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View Security ONE Alarm Systems Blogs. News updates, Home Health blogs, and business security information will be displayed in order to help you…

  • Pipes Vs. Polar Vortex

    Pipes Vs. Polar Vortex

    Don’t let the Winter Vortex wreak havoc on your pipes. Any winter frozen pipes can be a serious issue but this winter seems to be harsher than any in recent memory.

    Burst pipes and flooding are more than just headaches; they are often very expensive issues to resolve.
    By taking a few simple, cost effective measures, you can avoid this type of disaster.

    Insulate any exposed pipes Pay particular attention to the pipes on the outer walls, and in the basement. You Most hardware stores carry foam pipe covers and other types of pipe insulation at reasonable costs.

    Shut off the water supply to pipes you are not using You should have removed the garden hose and shut off water to those taps long ago. Take the extra time to bleed the pipes if there is a valve. This will make sure all the water is drained out of the pipe before the freeze hits your pipes.

    If you’re going away on a winter vacation, turn off the main shutoff valve to the house. Again, drain the water already in the pipes.

    If Your Pipes Freeze If your pipes freeze use a hair dryer or a warm towel to thaw the pipe. Frozen pipes can break cause major flooding.

    Flooded BasementFlooding can cause even more damage if happens while you are away. Installing flood detectors is an excellent way to avoid disaster. They immediately alert you to a flood so that you can take steps to fix the situation right away, reducing the damage.

    Flood damage is the leading cause of property damage in North America and most Insurance companies will give discounts to clients that go to the effort to have a fully monitored flood detection system properly installed in their homes.

    To learn more about adding Flood Detectors to your system, call 1-800-265-5317 or CLICK HERE.

  • Apps For Productivity

    Still carrying around a calendar BOOK? It’s time to ditch the pen and paper and get organized digitally. There are a tremendous amount of apps available for download on your smartphone, tablet or PC.

    Outlook Calendar Without a doubt, the easiest one as it you probably already have it. You can access lists online, on a tablet, or on a smartphone. It is compatible across most platforms and integrates with social networking apps. The to-do item list is very handy, as well as the invite and appointment features. A must have.

    Google Calendar Google Calendar is great because it is so easy to use and syncs very well with most devices. The ability to share calendars and view your spouse’s schedule is a highlight. Color coding makes everything easy to find while the drag-and-drop feature makes moving things super easy.

    Sugar Sync. This one has a download price, but is well worth it. This app allows you access large files normally kept on your PC’s hard drive on your mobile device. It allows you to categorize the files and email them to a friend or colleague – right from your device.

    Asana. In addition to creating a to-do list, this app allows for “crossing off” – a nice nice feature that lets see what you’ve accomplished. A highlight of this app is the ability to assign tasks to other users in your group. And the icing on the cake? It integrate with your email so you alert others to a new task being assigned or completed.iPhone Arming System

    And speaking of great apps, be sure to try Total Connect. This is the app designed to go hand in hand with your security system. Arm and disarm from your smartphone, tablet or PC. Check in on IP cameras in real time, and receive video event notifications. And that weren’t enough, control your Z-Wave enables devices such as thermostats and light switches.

    To learn more about Total Connect, call 1-800-265-5317 or CLICK HERE.

  • Investing In Security: It Just Makes Dollars and Sense

    Investing In Security: It Just Makes Dollars and Sense

    Protecting your home or business is more affordable than ever.

    Offering you protection both while you are actually at home, and while your away, your security system is not only protecting your family, it is protecting your assets.

    Think of it as an investment…you can’t reduce your risk to zero, but you can substantially lower that risk. With cutting edge technology and top of the line equipment, Security ONE can meet your security plans.

    Glass Break detectors, Motion sensors and door contacts are just the beginning. We bring a full set of security solutions to table including life safety monitoring, access control and video surveillance.

    Go-Green
    Here’s what makes it such a simple decision:

      Protect the people matters most to you
      Protect the possessions you have worked hard to get
      Reduce your monthly insurance premiums up to 20%
      Increase the value of your home
      Live with Peace Of Mind

    Learn how sharing yor Peace Of Mind can earn you extra money. We pay for referrals! Call 1-800-265-5317 or CLICK HERE.

  • Go Green For 2014

    Go Green For 2014

    If you’ve been out to dinner lately, you may have noticed that even the restrooms are going green with the addition of motion activated hand-dryers . With hybrid and electric cars, automobiles are headed down the green mile. Going green is no longer just for people hanging onto the 60’s. It’s cool, it’s here to stay, and it will help you save money.

    imagesCAS4IQTHHere some simple, every-day things you can do go green and reduce your carbon footprint:

    Bring your own bags to the grocery store
    Demand paperless statements
    Recycle
    Turn off the lights when leave a room
    Don’t let your car idle

    If you want to kick it up a notch, try these ideas:

    Put in energy saving systems
    Install solar panels

    A little goes a long way, and we can help. Call 1-800-265-5317 or CLICK HERE to learn more about how your security system can become a Home Energy Management System.

  • Monitoring As Easy As 1-2-3

    Monitoring As Easy As 1-2-3

    Once your Security ONE system is armed, it is ready to signal any unwelcomed activity in your home. Having Security ONE on your side is as simple as ONE-2-3. Here’s how quickly the process takes when your system sends us an alarm.

    1. The alarm is sounded. Whether it’s an opened door or a broken window or even a motion detector, the local alarm tells the intruder that he has been discovered. The burglar is now more likely to leave immediately. At the same time the system alerts the Security ONE Central Monitoring Station services that there is an emergency. Tackling Burglary

    2. Security ONE monitoring team is notified the alarm’s been triggered. Security ONE’s Central Operators can pinpoint exactly which device was triggered, where the issue is, and the precise time of day – all of which can be invaluable information, during an emergency.

    3. An operator contacts you and the proper emergency authorities. Whether the fire department, an ambulance or the police are needed, Security ONE dispatched the authorities after verifying with you there is a genuine problem.

    To learn more about our monitored security systems, call 1-800-265-5317 or CLICK HERE.

  • Shoveling snow’s role in security

    Shoveling snow’s role in security

    Yes, you read the headline right! Shoveling the snow plays an important, albeit, subtle role in security and crime prevention.

    shovelAlways remember to keep sidewalks and steps clean to create clear and open lines of passage. Don’t pile snow where it would block the view to a door, window, alcove, or basement windows. Keep snow banks small to eliminate possible hiding places. Be sure snow banks do not block any lighting.

    Keeping up on the winter yard work like shoveling the sidewalks, bringing in the mail are important ways to show the property is not vacant. If you plan on being away for any amount of time, ask a neighbor or friend to do those tasks for you- and be sure to call the central monitoring station to let know your travel plans.

    While you’re at it, why not build a good looking snowman just for good measure – and fun!

    For a free, no obligation security evaluation of your property call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Winter Home Safety Tips

    Winter Home Safety Tips

    You should always be thinking fire safety around the house, but maybe a little more at this time of year, because we have more appliances to plug in. If you haven’t changed the batteries in your smoke detector for a while, do so! Make sure your family has a well rehearsed escape plan as well.

    • Do a quick check around the house to make sure there are no flammable substances near your furnace.
    • Don’t put your space heater too close to your bed, curtains, or furniture. Shut them off when you’re not using them, and never leave them unattended. Do not use them to dry off wet clothing like mittens or hats.
    • If you have a chimney, make sure it totally clear so your fire can breathe. Do a quick visual inspection of the bricks on the outside to see that it is in good condition. Keep matched, lighters and candles away from children and pets.
    • While doing your outside inspection, look for bad windowsills, loose shingles and slanting concrete from the snow and wind.
    • Check all the outdoor light fixtures.

    For more safety tips, or to schedule a free security evaluation call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Ski Vacations

    Ski Vacations

    What could be more Canadian than strapping a couple of boards on your feet and racing to the bottom of a hill – or a mountain!

    While there are plenty of great ski hills in our general area, skiing enthusiasts know that there are some great winter skiing vacations to be had across the US.

    Here are the top 5 US ski resort vacations from Forbes magazine.

    OgdenProbably the best combination of low prices and truly great skiing in the nation, Ogden’s two resorts, Snow basin and Powder Mountain, offer a combined 10,000 skiable acres – enough for five world class resorts. Hotels and motels in Ogden run towards the low price end, most throw in breakfast, most offer ski packages, a ski shuttle bus takes you to either mountain daily, and its proximity to Salt Lake City makes plane tickets here cheaper and more abundant than to the many ski resorts served by niche airports with few choices.

    No resort offers more variety and options than Vail – on and off the mountain. It is huge, with skiing for every ability, and most famous for its vast open bowls. It has four interconnected base villages, linked by walkways and free buses, containing a huge assortment of hotels, condos and small lodges.

    Vermont has the most big ski resorts east of the Mississippi, but Jay is very unique for Vermont. First, it gets the most snow, lots of snow, consistently. It is one of the only places in the east where you might actually encounter deep powder. Secondly, it has extensive glades and backcountry access, not common in the Northeast. Most importantly, it is the furthest from New York, Boston, and all the major cities of northeast corridor, right on the Canadian border. This means to compete with the half dozen huge resorts that require far less driving, it has to be cheaper – and it is.Aspen

    Aspen has a decadent luxury reputation, and for the many guests arriving by private jet, it is certainly possible to make the sky the only limit on what you spend, with luxury hotels like the Little Nell and St. Regis and a slate of fine dining restaurants charging top dollar. But Aspen is a real town, an old mining town, full of less ornate hotels, condos, and charming saloons, and it is entirely possible to do it on the beer and burger, rather than champagne and caviar, budget.

  • Winter Driving

    Winter Driving

    Winter tireWeather conditions can often be unpredictable, placing extra demands on your vehicle and your driving skills. Ensure you are well prepared for winter roads and always adjust your driving speed to road and weather conditions.

    Always drive according to road and weather conditions. By staying alert, slowing down, you’ll have a better chance at maintaining control.

    • Keep a distance of three car-lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you
    • Keep your vehicle winter-ready with regular maintenance check-ups.
    • Keep your fuel tank at least half full
    • Keep your windshield washer fluid at least half full.  Keep an extra jug in the vehicle.
    • Clear all the snow and ice from your windows, lights, mirrors and the roof.
    • After starting your vehicle, wait for the frost or fog to clear from the inside of the windows.
    • Check the air pressure in the tires regularly. Cold weather decreases air pressure quickly.

     

  • Total Connect Video: Lost & Found

    Total Connect Video: Lost & Found

    As an authorized member of Honeywell’s First Alert Professional Security Dealer program, we came across this great story of woman in the States who found her son’s cat using Total Connect. Katie Tarbox of Spruce Head, ME had a Honeywell Total Connect video surveillance system installed for her home. Originally meant to protect her home and her property from intruders, she came across another use for the system when her son’s cat went missing.

    iPhone4_held_TC20_blurKatie was cat-sitting for her son while he and his family were away. It wasn’t long before the cat went missing. After turning the house upside down to look for the cat, she says she even tried leaving the back open – just in case it got out. Then she checked the video motion event log on her Total Connect app.

    Sure enough, she saw the cat on the surveillance video, happy as could be, leave the house and go out into the garage to curl up for little cat-nap. The next time they saw the cat in person, he was meowing at the garage door to be let back into the house as if nothing were wrong.

    Security ONE Total Connect can not only add another layer of security to your system, but it also connects you to the things that matter most to you. Stay on the go… and in the know!

    To learn more about Total Connect, call us at 1-800-265-5317 or visit CLICK HERE.