Most new home buyers focus on area, proximity to schools, proximity to work, layout, colors, and landscaping. And, often overlook security and safety.

Here a 4 Regina Security Tips to protect your Home and Family and reduce losses:

1. DO NOT HIDE SPARE KEYS

Doormats, Mailboxes, Plant Pots, and Bins are all common hiding places for spare keys. A better security option is to leave an extra key with a trusted neighbor or family member. The best security option is to install a smart lock that connects to your smart security system. You can lock and unlock doors with a keypad or remotely with *free Alarm.com apps.

2. REDUCE PREDICTABILITY

Many burglars look for patterns before they target a home. Burglars watch for what time you leave for work and what time you arrive home. It's also obvious when people go for vacation because they often forget to cancel the paper and haven't made arrangements to shovel the driveway. 

Make sure you have a trusted neighbor or family member collect your mail and clear your driveway/cut your lawn.

3. INSTALL PROPER LIGHTING

Many burglars take advantage of the dark and like to hide behind shrubs and trees. For better security install motion sensitive lights that activate when a potential intruder is in the area. For best security install smart lights that connect to your smart security system. Smart lights are controlled on schedules and can make it look like you are at Home (most break-in's occur when you are away). 

4. INSTALL A SMART SECURITY SYSTEM

A Reed Security monitored home security system reduces the chances of having a break-in by 400%. Insurance Companies agree and provide discounts up to 25% on your annual home insurance policy.  A Regina home-owner with $1200 annual insurance premium could save up to $300 a year. 

A Reed Smart Security system is customized to your specific needs, but we also have $0 Down Smart Packages to make your protection choices a little easier. Our most popular $0 Down Smart Package is designed to offer you the Maximum protection and Maximum insurance discounts and includes:

1           IQ 7” Touchscreen with Emergency Police & Fire Buttons

3          IQ door/window sensors

1           IQ smart motion sensor (pet-friendly, 40 pounds)

1           IQ smoke/fire/heat sensor

1           IQ high + low temp. sensor

1          IQ flood sensor     

1           Alarm.com 3G radio (works on SaskTel)

1           built-in 85db siren

1           24hr back-up battery

1           Professional Installation

1           Protected by Reed Security Warning Signage   

1         Silver Parts & Labour Warranty Plan

1         24/7 ULC Monitoring Plan
with Police and Fire dispatch

1         Alarm.com Interactive Gold Plan

·         No phone line required

·         Smash & Crash protection

·         Arm/Disarm with apps

·         2 Way Voice

·         E-mail alerts including Disarm Photos

Optional control of door locks, garage doors, thermostat, lights, HD cameras, shades

No one should ever compromise security. No one should just settle when the safety of your family is at stake. Nothing is ever “just okay.”

A study on convicted burglars’ view on alarm systems and deterrents found that 85% of burglars considered the presence of deterrents such as home security and that 62% would seek another target. Only 13% said they would still continue the attempt even after an alarm had been discovered. That is a large drop in your risk as of a victim of burglary just by having an alarm system present.

Buying your first alarm system shouldn’t be taken lightly, as if just buying another pair of shoes. You have to remember that burglary is a crime of opportunity. When burglars see a way in, they are most certainly going to find a way out. While burglars generally avoid homes with an alarm system, you must consider establishing a stronger home security from your Regina & Saskatoon Alarm System Provider.

But, how do you exactly determine a trusted home security company fit for your alarm system needs? To help you out, here are the key considerations for choosing one.

1. Read On-line Reviews

When you intend to buy or upgrade your phone, one of the first things that you do is read reviews of your prospective purchase online. Be as persistent when you search for a home security provider. Support your choice with research and informed advice from security system users in Regina & Saskatoon. However, you have to be very cautious when doing so because some online reviews can be untruthful with the intention to mislead.

One of the most effective ways to choose the right alarm system provider is to seek the advice of friends and family. They have your best interest in mind. You can depend on them to give you an honest assessment of a device. Personal referrals are priceless.

2. Check Out Their Workmanship

Credibility is at the core of choosing a trusted home security provider. Evaluate the company’s work history to determine whether its record is untainted, received a significant number of complaints, has a reputation of being a trailblazer in the industry or if it has good customer service. Find out if they have all the licenses to operate, especially those that may affect consumer protection.

3. Review Your Own Needs

In figuring out where to buy home security devices, it is important that you are able to identify your needs. What do you want the alarm system to do for you and what’s your allotted budget for home security? Only then will you be able to narrow down your choices and ultimately pick the right Alarm service Company.

If you think that a wireless alarm system would work best for your home, then opt for an alarm system company with specific wireless products. Reed Security offers top notch security devices, sensors and other accessories that can help you in managing your home.

4. Research the People

People are the heart and soul of any security company. Find out if their pool of home security experts are truly what they claim to be. Check if they are indeed trained and certified to reduce faulty installations and other technical problems. Experts should also extend to customer service professionals whom you can count on to give assistance whenever necessary.

5. Review the 24/7 Monitoring Station and Emergency Operators

With so many alarm companies to choose from in Regina & Saskatoon, you should find the one that has a responsive 24/7 Monitoring Station. You will notice that most professional alarm systems have a two-way radio capability, which will directly send a distress signal to the command center. The command center will then assess the situation and if a threat is validated, it will ask authorities to dispatch units and attend to your emergency.

This aspect is very important because it deals with the actual responsiveness of a security company and of authorities. At the same time, it must help you identify validated threats both from false alarms and your immediate surroundings.

6. Review Contracts and Warranty

This is usually the boring, tedious part of the process. But don’t make the mistake of not paying attention to this detail. Most companies have you sign a three to five year commitment contract in exchange for discounts on the installation fees. Also check to see whether or not they have any warranty policy.

7. Look for Innovation

A good company must always know how to innovate. In the Regina & Saskatoon security industry, companies who have the best and latest technology are considered pioneers. And as the market evolves, it is important that your choice of provider is capable of change, upgrades, and other technological advancements in order to keep up with the latest features those consumers are looking for. Many people are not only looking for home security, but smart home security with home automation and remote capabilities.

Security is serious business, and you should take it seriously. When you shop around for a burglar alarm, do not just settle for the cheapest unit or the most expensive one at that. Do not just pick the one that looks the most advanced or the one that has the most features. The reasons for choosing an alarm system provider should include the provider’s credibility, innovative offerings, customer service availability, and the variety of products offered specific to your needs.

With more Regina Security & Automation Companies to choose from and promoting a variety of Security Packages, we think it's important that you focus on the level of protection that is right for your home. The best Regina Security & Automation Companies work closely with you, and make recommendations based on the layout of your home and the way you will be using your Security & Automation system.

It’s All About You.

The most important thing to remember is that your Security & Automation system should be designed with You in mind, and that means considering the following questions:

• Do you have pets? Where are they allowed to go in the home, and when?
• Do you have children? How old are they, and what issues will you face integrating a residential security system into their lives?
• Will you arm your system when you are at home? Many people do so (growing numbers, in fact), and that can impact your choice and placement of security sensors.
• Are there areas of the home where you don’t go at night? A basement is a great example, and that can influence the sensors you use there.

There are other questions, of course, and a reputable Regina Security & Automation Company can help you work through all of them. But the main point is that every system should be customized: not just for how your home is laid out, but also for your lifestyle.

This is no time for a “one–size-fits-most” approach!

1. “Stay” vs. “Away” System Arming

One thing we want to address up front is that most up to date alarm systems can be armed in either of two modes: “Stay” and “Away.” In the “Stay” mode, often used when you are home at night, only the perimeter (entry/exit) is armed, and you can move about freely in your home without triggering an alarm. In the “Away” mode, used when you leave your home, there are interior sensors that are also armed – meaning an intruder moving about within the home will also trigger an alarm. 

2. Start with the Perimeter

Since doors are the most common place for an intruder to enter your home, we start there. You should have a door sensor on every exterior door, including the door from the garage into the home. This is the foundation of your alarm system is perimeter protection.

Next come the windows you want to protect – with the window sensor. It’s best to focus on the windows on the sides and back of the house first, since they are less visible, and are therefore more attractive to a burglar. And as for those upstairs windows, you may decide to pass on those – unless a burglar can find an easy way to reach them.

For rooms with lots of windows, a glass break sensor is a great solution. This device has a limited range in any direction (as long as there is line of sight), and that makes the glass break sensor an efficient and cost-effective component of your perimeter protection.

3. Interior Protection

When you arm in the “Away” mode, then you bring into play your interior protection detection device – the motion sensor. You’ll seldom see a security system without at least one of these, and they are designed for backing up your perimeter devices, for an extra layer of security. This sensor is generally placed in high traffic areas and detects movement. The best motion sensors are immune to pets up to 50 lb.

4. Additional Peace of Mind

Once you get your arms around the intrusion component of your system, then you can consider the other devices that work in conjunction with your system – so that you can feel protected and connected.

• Smoke & heat sensor – we recommend at least one with every system.
• Carbon monoxide sensor – another important life safety device.
• Water/flood sensor – if you have a burst pipe, you want to know right away.

Get the Help You Need.

Remember – you should never be on your own when it comes to designing the right level of protection for your home with Wired or Wireless Security System. The advice we've provided on our blog is a good starting point, but you should have an in-depth conversation with our trained security professionals at Reed Security to make sure your Security & Automation system is the right one for you.

Security Building Supplies are veterans in the construction industry since 1968 and supplies lumber and building materials to home builders, renovators, and general contractors.

We supplied and installed a layered security solution which included:

• Smart Security System
• 24/7 Monitoring with Police, Fire and Call List Notification
• ReedHD™ Hi-Def Cameras
• Access Control Keyless Entry
• *Free smartphone apps 

When the project was over we interviewed Jay Fafard, VP of Business Development, and these were his comments:

1. Reed Security proved to have the most detailed quote and provided the best pricing. Both the Sales Representative and the Owner drove to our facility to walk through exactly what we needed and give us advice on where they felt our resources were best spent. We didn’t know exactly what we wanted but we were presented with our choices and Reed Security made it easy to find the best solution for our facilities.