7 Home Security System Tips to Minimize False Alarms

/1 Comment/by American Alarm Blogging Team

False Alarm Home SecurityEverybody is familiar with the boy who cried wolf, and what happens when someone raises a false alarm. However, in the real world of business and home security systems, false alarms aren’t child’s play. In fact, according to law enforcement officials, false alarms can significantly strain police resources, costing millions, if not, billions of dollars nationwide.

In addition to the strain placed on local law enforcement, false alarms have also been identified as the chief consumer complaint by insurance companies, and home security professionals.  According to the Department of Justice, one of the most common causes of false alarms is human error, which means steps can be taken to prevent or reduce them. Read more →

5 Holiday Traveler Tips for Home Security

/2 Comments/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Home Security During the HolidaysNow that the holidays are here, we should be thinking about spending time with family and friends not to mention getting our hands on all that delicious gourmet chocolate. The last thing we should be worried about is home security.

Unfortunately, not everyone feels the true spirit of giving during the holiday season. All across New England, people are traveling to visit family members either out of state or just a few towns over. That leaves many homes vulnerable to thieves as winter’s chill begins to descend on the region. In fact, the FBI reports that more than 400,000 burglaries occur across the country every November and December. So it’s more important than ever for homeowners and renters to stay security conscious and take the necessary steps to protect themselves before packing up and heading out for an extended trip. Read more →

Safety And Security Systems For Aging Parents, Not As Challenging As You may Think

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

aging-parents-home-securityThis year we’ve seen the first wave of what has been dubbed the “Silver Tsunami” as the first of 78 million “Baby Boomers” reached retirement age. The number of people over 65 in America will more than double over the next few decades, making up 20% of the total US population by 2050. According to the NPR News Series Aging at Home, a vast majority of those seniors will chose to remain in their own homes when they retire.

Current life expectancy in the US is 77.9 years. With people living longer on average, aging at home can present several challenges that can be worrisome to children whose elderly parents opt out of long-term care facilities. Are they taking all their medications properly? Are they safe and secure from accidents and crime? What if they need help in an emergency? A wealth of home security products has been developed that is answering those questions, allowing seniors to age at home, and bringing peace of mind to their families. Laurie Orlov, founder of Florida-based Aging in Place Technology Watch has said that, “Livability can be extended through the incorporation of telecare and other assistive technologies that are geared toward keeping seniors safe and easing the burden on their caregivers.” 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 →

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is a Serious Risk—Is Your Family Protected?

/1 Comment/by American Alarm Blogging Team

carbon monoxide poisoningAutumn in New England comes with many pleasant sights but this year it brings a snowy Nor’easter that knocked out power to more than 3 million homes and businesses across the Northeast on Saturday.  When the cold arrives each year and especially during power outages, there also comes a hidden danger. Often called the silent killer, as described in our recent news alert, carbon monoxide, or “CO” is a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal in high concentrations. CO is produced by the burning of oil, natural gas, propane, wood, coal, kerosene and wood pellets—so as we enter the home heating season, it’s something we all need to be aware of. Read more →

Consumerization of IT in the Security Industry Poses Unique Challenges, Offers Opportunities

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

mobile-remote-access-home-security-cameraMobile phones are not only changing how people interact with each other, they are also altering the way businesses and individuals process the world around them. The security industry has not been immune to the wave of mobile applications that has swept over a number of different sectors of the economy. That’s because a growing number of home and business owners choose to use their smartphones and other devices to stay in touch with their personal and business security systems.

The integration of mobile communications devices into commercial and enterprise-level security systems is part of a trend that has been labeled “the consumerization of IT.” In broad terms, this refers to the tendency of previously complex information systems to become simpler and more user-friendly. Read more →

Welcome to New England’s Home and Business Security Blog

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Welcome to Our Home Security BlogWe’ve created this blog to be a resource for you to learn more about how to protect your home, your family and your business from a range of hazards. We’ll draw on our expertise to bring you important security information, news, trends, and to explore some of the challenges involved in managing security in our evolving, networked world. Read more →