Protecting your home and family is one of the most important things that you can do.  After all, what’s more valuable than the people that you love and the belongings you have worked hard for?  Effective residential security requires a multi-level approach.  It's a mix of strategy and technology to provide several layers of protection resulting in peace-of-mind and confidence.

Good home security starts with strategy.  Avoid the tell-tale signs that you are away.  Leave some lights on.  Place your second car in the driveway.   Be careful about telling your vacation plan to acquaintances and strangers.  Don't announce your travel schedule on your answering machine and never talk about your vacation dates on social network sites like Facebook, Linkedin and Myspace.  While your message may be intended for a private audience, your public stream may be visible to others.

Good strategy is complemented by good technology and security measures.  Install a monitored alarm for 24/7 security protection. Consider outdoor lighting to illuminate entry points and deny intruders the cloak of darkness. Even the landscaping of your home can be designed to discourage would-be intruders. Keep bushes and trees well trimmed to avoid creating hiding places around your home. Outdoor video surveillance is not just for business; consider an outdoor camera and video recording system to add an extra level of security.

Warning signage and window stickers are a major deterrent and should be the first line of defense.  Break-ins are most often crimes of opportunity.  If the odds are against the perpetrator, they will move on to a property with less protection.  After all, a proactive approach sends a clear message that you are prepared and that removes the advantage of surprise.  A well rounded security response tells criminals that you saw them coming and you're ready with a counter response they have yet to discover.  Criminals aren't looking for challenges, they're looking for an easy score.

 New OntarioBuilding Code – Changes to Impact the Monitoring of Fire Alarms

New changes made to the Ontario Building Code will require premises monitored on a 24-hour basis for fire to make modifications to their monitoring systems.  Newly constructed buildings and existing buildings undergoing renovations or additions must conform to new changes to ensure they are monitored in accordance with CAN/ULC – S561-03 standards.  The new Ontario Building Code (section 3.2.4.7) specifies that newly constructed buildings that are required to be monitored for fire by a third party will be monitored “by way of…signals to a central station conforming to CAN/ULC-S561, “The Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems””.  This means the premises are monitored in accordance with CAN/ULC-S561-03.  Fire Services are being urged to require ULC certificates at the protected premises building to ensure full compliance and avoid any confusion.

If a ULC certificate is required, the alarm monitoring company will apply to the ULC office for the certificate and will be responsible for delivering the certificate to the customer.  This certificate must be placed beside the fire alarm monitoring panel at the premises being monitored.    

There are two key differences between the new and old requirements: 

1.  Monitoring stations must notify the fire services that a signal has been received at the monitoring station within 30 seconds of its receipt. 

2.  The fire alarm monitoring panel must now use either an “Active” form of communication (i.e. a form of continuously supervised line) or “Passive” non-redundant form of communication (i.e. Internet and cellular).  The passive form cannot be offered by the same telecom provider.     

There will also be some additional cost to monitor the system, only a few more dollars a month.  An equipment upgrade may also be necessary depending on the type and age of the fire monitoring panel.  However, these would be one-time costs, and would require a site visit by a qualified CFAA technician to determine.