Home Security and Fire Monitoring

A commonly overlooked component to your home security plan is fire monitoring. This is not usually part of the free systems advertised but a monitored smoke detector is an inexpensive way to help keep your family and home a little safer.

The most common smoke detector type is the battery operated "noise maker" which is used to alert residents to fire. A monitored smoke detector is very similar but ties to your security system. When the smoke detector is activated it alerts you via noise and notifies the monitoring station, who in turn not only calls the homeowner but also dispatches the fire department.

Some homeowners worry that the fire department will be dispatched over a false alarm, to minimize this risk make sure to tell your monitoring station to call your cell phone before dispatching the fire department or ask the installing company to place the detector far enough from the kitchen that "a smoky meal" will not activate the system. A monitored smoke detector may cost you a couple more dollars per month depending on the monitoring company you use, but many companies offer free monitoring and charge you a fee to install the devise.

3 key reasons to purchase a monitored smoke detector:

1. Your not always home to hear your smoke detector. The monitoring company can dispatch the fire department.

2. Your pet may be in the home, even when your not. Once again the monitoring company can dispatch the fire department, helping to save lives, including your pets.

3. Even when you are home, time is of the essence. Sometimes you are in the shower or sleeping and your senses are not always tuned into hearing the beeping of a smoke detector. The monitoring company can dispatch the fire department, sometimes before you even realize smoke detector is beeping.

Ok, one great reason: the monitoring station can dispatch the fire department. Think about adding a monitored smoke detector to your system and your security system becomes much more then a "burglar alarm".

QuickStats-The Overall Fire Picture - 2006

There were 3,245 civilians that lost their lives as the result of fire.
There were 16,400 civilian injuries that occurred as the result of fire.
There were 106 firefighters killed while on duty.
Fire killed more Americans than all natural disasters combined.
81 percent of all civilian fire deaths occurred in residences.
1.6 million fires were reported. Many others went unreported, causing additional injuries and property loss.
Direct property loss due to fires was estimated at $11.3 billion.
An estimated 31,000 intentionally set structure fires resulted in 305 civilian deaths.
Intentionally set structure fires resulted in an estimated $755 million in property damage.

Source: National Fire Protection Association Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2006 and USFA's Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2006.

Lease vs. Own

Questions to ask when purchasing a security system, part 2. Lease vs. Own

A little history on buying a security system:
At one time security systems sold for hundreds or thousands of dollars, you owned them straight out, and signed up for a very small fee of about $15.00 per month if you wanted the system monitored. Now almost all companies give a basic system away for free or charge a small installation fee and charge about $30-$40.00 per month with a 2 to 5 year monitoring contract.
Why did the industry change from offering higher cost installations and low cost monitoring to the exact opposite?

Some of the larger companies who get great bulk discounts on equipment anyway, decided that by phrasing the equipment as leased, they would charge a very small amount up front and sign everyone to a long monitoring agreement at a higher rate. The upshot of that decision is:

Now the install is inexpensive enough that anyone can purchase a basic security system for about $100 upfront. Companies can earn back the money they lost on the installation (keep in mind how much the equipment and labor must cost!) as long as you stick with your monthly commitment.

In other words: (it doesn't matter if it a lease or not) everyone is basically "financing" the equipment and labor that was once upon a time charged. Equate it to buying a car- Instead of paying a high "down payment" and low or no monthly payments you are paying a very low "down payment" and "financing" it monthly (which is why most companies require credit checks).

So if everyone is charging approximately the same prices for installation and monthly monitoring - why are some people calling it a lease and others saying you own it? What does it matter to you if your company is leasing you the equipment?

First- Ownership matters for the exact same reason you want to know if equipment is locked out or not (see part 1- proprietary equipment from the previous blog post). If you are unhappy with your company or simply shopping around and your commitment is over, if your company only leased the equipment to you, they can come take it out. Which means, once again, you are forced to continue to do business with your original company or re-install everything just like with proprietary equipment. Not all companies will do this, but they do have the option to do so! I have seen this happen- especially when companies buy other alarm companies and you do not wish to resign another 2 or 3 year agreement since your initial agreement is over and you are on month to month or yearly agreements.

Second- After the initial free or low cost package, which usually includes 2 or 3 door openings protected (and other basics like control panel, keypad, 1 motion detector)- for every door / window / motion detector / key fob / keypad / etc... you pay for the part! If you are paying for each add-on, why should the installing company keep the ownership of the equipment (you paid for it!) which they can then reclaim at any time!


The case some people will make for calling it a lease.

Some companies will say that by leasing you the equipment, it is theirs and they will maintain it and upgrade it. However; usually they will also charge you extra for a warranty or high hourly service charges, so unless the company who states your equipment is leased is willing to put in writing that you do not pay for service calls or repairs, since it is their equipment and the responsibility of maintaining or replacing it is theirs - that argument is pure bull.

Questions to ask when buying a security system. Part 1

Like cell phones and most cable or satellite services, security systems often come with a low installation price and a 2 or 3 year commitment with a monthly fee (in this case for monitoring). When shopping for a security system there will be a lot of similar sounding equipment and pricing. It can be hard to tell which company is best based on a price difference of only a few dollars! It is the customer service that sets each individual company apart. Over the next few posts I will address some of the commonly overlooked questions you should ask to ensure you are getting the best balance of price and quality.

Part 1. Proprietary equipment and warranties. Two commonly overlooked questions that can cost you lots of $$ in the end!

1. Is your equipment proprietary?

Many companies use proprietary software in their security system installations. This means No other company can work on the system. What does that mean for you? After your initial agreement with your company is over, if you are unhappy or want to go in another direction: No one else can work on the existing system, you will have to have it re-installed which can cost you money! Proprietary equipment basically ties you with your initial company forever even if you are unhappy, because who wants to pay to have the security system redone? Warning: if you already have a fairly new system in your home and you are looking to have it monitored: some security representatives may say they are going to “upgrade” you to a new system. This can be a ploy to put proprietary software in your home. Some companies are legitimately upgrading you, so don’t be afraid of the word… just remember to ask if their equipment is proprietary. This is more common in some of the larger security system company chains.

2. How long is the warranty? Or What is the charge for Service Calls?

Ok… tooting my own horn a little. My company includes an extended warranty at no charge- meaning we never charge for service calls- but that is very rare. Most companies include a Three month warranty and you have the option to add an extended warranty onto your monthly monitoring. This often costs an extra $5 – $10 per month. It may sound steep but if you do not have a warranty and there is an issue you may pay service call rates of about $60.00 - $175.00 per hour! Most security system companies are charging around $35.00 per month for monitoring so if you add on a warranty you could be paying quite a bit- but compare that to being hit with service charges and you may want to consider it. Do the math with the sales representative of service charges vs. warranty and decide what is best for your situation. If your sales representative does not know the costs of service calls and is not willing to put it in writing- that is a major red flag!

7 Tips to Protect Your Valuables

• Having photos, videos, and serial numbers of your valuables can be extremely helpful in identifying stolen goods.
• Permanently mark your valuables with your driver's license.
• Keep important papers, valuable jewelry and large amounts of cash in a safety deposit box.
• When you purchase new electronic equipment, do not advertise it. Break down cartons before discarding in your trash.
• To keep your tools from being stolen, paint the handles. Thieves avoid items that are easy to identify.
• Photocopy receipts of expensive items and store them in a safe place so you have proof of purchase for insurance reasons.
• For pricey heirlooms get series about securing them. Invest in an appraiser to have firm dollar figure for your valuables. Then catalog and investigate a product like "DataDots" which records identification information on an adhesive the size of a grain of sand.

Home Security Tips!

Before we jump into Home Security Systems. Lets get back to the basics. Check out these tips to help secure your home.

7 Tips to make your home “undesirable” for thieves.

Trees located near windows or shrubbery that might shield a burglar from view can be major flaws in your home-protection plan. Consider your landscaping plan when evaluating your protection needs.

Instead planting thorny shrubs, rosebushes, or cacti around the outside of your home can discourage burglars from entering your property.

Keep all points of entry to your home well-lit. Consider installing motion-sensor lights on the rear and sides of your home and position them in out-of-reach places so they can't easily be turned off by a would-be thief. Put Interior lights on timers or light sensors to turn on and off in the evening. A television or radio can also be set on a timer to add to the illusion that someone is at home when you are not.

Change your garage-door opener code. New openers come with factory-set codes that are meant to be changed, but many people neglect to do so. Burglars will scour neighborhoods with common brands of remote openers, looking for garage doors that will open.

Keep equipment for expensive hobbies (boats, Jet Skis, golf clubs, etc.) covered up — even better, keep them locked up out of sight. Be sure to lock your bikes and four-wheelers to a bolted-down surface.

Keep ladders, garbage cans, building supplies and tools locked up out of view so you don't provide an intruder with the means to break into your home.

Never put your name on your mailbox. Anyone can call directory assistance, get your number, and find out you aren't home.

EXTRA! HOT TIP FOR SPARE KEYS! Use a flower pot and unscrew the reservoir tray to hide your spare key, or even bury it in the soil. No one will know the spare key is “hidden in the 4th geranium pot from the left” except you and your family!