What Should You Do if You Have a Missing or Stolen Package?
With the postal system nowadays, it can sometimes be easy for packages to get lost. Most of the time, if you are searching for a missing package, odds are that a stranger swiped it. As a matter of fact, around 26 million packages were stolen in 2019. With those staggering statistics, there are a few things you can do in order to minimize this from happening to you.
What to Do If You’re Sure Your Package Has Been Stolen
- File a Police Report
After exhausting all your options and you are sure that your package has been stolen, you need to first call the police. If you do not have evidence or witnesses, they can only take note of the incident. You might get lucky and find that theft has been occurring around your neighborhood recently, making it a possibility that the police can do more. If this isn’t the case, they won’t do much investigation, but at least can file a report.
- Contact the Sender
More often than not, the stolen package is something that you ordered. If this is the case, contacting the seller will be helpful. You will want to contact them and make sure that your package was in fact delivered, and telling them that you didn’t receive it, will give you the best option for a refund. Not all companies will be understanding and send a replacement or refund, but it won’t hurt to report it. Be sure you have some proof that it was delivered and you didn’t receive it. By using the police report you will be able to prove that it was in fact stolen.
If this happens with a package that was sent by family or friends, you should also let them know it hasn’t been delivered. They can then reach out to the seller and get more information on what has happened.
Things That You Can Do to Prevent Package Theft
If you want to be proactive about your packages, you can do a few things to prevent this from occurring. Catching them on video will be your best option. If you have a security camera or Ring doorbell device, this will be helpful for catching thieves. Purchasing a motion sensor light and alarm is beneficial as well. Receiving these alerts on your phone can ensure what you are up to date on all that is happening on your property.
You can shop for a number of smart doorbells and home security cameras these days online or in stores. Some send instant alerts through apps, and others simply record footage, but arming yourself with proof of delivery or theft by installing one on your porch will eliminate issues with stolen packages moving forward.
How To Find Out If You Live in a Flood Zone
If you ever have viewed your neighborhood from a satellite image, you will be surprised by what you are seeing. The layout might be different than you have expected, and knowing the curving streets and areas of wilderness will be beneficial in many ways. It is smart to evaluate the risks your home or neighborhood may face, and what to do in order to protect yourself and your family.
Be Sure to Check the FEMA Flood Map
FEMA stands for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and has tools that make it easy to see if you are living in a flood zone. This map can show information like floodways, potential flood zones, and your home’s risk level. Along with those features, this map offers topographical and infrastructural information about leeches, coastal barriers, and a base flood line.
Understanding flood zones
Specific flood zones are labeled alphabetically, from Zone A, Zone B, etc. These labels are given to help determine flood risk and set flood insurance rates and terms for housing. Here is a quick rundown of what the most common flood zones mean for you and your house.
- Zone A: This is the most common flood zone, and if you live here it means you’re in a special flood hazard area that’s not coastal. The type of Zone A that applies to your home will impact your flood insurance premium.
- Zone B: Homes in Zone B face a moderate flood hazard risk.
- Zone C: Homes in Zone C face a minimal flood hazard risk.
- Zone D: This zone indicates a possible risk of flooding, but the hazard level is undetermined.
- Zone V: This is a special flood hazard area with a high risk for floods in coastal areas.
- Zone X: On newer flood insurance rate maps, Zones B and C are identified as Zone X.
Keep Track of Any Changes
With construction changing, topography, floodplains, and flood zone designs will change over time. If you haven’t recently checked, it would be in your best interest to do some more research. These zones usually change every five years or so, and keeping an eye on these newly updated zones will help you to be better prepared.
Look Into Flood Insurance
After looking into your town and seeing that you do in fact live in a flood zone, it will be in your best interest to get flood insurance. While floods are much more common than house fires, most homeowners don’t invest in this type of insurance. You can get this type of insurance through private carriers, or through government-sponsored agencies.
This type of insurance costs around $200 to $800 a year, but by looking at your options, costs could be decreased. Doing research can lower your costs and also give you the most up to date and accurate information on this type of insurance.
Think About Installing Flood Sensors
A flood sensor is a huge way to prevent your home from flooding because these devices notify households of water leaks. These sensors can detect leaks from water heaters, washing machines, and weather-related leaks. These sensors can be integrated into your home security systems and will prove to be very beneficial in an emergency.
The Best Remote Car Starters
Until you use a key fob that can remote start your car, you won’t understand how ideal this type of electronic device is. Having a key fob for your car can warm up your car before getting in it, can start your car from inside, and also begin to cool your car off if the weather is hot. Having a remote start is cutting edge technology, offering you a keyless entry into your vehicle.
If you have decided to go keyless, then you will need to look into the best remote car starters on the market today. CrimeStopper has a remote that works for a variety of vehicles within a 3,000-foot range. You can enjoy the convenience of its LCD screen pager that can count down your remote start option and can even add features if needed.
The Top 4 Remote Car Starters
- CrimeStopper Rs7-G5: This is the best overall starter.
This remote starter can support two vehicles. It has a two-way communication system, an LCD pager, and a countdown to start your vehicle. This device is compatible with most vehicles and has an impressive 3,000-foot range, allowing you to start your car from across the parking lot or even down the street. This can be controlled from a mobile application, that is available for iOS users or Android users.
- Avital 4105L: This is the best car starter for your budget.
If you are looking for the basics, this remote starter is the one for you. It has two key fobs that can provide two different cars with keyless entry, trunk release, and remote starts from 1,500 feet away. Additionally, you can program how long your vehicle should run while using the remote start option and can monitor your fuel efficiency. The only downside to this starter is that the communication is only one way, so you will have no way of knowing if your vehicle has responded.
- Viper 530fV: This offers the best security.
This remote starter has been called the Cadillac of car starters because it is loaded with great features that give other brands a run for their money. This two-way remote starter has an LCD display, automatic trunk release, and a vehicle temperature readout. Of course, the features are ideal, but its security features really set this model apart. The Viper 530fV is equipped with a six-tone siren, remote encryption, and a car alarm.
Unlike the other options, this application and the physical car remote is sold separately. Once purchasing this starter, you must also look into getting a subscription for the application it is used with. The system has gotten rave reviews and is a great investment to look into.
- Python 5706: This offers the best range.
If you are serious about range, then investing the extra money in this starter will be best for you. You can transmit its signal for up to a mile, which translates to around 5,000 feet. The starter is loaded with the basics of a car remote system and offers a ton of additional features. This model is a bit on the more expensive side but is full of features that matter. From its vehicle compatibility to the system that utilizes it, this stater is a great option.
Security Tips for Commercial Building Owners and Landlords
As a landlord or a commercial real estate owner, it’s important that you put interest in protecting the value of your investment and the safety and security of everybody in it.
Protecting your commercial property and its inhabitants can be a challenging proposition, and it may come with expensive fees, too. It all depends on the size of your commercial space, surroundings and its layout. Regardless, it is a fact that strategic use of security technology and common sense will ultimately protect your property and lessen the risk putting your employees or tenants in danger.
1. Get an Effective Security System
It is essential for all commercial or business properties to have a security system in order to deter would-be thieves. When one says effective, it means the system has gadgets of security installed in all windows and doors, as well as sensors that will set off an alarm once an intruder is detected. Sensors that can detect glass breaks is also a good option, and owners should install motion areas in restricted areas.
For huge commercial spaces, a loud siren is recommended to inform the security team that a forced entry has occurred. Remember that in a commercial space, a security system should be turned on at all times, unlike in residential properties wherein an owner can decide when the security system should be active.
2. CCTV Cameras Should be Installed Everywhere
Surveillance cameras improve business security as this prevents theft and other crimes. Other than that, a CCTV camera can also monitor employees and people around the complex. Building owners are required to work closely with a security system to know where security cameras should be placed to deter thieves or find out who the culprit is when an unfortunate incident happens.
Choose a surveillance camera system that you can control and view remotely so that even if you’re away, you’ll know what’s going on.
3. Motion-Activated Floodlights
Motion floodlights are also essential especially when cornering intruders. This security feature also makes your property less tempting to break into. Floodlights should be installed in prime areas to take the intruder by surprise and blind him momentarily.
The best places for motion-activated floodlights include gates, garages, and entrance and exit doors. You can install one in your landscaping or near windows as well.
4. Remote Monitoring
With today’s technology, you don’t have to be in the building to know the activities of your employees or the situation of your property during the night. You can now do that by using your smartphone, tablet, or any gadget you can bring anywhere.
Security agencies and companies now have apps of their own available on both Android and iOS devices. Using an app that’s integrated with your security system will allow you to view surveillance camera footage no matter where you are.
In some highly-advanced security system, you can even, control the temperature of a certain room of the building, turn appliances on and off, and let people inside a restricted area simply through your app. You can also send video footage to your security system in case you want to verify something or you want to have something fixed immediately.
5. All Areas Must be Well Lit
Dark corners are the favorite of criminals, as it makes it harder to see them or recognize their faces. Keep your commercial property safe by lighting all the areas so that the CCTV camera can capture it clearly. Aside from discouraging break-ins, it will also make sure that your employees or tenants will feel safe in case they leave late or arrive early.
6. Secure Sensitive Information
Passcodes for windows, doors, and important documents should only be given to a few key people and must be changed regularly. Make sure that you ex-employees and ex-tenants don’t know your passcodes as well and inform your staff that your passwords should not be recorded or written to lessen the risk of falling into the wrong hands.
7. Keep a Record of Your Equipment
You shouldn’t only record the serial numbers of expensive equipment, even the cheap ones too should be recorded. Remember that thieves will grab anything they can put their hands on especially if they are in a hurry or their plans didn’t really turn out right.
Also, keep track of confidential files and personal documents. For big companies, staff anonymity is important. Make sure that files needed to be destroyed are destroyed, and files that should be kept are stored in a place where only a few people know.
8. Secure the Parking Area
There have been cases wherein burglars target the vehicles of employees and people visiting the property you own. Don’t let them get away and install surveillance cameras that should be turned on 24/7, and motion floodlights that you can activate during the night when no one should be there. You can also hire a security team to be stationed in the parking lot to make it extra safe.
9. Online Precautions
Your physical security isn’t the only thing you must consider if you have a business. If you have a website, you must be aware of cybercrimes, as well, and how it can affect the business negatively. You should also invest in quality anti-virus and firewall technology. Advice your staff and tenants that they should choose strong passwords as well, and regularly back up files and systems so everything can be restored in case something is deleted or lost.
10. Risk Assessment
If you want to fully improve your security, you shouldn’t just rely on your own knowledge. Get the help of security professionals so they can identify the weak points of your property. Security companies can assess your property so they can identify where to install cameras, sensors, alarms, and other gadgets that will set off once an intrusion takes place. Through this, you’re guaranteed that all areas are covered and you don’t leave a place for thieves and criminals to do their dirty work.
