Welcome to the 3nd online issue of the The Security Seeker Newsletter.  Seek the Security Seeker for the best security advice, statistics and stories.  If you find this email interesting, forward it to a friend and keep your friends secure, too! This email newsletter can be seen in its entirety at URSecure.com. 
Keep Secure! 

INSIDE the Security Seeker

- Privacy Manager CallerID and Call Waiting 
  services may impede alarm signals

- Crime Rate Update 

- Security Success Stories

- Reducing False Alarms

- 3 Tips for Increased Home Security

Phone Options May Impede Proper Alarm Transmission

While various features that telephone companies now offer may increase convenience and privacy, these services may impede the proper transmission of alarm signals.  It is important that you are aware of the services that you may subscribe to so you can take the appropriate actions to prevent false alarms.  It is also important for you to inform your dealer of your various phone options so that he too will be informed of possible transmission problems.  Some popular service options that have proven to be problematic are: Privacy Manager/Caller ID and Call-Waiting. 

Privacy Manager/Caller ID
Phone companies offer the Privacy Manager service as a solution to stop unwanted telemarketing calls.  However, this service can seriously delay or inhibit your ability to cancel a false alarm because the central station's call may be delayed or denied.  The same difficulty may result when central station operators try to contact responsible parties who may also have Privacy Manager.  Privacy Manager screens incoming unidentified calls, giving subscribers the option to avoid unwanted sales pitches.  Depending upon the routing of the central station's calls, the source telephone number may not be identifiable and can result in false alarms that could be prevented if Privacy Manager was not in use.

Call-Waiting
The Call-Waiting feature is another feature that may result in false alarms.  After the alarm signal is transmitted, the central station's monitors trying to contact you may receive "no answer" because of the call waiting service.  This means that as your security system seizes control of the phone line as an alarm signal is transmitted, operators calling to verify the situation end up in call waiting with no one receiving the call waiting "beep."  The authorities are then dispatched. 

In the event that you accidentally trip an alarm and you have call waiting, immediately notify the central station to avoid the problems caused by false alarms.  Make sure to contact your dealer and inform them of these issues to prevent possible errors and make adjustments accordingly.

Crime Rate Update

Security Success Stories

Around midnight one recent summer evening, a central station operator received a signal from a subscriber's premises triggered by a burglar who was lurking outside on the fire escape. The operator called back and attempted to verify the situation but was met by the subscriber's answering machine.  Following the proper procedures, the operator immediately dispatched the local police.  Thanks to the quick response of the operator and the efforts of law enforcement, the suspect was captured and arrested.

This is only one of many situations that your central station encounters every day. Thanks to the quick and professional operators you can feel safe in your home and business.
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CLICK HERE if you have a success story you would like to share with others. 

Tips for Reducing False Alarms

• Instruct all authorized users on the correct procedure for operating your alarm system. Be sure to instruct NEW USERS correctly!  Give them hands-on practice, but first call to let your central station know you are testing your alarm system.  
  
• Your alarm system may be programmed with a Cancel code.  If you disarm your alarm system immediately after setting off a false alarm, the alarm system will automatically signal the central station that it was a false alarm and no further action is required by you or the central station. 
  
• Instruct all users to disarm the alarm system as soon as a false alarm occurs.  If you do not have a Cancel Code or user cannot disarm the alarm after a false alarm, instruct them to call the central station and provide the confidential pass code to cancel the alarm.  If you do not have a siren on your system, have one installed so that users will be aware when they have set off a false alarm and can take action to ensure that police are not dispatched.
  
• Ensure that all users have a confidential pass code to properly identify themselves to central station personnel. Make sure you notify your dealer and the central station of all pass-codes you want accepted or any that you want us to delete.
  
• If your alarm system is malfunctioning, call your dealer immediately.  Do not arm the system until it has been repaired!  Also, call and advise your central station of this situation and ask them not to respond to alarms until you or your dealer informs them that the system has been repaired.

How to Make Your Home More Secure

There are cost efficient projects that average homeowners can do to additionally secure their homes.  These projects are perfect as a weekend job for someone who is handy or may be done by a local contractor.  All of the equipment necessary can be obtained from your home improvement centers or electronics store.

#1 Install solid entrance doors and dead bolt locks

Solid Entrance Doors
Most burglaries occur through doors.  Contrary to the movies, burglars do not pick locks, but simply kick the door open.  To prevent this, steel clad doors offer a high degree of security.  Here are some other things to keep in mind: 
- Make sure that the door frame and edges are also steel. 
- Install a peephole viewer in the door. 

Dead-bolt locks 
Door locks are a great way to prevents someone from gaining access to your home. Install a good quality dead-bolt and keep these things in mind, and you are on the road to increasing your home security!  
- Use a 1 inch bolt lock with long screws, about 3 inches, to secure the latch plate to the door frame.  Using screws of that size should reach the studs and dramatically increase the strength of the lock. 
- If your door has glass panes, you should consider using a double cylinder lock.  This type of lock requires a key from both outside and inside. 

#2 Exterior lighting

Burglars, obviously, do not like attracting attention.  A darkened area is an invitation to thieves.  Exterior lights can be purchased with sensors that will automatically turn them on when it gets dark and off when the sun comes up.  You can also use lighting that incorporates a motion sensor so that the light will only come on when someone walks towards your home.  In addition to being a good deterrent for burglars, these lights also make your life easier if you come and go at night. 

#3 Intercoms

Another great project to increase the security of your home is to install an intercom at the front door.  Intercoms provide a safe and convenient means to speak to someone who rings your doorbell without opening the door.  Most of these systems require you to run wire between the inside units and the outdoor station.  The exact type of wire will vary by manufacturer so make sure that you purchase the correct wire for your chosen unit and contact your alarm dealer for additional information.

Above all, remember to make the most of your investment by using the locks, lighting and intercoms you install.  These devices will not help you if they are not being used.  You cannot make your home burglar-proof, but you can and should take whatever steps available to you in order to make your home less appealing to a burglar.  Contact your alarm dealer for more information on intercoms, exterior lighting, dead bolt locks and steel plated doors!

Contact Information

The Security Seeker is a customer service publication designed for security-minded consumers. If you have any questions or suggestions of how we might better service your security needs, or a success story you would like to submit for consideration, please contact Editor Peter Prestipino at (773) 725-0222 or (800) 827-3624, ext. 6033. Visit our web site: www.ursecure.com.