Posts

Licensed Security Specialists vs. National Utility Security Divisions – A Comparison

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Going with the “big guys” when it comes to home security systems and business burglar alarm systems definitely has a certain appeal.

After all, having the name of a major utility on the warning label affixed to your front door, alerting potential thieves that you have an alarm installed, can sometimes add peace of mind to the equation. The real question is: What trade-offs are associated with choosing an alarm provider that doesn’t make security its number one business focus?

Mega-utilities are definitely prepared to cover the basics when it comes to offering home and business security packages. The deep pockets of nationwide companies ensure a reasonable investment in technology and service, similar to what you’d receive from your cable or mobile phone provider. Pricing is also usually competitive. These large companies offer several different packages that are targeted to the needs of the average family or organization. Read more →

Home Security Tip: Shut the Door on Security Alarm Scams

/3 Comments/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Door-to-door salespeople aren’t as common as they used to be.

Before you breathe a sigh of relief, you should be aware of an apparent door-to-door scam that plagued New Yorkers recently. Security alarm customers got knocks on their doors followed by allegedly false sales pitches.

Here’s how it went down, according to the Gannet news service. A sales operative approaches the potential customer and says, “Your company’s going out of business why don’t you switch over to us?” or “Your company’s merging with us.”

According to the New York AG’s office, people who signed up wound up with two different accounts and no easy way to close either.

Eventually the company alleged to have committed these offenses did pay compensation to the victims. But all of them would have been better off if they’d looked into the claims before signing. You should be immediately suspicious of any unexpected visit from someone claiming to be with your alarm company or a related company. A respectable alarm company won’t engage in a deceptive door-to-door campaign.

You can always politely decline the encounter and contact your security provider to report the solicitation. If you don’t already have an alarm company, it’s probably still not a good idea to purchase from a door knocker. In all likelihood, they don’t even represent a local, full-service security firm.

Now, if you want to know more about the New York switch scam, click the video description. We’ve provided a link.

Keep Your Home and Family Safe this Summer – What You Should Insist Your Security Company Provide

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Ah, those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Fun in the sun. Carefree attitudes. Barbecues, beach days, pool parties. Sounds fantastic, right?

Of course. But sometimes while you’re reveling in all that carefree summer living, you might not pay as much attention to home security as you should.

For example, you’re more likely to leave all your doors and windows open in the summer – even when you go out. But remember most break-ins occur because of negligence, so securing your home is of the utmost importance.

The fact is you always want your family to be safe and one way to ensure their safety is by turning to a top-notch security company to install an alarm system in your home.

Here are some things to look for when you choose a home security company:

  • Speak to a Person, Not a Recording. When your home and family are in danger, every second counts. So be sure that whenever you need help – or just have a routine question – your security company has a real person answering your call. You don’t want to have to deal with navigating a complicated, automated voice system when you need help immediately.
  • No Alarm Delays. When an alarm sounds on your security system there must be no delay in transmission to the monitoring station. Your system should instantly send an alarm to the central station no matter if it’s an intrusion, smoke, carbon monoxide, or any trouble signal. Some companies delay transmitting their alarm signals by as much as four minutes because their systems are prone to false alarms.
  • Local Five-Diamond, U.L. Monitoring Center. Your home should be monitored 24-7 by a local Five-Diamond, U.L. Certified Central Station. That means your company’s central station has multiple back-up systems and can operate under any condition and the company’s team is among the best in the business. Your security company should be owned and operated by people who live in New England, not a third-party in some faraway state. And it should be staffed by experienced people who know your community, and can document how quickly they respond to alarm signals – 20 seconds or less is best-in-class.
  • Free Yearly Wellness Inspection. Your company should offer you peace of mind by letting you know that your security system will work when you need it most. Your company should clean smoke detectors, check back-up batteries, and inspect the system for signs of wear.
  • Experience and Advanced Technology. The top security companies employ veteran in-house experts who are able to install the most up-to-date devices and applications that best meet your needs.
  • Service in 24 Hours or Less. Your security company must ensure that your system is working every second of every day. But if you have an issue, your company should guarantee it will have a tech to your home as soon as possible but no longer than 24 hours after it receives your call.
  • Lifetime Warranty. Your security company should stand behind every security system it installs. If there’s a technical defect, the company should fix it at no cost to you as part of your monitoring service.

So get out in the sun and have fun. But don’t forget to take the steps necessary to protect your home and your family this summer season and throughout the year.

Top 5 Tips to Burglar-Proof Your Home For Vacation

/2 Comments/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Spring vacation is a time-honored rite for families across the country. But before you pack up and head out to get away from it all, it’s important to be sure that your home is well protected from potential break-ins.

An empty house can be a tempting target for burglars, so we’ve put together a quick and concise checklist of the top five security tips that can help you keep your property safe in your absence. Read more →

Home Security Needs Change as Your Life Changes

/3 Comments/by American Alarm Blogging Team

If you’ve had a recent life-changing event like getting married, having a new baby, buying a new home, or maybe starting a home-based business, your life and your priorities have changed – and so have your home security needs.

When it comes to security and electronically protecting your family from harm, crime is not the only thing you need to worry about.  Fire and even carbon monoxide poisoning are also concerns. If you have aging parents who may have moved into your home, they too, have special security needs. You need to think of home security as a continuum, and work with an alarm monitoring company that understands that your needs change as your life changes.

Many homeowners wait to think about buying an alarm system after they’ve been the victim of crime. Wouldn’t it be better to have that piece of mind before an incident occurs? That’s why security professionals agree that home security should be a proactive and not a reactive process.

Here are four very good reasons to consider installing a home security system, no matter what stage of life you’re in: Read more →

Home Security Bulletin: Break-Ins on the Rise In New England

/1 Comment/by American Alarm Blogging Team

home security alert New England Break Ins on the Rise According to crime statistics and law enforcement officials burglaries and break-ins are on the rise throughout New England. Thieves are targeting gold, platinum, silver and anything they can grab quickly and pawn easily for fast cash.

Read more →

Is a Dialer Delay in your Home Security System Putting You at Risk?

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

There is a weakness in many “all-in-one” (fire/burglar) home alarm systems. Some major distributors and alarm monitoring companies have built in dialer delays that prevent signals from being sent to the central station for up to four minutes after the alarm is tripped in the home. Four minutes may not sound like a lot of time, but in four minutes you can drive four miles, you can listen to a song, heat up your lunch, or dance the Four Minute Waltz. Read more →

Five Tips to Protect Your Home Security In The Social Media Age

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Social network sites are great because they make it easy for you stay in touch with family and friends. The problem is too many people don’t realize that they could be exposing themselves to any number of security risks. In this video, American Alarm Blogging Team’s Sunny Gault will give you some tips to ensure that your social networking activity doesn’t compromise the safety of your family or your home.

Does your social networking activity compromise your home security? Read more →

American Alarm Acquires Two Rhode Island Security Companies

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

home_business_security_coverage_areasAmerican Alarm & Communications today announced it has completed the acquisition of Electronic Alarm Systems (EAS) and Phoenix Fire Alarm & Communications, firms that provide life-safety and security services to homes and businesses across Rhode Island.

The Warwick based companies will continue to operate from their current location and pursue new opportunities to grow their residential and commercial life-safety and security services.

“We are looking forward to serving the customers of Electronic Alarm Systems and Phoenix Fire Alarm and Communications,” said Wells Sampson, President of American Alarm. “These companies have a long history of serving Rhode Island customers. We look forward to carrying on their tradition of passion for excellent, caring service. American Alarm’s strengths will help these companies grow.” Read more →

Home Security Systems Make a Difference As Crime Rates Rise

/1 Comment/by American Alarm Blogging Team

crimes rates home security systemSevere rains, flooding, tornadoes, high winds, heavy wet snow—New England has had its share of extreme weather lately—extreme weather that damaged or destroyed thousands of homes.

But as the economy continues to struggle, keep in mind that a growing source of home damage and loss is burglary. Yes, more American homes are being burglarized, the Associated Press reports – all in pursuit of gold, whose price peaked this summer at around $1,900 an ounce. Although this type of crime is non-confrontational (because typically no one is home) most burglars remove valuables and damage your home. Read more →