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The Connection Newsletter

Issue: # 2016-11 November 2016

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November 2016 Newsletter

Perfect Connections is hitting the road! Come see us at the Mid-Atlantic Buildings & Facilities Management Show & Conference on November 9th & 10th at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset. We’ll also be at the North Jersey Buildings Engineering & Facility Maintenance show on December 7 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. The best part is that both shows are FREE to attend! Click the images below to learn more about how to attend, and we hope to see you there!

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Also, don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday. Along with an extra hour of sleep, we also recommend checking all smoke detectors in your home and replacing the batteries.

We also want to remind you about two new easy ways to request a service call. If you ever have a question about your system, or are having trouble, you can request service via our website, or e-mail us at Service@PerfectConnectionsInc.com.

Finally, remember to check out our contest for all of our Connection subscribers. Just go to our Facebook Page and leave us a review for a chance to win lots of prizes, including discounts off your monitoring bill and more!

Thank you for all of the trust you place in us. It is our number one goal to protect all of our customers and their valuables. We also want every experience you have with us to be positive. Feel free to contact us at anytime with questions, concerns, etc.-we would love to hear from you!

Our Blog

Don’t forget to regularly check out our blog that can be found on our website! We tackle various security topics that you may be thinking about. If you have any ideas for future blog posts, please contact us.

Commercial Security

Commercial Building Access: Handles, Levers, and Knobs

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Selecting the right door for your commercial property is a huge task. You not only want the door to look great but also provide security for your building. However, there is much more to think about than just the type of door to select. In fact, one of the most important decisions that needs to be made is the type of lockset or knob that is on the door. Here you will find some of the most common options available – and the benefits of each.

Lever Handles

These types of handles look similar to what is used in a traditional residential home. However, they are built to a higher standard to provide additional strength and security. The locks feature a cylindrical chassis and are often fitted with mortise style locksets.

Deadbolts

These are used for securing the door by using a thick bolt that is inserted into the doorjamb. There are two basic types of deadbolts:

  • Single Cylinder: These are keyed on the exterior and have a thumb turn that locks/unlocks it on the interior.
  • Double Cylinder: This type of lock is keyed on each side. This is beneficial for glass doors, because even if the glass is broken, the door cannot be opened or unlocked.

Crash Bars/Pull Bars

Another popular option for commercial door handles is the push bar. These allow the door to be opened easily when an emergency situation is present. However, when the door is closed, it will hold it securely in place. These are often seen in schools and some retail buildings.

Choosing the right type of door handle and lock can make a huge difference in regard to the security of your commercial property. Taking time to find the right type will pay off in the long run.

Residential Security

Surprising Facts About Burglars Everyone Should Know

When you imagine what a burglar looks like, most of us conjure up the image of an individual who is wearing all black clothing, wielding a crowbar (or another nefarious tool), and trying to enter a home through a window. However, this really isn’t the correct image of the person that’s trying to break into your home. The more likely image is a bit surprising to many. To debunk the all-too-common image of a burglar, we can look at data from the U.S. Census Bureau of Justice and the FBI to figure out exactly who burglars are.

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The Attire of the Typical Burglar

The most common portrayals of prowlers are – for the most part – inaccurate. The majority of break-ins don’t even take place at night, which is a common belief. This means that most burglars aren’t going to be covered in black from head to toe. In fact, many are going to be in plain clothes and dressed comfortably so they can easily run and get away if caught. In some cases, they may even dress as a delivery man or service provider.

Who is the Average Burglar?

There are a number of people who believe that most burglaries are committed by teenagers. However, while the number of break-ins increases over the summer months (when kids are out of school), it is usually not teens that are to blame. According to the U.S. Census, 75 percent of all break-ins are orchestrated by adults. The reason burglaries go up in the summer months is because these individuals take advantage of vacationers, open doors, and windows.

Understanding the Modern Burglar

Modern burglars aren’t like Tom Cruise in “Mission Impossible,” with all the high-tech gadgets and equipment. In fact, they typically don’t even have a high school diploma. It is quite uncommon to find a burglar with an advanced degree, with only 2.5 percent of them having actually graduated college. The majority of burglars, both kids and adults, are male – in fact, 84 percent of them are. They are also usually white according to the FBI. Also, someone who has committed a burglary once is highly likely to do it again. Having a better understanding of the modern burglar allows you to take steps to safeguard your family and home.

Tech Corner

Maintenance and Care Tips for Smart Locks

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If you are like most people, digital technology touches many different parts of your life. One of the biggest areas that people are replacing conventional products for “smart” products is with the locks they choose for their home or business. Even though keyed locks are still a popular option, there and more homeowners and business owners are opting for electronic (smart) locks.

There are a number of advantages offered by using smart lock technology:

  • You don’t have to carry or worry about losing a key
  • Secure digital encryption
  • Ability to control the lock from a smart device

However, even though they are convenient, it doesn’t mean that they are maintenance free. Some helpful tips for keeping the smart lock in properly working condition can be found here.

Change the Batteries and Code Regularly

Even though battery life will vary, most smart locks will have batteries that last between six and nine months prior to them expiring. The majority of smart locks have some type of warning signal if the batteries are getting low, letting you know it is time to change them. However, a general rule of thumb is to change the batteries in your smart locks each time you change the batteries in your smoke alarm.

There is no recommended frequency regarding when to change the lock code. In most cases, this should be done when the situation calls for it. For example, if you have ended a relationship and the other person is moving out or if you are going on vacation and a dog walker needs access to the home.

Additional Tips for Using Smart Locks

  • When using eKeys or access codes and giving them to others, make sure they are sent to the right person.
  • Set a lock code on the device used for a smart lock.
  • If password protection is offered by the smart lock app, you should use it.

There is no question that smart locks are innovative security products that offer a number of benefits for modern homeowners. However, knowing how to properly care for this is essential to keep them as secure as possible.

ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA

Who is the song “Shine on Your Crazy Diamond” by Pink Floyd about?

A) Sid Vicious

B) Syd Barrett

C) Roger Waters

D) David Gilmour

PREVIOUS MONTH’S ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA

Which Marvin Gaye hit features studio chatter as background vocals and Gaye tapping out a funky percussion part on a bottle of grapefruit juice?

A) I Heard It Through The Grapevine

B) How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You

C) Let’s Get It On

D) Got To Give It Up

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OUR SERVICES

For immediate assistance or information on any of our services, please email us at service@www.perfectconnectionsinc.com or call: 908-722-2880.

OUR REFERRAL PROGRAM

Our referral program works like this. If someone you refer to us turns into a client, you get your choice of one of the following $50 gifts…

All you have to do is email us at customercare@www.perfectconnectionsinc.com and put “Referral Program” in the subject line. Please be sure to include the name and contact information for the person you are referring, along with the $50 gift of your choice. Also, be sure to include your contact information so we can send you your gift, once your referral turns into a sale. If you prefer to call us with all the information, please do so at: 908-722-2880.

Thank you for reading our November issue. Don’t forget to read our weekly blog, click the link at the top or follow button below. See you next month!

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