems.
Quick installation
Wireless systems can be installed within minutes. You don’t even have to be tech-savvy to do it. Because you don’t need to drill holes or tackle tricky wiring, self-installation is common and eliminates installation fees, saving you time and money.
Because everything is simply stuck onto the wall and not hardwired, removing cameras, detectors, and other components of a wireless security system and putting them up in a new location takes minutes, not days. If you rent and move frequently, wireless systems are the way to go.
Remote smartphone access
Wireless systems can be monitored on the go with a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Your key fob offers another way to arm and disarm the system if you’d rather not use a smartphone app.
Battery Backup
Although wireless systems work with electricity, most models can switch to a backup battery if the power goes out. If there’s a power outage in your neighborhood, wired systems will lose power along with the rest of your house unless you have a backup generator.
If you have a wireless security system with a backup battery, you stay protected during a power loss event.
Cons of Wireless Home Security Systems
Cheap wireless systems can be hacked: Low-quality, outdated wireless systems do carry a risk that hackers can jam detector signals. You might remember the news surrounding SimpliSafe back in 2015 after a SimpliSafe customer figured out that their security system was vulnerable and publicized the fact via YouTube. However, you can avoid hacking if your system has strong data encryption.
Some wireless systems are vulnerable to structural or electromagnetic interference. Radio frequencies go around solid objects; they cannot go through them. So placing sensors in the correct locations is key if you want them to work correctly. Your alarm company should inform you exactly where each part should be installed so there is no confusion.
Another consideration with wireless home security systems is the limited range of sensors. Most radio frequencies are weak outside a range of 500 feet. This means that you have to structure your wireless system with this in mind, especially if your property is larger than 4,500 square feet.
For properties larger than 4,500 square feet, wireless sensors start becoming less reliable, so we highly recommend using a wired security system instead.
Types of Wireless Security Systems
Wireless security systems come in many shapes and forms. The main difference between them is the equipment. The simplest wireless home security systems have Wi-Fi alarm monitoring, sensors, and a control panel with a siren.
Devices that monitor potential household dangers, such as fires and carbon monoxide leaks, can be incorporated into a wireless alarm system.
Advanced wireless systems, on the other hand, offer users a wide range of possibilities. Features like remote smartphone access, text and email notifications, and web access give you more control to monitor and adjust the system from anywhere. This is why advanced systems that leverage the latest technology have become so popular.
Top-tier systems offer additional valuable security features such as doorbell cameras, smart lighting, and keyless deadbolts. At this level, you can employ some of the most powerful hardware available to the consumer market to keep your home secure and simplify your life.
Another differentiating factor of wireless systems is the way the system communicates with third parties in an emergency. Wireless systems fall into two key categories: monitored and self-monitored systems.
Monitored systems
Monitored systems are overseen by an alarm monitoring company and enable security personnel to immediately contact the authorities in case of an emergency.
Monitored systems give you added peace of mind because trained emergency professionals are watching over your home around the clock.
Self-monitored systems
Self-monitored security systems are generally cheaper and have lower monthly costs, if any. The only drawback is that the job of calling local authorities falls to you in an emergency.
Self-monitored systems make use of loud alarms and bright lights to warn you of an intruder or breach. You can also receive alerts on your smartphone if your device is connected to your security system.
How Much Do Wireless Security Systems Cost?
Three factors will determine the cost of a wireless home security system:
Installation
Equipment
Monthly monitoring
An average home security system can cost between $300 to $1,500, depending on the capabilities and features of the system. Monthly fees associated with 24/7 alarm monitoring wireless systems range from $0 to $75.
If you want to save money and have basic home improvement skills, we encourage you to try a self-installation process for your wireless security system.
If that sounds overwhelming, get a professional alarm technician to install your system. They will also make sure that you know how to operate it properly and that everything functions as it should.
Professional installation ranges from $350 to $1,200 depending on how comprehensive you’d like your system to be. Many companies offer package deals that include installation with a primary wireless system if you also sign up for their monitoring services.
Features to Look for When Purchasing a Wireless Security System
The main reason you want a wireless security system is to make sure that your home is fully secured at all times. To ensure this, there are a few key questions you should ask when deciding which wireless security system is right for you:
What happens in a power outage?
The primary power source for most wireless security systems is electricity from the wiring within your home. However, you should make sure that your wireless home security system has a fail-safe in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
A good wireless system should have an alternative source of power, such as solar energy or batteries, in the event of a power outage, especially in an area like New England where snowstorms and falling trees are a common occurrence.
What is the range of its detectors?
Wireless systems use radio frequencies that are only effective up to a certain radius. If you have a large home, you will need a system that has a long reception range and can handle a more substantial amount of information and signals. Remember: A home larger than 4,500 square feet is generally better off using a wired system.
Some wireless home systems are only for detecting burglars and trigger a siren to scare off the intruders. Others notify security companies of a break-in or emergency.
Does it integrate with your smart home technology?
Today, most homes make use of smart devices that can be controlled via smartphone. If you already own smart home technology, it is essential to know if your wireless security system can be incorporated into it so that you can control every device from as few apps as possible.
Integrating your wireless security system with your smart home takes your system beyond basic security and makes your home smarter and more efficient.
Smart home features for wireless security include HD video viewing via wireless security cameras, energy use tracking with programmable thermostats, and other kinds of residential access control like smart locks.
Having all of this functionality at your fingertips makes you realize how much easier life can be when there are fewer things to worry about.
Ask these questions when determining the right wireless security system for you. To find out if our local, family-owned company might be a right fit to install your home security system, contact us today at 617-221-8524 for a free quote.
