To App Or Not To App...

That really is the question....

Apple's ingenious tagline, "There's an app for that" is a popular phrase that has catapulted the software industry as we know it. Particularly when it comes to mobile applications. There's over 100,000 apps in the marketplace many of them compatible with your smartphone. These apps do everything from play games to connect with social media sites. They can keep you informed of weather in your area and beyond, track your fitness goals, enhance your productivity, keep you updated with sports scores, serve as a GPS device,...the list goes on and on. 

Many security companies are adding smartphone apps to their product lines.  Apps to arm and disarm your security system and assist with home automation. But are they right for everyone? Considering the home security app route? Narrow your decision process with these five questions.

1. Do you need to stay connected to your home while you're at work or out of town?
2. Do you need to be aware of activity within your home, such as, finding out when kids come home from school? Some apps notify you when doors or windows are opened by text messaging.
3. Look in on maid service or handymen through live video feeds or recorded clips you access on your phone or web enabled device.
4. Control home interior systems such as temperature controls or lights with the touch of a button.
5. Concerned about land lines or internet connections that can be easily disabled. Perhaps going totally wireless may be of interest.

If you answered yes to most of these questions then you're probably a good candidate for the smartphone apps. Inquire with your security provider for more information.

Product Review,...The FakeTV?

Many times the success of home security comes as an illusion that the home is occupied. A house that is dark and lifeless is a far better choice for invasion than one that is "alive".

FakeTV, packaging, unit and AC adapter

Exterior motion detectors and interior lights on a timer have been staples in the burglar deterrent field. Now there is a new option, the FakeTV. FakeTV has super bright LED's that fill a room with light that accurately mimics the screen changes of a TV. This small, lightweight unit comes with an AC adapter and though it provides the equivalent light output of a 27 inch television it consumes the power of a night light.

The unit is placed in front of a covered window (curtains, shades or blinds) so that light gets out but the unit is not visible from the outside. It can be operated three ways:

1. Turn the switch to ON to give it the appearance that the television is continuously on
2. Set the unit to dusk plus 4 hours 
3. Set the unit to dusk plus 7 hours  

(When it gets dark, it will automatically turn on and stay on for the allotted time.)

We tried it out for ourselves testing it within our own home. I must admit I was skeptical that the small device would be able to convey a real TV?  We were pleasantly suprised! It really simulated the look of an actual television. We gave it to a neighbor to test and it got high marks from them as well!

"It did exactly what it said it would do,... from the outside we would never known it was a fake."   -Mildred

Investigate it for yourself. You can access the website and get more information at www.FakeTV.com.

Back To School...

There is no magic age for allowing your child to stay home alone after school.  It's an anxious decision, but  you can be better prepared and confident with some careful planning. Here's some tips to consider when letting your child stay home whether only for a minute or  for a few hours.

Questions To Consider
Think about the area where you live. Are there neighbors nearby you know and trust to help your child in case of emergency? Do you live on a busy street? Is it a quiet area? What about crime in or near your neighborhood?

Tips To Consider

• Consider your child's method of entry. Will they carry a key or will they use a hide-a-key.
• Know your child's schedule, what time does the bus let him/her off at his stop?  How long does it take before they are inside the home.
• Secure perimeter of your home (trim hedges, clear out overgrown foliage, clear trash or clutter) so your child can see clearly if anyone is hiding in bushes, behind cars, etc.
• Let a neighbor or friend know if your child is home alone. This will give you an extra set of eyes.
• Consider having a call-in system with your child. If they have not checked in by a certain time you can pursue further actions.
• Equip them with important home and cell phone numbers.
• Make sure your child is knowledgeable about arming and disarming your security system.
• Make sure they know how to use the panic button. Decide whether or not your child can comprehend and use the silent alarm feature. Some systems have a particular code, while others silent alarm may be accessed by putting one digit higher or lower from the disarm code.
• Interior video or web cam systems can give you a visual look-in live on your smartphone or computer when they enter the home.
• Designate a safe house or business in the neighborhood that will allow your child to come in the event they feel uncomfortable about going home.
• Setting limitations on where your child can go after school will allow you to better pinpoint where they are at all times.

These guidelines can help you feel secure about your decision and your child's independence at home.

Home Security Planning for Vacations

School is almost over which means for many of us we will be making plans for a summer vacation. The goal for home security while you are away is to create the illusion that your property is occupied. Here are a few tips to help make sure your home is protected.

Basic Home Tips
*If possible, get a house sitter. Having someone living in your home while you are away sends a clear message of occupancy.
*Have a neighbor or friend park in your driveway and move the vehicle around to give the illusion someone is there.
*Don't stop mail or newspapers, if possible have a neighbor or friend pick them up everyday.
*Arrange to have your lawn mowed.
*Don't discuss your travel plans in public. Strangers could overhear, follow you home, see where you live and return while you're away. This includes Facebook and twitter! Don't post on your wall when you are leaving or post pictures of yourself while you are away. This let's everyone know you are not home. Your friend list may not be filled with all friends.
*Keep shades and blinds in their normal position. Burglars like homes with windows that are covered day and night.
*You may consider turning your ringer down on your phone so unanswered calls won't be heard from outside.
*If possible put interior lights on a timer to further give the illusion your home is being occupied.
*Be sure and leave a phone number where you can be reached with a trusted friend or neighbor who's watching your home.
*Make sure all doors and windows are locked and activate your home alarm (if you have one).

The Family Pet
Most people board their dog(s) or take them along on vacation, but if you can arrange to keep your dog(s) at home whether by a house sitter or a neighbor consider it. The presence and sound of a barking dog can be a deterrent to a burglar. It too can fool a burglar into thinking someone is home.

A Word About Lighting
Lighting plays a key role in home security. A well lit home interior and brightly lit yard can discourage an intruders approach. Traditional manual outdoor lighting requires someone to physically turn them on and off. A timer is essential thereby turning the lighting system on/off while you're away. Another option is motion lights. They are turned on when their sensors detect motion or body heat. A burglar approaching what appears to be a dark property activates the lights and it scares him away. One last option is solar lights. Most of these lights store enough energy in the daylight to stay lit during the night. There is a question of it's brightness? Is it bright enough to ward off an intruder.

Whether your destination is theme parks or beaches, easing your fears about home security planning by taking these steps, will help to secure your property and will give you peace of mind while away.

False Alarms: Causes and Prevention

False Alarms. A reoccurring activity plaguing most of the cities and towns of America. Just last week in Gwinnett County, GA, authorities said enough is enough. The county is considering raising fines for false alarms. And it's not just Georgia, other states have experienced the same problem. False alarms are costly, dangerous and divert law enforcement officers and fire fighters from responding to real emergencies. In addition, they waste public resources and desensitize communities to actual incidents of crime and fire. They can make you reluctant to arm your system, exposing your home and property to undetected theft or fire. False alarms can also lead to neighbors ignoring your alarm when it is activated and costs citizens time, personal security and money as many jurisdictions are imposing costly fines for excessive false alarms.

There are various reasons behind the causes of false alarms but user errors account for many. Here are a few:

*Weak or depleted batteries
*Open, unlocked loose fitting or defective doors or windows
*Domestic help, house cleaners, house sitters, pet sitters, contractors and the like
*Inadequate training of all those allowed access to your home and alarm system
*Drafts from heaters/air conditioning systems and open windows move plants, curtains, etc. setting off motion detectors
*Pets that set off motions

So what about prevention? Here are just a few ways to combat false alarms. Check with your alarm provider about additional ways to prevent false alarms.

*Be sure and lock all doors and windows
*Repair broken windows, latches or doors to ensure they don't malfunction or become ajar and cause an accidental activation
*Secure moving items such as curtains, decorations even pets. Be sure they are not in the path of motion detectors.
*Schedule a service call if your alarm is not working properly

Following these simple steps can greatly reduce the possibility of having false alarms. If you have house guests or domestic helpers be sure and take the time to ensure they are familiar with procedures in arming and disarming the alarm system and canceling false alarms.

Selling Your Home? Consider This...

Looking to sell your home? Consider this,....according to lendingtree.com, spring is traditionally the hottest season for real estate. Sales peak in April and May and stay strong in June and July. It's a good time for families to move because they are in between school terms and the tax season helps with having additional cashflow for down payments. In addition, the nice weather and colorful foliage make it a good time to show your home.

So since we are on the brink of April and the peak selling season is upon us, we enlisted the help of a Realtor, Pat Sabin. Pat has over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry and she had this to say about steps you can take to get your home ready to sell.

Fact #1.
Most Buyers Would Rather Have a New Home.
If they can purchase the size and style home they need in the location they desire, with the lot they prefer, at the price they can afford, they'll buy new. The reason they are looking at resale homes is that what they need is not available in a new home.

Fact #2
If there are many available homes, they will choose the home that is closest to "New" in condition.
If the home you're selling is an older home, and particularly if you have occupied this home for a number of years, go out and look at new homes. Notice the fresh smell, the cleanliness, the professionally maintained landscaping, the light, open spaces. Then go home and do everything you can afford to do to capture that feeling of newness in your home.

Pat lists 18 other points in sprucing up your home and property for sell. You can read these helpful tips here.
Pay attention to local markets when considering selling your home and above all do your homework.

Spring Cleaning Basics

Spring is here and with it mild to warm temperatures. Before the weather stays continuously hot it's a good time to take inventory of key "spring cleaning" chores. Here's a short list of important tasks best taken care of sooner than later.

HVAC System
Have your system serviced now in order to find and fix problems before the hot weather of summer settles in. Additionally have it done early, before the procrastinators, it will save you time and sanity.

Exterior List
During the fall and winter you may have been dealing with falling leaves, as well as winds blowing debris. Spring is a prime time to clean out your gutters. You can do it yourself or if not, there are plenty of companies who would gladly walk your roof for a good cause. Trimming hedges, cutting problematic tree limbs, pressure washing your home or driveway are also areas that may need attention. Take a walk around your property writing down areas needing repairs or sprucing up. Be sure to include basic yard work like lawn cutting and weeding plant beds.

Indoor List
Interior cleaning lists vary greatly from just the basics to the intense. You can block out an entire weekend and work from room to room or go the easy route and hire a maid service. Regardless how you decide to handle your interior cleaning chores, you can find tips and checklists in abundance on the world wide web.

What About Safety
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they function properly. You should also test the batteries of each. The expiration date of fire extinguishers should be monitored on a regular basis not just spring. And if you own a camera system consider checking your cameras, clearing spider webs or other objects that may be obstructing their view. Be sure to check for broken lenses, exposed wires, etc. Something most people don't think about doing (and some people do often--on accident) is to set off your alarm system to make sure it is sending a signal to your monitoring center and that you are hearing the siren.

Careful planning now can keep your home running well throughout the year. Take the necessary time to check that these things are functioning proficiently.

What Happens To Your System If You Lose Power?

On January 9th thru 15th, give or take a day, the metro Atlanta area was crippled by one of the biggest winter storms in a decade. Unlike the January 23, 2000 ice storm which left more than 300,000 homes and businesses without power for days, this past storm was a little kinder and gentler. The metro area experienced no widespread power outages which brings me to this question,...what happens to your alarm system when power does go out in a storm or any other situation? Answer,...your system simply depends on it's back up battery. Most systems contain a 12 volt battery in the main control unit (mcu) enclosure. A low amp current is constantly fed to the battery in order to maintain a good charge, so that in the event of a power outage your system should operate without failing. The length of battery only operating time depends on the system size, number of powered devices (motion detectors, glass break detectors, keypads, etc.) and battery amp size (4,6,7,or 8 amp etc.). The average life of the battery is 3-5 years, think car battery. When the battery can no longer sustain a charge is when you experience problems.

* My alarm always goes off (false alarm) during a storm
* My keypad beeps for no reason
* When the power goes out I can't silence my alarm
* My keypad is unresponsive after a power failure

Most of these issues can simply be resolved with a new battery. When was your battery last changed? If more than 3 years ago, don't get caught out in the cold. A low cost solution will give you peace of mind the next time your power flickers.