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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

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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Posted in: Tuesday tip, Uncategorized

26
Apr 2011
Posted by Lesley
2 comments

Monitronics Nominates Anne Glickstein for CSAA Support Person of the Year

This year, Monitronics has nominated a dedicated and hard-working central station employee for CSAA‘s Support Person of the Year.

Anne Glickstein

Anne Glickstein

Anne Glickstein is right in the middle of the busy and dynamic atmosphere of central station. She happily supports anyone with any task. Part of what makes Anne so invaluable to Monitronics is her ability to work effectively with colleaugues, from management to support staff.

This is a super-exciting award to be nominated for in our industry. The winner will be announced June 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the annual CSAA Conference. Congratulations Anne!

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Posted in: Behind Our Doors, Industry Happenings, Uncategorized

15
Feb 2011
Posted by Leah
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Tuesday Tip: Keep Baby’s Pearly Whites

Children learn their dental habits early. So, it’s best to get them started on the right track immediately. Here are some tips to keep those pearly whites healthy.

  • Teeth begin development even before a child is born. Expectant mothers need plenty of calcium to help those tiny teeth strengthen.
  • As soon as the first little tooth makes an appearance, begin wiping the gums with a washcloth or gauze pad. Decay can begin as soon as teeth appear.
  • The first dentist appointment should happen before baby’s first birthday. The dentist will look for any possible decay and bad habits that may be forming.
  • Brush with water alone until the age of two.
  • At three, you can begin allowing children to brush with supervision. Use the supervised brushing as a teaching opportunity and guide them into proper brushing techniques.
  • At age eight, your child can brush on his own . . . be sure and check up on technique occasionally.
  • Floss, floss, floss. Teach children how to floss, it’s the only way to reach some parts of precious teeth.

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Posted in: Tuesday tip

25
Jan 2011
Posted by Jason
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Tuesday Tip: Three Times to Arm Your System

Ever have that dream where you need help and try to scream but no one can hear you? It’s a frightening dream to have, but it can be a reality. You have an alarm system to do the notification for you during emergencies. If you fail to arm your system regularly, you’re not protecting yourself.

There are three times that you should be sure to arm your alarm system:

  • In the morning before you leave for the day. You should arm your alarm system in “away mode” whenever you leave your house. If you stay home during the day, be sure your alarm system is in “stay mode” in the morning.
  • When you return home. Just after you come in the door, arm it.
  • Before bed.  Your alarm system should already be alarmed in “stay mode,” but why not take the opportunity to be sure that the system is armed?

If you follow a routine, you can be sure that you are getting the most protection from us and your alarm system. Monitronics cares about your safety. To talk to one of us about getting an alarm system for your home, call 800-290-0709.

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Posted in: Home Security, Tuesday tip