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CBS Chicago recently published results of an investigation into the business practices (false and deceptive advertising) of ADT Home Security’s largest authorized reseller. If you have been approached by a sales person claiming to be from ADT, or a sales flyer in your mailbox, advertising a “FREE” ADT home security alarm system and thought that it sounded too good to be true, that’s likely because it is. This recent CBS Chicago report found that the company responsible for the phony…
The false alarm problem in the Chicago home security market is one that demands serious attention. Not only do false alarms waste the resources of first responders such as police and fire departments, they also put homeowners at risk of not getting an emergency response when it is needed the most which is counter to the reason for having a home security system in the first place. While a difficult thing to hear, most false alarms are actually the result…
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods – 77 total defined “community areas” in fact – and some are (far) more dangerous than others. While you’ll likely not be in immediate danger in downtown or the North side, some parts of the South and West sides are incredibly dangerous at certain times of the day and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. The city of Chicago is eclectic and diverse from the north to the south, from the lakeshore to the…
When it comes to security, there is no stronger deterrent to criminals than knowing that homeowners and property managers have a security plan in place and are increasingly turning to systems to keep their valuables, and more importantly their families or business personnel, safe. Security systems are proven effective at keeping people and things safe, but without a formal plan, systems designed to improve a family’s or business’ security can sometimes actually do the opposite. If you are serious about…
Security Doctors reguarly publishes crime data on the safest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago. Some places are safer than others, of course, but property crimes (burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft) for the state as a whole total 262,306 per annum. You’re nearly five times more likely to be a victim of property crime than violent crime, and one of the most dangerous assumptions you can make is that it can’t happen to you. Rather than worrying, however, the…
A recent report by the National Retail Federation (NRF) pegs annual retail inventory shrinkage at 1.44 percent. As with any other business statistic, your mileage may vary, but there’s no such thing as “good” shrink. After all, most retail businesses operate on tight margins, so any loss hurts. A business video surveillance system installed by Security Doctors can help you reduce or eliminate shrink in the forms of shoplifting and employee theft. Why Security Cameras? A good remote-monitored camera system…
We can date the beginnings of home security to the 1870’s, when homeowners banded together to protect their lives and property. Succeeding years have seen home security improve in fits and starts with the introduction of new technologies like burglar alarms, security cameras, and motion detection. The last decade has been a time of explosive growth, and Security Doctors Illinois has helped homeowners take advantage of the latest and best home security technology. Here are some trends we find especially…
If you’re a business owner, you pride yourself on running a tight ship. You’ve weathered recessions, shifting market conditions, fierce competition, and razor-thin margins. But are you taking other threats into account? The right business security system, backed by 24/7 security monitoring, can help protect all the time, money, and sweat equity you’ve built into your business, and Security Doctors of Illinois can help at every step of the way. Reinforce Your Hardware Good hardware makes up the backbone of…
Advances in medicine mean that more of us are living longer than ever before. Besides longevity and health, independence is a prime concern for many aging adults. StatNews mentions a wide variety of technologies that help seniors live active and independent lives in their own homes, but for many people, the simplest solutions work best. Of course, not everyone reading this will be older adults buying for themselves. As CBS News reports, more and more of us are finding ourselves…
The “smart home” has officially arrived. A few years ago, the ability to control aspects of the home—from lights to blinds—was the realm of that tech-savvy friend you knew. It took a good deal of setup, and after all that, the lights would dim with a simple click from a smartphone…sometimes. Then, slowly but surely, “smart” technology started to spread. It seemed that overnight, smart lightbulbs had a front-and-center spot at the hardware store—and there were a lot of them!…
