Home Security For You And Your Family

• Their house has been broken into.
• Their neighbors’, friends’ or relatives’ houses have been broken into. Now they are worried it can happen to them.
• They don’t want to be broken into.
• The house is empty and no one is home. They work all day
• The house is vacant and up for sale, and the owners don’t want vandalism or occupancy by drug dealers
• The family goes on vacation a lot and is worried about their home and possessions when away.
• The husband goes on hunting, fishing, trips, or business trips and often leaves his wife home alone.
• The home or apartment owners lost their house or car keys or had them stolen.
• They’ve lost their credit card, purse, or wallet, or had them stolen.
• They’ve lost their wallet, briefcase, or backpack, or luggage, or had them stolen.
• Their spouse works late. They’re home alone and are scared.
• They live in a bad neighborhood.
• Their health is poor and they have medical alarm monitoring in place.  They feel safer carrying a wireless 24 hour panic button or medical alarm.
• They leave pets home alone  and worry that someone might break in, beat, and hurt or even kill their pets.  We have a little Yorkshire terrier, Buddy, and love him very much. I would hate to see that happened to my dog.
• They have valuables that are hard or impossible to replace — for example, coin collections, stamp collections, rare books, guns, art, antiques, family heirlooms.
• To protect their children from physical — and psychological — harm.  (Burglaries are very hard on children sometimes.)
• To protect valuable personal items such as computers, laptops, big screen HDTVs, video games, iPods, iPads, CDs, DVD players, jewelry, and diaries and other personal things.
• They’ve had a fire in their own home, or there was one in the neighborhood, and they know an alarm could have stopped it early.
• They’ve experienced a flooded basement because of a hot water tank or broken washer hose connections or some pump not working, and they know an alarm could have warned them and stopped it early.
• They just found out from the Police Department that a new sex offender is in the area, or that a new gang of drug dealers are active locally.
• They just got divorced and their spouse threatens them or breaks in or comes in unannounced.
• They can’t sleep and they hear lot of strange noises and wondering if it’s the wind or somebody trying to break in.
• They know having a security system can and nearly always does lower your insurance rate.
• The neighbors have one, and some think it’s a prestigious move.
• They have summer homes that need protection at other times of the year, or leave their usual home during winter and or don’t want to impose on anyone to check their home.
• To ensure that, when they’re absent, caretakers of the house are looking after things regularly.  Some of our systems will tell you the date and time a neighbor or friend entered your house to check on your plants, pets, water or heat.
• They want or need things monitored. We can monitor just about anything you can put a switch on or a sensor on.
• If they have young children home alone, they can have panic and disturbance buttons for children to contact them if need by.  (And they can monitor the home to keep wild parties from happening in the case of older children.)

Is that all?

Isn’t it enough?

No matter who you are, one of those descriptions above describes you.  You need a home security system too.

Get one.  Call Our Alarm Guy, Donald T. Noga, at 585-342-4480.

It’s no fun to feel violated.

In the security systems business, you meet a lot of people who’ve been robbed. It’s not a good experience, and what follows it isn’t good either. A family’s children may now be afraid to sleep at night, or feel the pain of maybe having had their toys stolen or broken. Family pets could be lost or hurt. Valuable electronics and furniture or jewelry that you’ve worked long and hard hours to buy has been taken or trashed. Stolen credit cards, passwords, tax records or personal information could lead to literally years of difficulties because of identity theft.

Whatever the injury, the common reaction is to feel violated, knowing a stranger has been rifling through their most personal and private possessions. Many say they don’t even want to live in the same place any more.

Don’t let it get to this point! Sure, it’s tempting to believe that your street is safe, that you haven’t “heard” about any burglaries or worse in the neighborhood, that there isn’t anything particularly unique about your house that would attract a thief. These sound like very good reasons to do nothing — even though “something” has happened time and time again in many such cases.

This false security runs pretty wide. If a member of the household is in law enforcement, residents may believe no one would dare to break in. Sorry. Thieves do break in. Some feel secure from crime because they live in a Neighborhood Watch area. Sorry. Thieves rob homes in Neighborhood Watch areas too. Some home owners buy and imagine they’re prepared to face a burglar – but this has had mixed — and sometimes even fatal — results for the people who have tried it; even assuming you are home when your house is broken into.

Statistically there is a break-in every 14 seconds in the United States.

1 in every 4 homes is broken into at least once!

So say facts released from local police departments, County Sheriff departments, and on a nationwide level from the FBI.

Isn’t it vastly preferable to have a system that alerts these authorities to a break in, than to endanger yourself or your family?

Strangely enough, some people even try to reason that the insurance savings don’t justify the cost of the security system. They say that it makes economic sense to be robbed! Well, does it make economic sense to be raped, molested or killed? Simply having insurance won’t protect the physical safety of you or your loved ones, and it can’t replace the irreplaceable.

A security system can. It can prevent the loss of possessions from ever taking place, and more importantly it safeguards all of the members of the household.

The price people pay for internet, or cell phones, or cable is often greater than the entire cost of one of our security systems. It’s ridiculous that that someone would rather pay for extra text messages and movie channels than protect their home, possessions and family.

Can you save money on a good security system. Yes, you can. But the reason to buy a good security system is that you can save much, much more than just your money.

Find out more, about affordable security system and monitoring prices, and about what a good security system can do for you. Call Our Alarm Guy, Donald T. Noga, at 585-342-4480.

There are many why people need an in-home security system. Sadly, many don’t even consider the reasons until they or someone they know have had their homes broken into.

Often people aren’t worried about the possible dangers because they’re unaware of it. There are countless reasons why your home may be left empty, even for only an hour – but an hour is all a criminal needs to violate your privacy, steal any number of your most prized possessions, and molest or even murder your loved ones.

Many homeowners spend long hours at work. A husband may be planning a hunting or business trip, and leave his wife behind at home alone. Many have jobs that take them out of town for long periods of time. Military families spend months at a time apart. Working spouses may have night shifts, or be obliged to stay late at work. Every absence is an opportunity — a deadly opportunity — for a thief or criminal.

Many situations that require added measures of safety. Living in a bad neighborhood will always be near the top of the list. Being the subject of abuse or unwanted attention is very common. Some people own irreplaceable possessions of high monetary or sentimental value. The home in question may be a summer home, or a rental property.

It isn’t even crime alone that’s the danger. No one wants their home to be flooded, or have a fire. Security systems can warn you of these threats even from many miles away, and protect your home from the human predators that may violate your space in the wake of these incidents. After all, these are the moments when your home is at its most vulnerable.

Can pets help keep your home secure? That’s the wrong question. The right question is, what can you do to keep your pets secure? Pets, in fact, are a huge motivator for acquiring a security system. Pets are known to be at risk during a break in; a burglar can become an assailant, using mace, poison, or force to subdue an animal – even to kill it. Or their pets can simply escape out of an opened door or broken window, putting them at the further risk of being hit by a car or getting lost or stolen.

Our most expensive security system to date was purchased for the safety of a dog! A woman had lost her daughter due to a car accident, and her daughter’s dog was all she had left. She lived in a neighborhood known for burglaries where dogs were beaten severely, even to death.

She wanted the assurance that she would not lose one of the few connections to her daughter’s memory that she had left, and despite our fervent insistence that she was buying much more than she needed, she insisted on purchasing a $5,000 system. In her mind it was worth every penny.

Some people are concerned about stalkers. Many people in hostile divorce situations find themselves concerned that their spouse will attempt a break-in. Others want to protect their home from registered sex offenders in their area. Some live in neighborhoods where organized crime takes place.

Whatever the reason, virtually everyone has strong, compelling legitimate grounds for installing a security system. Unfortunately they only realize it too late. Only after their home has been burglarized do the victims see why safety must always come first.

Why don’t some people buy home security systems?  What reasons do they give?  Are they good reasons?  Or not?

Here’s what we sometimes hear, and what we say:

“We live in the best neighborhood.”

People in the best neighborhoods get robbed.

“I didn’t know home security systems could monitor fires breaking out, or water damage.”

They can.

“We have one of the best police and fire departments in our area.”

That’s great.  But who is letting them know that your house is being robbed? A home security system is needed to send that message to those people — immediately!

“It’s expensive!  We really can’t afford it.”

Most people nowadays manage to afford cable, broadband Internet, cell phones, text messaging, long-distance regular phone service, $4 a gallon gas prices, car payments, mortgage payments, credit card payments, and much, much more.  Our systems cost much less — sometimes literally thousands of dollars less — than any of the above.

If you can text, you can afford a home security system.

“It’s hard to use.”

It can be as simple as pressing 1-2-3 on your telephone.  Believe me, if you can program a microwave or a record a TV show, you can set a home security system.

“I don’t want to waste my time with false alarms.”

Good modern home security systems are just about fool-proof.  Most false alarms occur because of the client’s lack of training. Or because they don’t show a friend or relative how to use it properly when the system owners are away.  Less than 2% of false alarms are due to equipment failure — most of the cases we see are just someone forgetting to close the door tightly, and letting the wind accidentally blow it open.

With a little instruction, false alarms turn out to be rare to nonexistent.

And we don’t leave a home or business until they get that instruction, and are confident in using the system.

“I don’t really have any valuables or high-ticket items worth protecting.”

Some people really don’t think they have any thing to lose. They forget that you can lose more than property — you can lose pets, family members, and even your life.

“I have a pistol or rifle permit.  I can take care of things myself.”

What if a burglar breaks in when you’re not at home?

And what if they break in when you are at home, and you don’t realize it till they’ve reached your gun first?

What if you shoot and kill or injure the burglar, and the burglar or their surviving family sues you for the use of excessive force?

What if your child gets his hand on it?

We don’t necessarily oppose having a firearm in the house — after all, some cities require that any such weapon requires a security system in your home to ensure both homeowner safety, and also to help ensure that burglars don’t steal the firearm and sell or use them.

But, bottom line?  Guns don’t keep homes safe.  Home security systems do.

“I have a dog.”

Will your dog call the police or fire department when anything happens?

“All my neighbors are retired and are constantly looking out for my home.  We have a Neighborhood Watch program in place.”

But are they really watching out for your place 24 hours a day?  It’s great to have a neighborhood watch and good neighbors, but, in our experience, I’ve found that many times when an alarm siren activates, no one pays attention to it. Most people think it’s a false alarm.

When was the last time you heard a car alarm, or an alarm by a home or a place of business, or even a bank.  What did you do?  Immediately take out your cell and call 911?  In most cases, most people do nothing.

“My husband, or wife, or next door neighbor works for the police department.”

You may know that your spouse or neighbor is a police officer.  Burglars don’t necessarily know that.  Some burglars don’t care — they may be mentally ill; many are on drugs; smarter, professional burglars may think that police officers can be called away for long late night hours, and that that will leave their homes more vulnerable.  Some police officials make enemies of criminals, who want to get even.

I work in security, and I like and respect police officers, and have security systems in many of their homes.  But if I were a police officer, I would be especially worried about my family and loved ones.  And if I knew, or lived near, a police officer, I wouldn’t draw the conclusion that nothing could ever happen to me, or to my home.  I’d ask that officer’s advice on whether I should get a home security system or not.  And I’d bet the answer would be yes.

“I’m insured.”

Insurance is good.  But insurance can’t restore you to life, or take away memories of rape or molestation, or return irreplaceable possessions, or stop the ongoing problems stemming from identity theft.

And — so long as we’re on the topic of insurance — you might just possibly pay less for your insurance, if you had a home security system protecting you.

These are some of the things I say to people when they ask me about home security systems.  You may want to talk to me in person or on the phone about other home security questions of your own.  Please do.

I’m Donald T. Noga, and you can reach me at 585-342-4480.

A lost cell phone may contain personal information you may not want to see in the hands of strangers, much less mobile phone thieves. Even mobile phones that aren’t stolen can be a danger, since today’s mobile phones are essentially mini-computers, and as such are susceptible to viruses and hackers.

Those who use mobile phones for security may worry that losing a mobile phone means strangers can now watch — or even disarm and enter — one’s home or business with impunity.

But that’s not the case. Particularly if you remember the following simple security tips:

Lock Your Mobile Phone With A Password

A password won’t keep a phone from being lost or stolen, but all it takes is a password to keep the personal information in your phone secure in nearly all cases. (Some high-tech phones even use retinal or fingerprint logins.)

When using security services, there’s generally a second password as well, and as a rule brand name phone and security companies use military-level encryption to keep the password from being “hacked”. So take comfort. If the Taliban can’t break in, a local phone thief isn’t likely to.

Don’t Give Out Your Password

This should be obvious, but we all occasionally loan our phones to spouses or to our children to make a call. If so, open the phone yourself and then give it to them. Don’t give your password out. The more people know, even good and trustworthy people, the more likely someone will let it slip. Don’t say it out loud or write it down for others. Notes can pass through several hands, and if you hand your phone to a trusted friend over a coffee at Starbucks and casually mention the number, the person behind you may be listening — and may not be a trusted friend.

Download With Discretion

Mobile phone users nowadays can download email, pictures ring tones, screen savers, mp3s and even whole programs onto their mobile phone. That means that they’re downloading viruses too. Viruses are trying to break in all the time, so stay on top of your phone’s anti-virus software. Update it often, possible and scan your computer for viruses before connecting your phone regularly. Make it a frequent routine and you won’t be sorry.

Keep It Legal

Illegal peer-to-peer file-sharing is a part of life nowadays, but it’s still illegal and such downloads aren’t always what they seem. What you download into your computer could be laced with viruses that destroy your phone at best, and steal credit card and other important personal information at worst.

If you must access questionable sites, do it from one dedicated computer, and make sure it contains no important personal data, and also make sure it is never your mobile phone. Even better is to only download from legal sites. They may cost more money, but they cost far less losing your mobile phone to a virus, experiencing identity theft, or even facing criminal charges for illegal downloads.

Don’t Store Personal Information On Your Phone

If your mobile phone is lost or stolen, personal information that hasn’t been password-protected may be accessible to whoever has it.

But even if the information is not your phone, but only only on your server, there may be danger. Some mobile phone or cell phone providers store all the phone information they can on a main server. This can includes pictures, voice mails, personal information, pictures and more. Providers have had servers hacked in the past. But hackers can’t steal data that isn’t there. Keep your critical personal information off the phone and off the server.

Log Off

Staying signed in to an email or bank account can save time and keep you from having to remember usernames and passwords. But it also makes it easy for thieves who casually grab your phone to immediately access your most sensitive accounts. Close your accounts, particularly if you step away from your mobile phone even for a moment.

Use Mobile Phones With Care — But Use Them

Careless mobile phone use can lead to compromised security. But not using it can compromise your safety even more. Nothing could be more of a mistake than to think that the safest way to avoid mobile phone crime is not to have one. That would take away your ability to watch your home, family or business 24/7, to be instantly alerted when break-ins or fires or medical problems arise, to make use of technologies that could mean the difference between life and death.

Using a mobile phone can greatly improve your lifestyle and your security, if you use it wisely. Let us help you use it with the care you deserve.

What are the top ten mistakes people make when buying security systems?

Mistake #1: Buying on cost alone

Do you really want the cheapest security system and monitoring service? You wouldn’t choose the cheapest brain surgeons! Your safety and security can be a life-saving decision. Make that decision with your head, not your pocketbook!

Mistake #2: Judging a book by its cover

Don’t make the mistake of choosing a company because of its looks. A flashy logo won’t keep you safe in an emergency. Choose them because of their track record, because of the kind of people they are, and because of the work they do.

Mistake #3: Choosing a company that doesn’t play by the rules

Too often, a company will try to come into an area and sell a service to people at an “unbelievable low price.” It’s unbelievable because it’s not true. Make sure your security company has a state license, a city permit, liability insurance, workman’s comp, error and emissions insurance, and disability insurance. Without these, the company is not playing by the rules, and it may end up hurting you!
Going with part-timers or independent installers

If your security installer does this “on the side” or works out of his truck, he probably isn’t the one to pick.

At DTN we’ve been protecting Rochester in the security business for over 40 years. We know our products. We know the area. We’ve got the permits. When you want something you can pick up and call and we’re right next door.

If you’re thinking about using someone who can’t say all that, think again. The safety of your home, family and business are at stake.

Mistake #4: Choosing a company without a good reputation

Due to the desire for a cheap price, many people are sold sub-standard systems, and get second-rate, out-of-date, and sometimes even stolen or illegal materials.

How can you tell if you’re getting a good provider? Look at your security provider’s client list. Anyone can get a good testimonial, but not everyone can get hundreds or even thousands of top-name local clients.

Mistake #5: Don’t choose a company with no local presence

In the security game, bigger isn’t better. National security companies may know their systems. But do they know Rochester?

Take DTN. DTN is Rochester based, Rochester owned, and Rochester operated. We work here. We live here. We care about Rochester. It’s our home town! We know our community, and if we don’t do our job, that community can walk right up to our door and tell us. You have to do a good job if you live here.

If the sales rep selling you the system will be in California next week, and the monitoring is being handling from China or India, you won’t be getting the level of accountability you deserve.

Mistake #6: Putting too much faith in your inexperienced youngsters

Your children are no doubt well behaved and honest, but can you be sure they won’t innocently open up a door for a thief or sexual predator dressed as a utility person or other official? Even good kids may try to sneak out at night, or sneak in past curfew.

A good security system can let you know. You can monitor your house at any time from your mobile phone with our new security systems, and even have the phone alert you if something’s wrong.

Ask us about the features a system can have to help you be a great parent!

Mistake #7: Not having enough sensors

Buying things you won’t need is a mistake. But not buying what you do need is a bigger one, when it comes to safety. A sensor that protects your front door won’t stop a crook from breaking in the back. Get a comprehensive evaluation of all potential entry points and security vulnerabilities. Call us: we can give you a consultation on what sensors and products will best protect your home and family.

Mistake #8: Burglars aren’t the only source of danger!

Your security system will protect against outside risks, like break-ins. But did you consider inside risks? Fire, flood, and carbon monoxide poisoning can all be monitored with your system, and emergency services called to respond.

Mistake #9: Not getting enough information before you buy

Not knowing what to do or who to talk to is the biggest mistake. The net is a great source of information, but when it comes to security, there’s nothing like talking to professionals. Such as who, you may ask? Us.

For security system information, call DTN offices at 585-261- 4480, or DTN President Donald T. Noga at his personal line directly at 585-342-4480. There’s no charge, and we’ll be happy to hear from you.

Mistake #10: Not using DTN.

Seriously — to get completely professional protection, you need to hire professionals. That’s DTN. You can make mistakes #1 through #9, or you can hire DTN and never worry about it again. Thousands of clients have picked DTN and many have been with us for decades. To get great protection, get great protectors — DTN at 585-261- 4480.

Stay safe!

At DTN we like dogs too. But can they safeguard your family as well as a DTN alarm system can? Think about it.

Not All Pets Are Effective Guardians

Most family pets are just that, pets, not defensive weapons. They need to be taken care of, not used as the family’s defense against criminals.

These small family members need to be cared for just as much as any human member of the family.

While they may bark or attack someone entering the residence, they may not be able to actually stop a ready criminal.

They may be injured or even killed by intruders who want to keep them quiet.

Not All Burglars Are Strangers

The guard dog is usually the family pet, and in most cases might bark if someone enters the home.

But not in every case, and in not in those cases where the intruder is someone known to the victim — which is more often the case than you think.

Pets Can Become Victims Too

Criminals steal more than property. Sometimes they steal pets. Sometimes they injure or even kill animals protecting homes from break-ins.

In many cases burglars are prepared to deal with animals and family pets with everything from sprays to poisoned food.

Pets Can’t Call The Police

The third reason why a security system is more effective than a guard dog is simply the family pet cannot alert the authorities when a house is being broken into. A security system can alert the family and at the same time signal the monitoring center that the home is being burglarized, which then informs police and appropriate authorities.

Barking dogs don’t call 911. They can’t contact medics for medical assistance either.

Pets Don’t Fight Fire

Animals aren’t fireproof or immune to toxic smoke or gases. If there’s smoke or fire in the dwelling when the family is sleeping, the dog may awaken the family and alert them to leave the house.

But it may also be overcome right along with them.

And what happens when only your pet is in the house? It may be left completely helpless against smoke or fire.

A security system that monitors for smoke and fire can signal the monitoring center, and help the fire department arrive in time to save your home and your family pets.

But a pet trapped in a house without an alarm system often has its fate mapped out.

Security Systems Function When Pets Can’t

Carbon monoxide. Invisible. Unscented. The family dog is as defenseless as the rest of the family against it.

The security system is not defenseless. It’s able to signal for help from the monitoring center and sound an alarm to alert the family.
Pets get sick. They fall asleep. They may go out to play and may not come back for days.

Not security systems.

Take A Real Bite Out of Crime: Call DTN

Your family pet loves you and wants to protect you. Sometimes they can. But they just can’t do it quite as well as a professional security system.

You need to take thought about how you can best protect them.

Return the love that your pet gives you. Protect your pet — and your home and family too — with a professional security system.

DTN Security. 585.261.4480

Now this is the kind of email I like to read… Thanks, Judy!

“I would like to praise DTN Alarm System Company for their concern, promptness and for the exceptional care my mother was given during her stressful time when her house was broken into through a basement window.

“She had DTN Alarm System Company install her original alarm system back in the early 1980′s which included 5 basement windows and all windows and doors throughout her home. While she was away for a weekend her home was broken into through a basement window at about 2:00 AM. The alarm went off, police arrived and found nothing was taken from the house because of the alarm system and monitoring. Thank goodness my mother was not at home at the time as she is 88 yrs old and would have been terrified. If she did not have the alarm, the thief would have gotten in and who knows what awful things would have happened to my mother.

“She called DTN Alarm System Company the next day, and they promptly sent their employee, Tony, over within a few hours. Tony assessed the situation and decided the best thing for the safety of my mother was to upgrade her alarm as the original one was very old. The cost was very reasonable for the safety of my mom.

“We agreed and Tony decided to give her a wireless alarm, which entails her just having to push a button on a key fob, ie: off, stay, away, which are color coded. This is so simple for an 88 year old woman to use, she doesn’t have to remember a lot of codes or go to the wall panel and worry about setting the alarm off because she pushed the wrong button. Tony and Lillian were excellent and patient with my mom while teaching her the new system.

“I want to commend this company for the care, understanding, patience and concern they showed my mom. I would recommend this company very very highly if you are looking for security in your home or the home of someone you love.

“Thank you again DTN Alarm System Company, for the safety of my mom, I can sleep again at night knowing she is totally safe now.”

- Judy B.

Recently I saw an article about a thief who had been caught by police. During interrogation he admitted to breaking into a home’s master bedroom. What the article failed to mention is that burglars tend to rifle exactly those sorts of areas of the house first.

Think about it. Even better, think about it the way a burglar thinks about it. If you were going to rob a house, would you spend most of your time going through the bathroom, or the broom closet? Of course not. People don’t keep their valuables there. They keep them in places like master bedrooms and in small safes. That’s the first place thieves look. Can you use that knowledge to keep your valuables safe? You bet.

Find a small safe, the affordable, easy-to-move kind you can pick up at any K-Mart or Office Max or even on Craigslist. Then put it in the master bedroom, the first place the thief is likely to look. Fill it with sand — enough to make it seem so heavy that silver or gold might be inside. (Though not so heavy that the burglar can’t take it away.)

Can’t afford a used safe? Then put a few hundred dollars in one of the drawers and keep it there. As long as a thief gets something, he’ll be satisfied enough to take it immediately and run. But if he (or she) finds nothing at all, they may take out their frustration by trashing your house.

You can also copy out the serial numbers on those bills, and give them to the police when you report the crime. Should the police pick up a suspect and find bills with those numbers in his pocket, the crook may soon find himself in a holding facility — and your money may find itself heading back to you!

Alarm systems are not only getting better, they’re getting way easier to use too, especially for people with smartphones and iPads. Check out this YouTube video on Lynx Touch: