Home Security Systems
Monitoring your home security system has never been easier but there are several things you need to consider before committing yourself to a long term monitoring agreement with any alarm company.
Alarm companies don’t make the majority of their profit from selling security systems; it comes from accumulating a large base of alarm-monitoring contracts. If fact, these monitoring contracts are so profitable that they are frequently bought and sold like mortgage notes.
Tip #1
Ask if they are an authorized alarm dealer or represent a marketing company.
Marketing companies have learned to flood a market with fantastic offers on security systems with the sole purpose of selling the contracts at a profit. They often use any sub-contractor available, which can lead to poor customer service once the marketing company leaves town.
Once you find a reputable alarm company, ask them to come out to your home and give you a quote. You’ll find that most will quote you a basic security system at a reasonable price. These basic security systems generally include a control panel, keypad, motion detector, a couple of door contacts, inside siren, a yard sign and warning decals.
Tip #2
Make sure the equipment can be monitored by any alarm company, not by just the one selling it to you. If they use proprietary security equipment, you could be left in a bind should you become dissatisfied with their service for any reason. Ademco, DSC, & Caddx are well known manufacturers and can be monitored by any one.
Some companies offer a low installation charge of $99.00 or will give you a “FREE” security system. Many do so if you put a security sign in your yard for advertising purposes and commit to a long-term alarm-monitoring contract.
Since the installation charge doesn’t cover the true cost of the equipment and labor, you are charged a substantial monthly fee to recoup their investment. These “deals” or equipment leases aren’t necessarily bad but make it hard to evaluate the true cost to you over time.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Is Your Home Security System Protecting You
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Is Your Home Security System Protecting You
home security,security,home protection,protecting your home. Home Security Systems
Monitoring your home security system has never been easier but there are several things you need to consider before committing yourself to a long term monitoring agreement with any alarm company.
Alarm companies don’t make the majority of their profit from selling security systems; it comes from accumulating a large base of alarm-monitoring contracts. If fact, these monitoring contracts are so profitable that they are frequently bought and sold like mortgage notes.
Tip #1
Ask if they are an authorized alarm dealer or represent a marketing company.
Marketing companies have learned to flood a market with fantastic offers on security systems with the sole purpose of selling the contracts at a profit. They often use any sub-contractor available, which can lead to poor customer service once the marketing company leaves town.
Once you find a reputable alarm company, ask them to come out to your home and give you a quote. You’ll find that most will quote you a basic security system at a reasonable price. These basic security systems generally include a control panel, keypad, motion detector, a couple of door contacts, inside siren, a yard sign and warning decals.
Tip #2
Make sure the equipment can be monitored by any alarm company, not by just the one selling it to you. If they use proprietary security equipment, you could be left in a bind should you become dissatisfied with their service for any reason. Ademco, DSC, & Caddx are well known manufacturers and can be monitored by any one.
Some companies offer a low installation charge of $99.00 or will give you a “FREE” security system. Many do so if you put a security sign in your yard for advertising purposes and commit to a long-term alarm-monitoring contract.
Since the installation charge doesn’t cover the true cost of the equipment and labor, you are charged a substantial monthly fee to recoup their investment. These “deals” or equipment leases aren’t necessarily bad but make it hard to evaluate the true cost to you over time.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Protect Your Home Or Apartment When You Go On Vacation
Going on a vacation is wonderful and you deserve it. Coming home to find that your home has been broken into will make all those good times be forgotten in an instant.
One of the times your home is most vulnerable is when it is left empty for an extended period of time such as when the occupants are on vacation or on extended business trips. Darkened windows, unretrieved mail or newspapers and closed windows in hotter weather all tell of your absence to a potential burglar.
The best protection for your house or apartment during your absence is to have a house sitter.
A friend you trust staying at your house can take care of your pets and/or plants in addition to making sure the house is occupied. Of course this scenario is not always an option. Here are some precautions that should be taken by the owner or inhabitants to take before leaving on their trip away from home.
• Have a neighbor check on your apartment or house while you’re away – turning on lights, radios or TVs and opening and closing curtains will give your apartment or house the appearance of someone home.
• If you don’t have a friend or neighbor to house sit or check your apartment while you’re away – perhaps even if you do – you should keep not only lights on but also a TV or radio on at all times unless you have a timer which is recommended. If you’re like many others you have your TV on almost all the time you’re home, not for viewing but just as background noise. It is the absence of the sound and that blueish light in the windows that announces you’re not there. Using readily available timers you could also have lights, radios, and TV’s going on and off at different times adding to the illusion to a potential thief that someone is home.
• Make sure whoever is checking your apartment or house while you’re away knows how to work any alarm system and who to call in case of a problem.
• Unless you have a house sitter, stop your mail by notifying the post office and any newspapers or other items that are delivered to your home on a regular basis. Nothing broadcasts an empty apartment or house better than a stack of newspapers or an overflowing mailbox. Ask a nearby neighbor if they could pick up any packages that happens to be delivered any way while you’re gone.
• If you have a garden or plants on your balcony, make sure someone is watering the plants regularly or put the plants where they can’t be seen. Plants slowly dying due to lack of water may announce your absence to the would be thief.
• If you rent check your lease. Many landlords require that you notify them if your apartment is going to be left empty for any period of time so they can enter in case of emergency even if they can’t reach you. Naturally if you’ve got a house sitter this isn’t necessary.
• If you are away from home in winter make arrangements to have your place shoveled and plowed. If you are away during the warmer months make arrangements for someone to mow your lawn if it looks like it needs some attention.
Of course, many of these recommendations are just common sense. With a little planning ahead and thinking on your part you can make sure there are no nasty surprises when you return from you vacation or business trip.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thinking About Home Protection?
Why have monitored alarm systems?
The point of having a monitored security system is that if a break-in occurs, the right authorities can be notified and dispatched. Your business or home is protected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This gives peace of mind knowing that your home or business is protected. You also have the use of the three panic buttons (police, fire & medical). And further, having a monitored alarm system can save you up to 20% off your home insurance.
Is the security system easy to use?
A security system is very easy to use; the installer will provide basic training on the system after installation. Usually a security system comes with a complete manual that will provide further information about the security system. Some companies offer a 14-day orientation program. And if you attend the orientation program, there will be no dispatch until the 14-day period is over. Also the customer care department from you installer will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Is the system hard-wired or wireless?
You can get both hardwired and wireless equipment. It all depends on the location you are on. In a residential setting where the basement is finished and where there is no access to the ceiling, then it is possible to install a wireless system. If there is access to the basement ceiling then you need to install the hardwired system. Every home is different, and security consultants are trained to be able to present you the most suitable system and design for your location and your needs.
Can I use my system only when no one is home?
A security system can be designed in many ways to suit your way of life. You can pick from various levels of protection. For instance when you are not home you can have all the motion sensors and contacts activated. And if you are at home you can choose which zones are activated. Some peripherals such as smoke detectors must always be active, whether the system is armed or disarmed. Your security consultant can usually help you design a system that would best fit your needs and everyday life.
What happens if the burglar cuts my phone line?
Generally monitored alarm systems use the phone line to send a signal to the monitoring station. If the line is cut no one knows there is a break-in. The siren will still be audible though. If you want to have equipment that can handle the case where your phone line is cut, that is possible. Your security consultant can advise you the best course of action.
