We often view home security through the lens of preventing burglary and vandalism. Homeowners install cameras and other devices to prevent break-ins and protect valuable packages left on the porch. We rely on motion and entry sensors to warn us of unauthorized intrusion. But in many cases, homeowners discover that the effectiveness of their systems goes well beyond preventing burglary.
Yahoo News recently published a striking example. The story involved a Bristol, CT homeowner whose security cameras recorded a visit by a black bear. Here is the interesting part: the bear’s visit wasn’t a one-off event. He returned three more times that day.
A Real Danger to Be Wary Of
The homeowner reported that, despite his family owning the property for some hundred years, they had never experienced such a significant level of bear activity. Local officials do not seem surprised. They told news outlets that Bristol has seen an increase in bear activity in recent weeks, probably because of a combination of mating season and hunger.
Nonetheless, having a bear visit your property four times in one day signifies something unusual. It elevates the threat posed by the bear as well. Every return visit could bring the bear closer to the home in search of food. And already in Bristol, bears have entered homes 20 times.
All Bristol homeowners should be aware of the bear problem. They need to pay attention for their own safety and that of their children and pets. A home security system can certainly help.
Security Through Perimeter Awareness
A home security system equipped with one or more exterior cameras helps by providing perimeter awareness. For example, imagine you have a Vivint home security system with two cameras – one showing the front yard and another the back. A motion alert will tell you something is going on in the backyard. A quick check of the stored video lets you know whether there is anything to be worried about.
Getting back to the story out of Bristol, imagine the bear being in the homeowner’s yard while the kids are preparing to go out to play. Not having video cameras would have left the family blind. But cameras showing the bear in the yard clearly indicate that the kids should stay inside and the homeowner should contact local authorities.
Home Security Is a Safety Net
Electronic home security can act as a deterrent to burglars. It will not deter wildlife for obvious reasons. Yet a security system acts as a safety net when you are talking about things like bears, coyotes, and the like. Think of it in terms of wildlife security instead of burglary protection.
One of the keys to wildlife security is early detection. The earlier you know that a bear or coyote is on your property, the more quickly you can react to keep the family safe. And if your security system routinely makes you aware of wildlife intrusion, it becomes an indication that you might need to change a few things.
Connecticut officials have made it a point of reminding the local Bristol residents about what attracts bears: food in the form of garbage, bird feeders, and even grills. By removing food sources and protecting trash in bear-proof bins, serious problems can be mitigated.
More Than Just Burglary Prevention
At least one Bristol, CT family now knows that home security is more than just a burglary prevention tool. It’s also good for wildlife awareness. If you own a security system, do you think of it as a wildlife security tool in addition to a weapon against burglary and package theft?