#1: Be Careful What You Post

We’re all pretty open about the details of our lives these days, but you may want to keep your vacation to yourself until after you get back, especially if your profiles are public.  While it’s a good idea to always keep your personal details like your home address off your online profiles, it may not be a bad idea to save those mid-vacation camera phone pictures until you’ve returned home safe and sound.

#2: Alert the Right Authorities

If you’re going to be out of town for a week or more, give the police a heads up by calling your municipality’s non-emergency number.  If it’s a small town, they may be able to drive by your home while you’re gone.  If you have a local neighborhood watch program, make sure you let them know as well.  Lastly place a stop order on your mail and newspapers or have a friend pick them up.  Same goes if you think you might have packages delivered to your doorstep during the week.

#3: Act Natural

When you leave for a vacation, it might be tempting to leave your lights on or shut all your curtains, but any distinct changes to your normal routine could alert a criminal that your home is a good target.  Investing in a light switch timer is great for security (and it saves you some hassle when you’re not on vacation, too!).

#4: Preparation is Key

If you have any spare keys hidden around your home, now is the time to remove them.  Criminals know exactly where to look for spare keys, so don’t take the risk.  Additionally, it’s a good idea to unplug major electronic devices and home appliances like your TV and computer and anything else that might spark a fire or suffer from a power surge.  You’ll also get the benefit of saving a little on electricity while you’re on vacation.

#5: Invest in a Home Security System

A home security system is your absolute best bet for keeping your home safe from predators while you’re on vacation. Best Security offers fast, friendly and reliable service as well as affordable security solutions for every budget. Give us a call today at 816-470-0188, or visit our website for more information.

Summer Safety for Your Family

Here are our top three tips for keeping your kids safe during the summer.

Talk to Your Kids About Expectations

The first step you can take to keeping your children safe is to talk to them about what that means.  For instance, if you have a pool, you may want to disallow swimming unless there’s adult supervision by way of a parent, adult friend or babysitter.  You can talk to them about safety when playing outside, whether you’re home or not — to watch out for cars and to never speak to strangers.  Warning your children of dangers without scaring them and coming up with solutions and expectations together can be a rewarding experience for the whole family.

Set a Schedule

Along with your expectations discussion, we recommend setting a schedule if your kids are old enough to stay home on their own.  Have them check in with you at set times throughout the day so that you know they’re safe and sound — and behaving!  If for some reason they don’t call when they’re supposed to, you’ll know you need to check in — even if it’s just to remind them of their responsibilities.  And that leads us to our third tip!

Invest in a Home Security System

Today’s surveillance technology has come a long way in truly keeping you and your family safe.  With home security systems from Best Security, you can have a text message sent to your phone any time anyone approaches or leaves your home.  So you’ll know both when your kids are in and out as well as when anyone else comes to visit.  With video monitoring, you can even see a clip of them arriving home, and if you have video surveillance around a pool area, you can watch remotely to make sure everyone is enjoying the pool safely.  It’s really pretty amazing how much peace of mind today’s security systems can offer.

Home Security Solutions from Best Security

If you’re interested in learning more about how a home security system can help you keep your family safe during the summer and beyond, then Best Security has the solutions you’re looking for.  We’re fast, friendly and reliable, and we offer affordable security solutions for every budget. Give us a call today at 816-470-0188, or visit our website for more information.

But we also know that parents can’t always be there 24 hours a day.  When you have to be at work or have appointments scheduled, Best Security believes you should still be able to rest assured knowing your child is safe at home.

How Best Security Keeps Your Kids Safe

Our Best Security systems offer state-of-the-art technology so you can know your kids are safe, whether you’re there or not.  Here’s how.

Before Your Kids Arrive Home

With our Alarm Monitoring Systems, you know at all times that your home is secure.  We monitor your system, and if anything triggers an alarm, you’ll know immediately.  If your kids are at school when something happens, you can make arrangements to pick them up.  They’ll never arrive home to an unsafe situation.

When Your Kids Arrive Home

With our state-of-the-art surveillance systems, you can have a message sent to your phone via phone call or text message to let you know your child has arrived home on time.  We can even send you a video clip of your child’s arrival straight to your mobile device!  There’s no better assurance than visual proof your child has arrived home safe and sound.

While Your Kids Are Home

Using the same surveillance technology, we can send you 10-second video clips of any car or person approaching your home.  If an unexpected visitor arrives, whether it’s the mailman, a neighbor, or someone you don’t recognize, you’ll know what’s going on right when it’s happening.  You can call your children and let them know that it’s OK to answer the door, or that they should leave it be.  It’s the assurance of being there for your children while you’re away from home.

Best Security Systems for a Safe Home

If you’re ready to make your home the safest it can be for your children, then Best Security has the solutions you’re looking for.  We’re fast, friendly and reliable, and we offer affordable security solutions for every budget. Give us a call today at 816-470-0188, or visit our website for more information.

What is IP-Based Security Monitoring?
One of our most technologically advanced options is the ability to monitor your home through the use of your IP address through your router.

Why should I use an IP-Based Security System?
Many homeowners these days are doing away with their landline-based telephone systems in favor of using cell phones and VoIP systems. One of the major disadvantages of eliminating landline service used to be that your alarm system could no longer transmit messages to your security monitoring company. But not anymore! Best Security offers state-of-the-art monitoring systems that use your internet connection to alert our monitors whenever there’s a security issue.

Are there other benefits of an IP-Based Security System?
Absolutely! Using an IP-Based Security System allows you to monitor your own system from anywhere in the world! Whether you’re at the office, out to dinner or traveling abroad, you can can arm and disarm your alarm straight from your computer, tablet or cell phone.

Best Security is your best choice!
For the best service, the best products, the best prices and the best attitude, Best Security is the best choice for alarm systems in Kansas City. All you have to do is ask our satisfied customers to get a picture of the level of service we offer. If you’d like to talk to us about how you can keep your home safe and secure no matter where you are, give us a call today at (816)-470-0188 or visit our website for more information.

Pick a brand name security system. The 3 most popular brands are Honeywell, GE and DSC. There are many brands on the market. There are probably many brands that are very good security systems, however, there are reasons to be careful about off brands.

There are companies who make security systems who have not been in business very long. They may be in business for many years to come, but what if they are not. If you purchased one of their systems, you could have trouble getting parts for the system. You would then have to replace the system if something were to go wrong.

There are companies who have made “off brand” security systems for many years. These companies biggest sales pitch to alarm company sales people is that they are unique. The company would be the only one, or one of few in the area who are selling this brand of system. If you purchase one of these systems, your alarm company may be the only one in the area that knows how to work on the system. You are then stuck with that alarm company, or would have to pay to have a new system installed if you become unhappy with your alarm provider.

The safest choice for the consumer is to stick with a name brand security system. You then have the backing of a national company, many companies that know how to work on the system, availability of parts, and the ability to easily switch companies down the road if you choose to do so.

But in this day and age, many people are cutting the cords completely, and the first thing to go is often the landline. So what does that mean for home security?

At Best Security, it means you can get the same peace of mind no matter what type of service you use for your phone! Our state of the art systems offer the advantage of monitoring that is not reliant on landlines. We can monitor your alarm system with a cell unit or with the IP address through your router. And if you’re not ready to drop your landline just yet, we still offer system monitoring through your telephone line.

One of the benefits of these new monitoring methods is that you now have the ability to check on your home from anywhere! Whether you’re at work, out to dinner, or cheering your kids on at soccer practice, you can make sure your home and belongings are safe and secure under Best Security’s watch.

With more than 30 years of experience ensuring the safety of both our commercial and residential customers, we can offer you peace of mind — whether you’re still using a landline or not. Give us a call at (816) 419-2794 or visit our website for more information.

“I can remember so many times when we’d be out and she would see a police officer,” Blair’s mother, Michele Shanahan DeMoss said. “She’d always walk up to them and tell she was going to be a police officer, too, one day. She wanted to be a detective and make a difference in people’s lives.”

But seven months ago, while Blair was dancing with friends and family at a Fourth of July celebration, the 11-year-old suddenly fell to the ground. Her mother, who was sitting nearby, rushed to her side, thinking maybe she was hurt by fireworks.

It wasn’t until Blair got to the hospital that it was discovered she had been struck in the neck by a bullet.

On Wednesday, House Minority Leader Mike Talboy introduced what’s being called “Blair’s Law,” a bill that would make it a felony to negligently discharge a firearm within the limits of any municipality. A violation would be a class D felony, punishable by up to four years in prison.

“We shouldn’t wait to act or we may have another fatally wounded child,” Jean Peters Baker
(Jackson Count Prosecutor) said.

We are going to Jefferson City to speak with lawmakers about Blair’s Law. Hopefully to stop some other innocent person from being a victim from a stupid act. With Blair’s Law, and more education about gun safety, maybe Blair can help prevent s future Tragedy.

Because of its relation to crimes more violent than burglary, home invasion is a particularly frightening possibility for homeowners. Home invasion, defined as “burglary of a dwelling while the residents are at home,” typically leads to other crimes once the intruder has entered the home, sometimes as serious as sexual assault, rape or murder. The most frightening fact about home invasion is that the perpetrator can often perform the crimes without being detected by neighbors or potential aid just outside your home. Criminals who might perform a home invasion will rely on this privacy, so you must ensure that they do not enter your home. Though the chances of home invasion may have never occurred to you as particularly high, recent statistics suggest that this form of burglary is on the rise. According to a United States Department of Justice report:

• 38 percent of assaults and 60 percent of rapes occur during home invasions
• One in five homes undergoes a home invasion or break-in
• There are more than 8,000 home invasions every day in North America
• 50 percent of home invasions involve the use of a weapon; the most common weapons used are knives or other cutting instruments
• In 48 percent of home invasions, victims sustain physical injuries
• Victims age 60 or older make up 17 percent of home invasion victims
• In 68 percent of home invasions, victims and the accused are strangers; in 11 percent of these cases, victims and the accused are friends, business associates, or family

The best defense is always offense, so prepare yourself, your home, and your family to defend against home invasion:

• Use doors with solid cores rather than hollow wooden doors, complete with heavy duty locks
• Install security devices in windows such as alarm systems or bars
• Utilize all locks on any entrance into your home
• Use four three-inch screws to secure heavy duty lock strike plates in door frames
• Install and use a peephole in your doors to assess visitors prior to opening the door
• Install and set home security systems to prevent a home invasion while you are asleep
• If you are suspicious of visitors, alert neighbors or Neighborhood Watch groups

This might work but it likely won’t. All thieves are opportunists and will prey on the easiest targets. If it looks too hard or time consuming they’ll move on. So make it difficult for them and chances are you’ll be fine.

Don’t be predictable. Come home for lunch once a week on different days, leave lights on timers to come on in a visible, empty room for a hour during the night. Get a ride to work from a co-worker twice a week and leave your car in the driveway, offer to do the same for them. Anyone watching your home will be discouraged if you don’t stay away during fixed hours.

It might seem convenient, but taking your trash out the night before trash day gives the bad guys time to see what you bought last week. That big-screen TV box is just an invitation and so is your recycling bin. If you’re having a large appliance delivered make sure the delivery guys take the box with them when they leave.

Let the dog bark. Big dogs, little dogs, any dog that makes a ruckus is a deterrent. A thief doesn’t want the neighbors attention so give Fido a treat.

Don’t tell the whole world you’re going on vacation. Hair stylists, grocery clerks, the guy installing your carpet or your mechanic don’t need to know you’re headed for Cabo. Large burglary rings have been traced to informants who eavesdrop for just this kind of information. And please, wait until you’re home to post those photos on Facebook.

Alarms and video surveillance systems are a crook’s Achilles heel. So make sure those alarm signs, stickers and placards are in the front as well as the back. And whether you have it or not include the note that you have video surveillance equipment. Thieves may think they can outrun an alarm but the thought of being caught on video is a thief repellent!

Best Security Services can help you with all of your security needs. Call Brian at 816-419-2794 and he or his team will consult with you and choose the system that’s best for you and your family. Stay tuned for more tips, tricks and advice on home security and new products that will keep you safe and give you piece of mind.