Motion Detection in San Diego Homes Alarm Systems
By · CommentsA motion detector(s) can provide your alarm system with a great secondary way to catch intruders. Most San Diego homes with alarm systems also come equipped with an infrared motion detector. If an intruder enters into your home without opening the door or window with an alarm contact, a motion detector will sense the movement of the intruder and trigger an alarm. The best place to install a motion sensor is in a central place in your home. The first floor stairway on a 2-story home is a great place for a motion sensor because most burglars go toward the bedrooms upstairs in search of small valuables. If your home in San Diego is only one story, as many are, then consider having the motion detector installed in a hallway near the bedrooms. Hallways have many entrances and usually do not have furniture, helping to eliminate false alarms from pets.
You may think that a motion detector in the rear of the home is best because most intruders break in from a hidden area of the home. While this may be true, motion detectors are best installed in high traffic areas to cover the most area. If an intruder breaks in from the rear of the home, he/she will most likely move throughout the home. If a motion sensor is installed in the rear of a home and not covering a central place like the stairs, and the intruder does not enter from the back, you may miss them all together. Remember, motion detectors are a SECONDARY defense. Doors/windows and even a security sign and window decals are your first line of defense. If you have questions about where your motion detectors are located on your security alarm system, contact us today.
Changing Phone Service? Call Your Alarm Company First!
By · CommentsIn San Diego County, many residents are switching to VOIP phone service. As tempting as it may be to switch to internet provided phone service, if your home security system is connected to the phone line, you may loose connection with the monitoring center. Your home security alarm system can only communicate over POTS lines, or traditional phone lines. Some services in San Diego like Cox or Time Warner digital phone service are compatible with alarm systems. Always call your security company first before making the switch to VOIP services like Vonage and Magic Jack. Many alarm systems will not show phone line trouble until an alarm is triggered. Many times the old phone lines still have voltage over the line leading the alarm to think it is still connected to an active phone line. Once the alarm is triggered and the panel dials the “dead” phone line, the alarm will show a trouble to let you know there is no communication with the monitoring center. In the event of a real emergency this can be devastating!
There are options for your security system communication if you would prefer to have internet phone service. A GSM cell unit uses cellular towers rather than a traditional phone line to communicate with the monitoring center. There is an additional fee for this service because you are using cell towers to communicate with the alarm center. However, many times the savings you have with your phone company will make it worth the switch to cellular communication with your alarm company. Are you a San Diego County resident with questions related to phone service and alarm communication? We will be happy to answer your questions. We can even test a phone line with an alarm system before installation of the security system to make sure the communication will work.
Important Information About Wireless Motion Detectors
By · CommentsDoes your security system have wireless motion detectors? Most hardwired motion detectors have a red light that illuminates when you walk in the area that is covered by the motion detector. On wireless motion detectors, the light is disabled after installation to conserve battery power. Most wireless motion sensors only illuminate during the first few minutes of power up in order for the installer to test the coverage area. Wireless motion detectors also have a sleep mode to conserve battery power. The sleep mode means that the motion sensor will only detect you once in a 3-4 minute period, and if you continue to trip the motion, no movement will be detected. Once you leave the room for 3-4 minutes, the motion detector resets and will trigger again when you walk through the room.
You may wonder whether your wireless motion detectors are working. To test the motion detector arm the system on AWAY (with motion detectors activated) and make sure no one is moving in the room for 3-4 minutes. Then walk past the motion detector and the sensor should trigger an alarm when you take a few steps in the room. You can also tamper the motion by lifting it off its base and back again to re-set the walk test feature. Then walk in the room and watch for the red light to indicate where the motion sensor would pick up an intruder. Every wireless motion detector is different so consult your alarm service company before tampering with any security device. Also note that most wireless motion detectors are pet friendly and are defaulted to be less sensitive (but still effective) than hardwired motions. On the majority of motion detectors, the sensitivity can be adjusted to suit the environment.
DVR (CCTV) Price Increases
By · CommentsIf you are in the market for a camera system or other electronic device with a hard drive, you may have noticed that the price has recently increased. One of the main components to a CCTV (closed circuit television) or camera system is the DVR. The DVR records the activity from the cameras onto a hard drive for later viewing. Most hard drives are produced in Thailand, which has recently been hit by intense monsoon floods. As a result of the flooding, a shortage of hard drives has increased the cost of the DVRs. The shortage is expected to last at least into the first few months of 2012.
What does this mean for you? If you are shopping for a camera system, the estimate an alarm company provides you may change depending on the current price of the DVR. As an alternative, you may consider an IP camera solution over Honeywell’s Total Connect network or over Alarm.com’s network. For either option you will need a high-speed Internet connection and an alarm panel with a compatible GSM cellular unit. (I recommend Honeywell’s Lynx Touch or 2-gig’s Go Control). Adding an IP camera will allow you to see the activity from any Internet enabled device. The cameras will record motion activated video clips and back-up the clips on a remote server for viewing. If you need to access one of the video clips, you can download and save the file onto your desktop. One great reason to go this route is that your video footage is recorded safely off site.
Holiday Season Safety Tips
By · CommentsWith the holiday season upon us thieves know that you are buying new merchandise and leaving it in your home or your car as you shop. Don’t leave valuables within plain sight. Close your window shades at home and put away small electronic devices. When you are out shopping, keep your purchases hidden in the trunk or covered with a blanket. Never leave your purse or wallet on the dashboard or visible. Put away your GPS once you park. Every holiday season we see home invasions. Last year there was a family who went out to do some additional last minute shopping. All of their presents were under the tree ready for Christmas. They returned 2 hours later to find their home ransacked and all of their presents stolen! Don’t forget to arm your alarm system and check to see that all doors and windows are properly locked and secure.
Lock your windows, don’t become a statistic! 12/3/11
By · CommentsRecently we have noticed a surge in break-ins resulting from unlocked but closed windows. Burglars will walk around your house when you are out and attempt to push open an unlocked but closed window. Solution? Buy window locks and check to make sure every window and door is securely locked before going out. Many newer vinyl windows have 2 locks for added security. If you have older aluminum style windows with only one middle lock, invest $4 at The Home Depot and get the Defender aluminum locks:
Also consider using a 2 X 4, pvc plastic pipe, or other piece of wood that you can lay in the track of your sliding glass door or accessible window to prevent thieves from prying their way in.
Alarm Permits
By · CommentsAlarm permit fees are regulated by the city in which your alarm system is located. Each city in San Diego county has rules and regulations regarding owning a monitored alarm system. Some cities require you to register your alarm system with the local police department so that they are prepared to respond to an emergency signal when needed. Police respond to various false alarms per year countywide costing tax payers a significant sum of money. In order to help pay for false alarm costs, many cities in San Diego County enacted alarm permit fees. In the city of San Diego, for instance, a residential alarm permit fee is $100.25 per 2 years. Each alarm system is allowed a maximum of 3 false alarms per year and then a homeowner may incur additional false alarm charges if their system is not fixed. Note that not all cities require an alarm permit. Some cities have no alarm permit fees but require an alarm owner to fill out a form to register their system. Failure to register your alarm system with the local city police department could result in fines if police are dispatched to come to your home. Also keep in mind that alarm systems that are not monitored do not require an alarm permit. To learn more about alarm permit fees in the city in which your alarm system is located, contact your local police department and/or follow the link below:
http://www.alarmpermit.com/san-diego-county-california-alarm-permits/
Home security at a glance
By · CommentsHave you had a recent addition to your family? Did you recently purchase a new home or open a new business? These important events in our life can change how we view the world and what becomes important to each of us. With new responsibility it is natural to have anxiety over the safety of our personal belongings and family. There are many ways to keep our home or business safe. Owning a monitored alarm system is one way to know that when we are not present, someone is watching over what is important to us. When armed, a monitored alarm system notifies the authorities of a break-in in our absence. We will also be notified by a phone call from the monitoring center or even an email instantly!
Alarm smart phone apps
By · CommentsAlarm technology has recently made it easier for those who seek protection and control over what is important. Now, even on the go you can arm your alarm system through your smart phone. Have you ever left your home and wondered if the alarm was set? No problem! Just access the security app on your smart phone, enter your 4-digit security code and check the status of your alarm system. Now you can arm/disarm the system and even see recent event activity all from the palm of your hand! Want instant notifications of events that occur in your home? You can receive email notifications along with a call from the monitoring center when your system is in alarm. Your alarm system no longer needs a phone line to communicate with the alarm center. New wireless technology utilizes GSM communication over cell towers for extra protection. Other features available with this new technology include: Climate Control, Lighting Control, Electronic Door Locks, and much more.
Want to learn more about the alarm apps we use? Check out the links below, then give us a call 1-866-745-4586:
www.alarm.com
www.mytotalconnect.com
Welcome to the Dempsey Alarms blog. Here we share important security tips and information about how you can keep what is important to you safe.