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19
Jul 2011
Posted by Lesley
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Tuesday Tip: Thinking of Changing Your Phone Service?

More and more of us are changing our phone service from landlines to VoIP, broadband, and cell phones. Our alarm systems need a way to communicate; it’s important to consider your alarm when shopping for new phone service.

The technology of today offers a variety of options for your alarm system to communicate:

  • You can keep your landline just for your alarm system.
  • If your VoIP provider connects the dial tone through the phone jacks, you can connect your alarm to the jack. With this option, VoIP limitations pose limitations on your alarm system communication.
  • You can have your alarm monitoring company install an Alarm Broadband Network (ABN) module or Broadband Alarm Transmitter (BAT). These create a fully-controlled connection to the monitoring center.
  • You can have your alarm monitoring company install a cellular communicator in your panel.

When you’re looking into new phone service, think about how you would like to continue your alarm communication. Each option has both pros and cons so carefully research and weigh each option–and know that you do have options.

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Posted in: Home Security, Tuesday tip

05
Jul 2011
Posted by Lesley
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Tuesday Tips: Staying Cool During the Dog Days

It’s super hot outside . . . and it’s only getting warmer. The dog days of summer are upon us.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness. But, how do you stay cool when you need—or want—to be outside?

Heat-related illness is a serious problem, from 1979 to 2003, more people in this country died from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined. So, if you absolutely must go outdoors during the dog days, follow these precautions identified by the CDC:

  • Drink plenty of fluids—but avoid alcohol and sugary drinks. Definitely don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
  • Replace your salt and minerals with a sports drink.
  • Wear sunscreen.
  • Try to schedule your outdoor time for the morning and evening hours—avoid the hottest part of the day.
  • Avoid hot food and heavy meals.

The summertime can be tons of fun, but can also be dangerous without the proper precaution. Be safe out there. See you at the pool!

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Posted in: Home Security, Tuesday tip

28
Jun 2011
Posted by Lesley
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Tuesday Tip: Fourth of July Boating Safety

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Posted in: Tuesday tip

14
Jun 2011
Posted by Meg
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Tuesday Tips: Reduce Costly False Alarms

As a home or business owner, you know false alarms are a hassle. They waste time and resources for you, your monitoring company and responding police officers. And today, an increasing number of cities are beginning to charge individuals for excessive false alarms.

Don’t be the home or business that cried wolf. Follow these helpful tips from Monitronics on preventing those inconvenient—and potentially expensive—false alarms:

  1. Test your system monthly. It takes just a few minutes a month to make sure your system is working correctly.
  2. Secure all doors and windows. A curtain blowing in the breeze is enough to trigger a false alarm.
  3. Travel smart. Before you leave town for summer vacation, let your alarm company know that you’ll be away from home. Create a special passcode for the housesitter in case an alarm is triggered.
  4. Rethink your contact settings. Do you prefer not to be called after accidentally tripping your alarm? Change your settings. That way, your alarm company won’t automatically call you once you disarm the system.
  5. Update your call list. If your alarm company can’t reach you, they’re much more likely to dispatch police and firefighters over what may be a false alarm.
  6. Consider a pet-immune motion detector. This will keep Fido from constantly setting off the alarm.
  7. Know your code. Memorize your passcode, and share it with everyone who is authorized to be in your house, such as the babysitter, the cleaning woman and relatives.
  8. Be prepared to call. Post Monitronics’ toll-free number (800-447-9239) in an easily-accessible place so you and your family members can quickly cancel a false alarm.

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31
May 2011
Posted by Lesley
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Swim Safely

Our greatest protection from tragedy, while playing in the surf, is prevention. We could all benefit from adopting and practicing as many safety steps as possible. Here are a few tips to begin now for anytime you decide to splash around.

 
 Stay close, be alert, and watch. 
  • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings 
  •  Always watch your children and never leave them unattended
  •  Have a phone close by at all times
  • If a child is missing, check the pool first

 Learn and Practice Water Safety Skills

  • Learn to swim
  • Know how to perform CPR on children and adults

Have the Appropriate Equipment

  • Install a fence around the perimeter of the pool and spa of at least four feet in height
  • Use self-closing and self-latching gates
  • Ensure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers
  • Install a door alarm from the house to the pool area
  • Maintain pool and spa covers in working order
  • Have life-saving equipment such as life rings or reaching poles available for use           

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Posted in: Tuesday tip