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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Snowstorm damage to power lines in a residential neighborhood, possibly resulting in a power outage

Winter Home Preparation, Part 2: Long-Term Power Outages

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

In the winter of 2020, winter storms left over 90,000 people without power, some for several days. A prolonged power outage may cause disruptions in communication systems, water, and transportation. These service interruptions could impact your cooking facilities, essential medical devices, and the security and environmental systems within your home. 

Whether you’re at home during a power outage or away on vacation, these simple steps will keep you safe and give you peace of mind in the event of a long-term power outage.

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Ice dams in gutter, suggesting the importance of winter home preparation

Winter Home Preparation, Part 1: Low Temperatures

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Almost 20% of homeowners experience some form of damage to their homes each year due to winter weather. The more prepared the home is for low temperatures and harsh weather, the less likely it is that the home will experience damage. Your physical health is better protected when your home is winterized. Therefore, it is essential for you to consider ways you can fortify your home against the extreme cold as part of your winter home preparation. Let’s take a look at a few key ways to do this.

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Packages left on front porch, a reminder of holiday shopping security topics

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Holiday Shopping Security Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Packages left on front porch, a reminder of holiday security topicsBlack Friday and Cyber Monday both bring opportunities for great deals—and the potential for theft. As more shoppers switch from in-person to online shopping, the opportunities for package theft and fraud increase. In addition, more shopping activity means more possibility of credit card fraud or identity theft. To stay protected from theft of all kinds, follow these tips for holiday shopping security.

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A home security technician at work, someone with a career in the security industry

Four Reasons New Englanders Should Consider a Career in the Home or Business Security Industry

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Security—cyber or otherwise—remains a top concern for New Englanders in 2021. Feelings of safety and security for residents has dropped 2% in the last two years, down to 40%. For most residents, this concern is in relation to fraud, package theft and property crimes. Businesses, on the other hand, continue to worry about employee theft and various cybersecurity threats.

With such a focus on security by both homeowners and business owners, it is easy to see how the home and business security industry offers consistent, reliable work. For those looking into a career in business and residential security, consider the following four benefits.

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A front door to a house with Halloween decorations, a reminder of Halloween home security

Three Halloween Home Security Risks for 2021

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A front door to a house with Halloween decorations, a reminder of Halloween home securityHalloween, the holiday of candy, costumes, and…crime? Halloween home security should be an autumn priority.

Unfortunately Halloween sits well above the national daily average in terms of residential insurance claims for both property damage (17% higher) and theft (60% higher). Add to that an increase in violent crime of 50% on Halloween night, and it’s safe to say that this holiday truly earns its spooky reputation. 

While there may be risks associated with this fun-but-frightening holiday, there are also ways to stay safe. You just have to know what to prepare for. Keep the following Halloween home security risks in mind to ensure that the only thing you need to be scared of this October 31st is the latest creature feature on TV.

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Professional technician installing home security camera, related to the topic of professional vs DIY security camera installation

Professional vs DIY Security Cameras

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Professional technician installing home security camera, related to the topic of professional vs DIY security camera installationIt’s been shown that the presence of a security camera or alarm system on your property will deter up to 60% of burglars. If you want to install a security system, you have the option of going the DIY home security route or hiring a professional security company to install your system for you. 

There are upsides and downsides to each strategy—the important thing is to choose the option that best aligns with your safety goals. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of each option.

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