April 12, 2013
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Home Security Cameras Work Better with an Alarm System
Home security cameras are all the rage these days, and it’s easier than ever to find these devices and buy them at an attractive price. But the fact is, they are not enough. Without a method to alert you (and the police) immediately that there are intruders in your home, with cameras alone it’s probably too late by the time you realize what has happened. And that’s exactly the case in this news report from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Beth Robinson knew something was wrong when she lost access to her home security camera's live feed over the holiday weekend. She and her husband were hundreds of miles from their Raleigh, N.C. home at the time, but her father agreed to run over to check things out. "When he walked in, he smelled bleach," Beth wrote in a Reddit thread Wednesday. "Then he noticed the living room camera was gone and then the back door kicked in."
Smarter than Average Burglars?
It didn't take long to explain the bleach. The burglars had realized the cameras were rolling and doused the devices in order to scramble the footage. But they weren't quite thorough enough –– the hard drive containing the security footage was salvaged, along with nearly six minutes of crystal clear video. The Robinsons posted the chilling footage on YouTube this week in hopes of finding a lead, but no suspects have been named yet.
What They Stole
In the video, you can see the men making off with arm loads of electronics, which Beth says included an X-Box, Wii, video games, a router, TV, some cash, and an iPod. At about the 5-minute mark, one of the men notices the camera in the living room and turns it against the wall. A few seconds later, the video goes dark. In all, the Robinsons lost about $1,500 worth of goods and cash. "I am having trouble sleeping and I am so paranoid," Beth says. "At the same time, it is my house that I love. It is a strange feeling."
Some More Great Security Tips
About 2 million burglaries are reported each year, according to the FBI. Here are a few cost-effective means of safeguarding your home:
- Ask for insurance discounts. Before you factor home security out of your budget, keep in mind that many insurance plans will slash their rates if you install an alarm system. That's mostly because alarms are proven to deter to burglars and it's far cheaper to offer discounts than fork over cash to replace your stolen gadgets.
- Keep your lights on. Whether they're hunting for copper or have their eye on your brand new 3-D TV, burglars will be less likely to visit well-lit homes. If you're out of town, keep a couple of random lights on (some can even be programmed to turn on and off throughout the day).
- Lock your windows and doors. It sounds like a no-brainer, but security expert Tom Kraeutler points to FBI research that shows one-third of burgled homes were left unlocked. Invest in a sturdy deadbolt, which can't be picked as easily as the average doorknob. Patio doors are easy access points, too, he notes. Try a good patio bar for added security (a slim piece of wood that fits snug to the door will work in a pinch).
- Trim your hedges. A clean, open yard leaves wrongdoers far fewer places to hide.
The best protection for your home is a monitored alarm system. The best systems offer advanced interactive features that are built in, such as remote arm/disarm, text and email notifications, free mobile apps, video services, and home automation. If you want cameras in your home, it’s best to make sure they are integrated into the alarm system, with live streaming video capability and motion-activated clips.
FrontPoint knows all about protecting your home and family – it’s our highest priority. We’ll keep on sharing great tips and news when we find them: it’s our goal to be your resource for crime statistics, burglar behaviors, and the latest technologies to thwart intruders. After all, FrontPoint is the only alarm company in the country to use safer wireless monitoring in every system we’ve ever sold – and charge less for it. But what people really know us for is our smarter Interactive level of monitoring. Make sure your home is protected: by FrontPoint, the leader in wireless home security, and the #1 ranked alarm company in the US.