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Tag: Home Security

  • Cellular Modules

    Cellular Modules

    Every security system requires a means of communication in order to transmit its signals to the central monitoring station. For many years, that path of communication has been the traditional copper telephone line. Unfortunately, the traditional phone line of the past is quickly disappearing.

    According to Stats Canada, 21 % of Canadians have gone “cell-phone” only and that number is forecasted to increase in the coming years

    In addition to a wide consumer shift away from landlines, intruders are also becoming more savvy and targeting the phone line as a weak point in your security system.

     

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    The solution to this challenge is to upgrade your system with a cellular module or communicator. This device acts as a personal cell-phone for your alarm system; however, it has nothing to do with your personal cell-phone.

    It uses cellular airtime to communicate the signal of your security system to our central monitoring station. If you have been thinking about cancelling your land line phone or are concerned about the vulnerabilities of your landline, this is the solution for you.

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    To add a cellular module to your security system, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE!

  • Flood Sensors

    Flood Sensors

    Security

    Flood sensors can be integrated into your home security system. When the device senses water, it triggers an alarm notifying our ULC, 5 Diamond Certified monitoring station. If you are away from the home, or sound asleep when it goes off, we are able to contact you and notify the proper authorities.

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    Insurance

    Insurance companies know that residential flooding can cause significant damage, costing a lot of money. With flood detectors in place, you can catch a problem before it becomes a catastrophe. Plus it will go a long way towards further reducing your insurance premiums.

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    Placement

    Usually a flood sensor is place in a basement, but bathrooms and laundry rooms are also ideals places to add this device. Anywhere that you are concerned about water flow is where you want to add a flood sensor.

    To add flood sensors to your security system, call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Video Surveillance

    Video Surveillance

    When it comes to security cameras, it’s important to understand how many different options are available. At Security ONE, we custom design video surveillance system around your needs, fitting into your security plan. Here’s what you should ask yourself ahead of time:

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    • Area to be covered
    When designing your camera system, we take into account the size and layout of the area you are looking to cover. If you don’t know the exact square footage, an rough estimate is good place to start.

    • Lighting conditions
    Will you need to view your cameras at night? Are there any external light sources available? Will the lighting conditions change throughout the day? These are all important questions to ask.

    • Storing the video footage
    Do you need to compile and review old footage? How far back do you need to retain?  Or, are do you only need to check in from time to time? Considering your storage needs is an important part of your video surveillance plan.

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    • Remote Access
    Just like security systems, many cameras can be viewed or accessed from your smart phone, tablet or computer. Do you want to be able to view your cameras remotely? Do you want to receive alerts when motion is detected?

    For more information on having security cameras installed and maintenance plans we offer, please call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Honeywell Guest Blog

    Honeywell Guest Blog

    At Security ONE, we are involved in community service all year long. But there is just something about the holiday season that really makes you want to give back. This year, there have been a fair amount of high profile home invasions in our area, so we invited the public to nominate deserving families to receive a free Honeywell security system that would be delivered in time for the holidays.

    The public support for the idea was overwhelming. We launched the campaign in September at our inaugural customer appreciation parking lot BBQ. With a heavy social media campaign on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+, a targeted email campaign, and traditional advertising on local radio, we narrowed down the nominations to six finalists and received hundreds of votes. We couldn’t be happier for the Wall family who received the Honeywell system as well as our CSAA 5 Diamond Certified monitoring and Honeywell Total Connect Remote Services.

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    A Deserving Family
    Unfortunately, the Walls were victims to four burglaries in their home. They run a home daycare business and were nominated by Charles LeBlanc who explained how dedicated Lisa Wall is when taking care of his children and he wanted to give her security in return.

    We created a video on the installation day that features some of Santa’s helpers from the Security ONE team as well as interviews with Charles and the Wall family. We are now in the press release phase of the campaign and are linking the video from our You Tube channel to all other social media platforms. Take a few minutes to watch the video above. My thanks to the Security ONE volunteers who gave of their time on a weekend to shoot the video, install the equipment and wrap all the Honeywell presents!

    Christmas should be a time of joy and I feel very fortunate that we were able to give the Wall family peace of mind this holiday season.

  • Tips For Leaving The House

    Tips For Leaving The House

    Criminals look for easy opportunities. Often that involves casing houses. They watching for patterns or windows of opportunity. Casing a house nowadays also includes using social media to see who is posting about going away on vacation. So, don’t make it obvious when you are not home.
    Here are three tips for protecting your home while you are away.

    •  Make You Home Look Occupied There are lots of little things that you can do to make your home look occupied. Set your lights on a timer (our Total Connect app is great for that too!) Turn your TV or radio on – the noise adds an element of someone being home. You also want to to leave your curtains or blinds in the same position they are usually in.
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      •  Take Care of ChoresUn-shoveled driveways and junk mail piling up are sure signs that nobody is home. Have a trusted friend, neighbor or family member help out. Ask them to come by and shovel your snow, clean off your car and pick up the mail – and the junk mail!
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      •  Check Your Locks and Alarm System

      Double check all your doors and windows are locked. Test your alarm system as well. Call our Central Monitoring Station and let us know your test the alarm, then go ahead and set it off! Then let us know how long you’ll be away. We’ll note it on your account.

    Adding a cellular module to your security system allowsyou to eliminate your phone service. Further, it means your system is not relying on another company’s service, nor is it relying on a physical wire coming off a pole and into your home, which can be cut – accidentally or on purpose. To add a cellular module to your security system as a means of communication call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Pet Safety

    Pet Safety

    When people think of alarm systems and home security, they usually think about protecting their property and their families. For many people, protecting family also means protecting pets. The good news is that the same tools that keep your human family safe can also protect your four-legged friends.

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    Criminals can raid a house in seconds, stealing large amounts of valuables and damaging your property. They can also put your pets at risk. In order to protect your pets and keep them safe, you’ll want to have a monitored alarm system installed. These systems are connected to a central monitoring station that can notify you right away and send emergency assistance immediately. All of which will help keep your pets safe and secure.

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    Older or less sophisticated alarm systems often have motion detectors that can be activated by pets. This leads to false alarms and systems that are rendered ineffective. Not only do modern alarm systems have pet immunity devices that compensate for the movement of pets, often a modern smart alarm system will have integrated cameras that can let you or a central station operator view live footage of your property as soon as a trouble condition may arise. This means that the central station staff can quickly use this footage to determine if a crime is actually taking place or if your dog just knocked over a lamp.

    In short, smart surveillance tools provide home owners with pet’s additional peace of mind. To add pet immune motion sensors or Total Connect to your security system, call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • All About Theft

    All About Theft

    All About Theft

    • 66% of break-in’s are forced entry and forced entry attempts
    • 34% of break-in’s are unlawful entry (without force)
    • In 2014, Saskatchewan had 8506 break-in’s (164/week)
    • Break-in’s occur in all areas of the City – not just the “bad areas”
    • Most Home break-in’s occur when you are at work or travelling (daytime)
    • Most Business break-in’s occur when you are at home (evening and weekends)
    • Cabin’s and Lake properties are especially attractive
    • 98% of break-in’s occur though main floor doors and windows (often unlocked)
    • Thieves target the Master Bedroom
    • Thieves steal:
      • Cash and Credit Cards
      • Jewelry
      • Designer clothes and sunglasses
      • Electronics such as TV’s, Stereos, Computers, Video Game systems, Smartphones and Tablets
      • Tools
      • Sporting Goods
      • Cars and Trucks or the contents in them
      • Building Materials
      • Alcohol and Prescription drugs
      • Your Identity

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    How to Prevent Theft

    • Use Common Sense
      • If you lose a key, get the locks changed.
      • Ask all strangers for identification.
      • Never hide an extra key outdoor – especially underneath a mat or on top of a light fixture. This is the first place the bad guys look. Leave an extra house key with a friend or a neighbor.
      • DO NOT advertise on Facebook or other social media that you are on vacation. If you want to post photos, then do it when you get home.
      • For insurance purposes take photos of the contents of your home.
      • Keep all receipts in a safe and easy to find location.
      • Write down the model and serial number of all electronics.
    • Make it Difficult
      • Door chains are easy to bypass. Install deadbolts.
      • Install a stopper or stick on all sliding doors and windows.
      • Install window bars on all basement windows.
      • Make sure all doors and windows are properly locked.
      • Keep your premises well lit at night.
      • Install timers that turn lights on at different times. This gives the appearance that someone is home.
    • Install a monitored security system 
      • 400% less likely to have a break-in.
      • up to 25% insurance discount.

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    • In case you do have a break-in:
      • If it looks like a door or window was forced open, DO NOT go inside. The Burglar may still be on site.
      • Call the Police from your cellular phone or from a neighbor’s house and wait.

    To install a new security system, or to upgrade your existing system, call 1-800-265-5317, or just CLICK HERE.

  • Fire Safety Tips

    Fire Safety Tips

    With the changing weather comes a host of to-do items around your home. Being aware of your surroundings will help keep you safe as the seasons change from fall to winter.

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    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 didn’t change the batteries in your smoke detector when you set your clocks back, 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 that have been left out from a summer project.

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    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. Check all the outdoor light fixtures, and clean your gutters or eaves troughs.

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    Smoke Detectors should be installed on every floor, and should be changed every 5-7 years.

    To add monitored smoke detectors to your security system, call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • On The Go And In The Know

    On The Go And In The Know

    The Total Connect app makes it easy to control your smart alarm system from your phone or tablet, wherever you are. This easy and intuitive solution makes your smart home security system more convenient and effective than ever before. By using the app, you can easily:

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    •          Arm or disarm your alarm system
    •          Control the lights, locks and thermostats in your home
    •          Manage garage door access
    •          View live video from your home security cameras
    •          See your home’s status at a glance

    The app also features Actionable Notifications. These notifications come straight to your phone and allow you to act on them immediately. For example, if you leave your home and forget to close your garage, you will receive a notification on the Total Connect app. You can then quickly and easily respond to the notification and close your garage, all from your phone or tablet.
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    You can also check in to see if you leave your home without arming your alarm system. By keeping track of the status of the alarm when you are outside your home you’ll never have to worry about leaving your home unsecured again!

    By making it easy and simple to monitor and control your home, these systems and applications make your property safer and your life easier. Contact us today for more information on smart home alarm systems and to find out more about how they can keep you safe and secure. Call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • What Is Cellular Monitoring

    What Is Cellular Monitoring

    For many years the only way to monitor your Security System and Fire Alarm System was to plug into the telephone line….and that worked really well for a long time and continues to work today. However, times change and technology has evolved and we now have a better way to monitor that offers the additional advantage of no wires at all!

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    Let’s be honest…we live in a wireless world. Every day people make hands free phone calls while driving their cars or send emails from the bleachers while watching the kids soccer game. Our cellular network in Southwestern Ontario is particularly strong and well maintained which allows us to offer our customers the great opportunity to add a Cellular Module that allows your Security System to communicate wirelessly with our Central Monitoring Station.

     

     

    Once the mighty Cellular Module is installed, if strong winds bring down a tree and knock out telephone service in your area your Security System will continue to communicate with our Central Monitoring Station.   If your crazy neighbor digs up the cable while building a fence next door…no problem….your Security System will continue to transmit a signal. Even if the power goes out and every line going into your home is cut your Security System can still send a signal and we are able to monitor your system. All thanks to this little marvel of modern technology: the Cellular Module.

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    Every day hundreds of people cancel their home phone and switch to Cellular. Smart and informed buyers are making the change to Cellular for their phone services and now they are also making the change to Cellular for their Security Monitoring Services.  A clear and strong Cellular signal sent by a Cellular Module from your Security Panel to our Central Monitoring Station is the best way to Monitor your System in 2015 and in the future. We want to provide you with the very best service possible and we know Cellular Monitoring will help us to accomplish that goal.

    Wireless technology has brought us some truly amazing things like the TV Remote, WiFi, Remote Car Starter, GPS and now Cellular Security! Security ONE has made the commitment to you that we will stand watch 24/7/365 and we will respond when you need us to send help when there is trouble.   Help us help you by making the switch to Cellular Monitoring today!

    To learn more about adding a cellular module to your security system, call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.