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How To Replace A Security System Backup Battery

Every security system needs a backup battery. This item is required in case of an emergency, such as a power outage. The backup battery may only power your alarm for up to 8 hours. However, this can be crucial to your peace of mind and safety. Since security system batteries last for years, you don’t have to switch them out very often. When it’s time to replace them for new batteries, you will notice a blinking “low battery” icon on your alarm pad. First, put your security system in test mode and make sure the power is off. Then, switch the batteries. Finally, turn the power back on and remove your security system from test mode.

Put your security system in test mode and make sure the power is off

Before you crack open your security system, you will need to contact your alarm monitoring company. While you work on your security system, it needs to be in “test” mode. If the alarm goes off while you are working in test mode, the company will know you are not really in danger. Going through this process will ensure that the alarm company won’t send anyone out to check on the situation.

Make sure to power down the security system before you work to avoid any injury. Disconnect the transformer or flip the circuit breaker switch to ensure power is off while you replace the old battery with a new one.

Switch the batteries

Use the right tools to open up your system’s control panel in order to access the battery. This may require either a screwdriver or a control panel key that unlocks the panel. You will see the battery, as well as a black lead and a red lead. Carefully disconnect these leads in order to remove the security system battery.

Remove the old battery, and replace it with the new battery. Insert the plugs into the correctly colored leads, and replace the control panel case.

Turn the power back on and remove your security system from test mode

Power up your security system by plugging everything back in or flipping the circuits back to the “on” position. Your “low battery” light should flicker off, and now you can call your alarm company back and alert them to remove your system from its “test” mode since you have replaced the old battery with a fresh one. You shouldn’t have to change out your battery more often than every three years, though backup batteries can last as long as five years.

For more information about security systems

To find out more about residential and commercial security systems, contact 1st Alarm at 1(800) 276-5559 or send us an email. We provide alarm services throughout West Texas and the Texas Panhandle, with locations in Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo.

Buying A Video Surveillance System For Your Business

Having a video surveillance system is critical if you want to keep your business secure. Before you sign a contract or start ordering equipment, you need to consider what you want to do with a commercial video surveillance system. There are many things to consider including what you want to monitor, resolution types, how you will monitor the video, and what types of cameras you will use.

What do you want to monitor?

Think about the reason you want a commercial video surveillance system in the first place. Do you want to monitor who is coming and going out the front door? Do you need to see who and what is going in and out of the back door or monitor customers and employees? Do you want exterior cameras to help deter potential criminal activity?

What type of resolution do you need?

You can get cameras for your commercial video surveillance system in a wide range of resolutions. The lowest resolution cameras will record basic shapes and colors, but not the details that would help you identify a license number or a face. The highest resolution cameras give you enough detail to read the smallest lettering on a shirt logo and there are plenty of options in between.

How will the video be monitored?

The standard option for monitoring a commercial video surveillance system is to feed the video to a recording device and review it when needed. Another video surveillance option is to have live feeds that an employee or security contractor can monitor. You can even have a live feed that is sent across the internet that you can watch on a cellular device. This option allows you to connect with your video surveillance system and see who is coming and going and what might be happening in the background.

What type of cameras do you need?

To monitor the outside of your business, you will need cameras that are built to be weatherproof. Indoor and outdoor cameras for your commercial video surveillance system also need to be hardened to prevent vandalism.

Infrared cameras offer you the ability to monitor what is going on at night or in dim conditions. This type uses infrared light to illuminate the area so it can capture the action. Day or night security cameras work well in low-light situations and have chips that are extremely light sensitive. While this type does not work in absolute darkness, it does work in low-light conditions like moonlight or street lighting.

Another type for your commercial video surveillance system is the bullet camera, which is small and compact. This camera is perfect for monitoring areas in secret and is lower in cost than many others. The bullet camera is easy to install and manage. Even smaller than the bullet camera is the mini security camera. This type can be smaller than a matchbook but still have good resolution and is easy to hide.

Dome cameras are standard in the video surveillance systems of many retail establishments and are professional and streamlined in appearance. This type can blend into any color ceiling for unobtrusive observation and can be hardened to prevent vandalism.

There are many options available when it comes to adding a video surveillance system to your business. If you want to learn more, contact us here at 1st Alarm. You can call us at 1(800) 276-5559 or send us a message via email. We have locations in the following Texas cities: Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo.

3 Main Objectives Of A Wireless Home Security System

No matter where you live, being at home should always feel safe. Having a wireless home security system can give you the added peace of mind you and your family need to feel safe around the clock. When you consider purchasing a security system, there are three objectives the device should meet. These objectives include minimizing break-ins, protecting your possessions, and avoiding danger.

Minimizing break-ins

The main purpose for having a wireless home security system is to minimize break-ins. Just the simple fact that you have a security system could keep a potential burglar away from your house. Decals in your windows or a sign in your yard advertising your security could keep a burglar from attempting a break-in. Criminals don’t want to get caught and know there is a high chance of being stopped because of a security system. Therefore, your wireless home security system has already done something without even having to be triggered.

Protecting possessions

Replacing your possessions is hard and some things, especially sentimental items, cannot be replaced. Having a wireless home security system means that you can worry less about a criminal breaking in and taking your items. If a criminal does actually get into your house, he or she will only have seconds before the police are alerted. This means you may not suffer a loss as large as one you may have incurred if you didn’t have the system in place.

Avoiding danger

Nothing is more scary than having to fight off or confront a burglar in your home. You may not be equipped to handle this type of situation, so leave criminals to the police, even when you have a wireless home security system. If you come home to an alarm going off, you know there is a chance someone entered your house. You can avoid danger by staying out of your house until the police arrive to investigate.

A home security system isn’t just a deterrent for criminals. This product can also keep you safe from a fire or other disaster. Connecting the unit to a fire alarm can alert you within seconds if there is a fire. The product can even alert the police and fire department.

Have questions about what type of wireless home security system is best for you? Contact 1st Alarm at 1(800) 276-5559 for more information about installing a security system. You can also contact us online with your questions, comments, or concerns or to get a price quote for your wireless home security system. We have locations in the following Texas cities: Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo.

4 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Wireless Home Security System

You installed a wireless home security system. You think you are safe, but are you really? A wireless home security system is your first line of defense for keeping your residence in Lubbock, Texas safe and sound. However, this form of security should not be the only line of defense you have. If you want to make the most out of your wireless home security system you just installed, you need to take further action. Use heavy-duty deadbolts on each entry point. Install motion detector lights outside and eliminate hiding places. Also, used timed devices, stop the mail, and notify neighbors when you are going on vacation.

Use heavy-duty deadbolts on each entry point

A determined burglar or home invader in Lubbock, Texas is not going to let much get in his way. Heavy-duty deadbolts, however, will make it very difficult for him to gain entry to your home through the doors. Make sure these deadbolts are made of hardened steel and installed by a professional. When you leave the house, arm your Lubbock wireless home security system and lock those deadbolts.

Install motion detector lights outside

Burglars and other criminals in Lubbock, Texas love the back yard, with no lights on, because they can gain entry into your home without anyone detecting them. With motion detector lights installed around the perimeter of your home, the dark won’t be an aid to burglars anymore. These lights will make you feel even more safe with your wireless home security system. When the light goes on, it may scare the criminal away. If not, it will at least alert you or the Lubbock police as to where the burglar is. Plus, if you need to go out at night for any reason, you will have lights go on automatically, making it safer for you.

Eliminate hiding places

An open garage, a dark unlit porch, or even an overgrown shrub, all make great hiding places for criminals. Take a walk around your home in Lubbock, Texas and see where there may be potential hiding places. Then, take steps to eliminate these hiding spots. Keep the garage door shut and get motion sensor lights on both the front and back porches. Also, trim hedges and plant prickly plants in areas where you cannot add light or eliminate the barriers. Taking these steps will help you get the most out of your home security system.

Use timed devices, stop the mail, and notify neighbors when you are going on vacation

Burglars will often stake out a house to see if anyone is at home. Having your lights, radios, televisions, and even small appliances go on occasionally will help deter their interest.

Stop the mail and Lubbock newspaper or have someone pick them up each day. A pile of unread newspapers or an overflowing mailbox are all signs that a homeowner has not been there in awhile. You can contact the post office and the Lubbock newspaper company to stop delivery until you get back. Alternatively, you can ask a neighbor or family member to come by each day and take these things inside.

Notify the home security company and your neighbors when you go on vacation. The home security company can send emergency responders instantly if they know you are not there. Your neighbors can also make sure that no one suspicious is hanging around your property in Lubbock, Texas when you are not there.

For the times when a burglar does try to break into your house, your wireless home security system will alert the proper Lubbock authorities. You can be rest assured that you, your family, and your belongings are protected with these tips and a good home security system.

If you are in the market for a home security system, give us a call here at 1st Alarm. We have locations in the following Texas cities: Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo. Give us a call today at 1(800) 276-5559. You can also contact us via email. We look forward to providing you with the best home security system available.

Finding A Wireless Home Security System On A Budget

There is a common myth out there that getting a home security system is out of the price range for most homeowners. However, you can get a decent wireless home security system that still fits within your budget. You can even get a temporary security alarm if that’s what you desire and it may be the best option if you’re in the process of moving home, but these are mainly used for construction or building sites. Start with a basic home security system package, but don’t go with one that does not have a monitoring service attached. After you get a basic system, add budget-friendly options such as GSM cellular radio alarm monitoring, cameras, glass breaking sensors, and smoke and fire sensors. Finding a wireless home security system on a budget is all a matter of picking the options you need and getting a quality alarm company behind it all.

Start with a basic wireless home security system package

Most alarm companies offer a basic wireless home security system package that will fit into most budgets. If your budget is tight, this is the place to start.

A basic wireless home security system will come with a central control panel that hooks up with an alarm company’s monitoring service. This basic system will give you door sensors to keep entry points secure and may also come with a motion sensor. This motion sensor will help detect any unexpected movement within the house. An alarm company should install a basic wireless home security system package for a low price.

You do not want to go with a wireless home security system that does not have a monitoring service attached to it. Even the loudest alarms will not deter a determined thief if he knows that there is no one available to call the police.

Add budget-friendly wireless home security system options

If you want a wireless home security system that is a bit more sophisticated, you can add options that will not raise the price too much. These options include GSM cellular radio alarm monitoring, cameras, glass breaking sensors, and smoke and fire sensors.

GSM cellular radio removes dependency on a hardwired phone system. Getting this service added should only cost a bit more for installation and a few dollars more each month for monitoring service.

Cameras are another option to consider. This wireless home security system option lets you capture video of what is going on in, and around, your house. If you have a babysitter or a housekeeper you suspect of wrong behavior, a camera can capture the evidence. A camera on the outside allows you to see if someone is trespassing on your property, even if that person does not trip the alarm. Cameras do add a bit of cost, but not a large amount.

Glass breaking sensors react to the sound of glass breaking. This wireless home security system option is an added backup to the door sensors that protect your main entry points. If an intruder decides to bypass the door and go through a window, the glass break sensor will trigger an alarm. Adding additional sensors to your basic wireless home security system package does not cost much and shouldn’t go over your budget.

Smoke and fire protection is another low cost wireless home security system option. Sensors inside the house will trigger an alarm if smoke or fire is detected. This option is perfect for when you are not at home and something happens.

These are just a few of the options you can add to your basic wireless home security system without going over your budget. The best way to find the right combination of sensors and cameras for your house is to talk with an alarm professional. Contact us here at 1st Alarm. We provide alarm services throughout West Texas and the Texas Panhandle, with locations in Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo. Give us a call at 1(800) 276-5559 or contact us via email. We look forward to providing you with the best wireless home security system available that is within your budget.

How Does A Home Security System Door Sensor Work?

Door sensors are a basic part of your home’s security system. This wireless home security system feature provides a barrier to the vulnerable entry points into your house. Door sensors use electrical circuits to work. However, this home security system feature will fail eventually unless properly maintained. Understanding how wireless home security system door sensors work will help you understand more about how to secure your house.

Door sensors use electrical circuits to work

Electricity needs a clear path through which to flow. This electrical path is usually referred to as a circuit. An electrical circuit begins at one point and ends at the same point, in a continuous path. If that path is closed, the electricity continues to flow. However, if there is a break in the path, the electricity cannot flow.

Door sensors use electrical circuits to work. The sensor has a source of electricity. In a wired home security system, that source is the home’s electrical feed. In a wireless home security system, that source is a battery installed in the sensor.

Home security system door sensors come in two parts. There is the piece secured to the door and the piece secured to the frame around the door. Each piece has a magnet. When the door is closed, the magnets are in contact. The electricity can flow through the magnets, completing the circuit. However, when the door is open, the magnets are apart, breaking the circuit.

When the electrical circuit is broken, this activates the home security system alarm. The sensor will send a signal back to the central control panel that the entry point has been opened.

Those that are authorized to enter the home have an access code that will disable the alarm. However, if no one enters a valid access code, the alarm is sent to the central monitoring service, who can contact emergency personnel as needed.

Eventually, door sensors will fail unless properly maintained

Door sensors, either wired or wireless, will fail eventually. Some mechanism inside the sensor will sustain damage or just wear out. If a door sensor in your home is malfunctioning, it is very important to replace it immediately. Until this feature is fixed, it is a point of vulnerability in your home security system.

If you have wireless door sensors, you need to make sure to test and change the batteries as recommended by the home security company. Having a dead battery means having a dead door sensor.

For more information on securing your home with door sensors and other security features, contact us here at 1st Alarm. We offer complete customizable home security systems. We have locations in the following Texas cities: Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo. Give us a call today at 1(800) 276-5559. Check out our website for more information about our company as well as our products and services. We look forward to providing you with the best home security system with the best features available.

How To Choose The Best Home Security Company

If you do a quick internet search or grab the phone directory, you are going to find dozens of alarm companies out there. Trying to sort out which home security company best fits your needs and your budget can be a challenge. Start your search by finding home security company references and reviews. You can get personal references or ask the business for a list of recent references. You can also find customer reviews online. Don’t choose a home security company that is too big or too small. You don’t want to be just another number, but you also don’t want to jeopardize your security. Make sure to verify that the home security company has the proper licensing and accreditation as well as no hidden fees. Taking these steps will help you choose the best home security company that best fits your needs.

Find home security company references and reviews

Personal references are a great place to start when it comes to sorting out the good home security companies from the bad ones. If your family and friends have personal experience with a company, listen. Ask about their experience and whether they would recommend it again or not.

Ask the home security company for references. Besides licensing information, the client should also be able to provide you with recent references. These are other customers that use their services. If the company provides a list of references, check them. Call the people on the list and ask them about the alarm company. What kind of service do they provide? Has there been any negative experiences? Were there any hidden costs?

If you go online, you should be able to see customer reviews on the company’s website as well as third-party review sites. You can also check with the local police to see if they have any negatives to say about the home security company. Taking the time to check out the alarm company will save you headaches down the road.

Don’t choose a home security company that is too big or too small

Many home security companies are just too large. You become just another number on their list of clients and getting personal service is next to impossible. On the other end of the spectrum, some alarm companies are not much more than a storefront and a guy with a pager. Going too small can jeopardize the security you want. You need a home security company that has a strong regional presence, but still provides personal service.

Verify that the home security company has the proper licensing and accreditation as well as no hidden fees

Alarm companies need to have proper licensing and accreditation, which shows they are above board and professional with their clients and the local authorities. The home security company should have no issues providing information on their licensing, accreditation, and associations. If the company is evasive or cannot come up with the information, look elsewhere.

The home security company should also be upfront with all pricing. This pricing includes installation costs as well as monitoring fees. While there may be taxes included (depending on the jurisdiction), there should be no hidden fees or other unmentioned charges on your bill.

If you are looking for a home security company, give us a call here at 1st Alarm. We proudly serve our neighbors throughout West Texas and the Texas Panhandle areas. We have locations in Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo. Give us a call today at 1(800) 276-5559 or contact us via email. We look forward to providing you with the best home security system available.

Options For Monitoring Wireless Home Security System Alarms

If an alarm goes off in your home, what happens? The whole idea of getting a wireless home security system in the first place was to protect you, your family, and your home from intruders, thieves, and other criminals. You want that protection to happen, even if you are not home. That is where a wireless home security system alarm monitoring comes into play. There are various options available for monitoring your wireless home security system alarm. Self alarm monitoring and telephone line monitoring can leave your home vulnerable to intruders, thieves, and other criminals. VoIP monitoring is a newer option for those with a fast, reliable internet connection. GSM cellular alarm monitoring is the newest option available and probably the most reliable.

Self alarm monitoring and telephone line monitoring can leave your home vulnerable to intruders, thieves, and other criminals

With self monitoring, you receive an alarm from the home security system via your cell phone. It is completely up to you to respond to the alarm. You have to determine whether to call the police, an ambulance, or the fire department. This form of monitoring only works if your cell phone is charged and you have it on you at all times. This kind of wireless home security system is not provided or supported by most alarm companies.

With telephone line monitoring, your home security system is tied into a hard phone line. This option is very reliable, but also very vulnerable. A burglar can cut the phone line, completely cutting off the alarm from the central monitoring system.

VoIP alarm monitoring is a newer option for those with a fast, reliable internet connection

Instead of using a hard phone line to connect to the central panel, this option connects through the Internet using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). VoIP involves converting analog signals from the home security system control panel to data packets that can run over an internet feed. The problem with VoIP is that it relies on a fast, reliable internet connection, this why some businesses use voip monitoring to keep an eye on their servers and networks. If your internet connection is slow or unreliable, it will delay or prevent the alarm from reaching the central monitoring station.

GSM cellular alarm monitoring is the newest option available

Instead of relying on a hard phone line or an internet connection, this kind of monitoring sends signals via the cellular phone network. This option works much like the hard phone line systems, without the vulnerability of having the phone line cut. If you get strong cell phone signals in your home, this is probably the most reliable option you can go with.

If you are in the market for a new home security system, contact us here at 1st Alarm. We provide residential and commercial security systems throughout West Texas and the Texas Panhandle, with locations in Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo. Give us a call today at 1(800) 276-5559. You can also contact us via email. We look forward to providing you with the best home security system available.

The Basics Of A Wireless Home Security System

Most of today’s home security systems are wireless. If you are considering adding one to your home, it pays to understand how a wireless system works and how it differs from a wired version. This knowledge can help you make an informed decision between the two.

How does a wireless home security system work?

All home security systems are going to have a central control panel. Alarms go through this control panel and get routed to the monitoring service as needed. This control panel is where the homeowner can punch in access codes and manage alarm settings.

In a wired home security system, all the sensors and cameras in the house are hardwired into this control panel. With a wireless home security system, the sensors send their signals via radio waves to the central control panel.

Wireless sensors are placed at each entry point and at the windows. If someone opens a door or window, the wireless sensor sends an alert to the central control panel. The homeowner has a certain amount of time to enter an access code to keep the control panel from sending the alarm to the monitoring service. If no one enters an access code, the service receives the alarm and notifies the appropriate authorities.

A wireless home security system can also include cameras and motion sensors placed inside and outside. Cameras can be placed at any point around your house and be moved as needed. The same goes with motion sensors.

What are some of the key differences between wired and wireless home security systems?

Installation ease is a noticeable benefit of wireless over wired alarm systems. A wired home security system requires the installation team to pull wires through the walls and hooking them up to the central control panel. The intensive labor involved can quickly drive installation costs up.

Portability is another difference. Going wireless offers you the ability to move and reconfigure the sensors and cameras in your home security system, without the need to rewire.

Wireless sensors and cameras work on battery power. That means that even if the power goes out, your wireless home security system is still on the job.

Range can be almost double when it comes to a wireless home security system versus a wired one. That makes it easy to secure detached outbuildings without the need to run cable underground.

Cellular alarms are another benefit of wireless over wired alarm types. Most wired systems rely on a hard telephone line to send signals. However, many wireless home security systems use a cellular signal instead. This signal takes out the possibility of an intruder cutting the phone line.

Upgrades are very simple with a wireless home security system. You can switch sensors and cameras out without a lot of hassle. Plus, you can add additional wireless sensors and cameras without adding more hard wiring.

A wireless home security system is an affordable, flexible option for most homeowners. To learn more about adding this product to your house, contact us here at 1st Alarm. Give us a call today at 1(800) 276-5559. You can also contact us via email. We have locations in the following Texas cities: Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo. We look forward to providing you with the best home security system available.

What Is The Average Cost Of A Wireless Home Security System?

One of the first thoughts that pop into a person’s head when thinking about wireless home security systems is, “How much is it going to cost?” There is a common misconception that a decent wireless home security system is going to cost a lot of money. The truth is that you can get a decent alarm system on just about any budget. According to an article published by U.S. News & World Report, Americans spent over $20 billion on wireless home security systems in 2011. That number is expected to top $34 billion by 2017. The reason for this growth is the increasing affordability of these systems as well as an increasing desire to have more protection. When considering the price of an alarm system, you need to look at two things: the cost of the installation and the monthly charges for monitoring. Both depend heavily on the kinds of features and upgrades you choose.

Installation costs for a wireless home security system

A basic wireless home security system installation charge can run as low as 70 – 100 dollars. More sophisticated wireless home security systems, with more features, can run as high as 1000 dollars for installation once everything is set-up and running.

For a basic installation package, you should get a central control panel and sensors for all entry doors in the home. The wireless home security system should offer panic buttons for emergencies, along with window decals and yard signs.

When you start adding additional features or equipment that is outside the package, you are going to get higher installation costs as well. Some features that will increase installation costs include motion detectors, window sensors, cameras, automation, emergency lighting, and alarms for smoke and fire detection.

Monthly charges for monitoring with a wireless home security system

To have your wireless home security system monitored, you need to pay an ongoing monthly service charge. This monthly monitoring fee can run anywhere from 20 to 100 dollars a month. A monthly charge of 30 to 50 dollars is average for a decent wireless home security system. These monthly monitoring charges can go up if you add additional features.

The monitoring service should be 24/7/365 and should alert the company immediately. The security company should have live personnel on-site to answer the calls and to dispatch emergency services as needed.

If you are in need of a reliable wireless home security system, contact 1st Alarm for more information. We have locations in the following Texas cities: Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo. Give us a call today at 1(800) 276-5559. You can also contact us via email. We look forward to providing you with the best wireless home security system available.