Friday Facts – Archive

Commercial and residential security issues affect all of us, every day — many times in ways we're not aware of. We'll be sharing an interesting, new security-related Fact each Friday, so be sure to check back for more.

This Week's Fact

Need to control the flow of foot traffic for hundreds of people at a time? We can help. Lappen Security sells and installs a variety of turnstiles, from waist height to full height, which can control heavy foot traffic. (5/18/12)

May 2012

Avigilon is the industry leader in High Definition Megapixel Video Surveillance with their 29 MP camera, which is 13 MP higher than any other megapixel camera currently offered on the market. To see what this amazing camera can do, stop by our showroom to see a demonstration. (5/11/12)
A flooded basement from heavy spring rains can be very costly. Many times, this flooding is the result of a failed sump pump. With a monitored alarm system, you can be alerted of dangerously high water well beforehand, giving you time to make the fixes you need to prevent a big mess. Contact Lappen for more information. (5/4/12)

April 2012

Standard Grade-3 locks can be bumped or picked open within a matter of seconds, leaving little or no evidence of forced entry. (4/27/12)
Lappen Security Products is the newest sponsor of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers! Look for our new sign at Fox Cities Stadium on the home bullpen as pitchers come in to secure the win for the T-Rats! (4/20/12)
Spring warming can cause building shifts that can push your doors out of alignment. If you have a door that is suddenly not closing properly, call Lappen Security; we can fix that! (4/13/12)
Paxton Access Control has developed a new PoE (Power over Ethernet) Video Intercom set for release in May 2012. For more details, contact Lappen Security Products. (4/6/12)

March 2012

Hands too full to disarm your intrusion alarm when arriving home? Lappen Security has the solution...remote keyfobs that arm & disarm your alarm with just the push of a button! Stop in to Lappen Security's interactive showroom to see a demonstration! (3/30/12)
Lappen Security Products is the FIRST Security Company in the United States to be Certified PAX1000 VIP Level 2. (3/23/12)
Avigilon HD Megapixel Video Surveillance has License Plate Recognition Technology (LPR). LPR allows users to input a specific plate number into the software, and then search to find that plate. Results are provided as thumbnails indicating specific times when that plate was recognized and recorded. (3/16/12)
With Paxton Access Control Software, it takes less than 1 minute to turn a credential on or off – making it a very quick and simple process to distribute cards or fobs to new hires, or keep former employees from gaining access to your building. (3/9/12)
With the Avigilon 180- and 360-degree HD cameras, keeping an eye on everything happening in one room never has been easier! To see a full demonstration of this fantastic new technology, stop by the Lappen Security Showroom any time! (3/2/12)

February 2012

Over 50% of burglaries committed take place in the daytime, without the cover of darkness. Intruders know that people leave their homes for 8-10 hours a day to go to work, so protecting it while you are away is always a wise investment. Contact Lappen Security to explore security options. (2/24/12)
Ever wonder who has been in your filing cabinet? Lappen Security now has a solution available from Medeco® High Security Locks that gives you electronic audit trails for your filing cabinets, as well as virtually any other kind of lock – and you won't have to replace the cabinet ... just the lock! For more details, contact Lappen Security and ask about Nexgen XT! (2/17/12)
More than one-third (38%) of home fire deaths resulted from fires in which no smoke alarms were present at all! With Spring coming, it is time to test your smoke detectors – and if you don't have any, it's time to contact Lappen Security! (2/10/12)
Looking for something above and beyond the norm? Paxton Access Control offers an LED Reader with high quality screen images, allowing you to have different, changeable pictures for your "greeting", "card read accepted" and "card read denied" screens. Come visit our Showroom for a demo! (2/3/12)

January 2012

It is not recommended to use smoke to test smoke alarms. Follow the manufacturer's testing guidelines, which often call for the use of simulated smoke. We sell pressurized cans of simulated smoke for this purpose. When using this product, follow the operating instructions and do not get the can too close to the alarm. If held too close or too much is applied, the simulated smoke may coat the alarm's sensing chamber or affect the operation, which cam make the alarm malfunction or inoperable. (1/27/12)
Looking for Heavy Duty Locks but you're on a budget? Stop by Lappen's Showroom – we have a great selection of refurbished Heavy Duty Grade 1 Locks at a huge savings! (1/20/12)
If your company is looking at doing Photo ID badges, Paxton offers a very user-friendly design software, and Lappen Security offers a full range of card printers to fit any need. (1/13/12)
Need to be able to see your video surveillance system from ANYWHERE you are? Avigilon has apps for that! Not only can you see it on iPads and iPhones, but also any Android phone version 2.2 or higher. To see a demonstration, stop by the Lappen Security showroom. (1/6/12)

December 2011

While we recommend that every home have deadbolts on its doors, close attention must be paid to the lock’s grade before you install. Grade 3 deadbolts (found at hardware stores for very little money) offer little or no security and can be easily removed with a pipe wrench. Grade 2 offers a bit more security, but for true peace of mind of a secure home, look for and install Grade 1. Lappen Security has a great selection of both Grade 1 and 2 deadbolts, and we also offer professional installation. (12/30/11)
If your business needs to add push-button door operators to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lappen Security can help you with durable, reliable, quiet and affordable power door operators. (12/23/11)
Paxton Access Control Software has the ability to integrate site graphics, allowing your users to see the layout of where every access control door is – along with real-time status of those doors right on the site graphics. (12/16/11)
Cameras installed by Lappen Security helped to catch the bad guys in Menasha. See news story. (12/9/11)
Medeco High Security Locks now has a brand new technology available that allows you to get audit trail capability on any type of lock, including padlocks, with a new type of electronic cylinder. For more information, please Contact Lappen Security. (12/2/11)

November 2011

Looking to get rid of your home phone line but you have your burglar alarm hooked up to it? Don't worry! Not only do we have Cellular Communications Devices that will allow you to disconnect, but, in the long run, it will also save you money on your phone bill. Contact Lappen Security for more details! (11/25/11)
Ruptured Frozen Pipes cause $40 Million worth of damage every year. While not all of these could have been prevented, insurance companies say that more than half could have been avoided by monitoring internal facility temperatures. Lappen Security can monitor temperature sensors (along with many other environmental hazards) through our alarm panels. For more information, contact Lappen Security Products. (11/18/11)
Over time, keys will get worn down and will not have the same exact heights on their cuts that were originally made -- which can lead to you being locked out! Be sure to keep the original key in a lockbox so that you will always have one that works properly on hand. If all of your copies are worn down, bring your key into Lappen and we can get you a new key cut to its original factory cuts. (11/11/11)
One Avigilon Megapixel camera can be divided up to 36 different ways, giving you the ability to not only cover a large area, but also to focus in on many specific areas – all at the same time. To see this incredible technology, stop in our showroom and let us show you a demo! (11/4/11)

October 2011

"Usable video" is a term you will hear more and more in the surveillance industry. What is means is, should an incident happen, did your cameras capture what you needed to see, and were the pictures clear enough to identify who did what? In many cases, older video surveillance cameras have not provided very good usable video rates, but now with High Definition Megapixel Video Surveillance, all that has changed. Come see how! Stop in our showroom for a demo today! (10/28/11)
High-Definition, Megapixel Technology has arrived at Lappen Security. For more information about its benefits, call Lappen Security or stop in our showroom Monday-Friday between 8:00 and 4:30 to see the future of video surveillance. (10/21/11)
If you have a commercial or industrial facility with a sprinkler system and you are looking for a flow monitoring system for it, contact Lappen Security – we have solutions for monitoring sprinkler systems. (10/14/11)
Need to control traffic in and out of your parking lot? Along with the Paxton Access Control system, Lappen Security can control vehicle traffic into facilities with Gate Arms and Sliding Gates. For more details about vehicle traffic control, Contact Lappen Security. (10/7/11)

September 2011

By now, you have heard of High Definition TV and the term "1080p." This means the video quality is equivalent to that of a 3 Megapixel camera. Megapixel technology is now available in the security market, with cameras as high as 29 Megapixels. If you are looking for high definition video quality with far more options than standard analog video provides, then Lappen Security has a solution for you! Contact us to learn more. (9/30/11)
In a commercial or industrial facility, it is against fire codes to put a deadbolt lock on a marked exit door. If you have concerns about locking a marked fire exit door, call Lappen Security – we have solutions! (9/23/11)
Going Green? The Paxton Access Control System has energy saving light switches that require users to use their access control card to activate the lights by placing their access card into a special holder that keeps the lights on. When the user leaves the room and removes the card from the holder, the lights automatically turn off behind them. Contact Lappen for more information on Getting Your Green On! (9/16/11)
Many people have asked us about adding an audio recording component to their security systems. While the technology does exist to capture audio data, Lappen Security will not install microphones because it is against Federal law to record audio (whether or not it is accompanied by video) in a public place. (9/9/11)
Computers and Servers crash. When they do, they often lose valuable data. For access control customers, that could mean your entire user database. Given how inexpensive flash drives are, backing up your database onto a flash drive once a month is a quick and cost-effective way to help avoid the nightmare of reprogramming a database. (9/2/11)

August 2011

Are you in an industrial facility that uses forklifts? Have you had issues with forklifts causing damage to your facility? Lappen Security Products has a new forklift safety warning device that can prevent costly workplace accidents due to forklift mishaps. For more detailed information, contact Lappen Security Products. (8/26/11)
All buildings have fire-rated walls, but there are different types of fire-rated walls and doors. Most walls in buildings that are framed and sheet rocked on both sides are usually fire-rated walls. If those walls contain doors, those doors must have a rating label. All fire-rated doors must be stamped with a fire-rating label, which can be found on the hinge side or top of the door. Despite common misperceptions, doors can have glass lites and still have a fire rating. For detailed door fire rating information, call Lappen Security's door installer Denton Mueller (920-734-3027). (8/19/11)
If you have an older high security key, such as a Best or ASSA, there is a good chance the patents that restricted the duplication of those keys have expired -- now allowing ANYONE to make copies of those keys. To find out more, contact Lappen Security. (8/12/11)
Need a door unlocked? Got an App for that? Paxton Access does! Paxton Access Control has an iPhone App that can open a door that is controlled by the Paxton Access Control system -- from anywhere! Contact Lappen Security for further details. (8/5/11)

July 2011

Intrusion and Fire Alarm systems are normally connected to central station monitoring via landline telephone. However, should storm damage or an intruder cut the lines, the alarm will not be able to communicate with the people watching out for you and your home or business. By adding a cellular backup unit to your alarm panel, you can rest assured that, one way or another, any alarm calls that arise will go out. (7/29/11)
Locksets at Hardware Supply Stores often are made using exactly the same lock and key – which means that there may be several homes in an area that can be accessed with the same exact house key. (7/22/11)
In 1903 at the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago, 594 people lost their lives in a devastating fire; they did not have Panic Hardware in those days. In 1908, Carl Prinzler and Henry DuPont invented the first Panic Exit Hardware in response to this tragic Chicago event. To learn about options and see the wide variety of panic, exit and door hardware we have in stock, stop by our showroom! (7/15/11)
DYI (doing it yourself) can backfire, ultimately resulting in bigger bills and voided warranties. While the security equipment you see protecting your facility might look easy enough to move, by relocating, adjusting or opening the equipment, there is a very good chance you could be voiding the warranty, and any mistakes you might make could be much more expensive than if you had called a technician to move the equipment for you. (7/8/11)
Not all software is compatible with the new Windows 7. If you are currently using a software program to view your video surveillance system and are looking at upgrading your platform to Windows 7, call us before you upgrade! (7/1/11)

June 2011

Need a way to keep people from exiting through specific doors? Lappen Security offers a wide variety of Detex Emergency Exit Only alarms. (6/24/11)
If you have a large industrial facility and you need a way to create emergency muster reports, the Paxton Access control system provides a quick and easy way to solve that problem. Contact Lappen Security for further details. (6/17/11)
Analog CCTV cameras have been, and still are, a very stable, reliable and cost-efficient way to fill your video surveillance needs. IP, Megapixel and HD cameras do offer some very exciting new technologies; however, they also come with a much higher price tag. (6/10/11)
It can be alarming to receive a call from Central Station saying your intrusion alarms have been set off. Remember, the operator is trying on your behalf to act QUICKLY, as well as ensure that they are speaking with the appropriate person. Therefore, if you have an intrusion alarm – and your name and number are on the call list – make sure your password is handy or something you’ll easily remember. If you’re called because your alarm is going off, and you cannot provide the password, their next call is likely to the police dispatcher. (6/3/11)

May 2011

With all this rain we have had lately, you have certainly been hearing your sump pump running often. Sump pumps are often out of sight, out of mind ... until they fail; and when they fail, they leave a big mess. Why not add a little peace of mind by adding a sump pump monitor onto your alarm system? Contact Lappen Security for more details about how these devices work. (5/27/11)
Pan/Tilt/Zoom ("PTZ") cameras properly placed on the corner of a building can easily give you 270 degrees of visibility, and can be set on a tour to cover a huge square footage area. With an easy-to-use joystick controller, facilities with onsite security guards can use PTZ cameras to follow suspicious activity anywhere in this large viewing area. (5/20/11)
The Paxton Access Control System can be integrated with many intruder alarm systems, which then allows you disarm your alarm with a valid card read, but also allows you to select who you want to be able to disarm your alarm. For example, a person with rights to access your building at 8:00 am who is first to arrive and does not have rights to disarm your alarm will not be allowed access into your building. For further details on how this system works, please contact Lappen Security. (5/13/11)
Many access control operating platforms are not compatible with the new Windows software. However, the Paxton Access Control system is compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 32- and 64-bit systems. (5/6/11)

April 2011

If you are thinking about adding access control to your facility, remember to account for all of the physical keys to your building. If key control is in question (missing keys, etc.), changing the locks will provide the optimal and most secure access control. (4/29/11)
Preventative periodic maintenance can save you quite a bit of time and money. Recently, a customer requested a service call and our technician found a simple, common problem -- that could have been prevented with periodic maintenance. But now, the cost to replace the damaged equipment exceeded the cost of being on a Preventative Maintenance Program. Contact Lappen Security today to discuss all of the benefits this program can offer your business. (4/22/11)
The appearance of security company signs and stickers on your home or business can DECREASE the likelihood of a BURGLARY by as much as 75%. Thieves notice the stickers on the door or the signs in the lawn and know that a security company has been there and that the risk is too high for them to try anything. Stickers/signs also play a big roll in the security of your building by making people in general (not just thieves) think twice about attempting anything at your home or office. Make SURE to keep your signs in a clear area and do not remove stickers from your door. (4/15/11)
In 2009, home break-ins netted thieves $1.5 billion in stolen goods. Of that, $1 billion consisted of TVs, radios, computers, video game systems and other electronics. (4/8/11)
If you have Glass Aluminum store front doors, it is very important that you have security collars around your key cylinder. A Major cause of burglary on this type of door is wrenching the cylinder, which these collars prevent from happening. (4/1/11)

March 2011

Security systems, like any other electronic device, need periodic maintenance, testing and inspections. By having your security system tested and inspected regularly, you can stay on top of your system's performance and keep it running at its best. (3/25/11)
Older fire safes will LOSE their fire protection after many years and, like anything else, they should all eventually be replaced. (3/18/11)
Over 85% of calls coming into Central Station Monitoring Services are accidental or false alarms. (3/11/11)
Like anything mechanical, safes have moving parts that require maintenance. To prevent being locked out of your own safe, keeping up annual maintenance is essential. (3/4/11)

February 2011

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced when a fossil fuel is incompletely burned. CO poisoning claims 400 lives and sends 20,000 people to the hospital in the United States each year. (2/25/11)
FBI studies have proven that an alarm system makes your home 15 times LESS likely to be burglarized. (2/18/11)
Keys with "Do Not Duplicate" stamped on them CAN, in fact, be copied by anyone with little or no security checks. To ensure that you maintain key control, look for a patented protected keyway with a secure audit trail. Lappen Security recommends Medeco Patented Protected Keys. Locally, we are the only place that has the key blanks and the machines to cut them, and we have very secure policies in place to ensure that no unauthorized key duplications will be made. (2/4/11)

January 2011

Using a hole punch on an access control card for use with a lanyard can break the internal antenna and render the access card USELESS. Plastic cardholders are very inexpensive and easily attach to a lanyard as an alternative to punching holes. (1/28/11)
Did you know that Combination Locks with wheels were first used in the time of the Roman Empire? The modern combination lock was invented in 1878 by a German locksmith named Joseph Loch for Tiffany’s Jewelers in New York City. (1/21/11)
Surveillance cameras/CCTV can be used for more than just security. In fact, many businesses use them to collect data or for marketing. Tourist attractions, malls, resorts, retail stores – any business – can use cameras to determine foot traffic patterns (for merchandise display placement), collect demographic data, offer live webcam images (via Web) of their locations/products and more. (1/14/11)
If you currently have an Alarm System, the Control Panel and Power Supply batteries need to be replaced EVERY FIVE YEARS. If you have had numerous power outages in recent history, you also may want to consider upgrading the battery to one with a larger amp hour at your next replacement. (1/7/11)

December 2010

If you are currently using magnetic locks in your buildings, fire codes REQUIRE you to have an emergency exit release button near every door for which you are using magnetic locks. (12/31/10)
Doing wire pulls DURING the initial construction process is much faster than it is after the fact! So, if you are thinking of a construction project for 2011, you can SAVE a good deal of money by planning your security needs BEFORE you begin building. (12/24/10)
While violent crimes and home burglaries were statistically lower in 2008 and 2009, the area with the largest increase in reported crimes nationally was workplace theft – most commonly employee shoplifting and personal theft (co-worker steeling from another). (12/17/10)
IT rooms, computer rooms and customer information storage rooms should be among the most secure and protected areas within a company’s building. The Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Act REQUIRES that if you have detailed customer information -- such as name, address, phone numbers, SSN, credit card numbers or any medical information -- the room that information is stored in MUST be closed and locked at all times. In certain cases, if the information is sensitive enough, this law also requires you to have electronic access control with an audit trail on any entrance into that storage room. (12/10/10)
Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras (PTZ Cameras) can do the job of several fixed cameras by allowing the user to move the camera to a desired location using a joystick – covering a much larger area than many fixed cameras would be able to. To see a demonstration of these cameras, stop by our showroom anytime Mon-Fri between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (12/3/10)

November 2010

The majority of office furniture has a code on the lock. Using this code number, we can often generate a factory-original key that will open the lock — which will save you from needing to replace the lock. (11/26/10)
Magnetic Locks need power at all times to remain locked — which means that if your power fails, your doors are now UNLOCKED. (11/19/10)
The Paxton Access Control Software does a database backup every night at 2:00 a.m., which ensures your valuable information is saved in the event of computer failure. (11/12/10)
The easiest way to meet OSHA requirements for your marked fire exit doors is to install ANSI-certified (American National Standard Institute) hardware. (11/5/10)

October 2010

Homeowners that have alarms in their homes may INADVERTENTLY DISABLE their monitoring by switching to a VOIP phone system — and not even realize it. If you have a monitored alarm system, it is best to call your security provider before you make the switch to VOIP. (10/29/10)
More than $250 in property is lost to a house fire PER SECOND in the U.S. (10/22/10)
Paxton Access Control software is very user-friendly and fully compatible with Windows 7, both 32- and 64-bit operating systems. (10/15/10)
A Burglar enters a home in the U.S. every 14 seconds. (10/8/10)
In 25% of reported fires where homes are equipped with smoke alarms, the devices did not work.
Almost two-thirds (65%) of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. (10/1/10)

Serving Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan with full-service solutions for business and home security systems, including access control, intrusion detection and video surveillance.