Homes Plus
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/141539
JULY 2013 HOMES PLUS 6 Protect your property every day, not just while you're on vacation Technology can play key role in home monitoring By Jody L Mayers HOMES PLUS CORRESPONDENT WAUKESHA – Summertime is traditionally known for a time of relaxation and fun in the sun, but oftentimes homeowners are targeted this time of year for being too lax when it comes to posting information online about upcoming vacations making them a target for break-ins. "It's becoming a new concern that people never had to worry about," Summit officer Ryan Lipovsek said. "Obviously never post anything about your whereabouts that will advertise you're away from your property." According to the FBI, summer is the season with the most burglaries. This summer, an estimated 136 million Americans plan to take at least one vacation and should consider taking necessary safety and security precautions to help protect what matters most while at home or away. "I always suggest before you leave on vacation that you let not only your neighbors know but also your local police department so we can keep on eye on things," he said. Lipovsek said he and other officers would much rather be called for a report of suspicious activity at a home rather then find out later there was damage or loss of property "It's also a good idea to stop your mail, set your lights on timers and make sure the curtains are drawn," he said. George Anderson, a representative with ADT Security Systems, said the security systems have a relatively inexpensive monthly fee and installation and can be used with smartphones. "We've been in business since 1874 and pioneered home security," he said. "The system is monitored between four different centers." Anderson said when the alarm is triggered, a call is made to the homeowner to ensure it wasn't an accident. If not, the police are dispatched immediately and calls are placed to the numbers listed on the phone tree. "The basic package we have covers roughly 2,000 square feet and offers six points of protection from doors and windows," he said. Eric Wyszkowski, project manager of Techteriors of Mequon and Delafield, said the company offers surveillance camera solutions that allow for video to be recorded to a DVR and viewed on a TV, touch panel, smartphone or tablet from inside or outside the home. "Lighting control systems offer features to enhance security, such as an all 'on' button that would allow the client to instantly turn on every light in the house or selected lights at the touch of a single button if they hear a noise in the middle of the night," he said. "Our smart home systems support door locks that can notify you on your smartphone when your child enters the home after school." Wyszkowski said in addition to the door lock system, Techteriors can provide ways to control and monitor other electronic devices in the home. "Oftentimes, a client would like to monitor or change the temperature of a home remotely if they are traveling or are snow birds," he said. "We can monitor things like if a sump pump kicks on or a water leak and can even put the home in a vacation mode to randomly turn lights on and off throughout the home." Wyszkowski said the best way to feel secure when leaving on vacation is through integrating a lighting control system and a surveillance system. "Automating lights randomly gives the appearance that the home is being lived in," he said. "Being able to view your home from your smartphone gives peace of mind that everything is as you left it."