The Benefits of Alarm System Monitoring

Houston homeowners are buying home security systems in record numbers, but many of them aren’t taking the next logical step to best protect their families and their property: a home security system with alarm system monitoring. If you’re not sold on spending the monthly fee to have your home alarm system monitored by professionals, consider these benefits of home alarm monitoring.

Houston Alarm Monitoring Companies Send Help

What’s the difference between a standard home security system and a monitored home alarm system? Added security and peace of mind. A burglar alarm does one thing, and one thing only. It makes a loud noise and alerts others when it detects movement or a broken window. Even newer home burglar alarms that alert you via cell phone rely on you being reachable and taking the next step to contact authorities and send help. When you opt for a home security system with alarm system monitoring, your home alarm system will be monitored 24/7 by trained professionals. When the burglar is triggered, the system immediately alerts the home security company. Houston police, fire or ambulance services can be dispatched to your home within seconds.

Benefits of Home Alarm Monitoring

In addition to notifying the alarm monitoring company if there is a breach of your security, today’s home security systems can do much more. Thanks to new technology, your home alarm system can tell the alarm company exactly what kind of emergency you have. A top of the line Honeywell security system, for example, can detect fire or smoke, carbon monoxide leaks or gas leaks and send an alert to the monitoring company. If you have older or disabled family members, you can include monitoring for medical alerts with a personal alarm. You can outfit your home with a panic button that can be triggered from inside the home even if the alarm system is turned off. Based on the alerts sent, the alarm monitoring company can check in with you or immediately send help. That provides you with peace of mind about your family’s safety, whether or not you’re at home with them.

In addition to the security and peace of mind, home security systems with home alarm monitoring can qualify you for major discounts on your home insurance premiums. If your security system and home alarm monitoring meets certain standards, Texas law provides for up to 20 percent discounts on your home insurance premium.

Don’t leave your family only half-protected. Choose a home security system with home alarm monitoring to give them the protection you want them to have.

Cool Things Home Security Systems Can Do Today

Home security systems today are so much more than burglar alarms. Houston home security companies offer comprehensive security systems and alarm monitoring packages that can do all kinds of neat things you never even considered needing – but won’t know how you lived without once you have them. Here’s just a sampling of add-on features available with a top-of-the-line Honeywell security system from a Houston home security company.

Panic Button

A panic button is installed inside your home in a strategic location or in a safe room within your house. It allows you to send an emergency “send help NOW” message to your home alarm monitoring company. A panic button is an extra measure of security on top of standard perimeter alarms and entry alarms. It’s operable even if your home security system has been disabled or turned off by intruders.

Keyless Check-In System

You can pair your home security system with a keyless entry system that alerts you whenever someone tries to enter your home. Busy parents can set a different key code for each family member so that they’re alerted as each family member arrives or leaves the home. You’ll never have to sit and wait for that phone call from your teen letting you know that he got home safely from school while you’re at work. You’ll know when he gets home because your keyless home entry system will tell you.

Let the Plumber In – Just Once

Need to let the plumber in but can’t be there to open the door? Have friends arriving from the airport while you’re at work? You can set up a one-time or time-limited key code on a keyless home entry system so they can let themselves in, and disable it after it’s been used. You can even control the home security system remotely via your Smartphone. Worried because mom didn’t answer the phone when you called home? Set a key code and ask a neighbor to check on her without granting them permanent access to your home or worrying that someone else will find the key you hid in the flowerpot.

Home Alarm Monitoring

Houston home security companies can set up home alarm monitoring to cover your home 24/7 so you know that help is always available if you need it. Your family will be protected by a monitoring company with trained alarm monitors who provide protection without invading your privacy.

Learn more about the many capabilities of today’s home security systems by calling a Houston home security company today. Don’t put off protection until it’s too late.

Home Security 101 – The Basics You Should Know

When it comes to home security, Houston area residents have access to some of the most advanced technology available. From remote access via smart phones to fingerprint access pads, Houston home security companies offer all the latest security systems and technology available anywhere. Today’s security systems are not only more advanced and effective than ever, they’re also more affordable than they’ve ever been. Of course, not everyone needs high-tech security systems for their homes. Choosing the right alarm system for your needs is easier if you know the basics about home security systems. Here’s what you need to know.

Available Options in Home Security

Houston homeowners generally opt for more advanced systems than basic door and window alarms. In fact, they include far more than just alarms. Many of the latest home security systems include wireless security cameras for visual monitoring and driveway alarms to alert the family when someone approaches the property. Motion-sensor activated lights can flood the dark corners of your backyard and discourage prowlers and would-be burglars who prefer to operate under the cover of darkness.

Alarm System Monitoring

Typical burglar alarms rely on someone hearing the alarm to alert the police or authorities. In today’s working world, neighbors and friends are likely to be away at work most of the day. Active alarm system monitoring provides what nearby neighbors used to do – a human being keeping an eye out for trouble on your property. Remote alarm system monitoring gives you the comfort of knowing that in an emergency, your alarm system will immediately notify your security company, and within seconds, emergency services will be on their way to your home.

Making Your Home Less Attractive to Burglars

In addition to burglar alarms and alarm system monitoring, many Houston home security companies offer advice on making your property less attractive to would-be burglars. Research shows that burglars prefer homes that are easy targets – properties that offer hiding places, dark corners and no alarms to alert authorities or homeowners to their presence. A few well-placed security lights can combine with landscaping that allows a clear view of all entrances to the home to make your home an unattractive target for burglars and prowlers.

The latest technologies can make your home safer than ever. Home security systems keep evolving – and as they grow more and more technologically advanced, the prices come down. Today, a technologically advanced home security system and alarm system monitoring are within the reach of most homeowners.

Home Security Systems To Keep You Safer in the New Year

In Houston, home security is a major concern among homeowners. According to the Houston Police Department statistics, there were nearly 2,500 incidents of burglary in the city of Houston in November, 2011. That figure doesn’t include auto thefts, vandalism and other property crimes. Every year, those numbers get bigger and bigger. As a new year begins, why not resolve to do something to protect your property and keep your family safe? From burglar alarms to full home security systems to alarm monitoring, Houston home security firms can outfit your home with the best burglar alarms and alarm monitoring equipment available.

More Than a Burglar Alarm

Today’s home security systems are far more than burglar alarms. A burglar alarm is designed to make a lot of noise when someone attempts to break into your home. The cacophony will often be enough to scare burglars off, but many professionals have learned that they have time to grab valuables before anyone gets around to calling the police. In short, a plain burglar alarm is only as good as the neighbors who will call in an alarm to the police.

A full home security system with alarm system monitoring, on the other hand, provides much more than a lot of bells and whistles when someone tries to break into your home. Even the most basic systems can be programmed to alert you or dial specific telephone numbers and send out an alert about a disturbance. When you add in full alarm system monitoring, your safety takes on a personal touch. Alarm monitoring companies hire people to monitor a system board, similar to a switchboard. If someone attempts to break into your home or something sets off the alarm, the security system sends out a notification to the alarm system monitoring company. An alarm support tech will attempt to reach you and make sure everything is all right. If you don’t respond, the alarm company will alert the authorities and send help.

More advanced home security systems offer even more capabilities. Many security systems work together with door locks to provide both security and access. The newest Honeywell security systems, for example, allow you to set different alarm access codes for each person in your family as well as temporary access codes to allow others into your home even if you’re not there. Many of them can be controlled via an app on a smart phone, your tablet computer or PC.

If your home needs a security system or you want to learn more about the latest capabilities of home security systems for your home, contact a company that specializes in home security systems in Houston.

In Houston, Burglar Alarm Is a Necessity – but Just a StartIs

Living in Houston offers many benefits – a cosmopolitan atmosphere, access to great work opportunities and even greater play opportunities, awesome restaurants, vital nightlife, cultural experiences – really, too many to count. Unfortunately, living in Houston also has a few drawbacks, including a high burglary rate. If you live in Houston, burglar alarm installation is an essential service, but a burglar alarm is only one facet of a good home security system. If you’re planning on installing a home security system for your home or apartment, you should know these things about the strengths and drawbacks of a burglar alarm.

Burglar alarms are useful for two things. Loud noises sometimes scare would-be burglars away because they attract attention – which is the second thing for which burglar alarms are useful. The biggest problem: in Houston, burglar alarms may not be heard by neighbors – or ignored, especially if the neighborhood is used to hearing it go off. Your home security system should certainly have a burglar alarm, but it shouldn’t BE a burglar alarm.

A home security system that’s tied into alarm system monitoring is far more effective than a stand-alone burglar alarm, When it comes to alarm system monitoring, Houston offers a range of companies that can provide alarm system monitoring at a variety of prices. No matter what your budget is, you should be able to find alarm system monitoring for your security system.

“Free home security systems” are often not worth the money you pay for them. They’re most often installed by alarm monitoring companies who trade free installation of a home security system for a contract to provide alarm system monitoring. In most cases, they continue to own the security system and if you’re not satisfied with the service they provide, you’ll find it nearly impossible to extricate yourself from the contract you signed. You may also find that the “state of the art” home security system they installed in your home is incompatible with the alarm monitoring equipment in use by any other company in the city.

Home security systems can’t keep your family safe unless you use them consistently and in conjunction with basic, common-sense security habits. Those include locking the door and alarming the system every time you enter or leave the house, keeping the alarm security codes to yourself and following basic home security precautions regarding lighting and other safety issues.

In Houston, burglar alarm companies are a dime a dozen, but home security companies and alarm system monitoring companies are worth their weight in gold.

Home Security Tips for the Holiday Season

The holiday season should be one of peace and giving, but there are folks out there who view it as an opportunity to profit from burglary. Burglars know that the holidays usually mean stockpiles of expensive gifts and people away for the holidays – even if it’s just for the day. The holiday season calls for ramping up your home security and taking a few extra precautions. These holiday home security tips can help you avoid becoming a burglary victim and have a happier, safer holiday.

Unpack Your Car in the Garage after Christmas Shopping

Thieves often keep their eye out during the holidays for people unloading expensive gifts and carrying them into the house. If your home has an attached garage, pull in and close the door before unloading high-value gifts. There’s no sense in announcing that you’ve got expensive stuff inside.

Have your Home Security System Checked out and Serviced at the Start of the Season

Call a Houston home security company and schedule a checkup for your home alarm system to make sure that everything is in working order.

Avoid Broadcasting Your Travel Plans

Once upon a time, you might have told a neighbor or two that you were traveling to visit family on Christmas Day. In the age of Facebook and Twitter, far too many people announce to the world that their home is unattended and their Christmas gifts are fair game. Warn your kids about announcing their Christmas gifts and travel plans on social media sites.

Take Advantage of Home Security System Features to Keep Your Home Safer

If you’ve hired extra help for the holidays – a handyman to put up lights or a caterer for holiday parties – take advantage of special home security features like one-time key codes. The latest technology in home alarm systems makes it easier for you to allow workers access to your home without compromising your security and safety.

Upgrade Your Home Alarm Monitoring for the Holidays

Many of the newer home security systems, such as those made by Honeywell home security, are easily upgradeable and expandable without adding extra equipment. Just as you can add services to your telephone or cable without additional equipment, you can also add services to many newer home security systems. Talk to your home alarm monitoring company about the possibility of adding services to your standard package for the holiday season to protect your home from holiday burglars.

Don’t let Grinches ruin your holiday. Follow these home security tips to tighten up your safety during the Christmas season.

Home Security Alarm Systems Give Peace of Mind

Since crime rates are on the rise all over the United States, Houston residents are now taking action by protecting their homes with a Home Security system. Lessening the chances of your home from being burglarized can be as easy as having a state of the art security system installed by the professionals at Safeguard Home Security. By having a security system installed can not only be beneficial, it can also bring peace of mind.

Those that have had their home broken into before know the feeling of being violated and not feeling safe in their own home. By having a Security System alarm installed can help to reduce the chances of this happening again. Statistics show that homes without alarms have increased chances of being broken into repeatedly by thieves.

Many of the new alarm systems not only monitor the doors on a home, they also monitor windows too. If a thief is not able to break in through a door on the home, they will often use the windows as an entry point into a home. When the window is tampered with, an alarm will sound and it will also alert the monitoring station that someone is tampering with the windows and alert the proper authorities.

Almost all Home Security alarm systems now have a panic button located on the control panel. The panic button can be used even if the alarm system is not turned on. This give many home owners added security knowing that the panic button can be used to alert the monitoring station if a phone cannot be reached during an emergency.

When a home owner has to be gone for an extended period of time such as a vacation or a work related trip, they usually ask their neighbors or friends to check on their home. With having a Houston Home Security alarm system installed there is no need to have someone check on your home. All of the alarm systems come with 24 hour monitoring. If the alarm is set off, the monitoring station alerts the proper authorities and then contacts the home owner of the incident. This lessens the chances of your home being broken into while away for long periods of time.

These are just some of the benefits to having an alarm monitor installed in your home. With presence of a state of the art security system can help to greatly reduce the chances of your home being broken into. Knowing that your home and family is protected 24 hours a day can help to bring peace of mind in an uncertain world.