During an emergency, every second seems like an eternity. And every one counts. With two-way voice, you can communicate directly with the Monitronics central station without even picking up the phone.
Two-way voice is an audio device that is a part of your alarm system. It has a speaker and microphone so that when an alarm goes off in your home or business, central station can tune in, hear what’s going on, and speak directly with the resident or intruder.
Our five-diamond certified central station responded to calls in an average of 22.1 seconds in 2009. That kind of fast action is crucial when it comes to your well-being.
Two-way voice works when you use a security system that incorporates it as a standard feature. Monitronics has many panels, like the GE Simon XT pictured, where this feature is built-in. Check your owner’s manual with your MyMonitronics account (under “system summary”) to see if your alarm is two-way compatible and how it works.
Other benefits can include:
* Increased sense of security and confidence in alarm system
* Priority response from the police–they know it’s not a false alarm
* Intruders chased from the building
* Reduced false alarms and potential fines for those alarms
* Effective communication for a person not able to get to the phone (like a medical emergency)
* People focused on getting out during a fire, knowing that help is on the way
Generally speaking, a system consists of one speaker and one microphone in the center of the house, which can provide coverage of about 2,500 square feet. If your coverage area needs to be bigger, your authorized Monitronics dealer can add additional speakers and microphones.
If you are interested in learning more about two-way voice and how it can enhance your security, please call 800-447-9239 or visit www.monitronics.com.
One of the best ways to make sure your family or business is always protected is to test your monitored alarm system once a month. It only takes a few minutes to do and ensures that everything is working properly: that the signal is going out and that we are receiving it.
Pick one day of the month and mark it on your calendar or in your PDA. On that day, let us know that you are about to test your system. There are two ways you can do that. The best is to log into your MyMonitronics account here. The other is to call customer care at 800-447-9239. Please have your account number and password handy when you log in or call.
After you’ve notified us, go to your main alarm panel and press the “test” button. It’s in a different place on every panel, but is clearly marked (if you are confused, check your owner’s manual).
On January 28, Carter BloodCare will be on the Monitronics campus for blood donations. All employees donating or attempting to donate will be entered in a drawing to win two tickets to the February 5 Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota game. Donors will receive a mini-physical, including blood pressure and iron level check, and cholesterol results following their donation.
Make your appointment today by calling extension zero. And before you donate, remember:
* Call center employees must get with workforce to schedule a time to donate
Our hearts go out to all of those suffering in Haiti after last week’s earthquake. Because we want to help, Monitronics employees are raising money in several ways for the Dallas chapter of the American Red Cross. The company will match the funds we raise dollar-for-dollar.
On Friday of last week and today, employee volunteers will be selling food items–like sweets, popcorn, and fruit–with proceeds going to the charity. Other ways we’re helping include:
* Raffle for two Mariah Carey concert tickets, Wii, and Dallas Mavericks tickets
* $1 and $5 individual contributions
So far, we have sold $832.25 in food and raised $819 in donations raised $2,382.00 in snack sales and cash donations as of Monday afternoon. Way to go, team!
Remember our two videos last week, meant to get dealers pumped for our training seminar MoniX (they are here and here)? Well, we’ve got another. Here is video #3, starring Janet McGrath, Controller.
Many municipalities in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico require an alarm user to obtain a permit in order to operate a monitored alarm system.That means some paperwork that you need to complete and a possible fee to pay in order for you to legally operate your security system. Without current and up-to-date permits, some law enforcement agencies may not dispatch police, fire, or ambulance to your home or business. That’s a scary proposition.
The way it works is that, if your alarm goes off in a municipality that requires a permit, the alarm monitoring company must give the permit number to dispatch responding authorities. Although not all cities require a permit, it is your responsibility to check with the area authorities and inquire as to the local requirement, to obtain a permit if one is necessary, and to ensure the permit is always kept up-to-date. Contact your local authorities for more information on permits in your city.
About 40 IT employees took part in a Texas tradition today: a chili cook-off. Seven crockpot chefs created chilis that were judged by all those in attendance and the winner was Mike Rowe, Database Administrator. He claims his chili was “nothing special,” but the votes said otherwise. It was made from West Texas grass-fed beef, a secret mix of chili spices, a few fresh jalapenos, a couple cans of extra hot Rotel, and a little extra red pepper. Simmer for ten hours and voilà: He won bragging rights, $20, and a DIY trophy made from a jar of sausages.
Second prize–$5 and a can of Vienna sausages–went to Mike Henderson, Systems Engineer. Third prize, $1 and Vienna sausages, went to Sean Smyth, Director of IT Operations.
We blogged yesterday about better dealers, better business and are rolling out five videos to get our dealers pumped for our training seminar, MoniExperience, or MoniX. Here is video #2, starring Glen Guldbeck, our West Coast Regional Sales Manager.
Check it out: we’ve made five new videos to get our authorized dealers excited about our next MoniExperience, or MoniX for short. This is a two-day training seminar that is known for its insights, excellent speakers, and flat-out fun. This is the first video of the series, starring our own Bruce Mungiguerra, VP of Field Service.
We believe that our dealers are some of the best in the industry in part because of the rigorous training we offer them at MoniExperience. And the better the dealer, the happier the customer, and the higher the level of service. That’s just good business. So enjoy this MoniX video–four more to come!
I live in a gated community in Dallas, Texas, and I have to admit, I don’t really know my neighbors. There’s Dixie and what’s-his-name who live next door, Mark something down the street, and those two women with the SUVs at the end of the street. It’s a little sad.
Experts tell us that while a monitored security system a front-line defense against crimes like burglary and home invasion, we should never underestimate the value of getting to know our neighbors.
First, there’s the familiarity factor. If everyone in the neighborhood knows who their neighbors are, they’re more likely to know who doesn’t belong, what looks fishy, and who to contact when there’s something suspicious. A moving truck in the McGregors’ driveway could mean a job transfer to another city, or a robbery in progress. An informed neighbor would know.
Second, there’s a sense of accountability that comes from knowing who lives nearby. You start to care because there’s a name with a face. Sometimes, we get so isolated in our houses that flames would have to be shooting out of a neighbor’s windows before we might think of calling the fire department. But if you know Bob and Janet live there, you’re likely to make that call much earlier.
Third, good neighbors help each other out. Going on a weekend trip? Ask them to watch the house and pick up the newspaper. You can do the same for them in the future.
Almost all of us have a list of excuses for not knowing our neighbors: we’re busy, they work different hours, their teenage son looks weird…None of them are very good. It only takes a few minutes to introduce yourself and say hello from time to time. The security payoff could be big and it’s just a nice thing to do.
When you’re buying a home security system, you’re bound to ask yourself, which is right for me: wired or wireless? Both systems have a lot of popular features in common, however, your individual home and needs may determine your best fit. Here is a little guide with the advantages of each type and few items to consider. Read on to see the differences.
Hardwire
• No large transmitters exposed for customers concerned about aesthetics
• Keypad has a smaller footprint on the customer’s wall
• More user codes available
• Only one battery to change
• Most new homes have pre-wiring in place for hard-wire systems
• Less cost on parts to add additional devices to a basic system
Wireless
• Two-way is included and does not require additional cost
• Keyfobs and medical pendants are easily added
• Fewer/no exposed wires for customers concerned about aesthetics
• Shorter installation time means less interruption of the customer’s day
• Easier placement of equipment in desired locations
• Some parts can be sent directly to the customer, eliminating a service call
• Slightly higher installation investment due to cost of equipment
Installing either a wired or wireless monitored alarm system is one of the best things you can do to protect your home and your family from crime, fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and help with response to a medical emergency. Plus, a monitored alarm system can lower your homeowners insurance rates up to 20% annually. You can’t go wrong, no matter which style system you choose. If you would like to discuss further any of these differences, please call one of our customer support specialists at 800-447-9239.
For parents who have children who are at home alone for part of the day during the week, New Year’s is a perfect time to update your list of emergency numbers. Take a few moments to make sure that your children know what to do and who to call if there’s an emergency and you can’t be reached.
Then, call the numbers on your list and make sure your emergency contacts are still available to be on your list. Verify that their numbers are still the same and that there haven’t been any changes in their schedules.
Taking a few moments to update this list will give you and your children peace of mind and will make sure that any future emergencies are safely and easily handled before they turn into major crises.
For parents who would like an even greater degree of security and peace of mind, consider one of Monitronics home security alarms for single parents, which feature cell phone notification when your child makes it home from school and a variety of other interactive security features.
Some sobering statistics crossed our desks this week: 15% of home fire deaths from 2003-2006 involved possible impairment by alcohol or drugs, according to the National Fire Protection Association. That’s about 430 lives lost per year. A startling 45% of those deaths were in fires started by cigarettes or other smoking materials.
If there are takeaway lessons from these sad facts, they are: Don’t ever smoke in your home and consider having your smoke detectors hooked up to a monitored alarm system. Even if you are impaired and not able to react to it going off, your alarm company will get the emergency signal and send help right away. These deaths are preventable, so prepare yourself and be careful out there, folks.
During an emergency, every second seems like an eternity. And every one counts. With two-way voice, you can communicate directly with the Monitronics central station without even picking up the phone.
