Does Your Alarm System Have a Monitored Smoke Detector?
By · CommentsSummer is just around the corner and here in San Diego that means hot days with little rain. The dry weather means an increased risk of fire throughout the county. Having functional smoke detectors can save your family and home. New homes are required to have smoke detectors to warn your family in the event of a fire. So what is a monitored smoke detector and why is it different from the smoke detectors you can buy at your hardware store?
Your standard smoke detector will make noise to alert your family in the event of a fire. This can work great if you are sleeping and a fire starts at night. The smoke detectors are designed to wake you so you can call the fire department. However, what if you are a deep sleeper or are not home? By the time your neighbors see smoke coming out of your home it is usually too late. A monitored smoke detector properly connected to a monitored home security system will call our alarm center in the event of a fire. The monitoring company will then call you to alert you of the situation and dispatch the fire department. Even if you are on vacation or at work your home is being watched 24/7.
There are two main types of smoke detectors we install on our alarm systems. Hardwired smoke detectors are wired back to the alarm panel and are available if your home is prewired or utilizing wired alarm technology. Wireless smoke detectors contain a computer sensor that communicates back to our alarm control keypad and are battery powered. Both smoke detectors are supervised, meaning that the alarm panel will notify you with a trouble signal if the communication between the smoke and the alarm system is disrupted. The battery powered wireless smoke detectors have an average battery life of about 3-5 years and the system will notify you when the batteries need to be changed.
Did you know that your homeowner’s insurance company may offer an additional discount if you have monitored smoke detectors on your alarm system? Some companies are even requiring the alarm system to have monitored smoke detectors in order to receive an insurance discount. Check with your insurance company to see what types of discounts are available to homes with a monitored security system with fire protection. If you still have questions, please feel free to schedule a free consultation to learn about how Dempsey Alarms can protect your home from burglary, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Adding a Video Camera to Your Alarm System
By · CommentsDo you own an alarm system and are in the San Diego County area? You are probably familiar with how to arm and disarm the system and some of the basic features. Have you ever left your home and wondered if the alarm was set? If your system is monitored, have you had an alarm triggered and wanted to see immediately what happened? The future of alarms and alarm systems is smart phone and internet control. New alarm systems can now allow you to see the current status of your system right on your phone. You can see if the system is armed or disarmed and even see into your home or the perimeter when you add a video camera to the system.
What if you have an older alarm system that is not compatible with smart phone access? No problem, we can come out and do an inspection on your current system and let you know how to upgrade it to allow for full internet control. If you have a hardwired system, all of the wired doors, windows, motion detectors, glass breakage detectors and even smoke detectors can be converted over to the new system. In most cases we can simply replace the keypad and panel (brain of the alarm) with a newer, internet ready control panel. If you have a wireless system, many times we can convert the existing wireless equipment to the newer system.
The platforms that we recommend to work with are Honeywell’s Total Connect and Alarm.com You can find more information about both services by following the following links:
www.mytotalconnect.com
www.alarm.com
Depending on the alarm system you have, we will recommend and set up your system with one of the above internet platforms. We can also offer a “start from scratch” system if you don’t have an alarm system currently in your home.
Now that you have an internet ready alarm system, how do we add a video camera? You will need to have Wifi (wireless internet connection) service in your home or business. The video cameras connect to your wireless internet at your home and to your alarm system. You will either need a WPS encrypted router or we can install one for you from Honeywell. Now simply log into the app on your phone and you can see your video cameras from anywhere in the world!
Many alarm systems installed in San Diego County are Honeywell or Ademco alarm panels. The master code allows you to arm/disarm the system and add/change additional codes. There are two ways to change your master code on your Honeywell/Ademco security system. You will need to know either the installer code or the system master code. (Default installer code 4112 and master code is 1234).
With the installer code:
Enter Installer code + 8 0 2 + New master code
With the Master code:
Enter Current master code + 8 0 2 + New maser code 2 X (two times)
If you do not know the Installer code you can re-set it by doing the following:
1. Power down the alarm system (un plug the alarm and disconnect the back-up battery)
2. Power up the alarm system
3. Press * and # together on the keypad within the first minute of power up
4. Press * 2 0 then the new installer code
5. Press * 9 9
If you have any additional questions or need help resetting your alarm master code, please call us to have a professional do it for you. Some Ademco/Honeywell panels (older versions) work slightly different so always consult your installer manual before attempting to re-set the code yourself.
Alarm Monitoring and How it Works
By · CommentsWhat is alarm monitoring and how does it work? If you have your home security system in San Diego County installed by us, we can activate the system to call for help if you need police, fire and medical assistance. Your alarm system can connect to the monitoring center either through your phone line, or over the cell towers with a GSM cell unit. When your security system is connected to the alarm monitoring center, if an alarm is activated, the system connects immediately and notifies the alarm center of the emergency. Each area in your home is programmed into the alarm system. For instance, if an intruder enters through a window in the family room, the alarm center will know that the family room window was breached. Your security system notifies the alarm center who in turn will call you to verify the emergency. If you have a false alarm and answer with your secret password (set up during the installation), you can cancel the emergency and prevent the police from being dispatched. If you have an actual break-in, the intruder will not know the correct password when the alarm center calls your home and the police will be immediately dispatched.
The alarm monitoring center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to keep watch over your home or business. As long as you remember to arm your alarm system, any alarm activity will report directly to the monitoring center. Most insurance companies will give you a discount of %15-%20 off your home owners or business insurance for having a monitored alarm system.
What happens if your system is not monitored? The alarm in your home will sound if an intruder enters, but no one will be dispatched to come to your aid. Having your alarm monitored keeps your home and family safe wether you are at home sleeping, at work or on vacation. So, how does the alarm monitoring center know who to call in the event of an emergency? The monitoring center has all of the local San Diego County and surrounding cities dispatch numbers. They speak directly with an operator to dispatch faster than if you were to call 911 directly. They will let the operator know the type of emergency and can even listen in through a special keypad with Two-way voice (if set up) to help verify the emergency. Every alarm keypad we install also has direct access to police, fire and medical protection through buttons connected to the system.
You don’t have to have a phone line to have alarm monitoring. In fact, many of the newer systems today are designed to communicate over the cellular network to prevent a thief from tampering with your phone lines. You can even receive email or text notifications in the event of an emergency. Still have questions? Schedule a free security consultation today with one of our security specialists.
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.