We’ve Got You Covered

 

Let’s face it; most of us are baffled by technology.  It is difficult to keep up with all the new technologies and services like Bluetooth, Blu-Ray, Facebook, and Twitter.  When you add in the acronyms DSL, SMS, GSM, PDA, and VoIP it all starts to sound like a foreign language or alphabet soup.

 

The majority of us have already switched from VHS tapes to DVDs, from albums to CDs, and from dial up for our computers to DSL. The advances in digital technology has made many of these changes possible resulting in increased speed and clarity.

 

I even know people who have discontinued their home phones!  Can you believe it?  They are using their cell phones for their primary phone service.  Another option is to have phone service through their cable provider.  The phone service is then provided over a broadband internet connection, commonly known as Voice Over Internet or VoIP from providers such as Mediacom or Vonage.  Alarm signals can easily become scrambled over VoIP, compromising your system.

 

It is important to remember that in order for your security system to send alarm signals reliably, a dependable communications line to the alarm system must exist inside your home.  So, what are your options?

 

1) POTS stands for Plain Old Telephone Service.  I am not making this up; it is an industry term for a regular landline phone.  If your phone line is cut or if there is a phone service outage for any reason, your alarm system will not be able to send a signal. 

 

2) Cellular/Radio service is a Dual-Path technology.  Adding this feature provides our customers the “best of both worlds”.  The alarm system first attempts to send a radio signal.  If that fails the system automatically attempts to send a cellular (SMS) signal. 

 

3) Internet can be combined with the Dual-Path technology to provide a Triple-Path technology, offering three communication paths in one convenient device.  Should your internet become unavailable, the alarm system can communicate through the radio or cellular network. 

 

4)  For the ultimate peace of mind, use a combination of services.  My alarm system is connected to a POTS line, a cellular/radio unit and the internet.  If my phone line is cut or the internet is not working I know an alarm signal will be transmitted by cellular or radio service.  It is extremely unlikely that all four of these would fail. 

 

Regardless of the type of telephone service you choose, we’ve got you covered when you add Dual-Path or Triple-Path communication.  Even if you experience a power outage, telephone or cable line cut it will not be a problem when you add multiple methods of communication.  If you are thinking of changing your home, phone service or if you have already changed your service please let us know.  Central Monitoring will work with you to custom design a security system or upgrade your existing security system to provide peace of mind.

Fire Safety

Fire Safety

 Contrary to popular belief, the smell of smoke will not awaken you.  The poisonous gases actually put you into a deeper sleep.  Since the majority of fatal fires happen at night, it is essential to have working smoke detectors throughout your home to awaken you in a fire emergency.

 The first rule of survival – GET OUT IMMEDIATELY!!

When fire strikes your home, authorities say you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape.

 When dealing with a fire, remember these important pointers:

1)      Smoke is thick and dark. You may feel lost and disoriented in the thick smoke that accompanies fire, even in your own bedroom. You must know how to escape your home in the dark.

2)      The heat is intense.  At knee height, the temperature in a fire may be about 90 degrees. At shoulder height, a burning fire can be as hot as 690 degrees.  Always remember to stay as close to the floor as possible in a crawling position while you escape.

3)      Gather those who need assistance. Do not stop to call the fire department until everyone is safely outside.  

4)      Prearrange a meeting place a safe distance from your home. Once everyone is accounted for, go to a neighbor’s home or use a cell phone to call 911.

5)      Material objects can be replaced. Do not go back into a burning home for material objects. Go back ONLY to save a life.

 Leading causes of fire:

1)      Cooking is the leading cause of home fires.  When you are cooking, stay in the kitchen and stay alert.

2)      Heating is the second leading cause of home fires, with December, January and February having the highest percentage of fires.

3)      The third leading cause of home fires is electrical appliances and distribution.  Check your home for overloaded circuits or extension cords.   

4)      Smoking has dropped to the fourth leading cause of home fires.  However, smoking is still the number one leading cause of fire deaths in a home.

 Other areas of concern:

1)      Over recent years there has been an increase in home fires that resulted from candles.  Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn and never leave a candle unattended.

2)      Fire can occur when lint builds up in a dryer or in the exhaust duct.  Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire.  Clean the lint filter before drying each load of clothes.  Clean behind the dryer, clean the vent and exhaust duct periodically.

 According to the National Fire Protection Association, 80% of fire deaths happen in the home.  Make sure you have at least one smoke detector on each level of your home and in or near all sleeping areas.  Test the detectors monthly and replace batteries once a year. 

 For the best protection, a monitored smoke detector that is part of an alarm system can automatically summon help when you are home or away.  When smoke is sensed the detector will send a message to your alarm panel, which will then cause the evacuation horns to sound.  The panel will relay a signal to the monitoring station to be processed.  The local fire department is then notified, so that help is on the way, whether you are home or away.

 For a FREE Fire Safety brochure and Home Evacuation plan please contact Central Monitoring 229-431-0800 or

1-800-442-1125.