Home Security and Children Alone At Home

Your home security system’s primary purpose is to protect your family and possessions from risk due to burglary, fire and medical emergency.  While you and your spouse may be familiar with the operation of your security system, in the event that your children are alone at home, they need to understand how to use the system in your absence.
When should you teach your children how to use your home security system?  As every parent knows, each child is different, physically and emotionally.  As a general guideline however is if your child is old enough to be left alone at home, your child is probably ready to receive basic training on how to use the home security system.
There are three main reasons for teaching your children how to use your home security system:

1. This reinforces the importance of family safety.   Every experience for a child is a learning experience.  You as a parent are always under observation by your children and they learn early in life from you.  Educating children on the family home security systems is a great opportunity to teach about the importance of safety and instills a sense of independence and confidence.
2. This prepares your children for emergencies.  For whatever reason your child is alone at home, or if the adult present (e.g., grandparent) is unable to perform due to a medical emergency, it is vital that the child is able to assist. This involves knowing what to do and being comfortable doing it (permission and knowledge).  This might include calling for help from the monitoring center via the home security control panel or simply hitting the remote control emergency panic button to summon help. Each child develops at his or her own pace, so use your best judgment when determining what age to expose your children to safety discussions.
3. Prevent false alarms.  Take the time to show your child how to manually enter the security code to arm or disarm your home security system.  If your child does set off a false alarm, they need to be taught how to communicate and what to say to the remote monitoring center to cancel the emergency request. False alarms are inconvenient for the homeowner; and they take up time, money and resources for emergency response personnel. Note that some cities will fine (charge) the homeowner for the cost of emergency personnel.

Teach How to Arm/Disarm the Home Security System – If your child will spend time alone in the house, he/she needs to be taught how to arm and disarm the home security system.  If your child will let himself into the house after school they can either manually enter the access code into the keypad or control panel, or if using a smart-phone, simply enter the code before walking in the door.  If there is a false alarm, the same procedure applies to disable the security system and advise the remote monitoring center that everything is ok.
Start by showing your child how to use the keypad/control panel, including what buttons to press for different scenarios. Most home security systems will allow for multiple access codes for different members of the family.  Give your child an access code that is easy to remember so he/she can practice arming/disarming the system.  You should pick an easy-to-remember access code for the child, such as his or her birthday, numeric name or favorite sports player’s jersey number.  In addition, you children should know the “safety word” you have chosen with your remote security monitoring center to indicate if the family is in danger.
Make sure that your child understands that the access codes are FAMILY SECRETS that no one else should know about and should not be told to anyone.  Also, your child should never disarm the home security system for a stranger (for example, delivery person) unless a supervising adult has given permission (for example, the babysitter, relative).
General Safety – Your children should have an understanding of general home safety.

• Stranger Danger - Explain to your children that there are all kinds of strangers in this world, both good and bad.  They should understand that fireman and police officers are there to help them in the case of an emergency and they should not open the front door to people they don´t know.  If your child is not certain how to respond, they should know what they should do, for example, calling you, a neighbor, etc.
• Fire Safety - Explain to your children that fire is dangerous and not a toy (e.g., matches or lighter) to play with.  If they are in the kitchen, they should be taught how to safely heat something on the stove or microwave.  Also, explain that the child should never handle fire without adult supervision.
• First Aid Kit - Explain to your children that if there is a medical emergency where the first aid kit is stored.  Since the contents, just like the medicine cabinet, may contain deadly medications if not probably used, great care should be used if there is no adult present.  Your child should also know how to summon help for a medical emergency using your home security system.
• Emergency Numbers - Write out a list of important emergency telephone numbers and post it somewhere where your child has easy access.

Home security is an important issue for all the members of the family. Be sure your child knows the importance of personal and home safety, and how home security systems help protect them.


For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Home Security and Video Monitoring

Our homes are where we strive to feel safe and comfortable. Unfortunately, home burglaries do happen with increasing frequency – one out of every six homes is broken into, every 14.5 seconds in the US.  When this happens it affects our ability to feel comfortable in our home. The walls of our castle have been breached and our sense of protection has been lost.  For many, the only alternative is to leave the neighborhood for a new home.  However, many homeowners are taking measures to protect their families and homes from burglaries before they happen by installing a wireless home security system with video monitoring features.
Video monitoring systems have significantly evolved from analog camera surveillance systems with VCR tape backup.  Today video monitoring systems are digital, wireless, use either Digital Video Recorder (DVR) or the Internet “cloud” for video storage, offer high resolution image capture, and ease of use software applications for access via the Internet (computer or tablet) and smart-phone.    A video monitoring system allows you to keep an eye on your house while at work or when traveling, or while your children are home alone. You have the ability to view them remotely from any computer with an Internet connection, no matter where you are in the world. No more calling to see if everything is okay, now you can see for yourself.  There however is no substitute for the telephone call to let the children know that Mom or Dad are thinking of them…
Home Security – Interviews with burglars indicate that just the mere presence of a video camera on your property will reduce the likelihood of a burglary.  Burglars look for easy, unprotected targets whenever possible.  In the event that something suspicious happens in your home, the video monitoring system (by either motion sensor detection or out of pre-established usage schedule) will record the incident and save the digital video clip on a secure server. This provides video evidence to help identify a burglar and lead to arrest and prosecution. Also, a home security video monitoring system can send email or text alert notifications to your smart-phone if the cameras detect motion outside designated areas of your home such as first-floor windows, back-door, liquor cabinet, etc.
Loved Ones – Another benefit of video monitoring is the ability to check in with loved ones throughout the day. You can use your computer, tablet or smart-phone to see live footage of your pets, your children or other relatives/guests in your home. If you have an elderly relative that does not respond to your telephone call, you can remotely view video to determine whether there might be a medical emergency that requires your attention.  If you hire a babysitter for the evening, you can check in with your video monitoring system to make sure everything is as it should be. Depending upon the video monitoring system and type of camera you can remotely zoom and tilt the camera to adjust the field of view if needed.  A camera placed with a view of your front door entry also tracks loved ones’ entrances and exits, so you can receive a smart-phone alert every time your kids arrive home from school or your spouse arrives from work.
Protecting Children – Small children often get into areas where they should not be, such as medicine cabinets, gun safes or unsupervised outdoor pools. One of the benefits of home video monitoring is the ability to place cameras in areas of your home that are off-limits to children. When those security cameras pick up motion, you receive a smart-phone notification. This gives you time to stop your children from venturing into certain areas of your home by contacting a close by adult.
Outdoor Monitoring – If you want to keep an eye on the children while they play in the backyard, a home video monitoring system is very helpful.  Using an outdoor security camera (generally more expense due to the elements), you can watch your children play outdoors while you stay indoors. By providing a constant view of what’s going on around your home, outdoor video cameras also help you investigate “unusual noises” in the night without having to go outside and put yourself at risk.
Building A Smart Home – A wireless home security system, combined with video monitoring, provides the platform for smart home automation.  When combined with wireless digital door locks, digital thermostat and lighting/appliance control modules, and home control software, you have an affordable, complete family security and home automation system.  For example, if you have a cleaning crew coming to clean your home while you are at work, use your wireless home security system to identify them when they arrive at your door. Then, use your wireless door lock feature to remotely unlock the door, let the crew in and lock it behind them.  If you are on vacation, turn the lights on and off using your smart-phone, to give your home the aspect it is occupied.
The combination of wireless home security, video monitoring and home control provides an economical solution to protect your family and home from the risks of the outside world, whether you are with your loved ones or away. All of these factors will help you achieve one simple goal – keeping you and your loved ones safe.


For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Home Electronic Door Locks

Locks Past and Present
Locks have existed for thousands of years.  Their function, to restrict access (a door) and operation (insert key, twist key, open door) is simple.  Their internal design however, that allow locks to work is complex.  The pins, grooves, and cylinder must all align perfectly with the proper key or the cylinder won’t turn, the bolt won’t throw, and the door won’t open—that’s the whole point. Though the pin-tumbler type lock is certainly vulnerable by an expert, the basic design has continued to discourage burglars to this day.
Until recently, the pin-tumbler lock design has been immune to the advancement of technology. That is no longer the case.  While keypad entry and wireless locking systems have been in commercial buildings and high end cars for years, that technology has now migrated to the residential housing market, primarily due to the acceptance of the smart-phone. Now, you can walk up to your front door fitted with an electronic door lock and with your smart-phone, touch or wave at  the lock and it opens.  It begs the question:  “Why do you want to continue using keys?”
The design of an electronic door lock involves parts called “actuators.”   These connect the bolt or the cylinder to a small motor, completely buried within the door or frame itself. The motor is controlled by an electrical impulse, which may be triggered in a number of ways: by an electronic card reader, by a keypad or by a wireless remote control sensor. Either way, the electronic door lock is configured to start the motor-driven actuator only once it has received the correct electronic input.
Pros and Cons
Each method of lock (pin-tumbler versus electronic) has pros and cons. Physical keys, such as metal keys, key cards or handheld remotes, can be lost or damaged, while numerical key codes can be forgotten (or learned and memorized by the wrong person). Key codes can be quickly and easily changed by the user when necessary, while changing physical locks and keys is much more involved, requiring specialized hardware and expertise. Power failures are problematic for purely electronic door locks, causing them to remain locked or unlocked until the electricity has been restored.
On most electronic door locks, you’ll find some combination of physical and electronic locking control on the same door. For example, you may have a physical key for setup and emergency backup, but use the remote or keypad to lock and unlock the door on a day-to-day basis. This provides an extra layer of convenience and safety for the user, but may also provide additional functionality as well.
Electronic Keys
Electronic digital door locks normally have a numerical keypad on the outside of the door, while on the interior side, the lock is a large brick that houses the electronics, a motor drive system, and a battery enclosure. The batteries generally last about a year, and, since nobody wants to be locked out of their house because of dead batteries, digital locks also have an indicator that warns you when the power dips low.  The digital door locks are programmed with a master code with the flexibility to add additional access codes for members of the family, guests, babysitter and workers around the house.  Note that these additional access codes can be erased at any time (via your smart-phone) using the master code when no longer necessary.
Can a hacker break in to your electronic digital door lock system?  Digital systems, by their very nature, are subject to being vulnerable to attack, particularly if connected to the Internet.  However, hacking a digital door lock system requires more effort than picking a conventional door lock, and there always exists the option for a burglar of simply breaking a window to gain access to a house.  All residential door locks, mechanical or electronic are simply deterrents, not a guarantee of safety that should be complemented with an integrated home security system.
Home Control Automation
NEXUS Home Security offers as part of its Wireless Home Control Automation system wireless electronic door locks (Kwikset) that can be controlled and monitored remotely.  The home security and control system can be programmed to lock the doors at set times during the day, just in case you forgot. Remote monitoring apps can allow you to use your smart-phone to see if there are any unlocked doors, and lock them from anywhere in the world. In the worst case, you can unlock your door remotely for quick, access to fire, medical or police personnel if an emergency occurs when you’re away from home.
Using the Wireless Home Control Automation system, the electronic digital door locks are “linked” to home thermostat and lighting control modules integrated with Z-Wave wireless antennas.  These integrate devices, connected to the home security system, are a network that is all accessible via the Internet to let you monitor and control your house, from the comfort of your living room sofa or halfway around the world.  So, when you´re driving to work and you can´t remember whether you locked the garage door, a quick scan of your smart-phone will let you know and with a simple push of a button, the door is locked.


For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Home Security and Power Outages

Many thieves and criminals see a power outage as a perfect time to strike, because there is often chaos, darkness and a lack of protections.  Power outages are a very stressful time for most families, because a power outage means no modern conveniences, often limited resources and an inability to carry out daily activities. In addition to these problems associated with power outages, it can also be a time when criminals see homes and families as easy targets.
With the stress of a power outage, home security and safety concerns can go out the window for many families, but in fact, a power outage is a time when home security concerns should be a top priority. NEXUS Home Security offers a few tips to help keep your belongings and home safe when those power outages occur:

1. Plan For a Loss of Power – It will happen, sometime. You may receive notice of a weather storm in advance.  It is better to be prepared before a power outage occurs.  Have flashlights, charged batteries, candles, matches, kerosene lamps and spare blankets to stay warm.  If there is movement of light throughout your house, this will indicate that the house is occupied and minimize the entry of a potential burglar.  Disconnect your appliances (including the refrigerator) to avoid damage due to the “energy spike” when power is restored.  Minimize opening the refrigerator to avoid food spoiling.
2. Lock Down the House – Secure the entry points of your home to minimize the risk of a break-in: lock the doors, windows and garage.  Contact your neighbors so you can help protect each other´s homes.
3. Know Your Home Security System – Assuming your have a home security system, you should know how it will work in the event of a power outage. If your home security system operates over traditional phone lines, it will continue to communicate with the monitoring center in the event of a power outage.  If you have a wireless home security system it operates using cellular radio and will also work during power outages, drawing its power from battery backup for several hours. Like a cellular phone, communication is unaffected by localized power outages.  If your security system uses the Internet or Voip for communication with the monitoring center, it will probably not function during the power outage as these services will not be available during the outage..
4. Security System Battery Backup – Generally all home security systems have a battery backup. A low-voltage transformer supplies AC power to the system and keeps the backup battery charged. With the loss of power your home security system will automatically switch over and run off the backup battery.  The duration of time your security system will run off the battery backup will vary based on the type of battery, age of the battery, and how much the system draws down, etc.  Normally the maximum duration of a battery backup is about 24 hours.  Your home security system will normally advise you if there is a problem with the backup battery and when it is reaching the limit of its charge, usually by a “beeping” sound.  (As part of being “prepared” you might choose to purchase a spare battery backup for your security system.)  Backup batteries have a three to five year expected life so they should be replaced when reaching their limit.  Once the power is restored your home security system will recharge and function as normal.
5. Contact Your Security Provider – Get in touch with your home security provider when you’re expecting bad weather so you know exactly how they can respond if something occurs. Let them know you’re worried about how the weather will affect your power, and get a good idea of how they respond to these situations.
6. Install Your Home Security Sign – Burglars are less likely to consider invading your home during a power outage if you have a home security sign posted in your entryway. Burglars know that a home security company has backup and coverage 7×24 and can rapidly dispatch the police in case of a break-in.
7. Careful Heating Your Home – Depending upon the time of year when a power outage occurs, you may be tempted to use unconventional means to heat your home such as a grills, heaters, stoves and generators. Improper use of heating devices poses a fire risk and may lead to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. You should use these types of heat appliances outside your home.  Your home security system in addition to a smoke detector may also have a CO detector that can alert you if there is a high concentration of the gas in your home.
8. Solar Lighting – Consider installing solar powered outdoor lighting. This may be as simple as walkway lighting or security motion-sensor lighting.  In either case the solar lighting cuts the cover of darkness, which a burglar prefers to operate in.

Remember, during power outages the darkness provides cover for burglars and other unexpected risks. Keep your home and family safe with these tips.


For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Home Security and Automation

If you are considering investing in a wireless home security system it is worthwhile to consider a future need of home automation and control.  With the selection of a flexible wireless home security system and your smart phone, you have the basic platform for the control and automation of your home.  Literally from the palm of your hand (i.e., your smart phone), whether home or away, you will be able to control your home´s security access, climate control, illumination and energy usage.  This means you get:

• Peace of mind knowing your family and home are secure, no matter where you are
• Save money by reducing your energy costs easily, with no sacrifice
• Convenience and piece of mind, one button to “shut down” your home when you leave
• Security knowing you’ll receive an alert if there is any trouble at home, burglary, fire, water, an unusual event

There are several factors to keep in mind in selecting your home security and control system. Of most importance, the system should best reflect you and your family´s needs.  The home security and control system should offer a high level of function, ease of use, flexibility, compatibility, and peripheral support. The possibilities for home automation are limited only by your budget, time and imagination.
Listed below are various controlled systems of an automated home and benefits:

1. Security System – Whether the door, window, motion detector or video sensor, fire detector, all are connected as part of the wireless home security system and controllable home or away. Receive alerts of changes, adjust programming, arm or disarm, customize access permissions, etc.
2. Thermostats – Automatically adjust your home thermostats based on schedules and patterns for comfort and energy savings. Precise temperature control provides better comfort and fewer temperature swings. You can also create lockouts to keep temperature limited to a minimum or maximum setting.  A change in schedule when you and the family are out?  Remotely make an adjustment.
3. Lighting – Turn select indoor and outdoor lights on or off automatically every time you arm or disarm your security system. Tell your system to turn one set of lights on 30 minutes before you get home from work and turn another off an hour after you’ve gone to bed. You can program scenes and schedules for ambience and security, and control your lights from any remote location.
4. Access – Enhance your security with complete control and visibility over all the entry points to your home. Control your door locks and garage door.  No longer do you leave the door key under the mat, or not know whether you children arrived home from school safely.  Did the kids forget their keys?  Remotely determine the status of your doors and open and close as needed.  Get an electronic alert if you or your family forgot to lock a door or the garage.
5. Appliances – The coffee maker, electric fans, entertainment system and others are part of our daily lives and all use energy. Control their pattern of use and if away from home, simulate the presence of people at home.

When you are evaluating home automation systems, you should ensure that the system you select can control the devices in your home to your satisfaction.  NEXUS Home Security recommends Alarm.com due to its flexibility, compatibility with third party device manufactures and seamless integration with our wireless home security mobile control system.  It’s important to remember that you might also need to purchase equipment from third-party manufacturers as well, depending upon your home´s unique needs.


For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Kitchen Fire Safety Tips

Do you enjoy cooking?  It can be a pleasure, a chore, a time to relax, an informal social setting to bring family and friends together or a high stress zone during family holiday visits (remember all those  “helpers” reviewing the work in progress).   With the exception of the backyard barbecue, the home kitchen is THE place to cook in the home. Whatever the reason for being in the kitchen –  primary cook, kitchen helper or food taster, you should know that according to the National Fire Protection Association cooking is the number one cause of home fires and injuries.  So, being mindful of how you cook in the kitchen will go a long way in reducing the risk of home fires.
NEXUS Home Security suggests the following kitchen fire safety tips:
1.         Stay In the Kitchen – Don´t leave the kitchen while you have things cooking on the stove, especially with an open flame.  If you leave the kitchen, turn off the stove and take your pots/pans off the burners.  If you are using your oven to broil food, same thing applies.  This is basic common sense.  You already know this anyway.  So don´t do it.
2.         Your Clothes – Have you ever watch the TV cooking shows?  The “chefs” are either in “chef type garb”, short sleeve type shirts/blouses or shirts with their sleeves rolled up to minimize the risk of having cloth get near the stove burner´s open flame.  Since I am not a chef, I don´t wear chef garb when I am cooking.  Instead I opt for either a tee shirt or tied apron.  (Yes, guys can still be masculine and wear aprons, depending upon the color selection and what might be written on it.)  As an aside, for those that use electric stoves, much of what was said still applies.  The exception being that you really can´t control the cooking temperature versus a gas stove…
3.         Stuff Around the Stove – If you put things too close to a stove burner´s open flame, chances are that something will catch fire.  This is a basic law of chemistry that you were taught by your parents at a very young age, I´m sure.  Things you should watch out for include:  your hand, kitchen towels, oven mitts, curtains blowing, alcohol, matches, etc.  Since I usually use kitchen towels to move things from the burners (I can never remember the oven mitt), they often dangle and can touch the burner – beware.
4.         Cooking With Oil – Returning to you chefs and experienced cooks, you know that different oils have different temperatures where they begin to smoke. This is called their smoke point.  Whether its margarine, butter, corn, olive, extra virgin olive, coconut, lard, and others, they all behave differently under heat.  When they begin to smoke, they can catch fire.  So, don´t use an oil with a low smoke point for high heat cooking, especially frying.  When you´re done, wait for the oil to cool down before disposing of it (use an old tin can), especially if you are planning the garbage can since it may cause something inside to burn.
5.          Microwave, Toasters, Blenders… – These kitchen devices should be plugged in directly to a grounded (three prong) outlet. No extension cords should be used since there can be an overload of the circuit, cause an internal short in the wall, and… a kitchen fire.  Very bad news since you may not see or smell it until it is a REAL problem.
6.         Microwaves – It bears repeating: No metal objects in the microwave, it does really nasty things.  Teach this basic cooking rule to your kids at a young age, since they will use the microwave at any time of day or night for any type of thing.  (Remember they watch a LOT of TV and have seen some bizarre uses for a microwave.)  You should be careful of some food packaging items may include some type of metal foil.  When in doubt, read the packaging label to see if it is “microwave safe”.
7.         Keep Your Stove Clean – There a many benefits to cleanliness, but for this topic it is related to not having something on the surface that will be combustible. For example, grease and oil that can be ignited, on the stovetop or in the oven.
8.         Extinguish Candles – If you are using candles because the lights went out or you want to set the mood for your romantic “other half”, use shorter, wider candles so they are less likely to tip over. When finished, blow them out and make sure that they remain out.
9.         Have A Home Fire Extinguisher Nearby – It´s better to have it and not need it, then not have it and need it. Know how to use it.  It will keep a small kitchen stove fire, small instead of becoming something much worse.
10.       Be Prepared – Remember Smokey The Bear?  If a fire does occur, you want to be prepared.  If it is a stovetop fire, put a lid over the pan/pot to smother it.  Don´t use  water and don´t try and move a flaming pan/pot to the sink.  You risk spreading the fire or burning yourself with the cooking ingredients.
11.         Have A Fire Escape Plan – Plan for something that is likely to occur sometime. Have the fire department telephone number written and programmed on your telephone. Sit down with your family (especially the young ones) and have a fire escape plan – getting out of the house and where to meet outside in a designated area.

12.         Stop, Drop and Roll – Don’t run if your clothing catches fire – stop where you are, drop to the ground, and roll. Then get to a hospital to get treatment for your burns.
Practice these kitchen fire safety tips every time you and your family are in the kitchen.  Don’t hesitate to call your local fire department when in doubt.


For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Day In The Life Of A Burglar

Hello.  My name is Adam.  Well, actually not really.  My line of work doesn´t allow for too much familiarity.  You´ve probably seen me or one of my friends before, but probably don´t remember what I look like.  In my profession not being notice is good thing. You see I´m a local neighborhood burglar.  I consider myself a professional.   Some steal with a pen, some steal with their promises (hello politicians) and I steal with my wits and guile.   I didn´t start out life planning on doing this, but most of us don´t end up where we planned to be, so long ago.  Hey, we all have to put food on the table somehow…
Why do I do what I do?  People make it easy for me to break into their homes and rob them of their possessions.  It´s kind of like why people rob banks.  It´s where the money is.  Robbing houses (think of it like retail) instead of businesses (commercial) is low risk, low stress, easy money.  It´s profitable for me, I have a flexible work schedule and there is no shortage of opportunity for growth and advancement.  At the end of the day, it´s a way to make a living.  There´s nothing personal when I´m selecting a home to rob, it´s just business.
Oh, by the way, the photo above is not how I normally dress, other than perhaps for Halloween.  I don´t walk around carrying a sign (Bad Guy) to make things harder for myself when I work.
What do I look for when I´m looking for my next target?  It could be any house, maybe even your house?
Well, you know the adage about how important the location of a house is to determining its value?  Ít´s basically the same.  It all starts with the neighborhood where the houses are.  I´ll casually walk around in the morning (8AM – 11AM) when there are less likely to be people around.  People have gone to work, to school, are doing errands, etc.  Less people around means less risk for me.  I´ll be dressed up as a gardener, cable, electric or telephone repair guy.  You know, someone you would expect to see in the neighborhood at that time.  You don´t notice these types of people, we just “blend in”.  I don´t want to call much attention or suspicion of the neighbors or anyone driving by.
What calls my attention to a particular house?  H´mm.  If there is lots of mail or newspapers and magazines (yes people do still read newspapers and magazines in some neighborhoods) piled up by the front door, or there are outside lights on during the day, that´s a good sign that no one is at home.  Maybe the garage door is open.  If so I check it out, since there is generally valuable stuff stored there.  How much privacy can I have when I´m working?  A good candidate is a house with a high privacy fence, lots of trees and shrubs covering the house windows – anything that can block the view of neighbors or the casual police car cruising by.  If I see children´s toys or playground equipment, I know there´s a family with a mom who probably has jewelry ($$$).  To get a better look, I will post some type of marketing flyer at the front door, to see if there is a home security system (signs or stickers visible) and how attentive anyone inside may be to someone approaching the front door.
If I have reached the decision that this is the target house, my next step is to… knock on the front door to see if anyone is at home.  If someone answers, I´ve always got a good bogus story to give them and I move on.  If not, it´s showtime!  Now it´s time for me to check the front or back door of the house to see if it is unlocked.  If locked, I´ll look for a key around the doorway.  People can be REALLY stupid leaving a key in an obviously place.  (Do you know they even have “fake rocks” to hide a house key?)   If no key, time for me to check for an unlocked window.  If still no go, I´ll break a window or door using my trusty crowbar (you can judge a man by the way he takes care of his tools and car.).  I can do all of this in less than a couple of minutes.  (Remember I said I was a professional.)  If all else fails, I´ll schedule it for some other time and continue down the street looking for another target house.
But usually I don´t have to reschedule.  (My time is too valuable to waste.)  Once I get inside the house, here´s what happens next.  I go through a search pattern that I have perfected through the years.  First I go straight to the master bedroom. I look for cash, jewelry, or anything that might be valuable. People make the mistake of leaving money or jewelry in the most common areas, including the closet and under the bed.  Next I check the bathroom medicine cabinets for any narcotic prescriptions since there are easy to sell.  Finally I check your kitchen and living room for electronics, credit cards, car keys, and personal information.  Your personal information can sometimes be the most valuable for me.  I don´t really know how to use it, but I know some professionals who can empty a bank account or credit card quickly, and I get a commission for the referral!
While going through this pattern I’m always listening for outside noises. You develop a “gift” for knowing how long you should be visiting before it is time to exit.  After I have gathered everything I need, I call my backup driver to meet me so we can load up all the goods in the car or van.
Once I have loaded all the goods, we are off to the next target.
On average that takes me between 8-12 minutes to get in and out of your house. On a good day I can visit several houses.
You’ll notice that I didn’t spend time looking for a wireless home security system.  Why not?  Well if there was one installed in the house, there would be a security sign and window stickers outside, by the entrance way.  I wouldn´t have bothered to target this house to begin with and would have simply moved on.  (I have been surprised on a few occasions where the homeowner did have a home security system and didn´t place the signs outside, but not too often.  Me bad.)
Well, what should you do so that I don’t come visit your home while you and your family is away?  Start off with the wireless home security system.  Best investment you can make.  If I have to break a window or door, your system will notify your smartphone right away and the police will come visiting right away.  If I didn’t have to break anything but still got in anyway, the thermal motion sensors will be trigged with my movement.  Again you get notified remotely and again so do the police.  If your wireless home security system has an indoor video camera, you can know what I’m doing remotely, what I look like, how I’m dressed.  Basically I’m toasted.  Also, I should mention that I don’t like dogs.  Cats are fine.  A wireless home security system and dog are a perfect combination.
Why a wireless rather than a less expensive landline home security system?  If its been a slow day and I’m really, really determined, I’ll cut your outside phone line before entering your house.  You now have a DEAD home security system.
I appreciate your taking the time to read my story.  Remember I’m Adam (not really) and I hope to see your house soon!

For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Senior Medical Alert Systems

With the transition of the baby boomers into retirement, estimated to be more than 10,000 per day, there is increasingly a transition from living independently to some type of assisted living arrangement.  For seniors living independently, whether their own home or a senior community, the decision to change the freedom of independence is often made reluctantly. Foregoing this senior independence is normally either a financial or health necessity, or combination of both.
Many seniors would prefer the freedom of a living independently, but they and their loved ones worry about what may happen if they have a medical emergency while they are living alone. Even seniors who have no mobility concerns or medical issues, may worry about what might happen if they slip and fall and cannot get up or reach a phone for help.
It is concerns like these that may lead to foregoing living independently and choosing an assisted living option earlier than may be really necessary.
Basic Medical Alert Systems - These low-cost, easy to use alert systems provide the peace of mind needed to be able to live alone and independent. With just the push of a button, the wearer is connected to a professionally trained emergency operator that can provide the help needed for the situation including contacting family, neighbors, or other members of your personalized action plan.  Note that these basic systems do NOT provide detection or monitoring services for burglary and fire protection, nor control of your living environment, for example, lighting, thermostat, door locks, etc.
Medical Alert System Use Tips – Listed below are some basic tips on using your medical alert system:

1. Choose a medical alert system from a reputable company with high quality monitoring services..
2. Make sure the bracelet or pendant included with the system is waterproof and has a long battery life.
3. If living with your family, include them as your emergency contacts.  Include their cell phone numbers to easy contact.  If living in an independent community, include the office staff as your emergency contacts.  Remember that your contacts need to be available and respond quickly in the event of a medical emergency.
4. Get to know your neighbors and, if they are alright with it, include them as emergency contacts. The more local emergency contacts that can be reached the better.
5. Choose a medical alert system that offers easy updating of contact information.. You will need to change your medical and contact information routinely to make sure it is as up to date as possible.
6. Consider a wireless system to allow greater flexibility in communicating with family members, since they probably have smartphones readily in use. This also eliminates issues with independent living facilities that do not have standard phone outlets.
7. Test your medical alert system in all of the various places where you live to ensure that it will work where you move about.

NEXUS Home Security´s Wireless Senior Medical Alert system is an integrated solution for those independently living older adults and those with medical conditions that desire burglary, fire and medical alert protection, plus optional video and home automation and control services.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com

Wireless Home Security Systems

Home alarm systems previously required the running of cables in the home.  That’s no longer the case.  Wireless home security systems are increasingly popular due to reductions in cost, ease of installation and integration with smartphone technology.  As long as your smartphone has a signal to the cellular network, you have control of your smart wireless home security system.  You are “in touch” with what is going on in home, wherever you are.   Read on to learn more about wireless security systems and how they’re becoming fixtures in our daily lives.
NEXUS Home Security offers you some great reasons to install a wireless home security system and how it will fit with your lifestyle.
Know What´s Going On At Home – If you have a smartphone and a signal, you have control of your wireless home security system.  Through special software apps, your alarm system will send you text messages of changes in sensors and status of the system.  Someone come in the front door?  Motion detector was triggered?  Is the security system active?  If not, you can arm it.  Use your indoor video camera to see if the children are playing.  You have a constant eye on your home and activities.
Control When You’re Gone – Perhaps when you left your house you forgot to arm your wireless home security system.  Maybe you didn´t turn out the lights or turn down your thermostat.  Maybe you simply don´t remember how you left things at home.  Maybe you leave early in the morning and just want to make sure that every thing is alright once the children have gone to school.  Now with the Home Control Security Package and special software apps, you can turn off the lights (Intelligent Lighting), adjust the thermostat (Energy Control), lock the doors (Home Entry Access), etc.  Did your family´s plans change and will be arriving later than expected?  Change the schedule for your lighting and heating from your smartphone. Is your brother arriving sooner than expected?  Disarm the security system to allow access.  The potential flexibility is wide ranging.
Keep A Watchful Eye On Mom – For those with older parents, who want to keep them safe in their senior years, a wireless home security Senior Medical Alert system is an attractive solution.  The system provides for a combination of burglary, fire and medical emergency protection, plus advises you remotely via your smartphone when system events occur.  You stay in touch, can respond as needed, and provides your parents the security, respect and privacy that they deserve.
NEXUS Home Security’s intelligent services platform is the foundation for your connected home, giving you access to advanced control, better awareness, and state of the art technology.
For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Reasons People Purchase A Home Security System

Many people take for granted the security of their family and home until something unexpected happens.  It doesn´t matter where you live, what type of house, how well you have everything “locked down”, have a dog, a gun, participate in a neighborhood watch program, etc. — burglaries, fire and medical emergencies can occur at any day or time, whether you are at home or not.  Waiting until something bad happens is never the best option.
NEXUS Home Security 24 offers you some great reasons to be proactive and install a home security system to reduce the chance of the “unexpected”:
Protect Against A Burglary – If there is a burglary in your neighborhood, you should consider getting a home security system installed as soon as possible. Burglars will target the same neighborhood more than once. If it worked once, it will likely work again.  So, if you hear about a neighbor’s house being broken into, time to get a home security system installed right away.
Protect Against A Fire – Fires happen and they are never planned or anticipated.  Your house should have fire detectors installed and maintained.  They will alert you of a fire emergency if you are home.  A wireless home security system can be connected to your existing smoke detectors to work more effectively AND advise you when you are not at home of a fire emergency. When the smoke is detected, the fire department will be alerted automatically by the monitoring response personnel, 7×24.
New Home: Protect Your Investment –  New residents are often the most common targets for burglary. No matter how quickly you move in, or how fast you get situated, folks on your block might see the valuables you’re bringing into the house. Even if you take extra measures to move your possessions in through the back or side door, if someone is watching (a.k.a looking for their next target) they’ll have a pretty good idea of what’s inside. Given this reason, it’s highly suggested that you invest in a security system when you move into your new place.
Protect Your Family – Single-family homes are one of the most common types of homes broken into. Why? Well, for several hours during the day, the house is generally empty since you’re likely at work and the kids are at school. That said, your house is easily susceptible to a break-in as there are no deterrents.
If a security system is installed, however, you can keep tabs on your home when you aren’t there. In the case of a break-in, security systems will often send out an alert to your smartphone and often times to the authorities as well. Regardless of whether you’re home or not, you can take comfort in knowing that there’s some sort of watchful eye.
Carbon Monoxide – You might not think you have to worry about carbon monoxide in your home, but it’s something that everyone needs to be aware of! Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous gas that can kill you if it becomes too concentrated. What makes it even more dangerous is that it’s odorless, colorless, and tasteless. In the United States, it contributes to a couple thousand deaths every year. It displaces oxygen in the air, and you could essentially suffocate without ever knowing it. Even if the levels of CO are not high enough to cause death, too much CO inside your home means extremely poor air quality – which is bad for your health. A security system that includes a CO sensor can alert you (and the proper authorities) if there’s a CO leak in you home.
If you’ve never had anything go wrong or you’ve never felt unsafe in your home, it may feel difficult to justify installing a security system. However, terrible and unpredictable things can happen to you at some point. Rather than install a security system after the fact, it’s better to consider installing one now before anything does happen

For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Tips To Keep Your Children Safe At Home

If you have children in your family, it is important to consider their health as part of the safety of your home.  Does your home provide a safe environment that lets your children grow, have fun, and learn without exposing them to out of the ordinary risk?
NEXUS Home Security 24 offers you some tips on how home child safety:

1. Keep Dangerous Products Out Of Reach – Children are naturally infected with curiosity. That is a natural part of their learning process.  What may seem to an adult as an “ordinary thing” around the house, from a child´s perspective, may pose a potential threat.  Kitchen items such as knives, forks, scissors, cleaners, etc. should be kept out of reach or locked in a cabinet.  The bathroom, with all its medications should be stored away from the young and curious.  Remember that children learn quickly and may use stools or climb counters to get something that is of interest.  You can´t child-proof your entire home, but there are obvious things you can do to minimize temptations.
2. Bed Safety – Suffocating during sleep is a risk for babies. To minimize this, make sure that your children’s beds are as bare as possible. Other than that “special doll”, keep stuffed animals, blankets and pillows to a minimum, reducing the chance that their face may be blocked or they may swallow something. When it is cold, have your children wear warm pajamas to bed to minimize the need for blankets, and tuck those in so that they don’t reach above your children’s chests.
3. Keep Away From Electricity – Electrical outlets are at eye level when children are moving about the home, whether crawling or walking. To avoid the risk of electric shock, you should place plastic outlet covers over electric outlets to prevent them from putting objects into the sockets.  Remember they are curious and will attempt to do this.  For electrical devices plugged in, make sure that wires are tucked away safely and that no exposed wires are present. For your young “kitchen helpers”, teach them never to put metal objects into a toaster or microwave.
4. Beware Of Water and Children Alone – Water can be a drowning hazard, whether a full sink, a toilet, a pool or a bathtub. It is NEVER okay to leave young children alone around water.  If your children are going to play or be near water, supervise them and if you need to leave for any short time, take them with you.  Remember young children can drown in one inch of water!

5. Teach What To Do In An Emergency – You should have easily understood family safety plan in the event of an emergency. You need to make sure that your children know it well.  Teach them how to call 911 and tell them what to say to the operator in a variety of circumstances

For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Tips For Seniors To Avoid Falls

For Senior Citizens, falling down is a major concern.  Falls are the leading cause of death from injury for seniors 65 or over according to Colorado State University. More than 33% of seniors 65 or over will experience a fall during the year, and 70% of them will experience a fall the next year.
For seniors, a fall or the fear of falling often affects their lifestyle.  This fear of falling will cause many seniors to limit their physical activities.  This leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, and in turn increases their actual risk of falling according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
NEXUS Home Security 24 offers you some tips on how to prevent falls and the risk of injury:

1. No matter your age, everyone falls down sometime. Protect your body by maintaining the quality of your bones. Take appropriate supplements like calcium, to ensure you maintain the strongest bones possible and get regular exercise to give yourself needed balance, stability and flexibility.
2. Remember when you were younger and could run and stop on a dime? Well, choose nonslip footware like sneakers (rubber soled).
3. Avoid the temptation to “overreach” while you work and play. Buy the right equipment to avoid slips and falls, like extensions for dusters, handrails for stairs and tubs, and a “reaching” stick for hard-to-get items. Beware of foot stools and ladders, no matter the height.
4. Darkness can be deadly when you are walking around, alert or partially awake. Use night lights or motion-sensor activated lights in the bedroom, bathroom and hallway.
5. Keep your telephone (regular or wireless) near you where you spend the most amount of time – your couch and bed so that you can avoid rapid movement to answer it.
6. Keep your walkways clear of clutter to avoid surprises while you walk. If you have visitors (e.g., the grandkids) you should be especially aware of unexpected “stuff” in your walkways.
7. What you can see can´t hurt you. Check your vision regularly to ensure that you don’t have cataracts or glaucoma. Ensure that you can properly measure depth and see objects both close up and further away.
8. There may be slight changes in the height of door entrances and floors and uneven floorboards or tiles. Remove them, place colored tape or different paint to remind you of the change in elevation.
9. If climbing stairs becomes increasingly difficult, go up/down one stair at a time. Take it very slow, there is no hurry. Also you may need to consider installing ramps.
10. In winter weather, watch out for rain, ice and snow. Have it removed.
11. If you have floor rugs, they will slid when least expected. Be careful. Use nonskid stickers or tape on the bottoms of floor rugs.
12. Your bathroom, shower and tub are a major danger zone for falls. To reduce the danger of falls, lower the shower head so you don’t have to reach up for it, use a handheld shower head, add a wall-mounted soap dispenser in the shower (to avoid having to bend down), add a hand rail to get in and out and use non-skid products all over the floor and tub to avoid dangerous slippery-when-wet surfaces.

Prevention of falls is not difficult but it requires your planning and common sense.


For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com

Tips For Senior Caregivers

Whether its your parents or close friend, caregiving duties for a senior citizen can be challenging given the balance of personal commitments and obligations of every day life.   NEXUS Home Security offers tips for communicating with a senior to help you stay in touch with your loved one during the day..
Email - If you have access to the Internet, Email is a great way to keep in touch with your senior. Spend some time teaching him/her how to send and receive Emails and have your senior practice by exchanging a few with you and other family members. It takes a few moments to send a brief Email, but it’s the emotional connection.  Your senior will appreciate it and will have another way to tell you how his/her life is going at that moment. If your senior will find it easier to see, adjust the type font of his/her computer or tablet.
Pick Up the Telephone  – There is never a substitute for the human voice.  It may be old-fashioned, but the telephone call is still hard to beat and doesn’t require any special training. Whether your senior loved one prefers the regular landline or is comfortable with a smartphone it is a great way to keep in touch, and find out if there’s anything needed while you’re away. Try setting up prearranged times to talk to give your loved one a sense of routine.
Technology - If your senior loved one likes texting, you can keep this line of communication open when convenient for you. If your senior will be using a mobile telephone, a big screen and large buttons that are easy to read will be better.  Alternatively a tablet computer  is easy to use with touch screen functionality, particularly if your senior has arthritis. Don’t forget to set up third-party methods of communication, such as the NEXUS Home Security Senior Medical Alert system that your senior can use to contact you and the response center in the event of a burglary, fire or medical emergency.
By following senior caregiver tips such as these, you can keep in touch with your senior loved one all day, giving you both a greater sense of security and more peace of mind.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Bedroom Safety For Seniors

For Senior Citizens, the bedroom is where you don’t want to move too quickly, as it can prove hazardous to your health. Many falls occur at night when you get out of bed half-asleep to make a nocturnal trip to the bathroom. NEXUS Home Security offers some safety tips to get you through the night without any bumps or bruises.
Take Your Time – When you feel that sense of urgency to get to the bathroom, take a few moments to sit up rather then jumping right out of bed.  For many seniors on medications that cause fluctuations in blood pressure (e.g., hypertension) the sudden change from sitting to standing causes a drop in blood pressure. This can result in your lost of balance and fall. Take a few moments to let your legs dangle on the edge of the bed in a sitting position before standing up.
Turn On the Light - Try keeping a light by your bed to turn on before getting up.  If you’re afraid of waking your other half use a night-light when you were very much younger. A pitch-black room is just asking for trouble, even when you are wide awake.
Keep the Walkway Clear - Always make sure that, before you go to sleep, you have an uncluttered pathway to the bathroom.   Keep your pair of nonskid slippers nearby for better footing.
If You Can’t Wait – For those who simply can’t get to the bathroom in time, there are ways of avoiding embarrassing accidents. Men can use a urinal pan to keep at the bedside and empty in the morning so that they only have to stand up and move a short distance. An alternative is a  bedside commode that you can place right next to the bed during the night and put away in a closet during the day.
Staying Safe – Unfortunately falls may still happen, but you can rest easy with the help of a medical alert system. With Nexus Home Security Senior Medical Alert package you can send for help at any time and place within your home, whether a burglary, fire or medical emergency, even if you’re unable to push the help button.
Your home should be as “fall-proof” as possible.  Follow these senior safety guidelines to do your best to avoid mishaps during the night.


For more information, please visit:  http://www.NexusHomeSecurity24.com/

Keeping An Eye On Elderly Parents

It is an adult child’s worst nightmare when an elderly parent dies or is injured at home. Our parents looked after us when we were young, and it is our responsibility to look after them during their golden years. It’s natural for us to want to take care of our parents, particularly when they are living alone. One way to help protect them is with a NEXUS Home Security Senior Medical alert system.
The Senior Medical alert system offers the latest technology to provide 7×24 assistance by remote monitoring for medical problems, as well as burglary, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Is it worth it to monitor your senior parents at home using the Senior Medical alert system with 24-hour monitoring? It’s a reliable and affordable way to help your parents remain in their home longer without unnecessarily risking their safety while respecting their privacy.
Medical Emergency Monitoring  - Each year, approximately one-third of all seniors over the age of 65 suffer accidental falls at home. These falls at home can be deadly for seniors.  Rapid medical assistance is key.  One of the best features of the NEXUS Home Security Senior Medical alert system is the ability to quickly provide help for your parents in the event of a medical emergency, and at the same time, notify you via text on your smartphone.  You get to stay informed, wherever and whenever.  Your parents can get help from the monitoring center by either using the easy push button control panel or via the emergency medical remote pendant.  Help is just a push button away.
Burglary, Fire and Carbon Monoxide Monitoring – The NEXUS Home Security Senior Medical alert system also provide 7×24 hour monitoring of burglary, fire and carbon monoxide. Fire and carbon monoxide poisoning affects seniors because of limited mobility and senses.  Preventing deaths and injuries during these kinds of emergencies is a matter of getting help to the scene as quickly as possible. At the first sign of any fire or carbon monoxide alarm, monitoring personnel can contact local authorities so they can be dispatched to the scene.
Where burglary is concerned, seniors unfortunately are targeted because they are the most vulnerable members of adult society. Not only do they risk personal loss and potential injury, but the terrifying nature of a burglary can also have long-lasting effects.
First, burglars are more likely to pass by a home they know is alarmed and monitored. Second, home monitoring for burglary can get police involved much more quickly in the event a home is breached. You want the police dispatched to your parent’s home as quickly as possible after a burglar alarm. Their personal safety may depend on how quickly police arrive.
Our parents sacrificed to give us good lives when we were young; we owe it to them to protect their health and well-being as seniors. The NEXUS Home Security Senior Medical alert system will provide your parents 7×24 hour protection and you peace of mine, even when you can´t be with them.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.nexushomesecurity24.com/

Safety Tips For Living Alone

If you live on your own, you need to rely more on yourself for everything. You may love the solitude of being alone in your own home, but you may also be a little worried about the threat of intruders or other criminals.  However there are some basic steps you can take to protect yourself.

1. Pay Attention to Your Surroundings - The best thing you can do is learn how to watch your own surroundings. When you’re more aware of your neighborhood and even your neighbors, you’re more likely to notice if something is out of place or a potential problem. Look around as you enter and exit your home. Pay attention to the little details, and listen to your gut if something ever seems a little off.

2. Lock Your Home – It’s easy to walk out and leave the front door unlocked for convenience, but this invites people who are looking for an easy target. Keep your home safe from burglars by taking the time to lock doors and windows before you leave. If you like having the windows open when the weather is nice, then get special locks that prevent the window from opening beyond a certain point. You can also consider upgrading to better locks for exterior doors to improve your home security.

3. Take Care Of Personal Information – Don’t list your full name on mailboxes or buzzers, only your last name and first initial. Don’t toss junk mail in the trash, particularly if it’s a pre-approved credit offer. Take the time to shred anything that has your name, address or other personal information on it. Leave your Social Security card in a lockbox rather than carrying it in your wallet and be cautious about sharing this information.

4. Be A Less Desirable Target – Thieves are looking for the easy mark, but they’re also looking for a large payday. In addition to keeping the doors and windows locked, you should also be cautious about where you leave valuable items. Expensive power tools sitting in plain sight within an open garage are tempting. A new computer system within easy view of a window may make your home look like a good target. When storing your valuables, make sure they’re not in plain sight of people walking by on the street or delivery people.

5. Have Someone Protect Your Back – Perhaps the best way to protect yourself is to have someone watching your back. While you may not have other people in the home to call for help if needed, you can have an entire team of people monitoring the home remotely. Consider a NEXUS Home Security system as someone protecting your back, seven days a week, 24 hours per day.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.nexushomesecurity24.com/

Kitchen Safety Tips

The kitchen is one of the most busy and dangerous rooms in the house. Electric appliances, sharp knives, open flames, hot ovens and the potential for food contamination provide many opportunities for people to experience accidents in the kitchen. But with some common sense, there are ways that you can make sure that your kitchen is safe and efficient. Nexus Home Security 24 offers some basic tips to increase the safety of your kitchen

1. Wash Your Hands Before Preparing Food – Do this before and after handling food, especially raw meat, which can easily contaminate other food or kitchen surfaces.
2. Separate Raw From Cooked Foods – To avoid contaminating raw food, like vegetables and dairy products, keep them separate from cooked foods. Remember your hands touch everything in the kitchen.
3. Keep Your Work Area Clean – Clean your counters, cutting boards, stove top regularly to clear away crumbs and liquids that could attract pests. Always be sure to wipe up after cooking meat.
4. Don’t Wear Dangling Jewelry Or Clothing - Necklaces and bracelets can get caught around pot handles, which could send the boiling contents flying. Loose clothing and hanging sleeves could also catch on fire.
5. Don’t Leave Perishable Foods Out – To avoid the growth of bacteria, remember to put foods that require refrigeration, like meat, dairy products opened containers, etc., back into the fridge or freezer. Cooked items are left to cool before being placed in the fridge. Don´t leave them out until the next morning..
6. Don´t Use Appliances Near Sink Or Stove – Avoid electrical shocks from appliance cords near water sources or excess heat. Also don´t plug too many appliances in a single outlet to avoid an overload and electric short/fire.
7. Turn Pot/Pan Handles Toward The Back Of Stove. When you are not using the pot or pan, turn the handle away from you (back of the stove) to avoid bumping or having curious children grabbing them and inadvertently spilling, burning or starting a fire.
8. Use A Frying Screen. When you’re cooking something in a pan with grease, a frying screen will prevent the hot grease from spattering. If the grease in a pan ever catches on fire, have the lid on hand to extinguish the flames.
9. Supervise Children – Whenever children are in the kitchen, you should be there to supervise them, especially when you or they are cooking or baking. Keep anything dangerous, like matches, knives or other sharp tools, in places where your kids can’t reach them. If you must leave the kitchen (e.g., answer the door, turn off the TV), review and think before leaving children and cooking items unattended.  It is a bad mix..
10. Don´t Use Metal In Toaster and Microwave - Never put anything made of metal into the toaster or microwave. This could cause an electric shock or a fire.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.nexushomesecurity24.com/

Home Security While On Vacation

According to the FBI, 75% of US burglaries during 2011 were residential.  The average “take” by these residential burglaries was an average of $2,185.  The prevalence of burglaries and other crimes pose a threat to the safety of your family and home.
When you are traveling, whether for business or vacation, your home is at greater risk if left alone.  Nexus Home Security 24 suggests the following tips to safeguard your home and possessions:

1. Install a Home Security System – A NEXUS Home Security system will provide round-the-clock monitoring services that will deter potential intruders from targeting your home. Additionally with a wireless alarm system your home will benefit from fire protection and you will be able to using your smartphone remotely be advised of any events that require your attention.

2. Hire a House Sitter – With a house sitter, your home will not only be watched more carefully, but it will be used, which is key to keeping burglars at bay. If you have pets, a sitter can take them for walks, feed them and provide care while you’re away. If you’re unable to find a trusted and reliable sitter in time, you should reach out to neighbors and ask them to keep an eye on your home, adding another level of home safety when you’re on vacation.

3. Use Timers – Keeping the lights in your home on and off at opportune times creates the impression that your home is occupied. A potential burglar is looking for the least risky house to break and enter – an empty one.

4. Keep the Driveway Full – When a driveway is empty, it seems like no one is around. To overcome this problem, encourage your neighbors to park their cars in your driveway. Have them also pick up the mail, newspaper, etc.

5. Keep Temptations Out Of Sight – Hide or lock up your valuable possessions, keeping them out of the view of potential thieves.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.nexushomesecurity24.com/

Reasons For Growth in Home Security Installations

Americans are increasingly installing wireless security systems for their homes.  Home burglary is one of the most common property crimes and victims experience a very real sense of violation when they discover that a break-in has occurred.
Around 20% of homes in America have security systems and this percentage is expected to increase over the next five years.   Increased awareness of crime may be one factor driving this increase, but there are also other factors too.  For example, many home security systems also include fire alarm and medical assistance response that many home owners find justify the investment in a home alarm system.  Here are additional reasons more Americans will be installing home security systems in coming years:

1. Technology Improvements – Wireless sensor, video and digital technology is making monitored home security systems more effective. As the technologies mature and costs decline, more people have access to wireless home security systems.

2. Affordability – As technology has advanced, home security systems have become more affordable. A generation or two ago, they were only for the well-to-do.  Nexus Home Security offers you a variety of home alarm systems to accommodate your needs.

3. Homeowners Have Changed – The nuclear family (two parents, two children and a dog or cat) has evolved considerably with time. Now a household may consist of a single parent and children, parents with a grandparent, a single-person, empty nesters, retired couples and other variations.  Each type of household benefits from a home security system given the flexibility and range of benefits offered.

4. Family Life is Busier – Families, whatever the profile, have outside commitments that obligate them to leave their home unattended for periods of time. Whether it is work, school, social activities, doctor visits, vacations, etc., it can be a challenge to ensure your home is “locked” tight and protected from burglary and fire.  A home security system provides a level of control (inside and out) that provides family peace of mind.

5. Increased Crime – Burglaries take place all the time. A home security system, with visible signage and stickers are a deterrent to burglars where they are more likely to look for a more “convenient” house to visit.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.nexushomesecurity24.com/

Home Security System Motion Sensors

Motion sensors are often a major part of most home security systems, as they can track suspicious movements and changes in a room’s environment. While motion sensors are quite helpful, they often come with an array of different questions. Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions we receive concerning motion sensors:

1. Why Motion Sensors False Alarms? – Alarm system motion sensors can sometimes be set off by sudden bursts of air or sound from a heater vent or furnace. Window blinds and curtains within range of the sensor can also set it off if they move. E.g., if you have a window open or the air on, blinds and curtains may move with a breeze. If they move too much, your motion sensor will become suspicious and react. If you’ve made adjustments to any moving objects in a room and are still experiencing false detections, a technician may be need to adjust your equipment.

2. How Much Area Does a Motion Sensor Cover? – Alarm system motion sensors can normally see out to thirty feet. To ensure you get the most out of a single motion sensor unit, they should be placed in ceiling corners so that they can use their 90-degree sweeping angle to keep an eye on the entire room. For rooms larger than thirty feet, we may suggest using multiple sensors to give your home the best protection

3. How Do I Test a Motion Sensor? – It is most convenient if your home is empty before beginning. The room(s) where there are motion sensors should be closed/empty.  Arm your home security system.  Wait 3-5 minutes to allow the motion sensors to register heat signatures and large items in the room.  Now your alarm system should be armed and the motion sensors adjusted.  Now to test the motion sensor, simply walk into the room where it is located.  If working, the sensor will recognize your movements and sound the alarm.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.nexushomesecurity24.com/

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Security

Now that you have your NEXUS Home Security system installed, here is a list of DIY home security projects to help deter and prevent unwanted guests from getting into your home.

1. Check Outdoor Landscaping – Overgrown trees and bushes are great for sneaking around. They allow trespassers ample hiding space and the opportunity for cover if and when they break into your home. If you have trees with heavy branches that stick out close to an unsecured window on a second floor, you might be giving intruders a way in. Take inventory of your landscaping, and trim all overgrown bushes and trees that surround your property and around your home.

2. Keep the Garage Door Closed – Your garage is the safe house for some of your most expensive items: your cars, toolsets, yard tools and more. When you leave the garage door open, you are inviting outsiders to come in and take whatever they want.  So make sure that you always keep the garage door shut when you’re away from home or getting ready for bed at night. You can also lock the overhead door shut at night by putting a padlock into the holes of the sliding train.

3. Secure Entries To Your Home – Sliding doors and windows might lock, but those locking mechanisms generally aren’t made to withstand a lot of force. You can add some extra security that will help keep these types of entry points secured. Auxiliary foot locks will help keep patio doors shut and secure or at a minimum a horizontal metal bar. For your front and back entry doors, consider reinforcing the strike plates by putting in longer, more durable screws.

4. Motion Activated Lights – Darkness is an ally of anyone attempted to enter your home. Minimize the darkness and minimize the risk of unwanted entry.  Install motion-activated lights that shine on key areas: open yards, front doors, back doors, windows and garage doors. Essentially, you want to shine light on any entrance point or open area of your property. Even if an intruder does walk up to your home, they’ll likely retreat quickly once they activate the lights.

5. Fool Intruders – There are limits and budget as to what you can do to protect your home. You can install fake security cameras around your home for a higher deterrence factor. When a potential burglar sees the cameras, they’re likely going to be intimidated and they’ll just as likely leave your property quickly. You might also benefit from “Beware of Dog” signs, fake TV lights, and more. Deterrence is all about fooling intruders and keeping them from thinking your place is a good place to break-in.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.nexushomesecurity24.com/

Basic Emergency Kit List

Nexus Home Security 24 offers some basic suggestions in case of an emergency:  the home emergency kit.  Build up your kit as time allows to protect your family when the unexpected happens:

1. Water – The most basic of items. You should budget one gallon of water per person per day.  Plan on three days as a minimum.
2. Food – Nonperishable, canned, dry, easy to prepare items. If you have teenagers, plan on double the amount!
3. Can Opener/Utility Tool – Not all canned foods have “easy opening” tops. A utility tool offers:  knife, screwdriver, pliers, cutter, etc.
4. Metal pot and dishes – You may need to heat up food on an open flame.
5. Rechargeable batters and Charger – Many of your basic devices need a power source. Have different battery types.  When you do get/find electricity use the charger.
6. Radio – In an emergency, your radio will provide you access to the outside world. It may be powered by battery, hand crank or solar.  It would also be helpful to have a two-way radio to keep in contact with your family members.
7. Flashlight – You need to see when the lights go out and there is no power.
8. Candles/Matches – When you need to start a fire and when the lights go out.
9. Tools – Some basic tools will help to get some jobs done: metal bar, hatchet, adjustable wrench, hammer, etc.
10. Blankets – Keep out the cold and wind in an emergency. Have at least one for each family member.  Think about some plastic sheets/tarp for wind and rain.
11. Medical Kit – There are basic items, plus what your family uses on a daily basis. Have seven days worth.
12. Cash – In an emergency don´t expect to have access to banks and the use of your credit cards. Have several hundred in small bills to purchase or exchange with others.
13. Maps/Compass – If you need to “bug-out” you can´t rely on GPS to guide you.
14. Cell Phone Charger – When you find a power source you can charge your cell phone to contact your family (assuming the cell network is working).
15. A Whistle – To call for attention to rescue personnel, this gets attention fast.
16. Duct Tape – This can fix or repair just about anything in an emergency.
17. Warm Clothing – Unless you live in the tropics your family may need to deal with cold weather. Hats, socks, gloves, coats, etc.
18. Flare Gun – An alternative to your whistle when you need to attract rescue crews from a greater distance.
19. Entertainment Item – You and the family may be isolated for hours or days.  Have some items that do not require a power source:  books, playing cards, board games, etc.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.nexushomesecurity24.com/