The new Komando Dash Cam Pro now has night vision! Record video from your card in HD 1080p, even at night. Have the evidence you need in the event of an accident or capture still images from a beautiful scenic drive. Get your Komando Dash Cam Pro in my shop today!
Top 3 things burglars are looking for and how to protect your home
Summer is one of the best times of the year. It’s finally warm enough to get outside and take your whole family on vacation. But there’s one little thing many people forget about. Summer isn’t just a busy travel season, it’s also one of the most popular times for home burglaries.
As summer heats up, the number of home break-ins tends to rise. That’s because many homeowners head off for vacation without protecting their homes.
Because so many homeowners return home only to find their valuables destroyed or taken, our sponsor SimpliSafe wanted to share some tips that can help. Your home is your most valuable possession, so here are three things burglars look for and how to protect your home.
1. Learn to think like a burglar
In the U.S. alone, a burglary takes place around every 18 seconds. That’s a lot of break-ins and a lot of stolen property! But, if you learn to think like a burglar, you can actually deter thieves from targeting your property.
Home security systems
One of the first things you need to know is that burglars hate home security systems. Makes sense, right? Their whole objective is not to get caught, and alarm systems notify the authorities when they’re triggered.
There are many companies out there that offer 24/7 monitoring services, but we like SimpliSafe best because, not only does it provide superb protection, you don’t have to commit to a long-term contract! In fact, you can protect your home and have peace of mind for as little as $15 per month. Click here to learn more about SimpliSafe’s affordable 24/7 monitoring services.
Close proximity is key
Staking out a property is more difficult if you have to lurk around an unfamiliar neighborhood. That’s why the vast majority of burglars tend to target homes in close proximity to their own residence. This makes it easier to monitor their target’s schedule, and know when it’s a good time to strike.
Burglaries only take minutes
If a burglar believes your home is an easy target, your possessions can be stolen in as little as 10 minutes. Without a security system, the chances of catching the thieves and reclaiming your things are very slim. SimpliSafe’s motion sensors can help you catch criminals in the act by triggering the alarm and notifying the authorities.
Note: As a Kim Komando listener, you can get a special deal on your SimpliSafe system. Click here to get FREE shipping and a 60 day money-back guarantee!
2. Learn to spot burglars in your area
When you picture a burglar, the image that comes to mind may not be as accurate as you think. Many imagine burglars in ski masks, wearing all black and carrying crowbars, but the reality is actually surprising.
The vast majority of burglaries take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. by people wearing ordinary clothing. If they’re going to dress up, they’ll most likely wear something to appear as if they’re a delivery or repairman.
Of course, the challenge is that you’re not always home to keep an eye out. Thankfully, you can now add cameras to your SimpliSafe home security system. SimpliSafe’s cameras stream in 720p HD video and work seamlessly with the rest of your system.
Storage for the footage captured by the cameras is also not a problem. The cameras use what’s called “Intelligent Recording,” which means they only activate when the system detects activity. Whenever your system is armed or disarmed, the camera will activate. It will also activate if someone triggers your alarm, so you can catch the intruder in the act.
Night vision is also included, so your home is protected even when it’s dark out. You can also live stream the footage if you’d like. Otherwise, anything captured by the cameras will be stored for 30 days with a $4.99 monthly plan. Click here to see how a security camera can add extra protection to your home security system.
3. Don’t make it easy
Many burglary victims are surprised to learn just how much they unknowingly contributed to the overall crime. Burglars are opportunistic criminals, which means your home may be targeted over others in your neighborhood because you haven’t taken certain precautions.
To avoid these issues, make sure you place a stop on all your regular deliveries and hire someone to maintain the landscaping. The U.S. Postal Service allows you to place a temporary hold on your mail, or you can ask someone you trust to pick it up for you.
The pileup problem
Is there mail piling up in your mailbox? How about newspapers in your driveway, or even weeds in your yard? To a burglar, these are all signs that you’re not home and there’s no one around to call the cops.
Checking out the tool shed
To access your home, many burglars will use the homeowner’s own ladder, or the hammer they left outside after fixing the gutter. Even worse, some burglars are able to enter your home through an unlocked door or window.
SimpliSafe’s motion sensors don’t require any drilling or complicated installation. You can just stick the sensors onto the walls, doors, windows or anywhere else you need them. The whole system can be installed in under 15 minutes with no drilling, so no matter where (or how) a burglar chooses to enter your home, you’re covered.
Oversharing
You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s not a good idea to share too much on social media. Sadly, burglars can also be people you know, which can easily turn that photo of you on vacation into an open invitation.
If you’re going to be away, the best thing to do is share highlights from your trip once you’ve already returned.
Protect your home with SimpliSafe
As you can see, protecting your home this summer should be at the top of the priority list. Our sponsor SimpliSafe can help.
Simplisafe offers a no-contract system that installs in 15 minutes without drilling. The sensors are linked wirelessly so you can put them anywhere and don’t have to run cables. That makes SimpliSafe perfect for apartments and rentals, along with sheds and garages. Because you can add additional sensors later, it can scale from small areas to larger homes with no problem.
SimpliSafe uses cellular to signal the monitoring service for help, so there are no phone lines for burglars to cut. Police will arrive no matter what. Plus it has a loud 85dB siren in the base station, with the option for a second 105dB siren, which will drive off most burglars.
SimpliSafe offers door and window sensors and pet-friendly motion sensors for security. It also has sensors for freeze, flood, carbon monoxide and smoke, so you can protect your home against more than intruders. You also get a panic button so you can trigger the button yourself if needed.
SimpliSafe is the easy, no-contract way to protect your family and your home. Get it today and as a Kim Komando listener, you can get a special deal. Click here to get free shipping and a 60 day money-back guarantee.
Sponsored: Best security system for people who live alone
One of the best ways to protect your home is often overlooked or viewed as non-essential. We’re talking about getting 24/7 monitoring with a home security system. However, most people think that the installation process of a complete home security system is too complicated and it requires costly home modifications. What with all the endless wires and bulky equipment, installation can be quite the nightmare, right?
Listen to police and emergency radio broadcasts
One of the most valuable things in an emergency is real-time information. You can plan and strategize all you want, but up-to-date information could be the most useful tool you have. For any and all emergency situations you’ll want an emergency radio, and for everything else, you’ll want to check out your options for police scanners.
8 sneaky hidden cameras that will fool you, which ones could you spot?
You’ve heard all the scary stories about hidden video cameras. You might remember ESPN reporter Erin Andrews’ story about being spied on in a hotel room – heck, that “hotel peephole” scandal turned into a multimillion-dollar lawsuit.
Block unwanted robocalls
Unsolicited robocalls have become a bit of an epidemic lately. A recent study shows that the number of spam calls has been rising across the country at an extremely rapid pace. Here are 3 ways to help stop them!
How to protect your car from a wireless fob relay attack
You’ve locked your car, but it’s not as safe as you think. Thieves have found a way to use cheap equipment to steal your vehicle. You’ll be shocked when you see how easy it is to gain access without picking locks or breaking windows. Luckily, the solution is simple.
How to spot hidden cameras planted by creepy relatives
I read every question you send to me. Here’s one that I received that’s very disturbing. (By the way, if you have a question you’d like me to answer on the show or in a tip, click here to send me your note now.)
Q. Kim, this Christmas, I have to stay with a creepy relative. How can I check to see if he has spy gadgets in the room or the bathroom?
10 types of spy cameras that could be watching you now, #6 is shocking
Spy cams are hidden all around you and you’d never know it. You won’t believe how clever hidden cameras are. Some even look like soap!
What’s the most secure way to lock your smartphone? The answer will surprise you
If you think about it, our smartphones hold so much information about us. So how secure is your smartphone against would-be snoopers and hackers? I hope you’re using some kind of security system on your gadget to protect your privacy. Currently, there are a number of ways to lock and unlock our phones. Which ones are more secure than the others? And which one should you use?
Know when malware or spies turn your webcam or mic on with this free download
Cybersecurity should be taken seriously. It seems there are high-profile ransomware hacks all the time, and they infect individuals and private industries around the country. The latest ransomware attack spread across Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Bulgaria, crippling multiple news organizations and transportation systems. It was Russian ransomware called Bad Rabbit.
How to find hidden spy devices in your home or rental
We’ve talked about creepers using hidden cameras planted in vacation rental homes and hotel rooms without the renter’s knowledge. If this is disturbing to you, well, it should be. And it’s not just rental homes and hotels you need to worry about. How about your own home? If someone manages to implant a bug inside your house, how would you know?
Warning! Hidden cameras planted in hotel rooms and vacation rentals
Do you have plans to travel over the upcoming holiday season? Millions of people will be hitting the road to spend quality time with loved ones, which means hotels and vacation rentals are going to be packed. Unfortunately, reports of creepers planting hidden cameras in rentals to spy on us are on the rise.
Scammers will now call you from your own number
With the recent onslaught of robocalls and scams, it’s best just to let your phone go to voicemail. It’s a lot tougher to do when your caller ID appears to be from a familiar number or company. But you won’t believe this. Scammers are now pretending to be you!
Hackers can turn Fitbits into spying devices
Fitbits are used by millions of people who want to keep track of their health. But a software flaw allows hackers to keep track of Fitbit users as well. Can anything be done to secure your device?
One essential step to prevent identity theft
Identity thieves can start charging your credit cards with unauthorized purchases or open new credit lines under your name. Even worse, you may not realize what’s happening until the collection agencies start calling. If you suspect your private information has been compromised, you must take this step to stop criminals from running off with your identity.
Get real-time crime alerts for your neighborhood
No matter how nice a neighborhood appears to be, you should never assume that it’s a crime-free zone. Whether you’re working with a realtor to find a new home, or just planning to travel to an unfamiliar location, it’s good to know if the area is safe. Here’s an easy way to find out.
You have a public Amazon.com profile page that others can see
You might think you know Amazon, but there’s another side most people aren’t aware of. Yes, you have a private Amazon account for purchases and video streaming, but they also automatically create a public profile designed for social networking. What exactly can people see in this profile, and is it a risk to your privacy?
How to find indoor cameras when renting a house or apartment
Hidden cameras are a growing problem in rental properties. During a recent vacation, I rented a place and found a number of wireless IP cameras installed in the common areas! Were they watching me remotely? Were they recording? Before you travel again, you have to read this.
Criminals using smart appliances to spy on you in your home
Could your light bulb take down the internet? How about your smart TV or even that wireless speaker? You have to see this shocking footage found from private security cameras, baby monitors and webcams. Trust me, it’s going to make you think twice about leaving your home network unprotected.