American Security Devices Tips

Tips

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!

This information is not meant to be used as "scare tactics".
While it is very disturbing, it is also a fact of life.
This information is meant solely for educational purposes,
to assist you in keeping your family, yourself, and your home safe and secure.

**Clicking on the below green arrow will take you**
**to the next page of information.**
**Click on the below links for specific information.**
Proactive	Reactive
Home Protection (General)	Doors
Lights	Windows
Locks	Garage Doors
Outside Housekeeping	Marking Valuables
Fire	False Alarms
Be Proactive

Proactive

Being proactive is the best way you can help to prevent crimes against you,
your family or your property. Proactive is doing something before the crime.
"Crime Prevention" is a proactive effort.
Putting an alarm system in your home is proactive.

Reactive

Reactive is doing something after the fact.
Reporting a crime to the Police is reactive.
Insurance is a reactive.
Prosecuting a criminal is reactive.

Home Protection (General)

Your home is your castle, as the old saying goes. Having it violated by a
burglar can be one of the most unsettling and dangerous things that may
ever happen to you. Imagine having someone go through your things.
Imagine someone inside your home who has no regard for your valuables,
your treasured keepsakes, your family or you.
This is the definition of a burglar.

Burglary is a fact. It happens thousands of times a day and "can" happen
to you. If you've never been a victim of Burglary, why do you suppose that is?
Could the only reason be because a burglar has never singled out your home
as a target? No one likes to think about things like this. We understand that.
If this disturbs you, you are not alone.

The following tips are meant to aid you in making your home a safer place.
Are they foolproof? No.
Will they deter the average burglar and make your home safer? Yes.

Lights

Lights are a great nighttime deterrent. Outside lights are the most important.
A burglar obviously doesn't want to be seen. Look at your house at night.
Locate unlit places and think about whether a burglar could easily hide
in these dark spots. Adjust your outside lighting appropriately.
Motion sensor lights are extremely effective. These lights come on
when they detect motion within a set range. This is a deterrent to even the
most determined burglar. Being seen or heard is NOT in their plans.

Report defective street lights and if necessary,
request additional lighting from your local authority.

Locks

Reliable dead-bolt door locks and sturdy window latches help prevent
break-ins. Special locking devices should be used on sliding doors and windows
as these are easily opened. Your local police department or a licensed locksmith
can recommend lock types for your specific needs.
Door jams should not be neglected.
Install security strike plates to enhance your dead bolt locks.

Caution should be used when using double cylinder (key on both sides) locks.
These can be hazardous if used when you are at home as keys are often hard to find
in panic situations such as fire.
Safety should never be compromised by security.

Windows

Windows are the ever popular entrance point for burglars. Why?
Because they are often hidden and easy to open.
Additional window locks are recommended. The popular aluminum frame
windows are easier to open than you would imagine.
However, burglars most often carry your things out through a door.
TVs and other large items are cumbersome and doors are easier
to pass items through.
Burglar bars are never recommended
unless they come with a quick release.
The release should be easy for anyone to do even under a stress situation.
Once again.....
Safety should never be compromised by security.

Outside Housekeeping

Trim your plants and hedges to allow visibility of windows
and other entry locations. These are hiding places for would-be burglars.
Plants with thorns are excellent deterrents when placed strategically
around windows. Take a walk around your house.
Look at it as if you were trying to break in.
Is there anything that could help you? Are there places for you to hide?
Are there weak spots (places that would easily allow entry)?

Doors

Exterior doors should be solid core and of good material.
Peepholes should be installed with magnifying lenses that allow you to see
who's at your door without opening it. If there is glass in your door or close to it,
the proper type of deadbolt locks should be used to prevent a burglar
from reaching inside and unlocking it.

Marking your valuables

Police Departments around the country have evidence rooms
crammed full of unidentified recovered merchandise.
Additionally, pawn shops are hesitant to accept
and most of the time refuse merchandise marked with a driver's license number
that doesn't match the person presenting the item.

While marking items seems like a major undertaking, it is really simple
and can be a fun family project that will probably only take
an hour or so of your time. The best tool you can have is an electric engraver.
These are inexpensive ($5 to $10) and are handy for many uses
and the engraved driver's license number is very difficult,
if not impossible to remove.

Permanently marked items make it easier for the police to trace
and return stolen items to you. Your driver's license number can be checked
by police in only moments. Social Security numbers and other identification
may be okay, but won't allow the police to locate you immediately.
Record all available serial numbers. Jewelry can be marked by a Jeweler.
If unsure how to mark a particular item, contact your local police department.

Marking your valuables (continued)

It's not necessary to destroy the value or the appearance of an item
by marking it on it's face.
Large numbers on the back of a TV, for instance, are not visible
and do not harm the value or appearance of the TV.
Guns can be marked by removing the stock or grips and engraving
the driver's license number there.
For quick identification, the marking should appear like this:
TX DL #123456789
Photographs of some items are also valuable for recovery purposes.
These can readily identify uniquely designed jewelry or unusual items.
Remember, the items you value most will probably be the first items taken
and they may have little or no value to anyone other than yourself.

Garages and Garage Doors

Garage doors are the most neglected entry to your home.
Once a burglar is inside your garage, going through an inside door (even if locked)
is usually easy. Even if the door is hard to open, once inside the garage area,
the burglar has time away from prying eyes. Aside from the doors,
many burglars enter by knocking a hole in the sheet rock wall.
Always keep garage doors closed and locked when possible.

Noise

Noise is also a good deterrent. When away, tune the stereo or TV to your favorite
station. To a burglar, this says someone may be home. It also helps
to put them on timers so that they come on and go off during specified times.
This is "not" a great deterrent, but every little bit helps.
An alarm system can be programmed to activate a siren or horn when tripped.
Even if no one else can hear it, the burglar can.
He knows something has been activated and he has been detected.

Vehicles in the driveway

To give the appearance someone's home, park another car in your driveway
or ask a neighbor to park there. This also prevents burglars
from backing a vehicle into the drive for easy loading.

Be careful with spare keys

If you leave a spare key somewhere outside, be creative. Burglars look
under flower pots, welcome mats, on window ledges and above doors first.

Have your home watched while you're away

Have a neighbor collect newspapers and mail.
Consider hiring someone to take care of your lawn,
or a house sitter for extended absences.
Above all, let your neighbors know when you will leave
and when you will return.

Report unusual behavior

Be aware! Get involved!
Team up with your neighbors and form a crime watch program.
Your local police can help you get started.

Install a home security system

Alarm systems are easy to use.
They also provide you with an added sense of safety,
without limiting your freedom while you're at home.
Ask yourself this: Would I feel better and safer if I had an alarm system?
Of course you would.
Now, assume you've had your home or business broken in to.
Don't you wish you had been "Proactive"?

Fire

One of the foremost cause of fires is overloaded electrical circuits.
Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Don't smoke in bed. Don't accumulate oil or grease soaked rags. Keep combustibles far from grease sources.
Use a fire detection and/or smoke detection system in your home.

False Alarms

Instruct all users on proper operation of your alarm system.
Give them hands-on practice, but first call us to let us know
you're testing the alarm system. Make sure your system is programmed
with a Cancel Code for false alarms!...Or have your dealer add
this feature for you. Instruct all users to disarm the alarm system as soon as they cause a false alarm. If you don't have a siren on your system, have one installed so that users will be aware when they've set off a false alarm and can take action to ensure that police are not dispatched. Ensure that all users have a confidential pass-code to properly identify themselves. Make sure you notify American Security Devices of all pass-codes you want us to accept, or any you want us to delete and keep your contact people list up to date.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL POLICE
OR YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUP
FOR MORE SAFETY AND SECURITY TIPS and....

Be Proactive!
Contact
American Security Devices
• 1247 American Parkway •
• Richardson, Tx 75081 •
• (972)437-1213 •

for all your security needs

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