When it comes to security nothing beats common sense. Hopefully you can find one or two tips here to help you live safer and more aware.

1. Park and walk in well-lit areas. 
2. Be alert. Don’t assume that you are always safe. Think about your safety everywhere. Your best protection is avoiding dangerous situations.
3. If someone tries to grab you, yell "FIRE!" because this gets more attention than shouting "Help!"
4. Use a money clip. If you are robbed, you may lose the money in the clip but will retain important credit cards and documents. 
5. Don’t wear excess jewelry. Reduce wallet and purse contents, particularly cards denoting affiliations, memberships, accounts, etc. 
6. If you carry a purse, keep it close to your body at all times.  If you have a wallet, keep it in an inside jacket pocket or front pocket.  Try not to carry more cash than you need.
7. Let go if your bag is snatched. No amount of money is worth getting hurt over. If someone grabs your purse or wallet, don't fight or run after them. 
8. In any crowded situation, be aware of any crowding or jostling, even if it appears innocent. This is often a ploy by pickpockets to distract you. 
9. If a friend or taxi driver takes you home, ask them to wait until you're safely inside. 
10. Don't go inside your home if it appears that there has been an unauthorized entry. Go to a neighbors home and wait for the police.
11. If a stranger asks to use your phone, have him wait outside while you make the call. 
12. If you have car trouble, raise the hood and stay inside your car. If a stranger wants to help, have him or her call for help. Don’t leave your car.
13. Keep your car doors locked and never pick up hitchhikers.
14. If you ride the bus or rail be aware of their schedules so you don't have to wait any longer than necessary at a bus stop or station. Try to sit near the driver / conductor. Learn the location of emergency alarms and exits.
15. If you take money out of an ATM, choose a machine in a well-lit location. 
16. If you think you're being followed, turn around to see if someone's there instead of being taken by surprise.  Walk to the nearest store or office where there are other people around and let someone know you're being followed.
17. Make sure all windows and doors in your home are locked, especially if you are home alone. Always double check ALL of your doors and windows after a contractor or stranger has been inside your home.
18. Never give the impression that you are home alone if strangers telephone or come to the door. 
19. Stay awake and alert when using public transportation.
20. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, leave. 
21. Don't cross the road from between parked cars or in front of a bus because that can make it hard for other drivers to see you.
22. Don't walk in isolated places at night.  If you have to, wear light-colored clothing and carry a flashlight.  You may also want to carry a personal alarm siren or pepper spray.  Please consult local regulations on personal defense sprays.
23. Walk confidently at a steady pace on the side of the street facing traffic, close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys.
24. Walk to your car with keys in your hand.
25. When traveling, dress casually; dress down where appropriate. Wear clothes and shoes that allow freedom of movement.

We cannot always be with you everywhere you go, but we would be happy to visit with you about protecting your home or business.

Denton is a little safer today thanks to the fine efforts of the Denton Police Department and Denton County Sheriffs department - Denton Record Chronicle article

Five Free Home Security Tips:

1. If you see signs that your home has been broken into - Do not enter! Go to a neighbor's house and call the police.
2. If you see the intruder(s), don't confront them. Panic can sometimes turn a burglary into a more dangerous crime.
3. If a stranger wants to use your phone don't let them inside. Take down the information and call for them.
4. Never tell a stranger you are home alone. Also don't mention this in public places like the checkout line etc.
5. Representatives from legitimate companies have ID cards. (See our verify a representative feature)

This is a great tool for the residents of Dallas. The best way to fight crime is knowledge.

http://www.dallaspolice.net/mediaaccess

What are the top 10.5 things to consider when choosing a top rated home security company?  

1. Is the company really concerned about your safety,or are they just looking get a check? A professional security company will make recommendations that they may or may not offer. Many times during our Free Security Evaluation we will make recommendations that are low cost or sometimes even free. For example: trimming your hedges, enhancing door locks or jambs etc.
2. Is the company licensed by the State of Texas for the products they are offering. Are you shown proof of the license when you request it? There are two basic licenses required:Department of Public Safety and the other to install fire related devices Texas Department of Insurance.
3. Do they exceed the minimum levels of insurance required by the state? The State of Texas requires a minimum total aggregate amount of $200,000.00 for all occurrences. At this writing we carry nearly 10 times this amount. Proof of adequate insurance should be presented when requested.
4. Do the employees meet and or exceed the state requirements? We drug test and perform an extensive nationwide criminal background and driving record check. We also have at the bottom of our home page a button where you can verify a representative to ensure he or she is who they say they are. This includes a short bio, photograph and a link to the DPS website that shows the licensing status of our representative. We take it a step further by supplying our Representatives with a PVC ID card that has their photo ID and our company information.
5. Is the company an active member of the state and local alarm associations. North Texas Alarm Association and Texas Burglar and Fire Alarm Association?
6. Is the company a local company? Is there local executive leadership that you can reach when you have a problem? Is the company involved in the local community?
7. Does your security professional act professional? Did he or she offer to remove his or her shoes prior to entering your home? Did he seem genuinely concerned about you and did she listen to your needs? Were they dressed for success or look like they just woke up?
8. If you have pets, a top rated security professional will include the special requirements of your "extended" family in the design of the system. Remember approximately 40,000 pets die each year because of fire in the home.
9. Ask how quickly the security company will install your system after purchase. Also, find out how long there service is scheduled out. (Call the main office and ask for the service department)
10. When comparing prices compare detection coverage and features. Not all coverage plans are the same.

10.5  Don't base your decision on price alone. If you are like most people you are rarely happy when you buy something because of it's price. You did not buy your home because it was the cheapest. why would you protect your largest investment with the cheapest security system? In my experience the decisions based on value have turned out the best. Look for a comfortable blend between price and service and get the best system that you can afford. If someone says they are the cheapest in town, don't argue with them, they likely know what the service is worth. 

As the 2008 Olympics draw to a close, we at NTX Security want to recognize  the accomplishments of  the great athletes who represented our country.  Thank you for a tremendous job Well Done! 

Seeing the daily Olympic "Medal" count got me  thinking. What if we did the same for the "Metal" count as it relates to the billion dollar epidemic of copper theft? What would the reaction be if every evening the newscast started their broadcast with "to recap today's metal count, the US leads the world in copper theft with almost 3 Million dollars of copper stolen today..." Would it raise awareness or fall deep into the cranial caverns of complacency?

In a previous post "Dallas / Fort Worth - Stop a Copper Thief in the Act!" we discussed measures that can be taken to reduce your exposure to site theft. Site theft is just an example but the violations include fuel theft, vandalism, copper theft and more. In reality I don't know if we fully understand as consumers, and possibly even those of us in the trade just how expensive lack of site security can become.

Often times it is not simply the cost of the materials stolen:

• Erosion of your customers confidence in your product or neighborhood
• Collateral damage that is incurred by ripping materials from a wall or AC unit.
• Lost production and interim financing concerns.
• No air conditioning in a building can lose a days production or more
• Lose air conditioning in a head in or substation and millions of dollars worth of equipment are at risk of overheating.

The alternative to a "Metals Count" would be to take preventive action today. Start today with a FREE Site Survey.

More Gold Medals, Less Copper... theft.

I sometimes feel like Santa Claus delivering the presents on December 26th.

If you attended one of my recent Copper Theft Solution meetings you would have heard some of the following responses: "Where were you guys two months ago when we lost thousands of dollars in tools?" Or "We are a concrete company and we just lost $ 25,000.00 worth of concrete forms"

I cannot go back in time, but can I catch a thief? 

So how do you stop a copper thief?

1st - You must be disciplined enough to take precautions every single day. The medicine will only work if you take it. This means change (for the better).

• Ensure there is fencing around property with a locking gate - Inspect this regularly
• Secure fuel tanks
• Lock up keys to equipment - take keys home on weekend
• Utilize "just in time" delivery for materials
• Don't leave equipment in remote areas... even just for a "minute"
• Post signs that vehicles may be searched

2nd - Schedule your FREE on-site security evaluation and demonstration of our affordable Copper Theft Kit.

The Copper Theft Kit is a TOTALLY Wireless Video Security System. Motion activates the integrated night vision camera and sends a 10 second video of the intruder over the cell network to the monitoring station and the site manager. Up to 24 cameras on a single system. Operates for months on one set of batteries. Indoor and outdoor cameras. No wires or power. Eliminate copper theft.

Affordable, Portable, Anywhere.

NTX Security stops copper theft by immediately alerting 24x7 professional monitoring staff of an attempted copper theft and providing a video of the incident. Police are dispatched to a crime-in-progress.

Does your video system offer Reruns or Live Performances?

Videofied delivers apprehensions, not reruns on a DVR of yesterday' s crime. Outdoor wireless video security systems provide security to rooftop air conditioners, substations, construction sites, and many more.

Farmers Branch Home Security 

WFAA Reports - Farmers Branch residents must trim grass or face a fine.

Farmers Branch's new ordinance about landscaping may have bigger implications that just a "well groomed" community. Unkempt lawns put targets on homes and businesses by telling the intruder nobody's home or in some extreme cases; nobody cares. (Not to mention the additional risk of fire caused by the tall dry grass around your building in the hot Texas summer.)

What are the first steps to protecting your home from invasion... Act like you care.

• Act like you care - Remove tools and other implements that could be used in the intrusion.
• Act like you care - Ensure that all of your doors and windows are locked.
• Act like you care - Keep you hedges and trees trimmed from your home to reduce hiding places and easy access to second stories.
• Act like you care - Have a professionally designed security system to protect person and property.

NTX Security offers a FREE Security Evaluation to help you protect your property starting from reducing the curb appeal your home has to interested intruders.

The main focus of the story is on how GPS is used to track down stolen materials that have been pre-embedded with a GPS transmitter. Don't get me wrong, GPS is a great tool to track down equipment for recovery. But after recovery is the equipment even usable? What collateral damage has been done to the home or job site? Would you as a homeowner want that "stolen" equipment back in your new home, assuming it was in reasonable shape? If a gas appliance is stolen and the gas feed was not properly shut off, would that put the surrounding neighbors in harms way?

Wouldn't it be better to catch the thieves in the act before the damage is done? 

What would it be worth to see the perpetrator before he or she has a chance to destroy a home?

Would it help the responding officer, security guard and or the property owner to have a 10 second video of the intrusion (sent to an email account or video enabled phone) before any damage is actually done?

Would you as the responding officer like to know that this is a real event, not just another false alarm?

As a GC or Home builder would you like a theft and vandalism solution that you only had to buy once, that was completely wireless and you could reuse from job site to job site? 

More information here.

Schedule a free site evaluation and demo here.

Fire Safety 101  

Colleges and Universities

Every year college and university students experience a growing number of fire-related emergencies. There are several causes for these fires, however most are due to a general lack of knowledge about fire safety and prevention.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) offers these tips to help reduce and prevent the loss of life and property in dormitory and university housing fires.

The Facts

In cases where fire fatalities occurred on college campuses, alcohol was a factor. There is a strong link between alcohol and fire deaths. In more than 50% of adult fire fatalities, victims were under the influence at the time of the fire. Alcohol abuse often impairs judgment and hampers evacuation efforts. Cooking is the leading cause of fire injuries on college campuses, closely followed by careless smoking and arson.

The Cause

Many factors contribute to the problem of dormitory housing fires.

• Improper use of 911 notification systems delays emergency response.
• Student apathy is prevalent. Many are unaware that fire is a risk or threat in the environment.
• Evacuation efforts are hindered since fire alarms are often ignored.
• Building evacuations are delayed due to lack of preparation and preplanning.
• Vandalized and improperly maintained smoke alarms and fire alarm systems inhibit early detection of fires.
• Misuse of cooking appliances, overloaded electrical circuits and extension cords increase the risk of fires.

Safety Precautions

• Provide students with a program for fire safety and prevention.
• Teach students how to properly notify the fire department using the 911 system.
• Install smoke alarms in every dormitory room and every level of housing facilities.
• Maintain and regularly test smoke alarms and fire alarm systems. Replace smoke alarm batteries every semester.
• Regularly inspect rooms and buildings for fire hazards. Ask your local fire department for assistance.
• Inspect exit doors and windows and make sure they are working properly.
• Create and update detailed floor plans of buildings, and make them available to emergency personnel, resident advisors and students.
• Conduct fire drills and practice escape routes and evacuation plans. Urge students to take each alarm seriously.
• Do not overload electrical outlets and make sure extension cords are used properly.
• Learn to properly use and maintain heating and cooking appliances.

I am asked from time to time what happens when my monitored alarm is tripped (or goes off).

Each situation is different and each of our alarm monitoring centers may respond according to their updated guidleines.  

Your security panel is programmed for a variety of alarms. The type of alarm we receive determines our response.

BURGLAR ALARM 

1. We first call your home or business to rule out a false alarm.
2. If there is no answer or if we receive an incorrect passcode, we contact the police.
3. We then call your home or business again, unless we received an incorrect passcode.
4. If we are unable to reach you after contacting the police, or we received an incorrect passcode, we call the people you have authorized us to contact in the event of a burglar alarm.

HOLD-UP PANIC BUTTON

1. When you push the panic button, we contact the police immediately.
2. On a panic button alarm, we wait an hour after contacting the police to call your home or business, so that an intruder will not know that the police are on the way.

RESIDENTIAL FIRE ALARM

1. We first call your home to rule out a false alarm.
2. If there is no answer after 90 seconds, we contact the fire department.
3. We then call your home again.
4. If we are unable to reach you after contacting the fire department, we call the people you have authorized us to contact in the event of a fire alarm.

Please note - these are general guidelines, policies and procedures, and are subject to change without notice.