crime prevention

For commercial or residential property, there are a variety of ways to deter thieves. You can install alarms, lighting systems, monitors to record activity nearby, or have a trained guard dog. Here are some ways we have found that work wonders.

Window Film

Window film helps keep you, your family, and your business safe because it holds glass together. Every second counts when a thief is trying to get into your home. Don’t let the “crime of convenience” term be associated with your home–take aggressive steps to make it difficult for thieves to break in! And if you want to know how to keep your family’s skin safe, see our Dangers of Indoor UV Radiation: How to Protect Yourself. More about safety film below.

Own a Dog

Some dogs are better than others at protecting your property. You probably wouldn’t choose a tiny dog, unless it had a huge bark and a huger bite. But a Doberman or a German Shepherd with adequate training would do a great job. Both are on the Top Ten List of Dog Breeds for Protection. And if you own a dog, you might also want to post a Beware of Dog sign. By the way, here’s how Big Foot Beats the Heat. Big Foot is definitely big enough to help deter thieves.

Install Lighting

Motion detector lighting is one simple way to deter thieves. You can adjust the lights for different times of year, how long the lights stay on, and the distance-range setting. You may want to improve your security by pointing lights at all points of entry to your home. Here’s an excellent article on How to Choose and Install Motion Detector Lighting. You want to avoid having places for thieves to hide, such as behind bushes or doorways.

Have a Home Security System

There are a number of smart home security systems now available without the costly monthly fees. Be careful when choosing your home security system. Consumer Reports recently reviewed three of these home security systems, and found that they mostly deliver what they promised. Another deterrent is to post signs letting potential thieves know that you have a security system. If you decide that you do want to buy one of the big-name security systems, Huffington Post has a good article about how to choose one, and emphasizes ways to get discounts!

keynote photo — Photo by Ignite New Zealand

Get a Home Security Check

Many police departments offer security checks. Ask your local officers in blue to come by and walk around. They’ll give you suggestions to help beef up your security. Some tips are quite simple, such as locking doors, installing peepholes, and keeping exterior areas lit up. The San Jose Police Department has a good, five-minute video on preventing burglary. They emphasize that burglars are looking for easy entry into homes.

open fence photo — Photo by AJU_photography

Be a Good Neighbor

Being a good neighbor sounds like a cliche, but we’ve all known people who don’t even know their neighbors! If you don’t know yours, today is the day to change that! A batch of cookies and a walk through the neighborhood will quickly end the problem of living next to strangers. Or, if you’re too shy to walk around with cookies, you could take a digital approach and join a Facebook group, or a local NextDoor.com group.

Avoid Mentioning Travel Plans on Social Media

Of course you want to keep your friends updated, but why not share after you’ve returned? Those wonderful photos of you on the beach can surely keep for another day or two. Here is a list of things not to post on Facebook before or while you’re on vacation. For instance, don’t say you’re going to buy some diamonds and will be out of town for a few days.

window lock photo — Photo by Alain LE GUEN

Window Locks

Since windows are one of the least secure spots in a home, spending a little of your security budget can have a big impact on your home or business’ security. Window locks are an inexpensive option that does not detract from the style of your home. One of the best deterrents is a hefty window lock that is visible from the outside, as outlined in this excellent article, How to Burglar-Proof Windows.

3M Safety Film

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is this video about 3M safety film worth? Above, two industrious burglars try to break into a clothing store in Dallas, Texas, and eventually give up and drive off. They try hitting it and even throw a garbage can at it.

Safety Film is Invisible But Results Aren’t!

You’ll probably forget that you have safety film once it’s installed. But rest assured that it’s protecting you! It requires no feeding, no additional monthly fees, and very little maintenance other than occasional cleaning!

Give Us a Call!

Ready to install safety film, or have questions about whether it’s right for you? We’re in Santa Clara, near the San Jose Airport. But we travel all over the San Francisco Bay Area!

Commercial Window Film: Little-Known Facts

In our last blog post, we addressed the frequently asked questions people have about automotive window film. This is the second in the series, on how commercial window film can protect your business. Window film can protect your belongings, as well as provide you with comfort and security. Here are some little-known facts about commercial window film.

Let’s Cut to the Chase

According to FBI statistics, “Of all burglaries, 60.5 percent involved forcible entry.” Anything you can do to prevent that burglar from entering your business gives you the upper hand. You may have considered better lighting or closed circuit television to prevent break-ins, but what about commercial window film?

Safety Film

Safety film mitigates ‘Spontaneous Glass Breakage’ — modern structures are now made of so much glass (called Curtain Wall structures) — that some form of protection is necessary. You can protect passers-by and inhabitants from glass breakage using 3M Safety & Security Films. Prevent glass from becoming shrapnel.

According to this Construction Specifier article on Spontaneous Glass Breakage, poor edge quality and “Expansion and contraction of glass framing members may also lead to frame-related breakage.” Additionally, thermal stress can occur when the center of a piece of glass is hotter than its edges.

Preserve Your Investment with Surface Protection

Anti-Graffiti Film Protects

For commercial spaces, anti-graffiti film protects your investment “against scratches, acid-etching and gouges in retail, public facilities and any street-level glass applications.” Instead of constantly paying to repair, paint over, or scrub down walls in public places, why not try some anti-graffiti film instead? More information is available on the 3M website.

Eliminate Your Vulnerability with 3M Window Film

Security Film Creates a Barrier to Entry

3M security films used with 3M Impact Protection Adhesive will greatly slow or possibly prevent ‘smash & grab’ scenarios by creating a barrier to entry. Burglars are always trying to get in and steal your valuables as quickly as possible. So by making entry more difficult, that burglar will usually go someplace that’s easier to break into.

Protect Against Crimes of Opportunity

People can quickly and easily create thousands of dollars worth of damage in the blink of an eye. Civil unrest can occur in big cities when large groups gather, ruining your precious business almost instantly. Glass is expensive to replace and the sight of a boarded-up storefront does not give the appearance of a healthy business.

Still Not Convinced?

Watch this video on 3M Security film. And when your commercial building needs window film, give WindowWorksCA a call. We are in Santa Clara and service the San Francisco Bay Area.