Person using home security system

How to Know if Your Home Security System Needs to Be Upgraded or Checked

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Between your changing needs and the evolution of technology, you should regularly audit and upgrade your home security system. Advances in home security technology improve efficiency and functionality by increasing your system’s resilience (so it never goes down), making it easier for you to monitor your home from afar, and offering real-time alerts if anything goes wrong. If you’re unsure whether your system is well-optimized, here are a few signs your home security system needs to be checked and upgraded.

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Man Installing Smoke Or Carbon Monoxide Detector

Everything You Need to Know About Carbon Monoxide Detectors

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Man Installing Smoke Or Carbon Monoxide DetectorCarbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal if inhaled in high concentrations. It is produced by burning fuel, and can come from common items like furnaces, barbecues, gas ranges, vehicle engines, and burning wood. Carbon monoxide will not affect you with proper ventilation, but when the gas is produced inside an enclosed space, it is hazardous, and can even be lethal.

According to CDC data, over 400 people in the United States die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning each year, and thousands of individuals seek medical treatment for CO poisoning. Fortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable.

Keep yourself and your family safe from CO poisoning by ensuring you have a functional carbon monoxide detector in your home.

Carbon monoxide detectors work just like a smoke detector by sounding an alarm if they sense the presence of carbon monoxide.

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Delivered packages at a door, part of a blog post on package theft

How to Prevent Package Theft

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A report by Safewise revealed that 64.1% of Americans fell victim to package theft in 2021, resulting in over $2 billion in stolen goods. This act, often referred to as porch piracy, is most common in metropolitan areas, but happens throughout the entire country. Packages are lifted most around the winter holidays and during the summer when people are on vacation. 

Even though the average value of stolen merchandise was only $50, tracking, reporting, and coordinating refunds for stolen packages is an administrative burden you could do without. Here are some simple tips for preventing package theft.

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Home Safety Tips for Active Seniors

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

If you’re one of 76% of older adults who wish to live independently as you age, you may face pushback from your loved ones, especially if your daily activities include objectively dangerous tasks. You may feel perfectly comfortable getting up on a ladder, operating power tools, or working long hours in your garden, but it’s natural for your family to worry. After all, if you live alone, who will come to your assistance in the event of an accident?

Ease their worries and keep yourself safe by keeping these simple home safety tips in mind as you go about your day.

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Most Common Causes of Property Damage & How to Prevent Them

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the primary losses on homeowners insurance in 2019 were due to environmental damage from wind and rain, water damage and freezing, and fire and lightning. You may not be able to control the environment, but you can take steps to prepare your home ahead of extreme weather conditions. Here’s a closer look at the most common causes of property damage and some tips for protecting your house against them.

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Door Knocking Scams: How to Spot and Avoid

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Door-to-door sales, charity, and survey solicitations are surprisingly common, even in the digital age. While most individuals who come to your home requesting donations or selling services are genuine, there are scam artists who take advantage of this practice to solicit personal information and money from homeowners. Here’s what to know about door-knock scams and how you can protect yourself from unwanted or fraudulent solicitors. Read more →

An image of a house during spring, part of a post on home security travel tips for spring break

How to Secure Your Home for Spring Break Travel

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Spring break is a fantastic opportunity to relax and decompress after a busy winter, but it might be tough to unwind if you’re worried about the safety of your home. Research shows that burglars are three times less likely to break into a house with a security system in place. If you don’t already have a home surveillance system, install one before you leave.

Beyond surveillance, making your home appear lived-in is the best way to deter burglars when you’re out of town. Here are some simple home security travel tips for securing your home during spring break.

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An image of a dog playing in a yard, theme of safety for pets outside

Four Tips for Securing Your Pets Outside

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An image of a dog playing in a yard, theme of safety for pets outsideAs the weather gets warmer your pets may begin to spend more time outside than they did over the winter. Don’t take their security for granted. Before you turn your furry friends loose outside, make sure that your yard is fit to contain them. 

If you have family members and service professionals coming and going from your home during the day, think about how you can ensure your pets don’t get forgotten in the commotion. Here are some simple tips for keeping your pets outside and secure in your yard.

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Senior woman sitting on stair lift at home, part of an age-in-place setup

Five Impactful Age-in-Place Modifications You Can Make to Your Elderly Relative’s Home

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A 2018 AARP survey found that 76% of adults over 50 would prefer to remain in their homes as they age—to “age in place.” An additional survey in 2020 revealed that 79% of respondents anticipate needing to make modifications to their homes to make aging in place possible.

Between the familiarity and sentimental value of their long-term home and the connections they’ve established within their community, it’s easy to understand why your elderly family members would be inclined to stay put. For those caring for them, the prospect of a loved one living alone as they age could be alarming.

While 50 is far from elderly, it’s always wise to plan ahead. Here are five age-in-place modifications that will help your loved one stay safe and comfortable in their home as they grow older.

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An image of a house with various icons suggesting the concept of a smart home, including a home security system.

Three Benefits of a Professional Home Security System

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A home security system goes far beyond a camera or alarm. While these devices are each beneficial in their own right, effective security solutions are not one-size-fits-all. A professional security company will work with you to develop a system designed to address your needs and priorities. Here are some of the advantages of working with a security company.

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