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Month: March 2020
Your Guide to Buying Home Security
Purchasing a security system to protect your home and family can be confusing. There are many options. Every home is different and individual needs vary. It’s not easy to sort through the information to get a clear idea of what you need to get up and running.
This guide can help.
We’ll outline the different ways in which you can purchase home security with EMC Security, depending on your home and what security equipment currently exists, including:
- Starting from scratch with a new security system
- Fine-tuning the current system in your home
- Powering up the current system in your home
STARTING FROM SCRATCH?
OPTION 1: PROFESSIONAL INSTALLED SYSTEM
No security equipment? Do you prefer a professional to install the equipment? Are you considering the addition of home-automation or security cameras?
KICK BACK AND LET EMC SECURITY INSTALL IT FOR YOU
What Do I Need? The type of system and components will depend on the construction of your home, your particular needs (security, fire, cameras, automation, etc.), and lifestyle (children, pets, etc.).
Hard-Wired vs Wireless. A hard-wired system connects all devices to the control panel via wires. Wireless systems connect via radio frequency, using minimum wiring.
Communication Method. You can connect to our monitoring centers via phone line, internet, or cell towers. Cellular is the most reliable since it does not rely on a power source to communicate.
Cameras & Automation. Interactive controls, cameras and home automation can be added to most security systems for a complete smart-security system, controlled from your mobile device.
What’s the Process? Contact us at 770.963.0305 to schedule an in-home evaluation to determine what equipment is needed. Monthly monitoring is $16.95 for phone and Wi-Fi connection, $23.95 for cellular.
In-Home Technician. At this appointment, the system will be installed and tested, interactive services will be applied and the homeowner will be fully trained on system operation.
OPTION 2: DIY SELF-INSTALLED SYSTEM
No security equipment? Do you want the latest, most advanced wireless/portable technology? Do you want to use interactive mobile controls and home-automation? IS THE DO-IT-YOURSELF SECURITY SYSTEM RIGHT FOR YOU?
Advanced Technology. Wireless DIY security is the hottest security product on the market. Everyone loves its ease of use, convenience, affordability, effortless home-automation, and interactive features.
Wi-Fi Communication. DIY Self-Install systems communicate to our monitoring centers via Wi-Fi technology with a cellular option.
Cameras & Automation. The DIY system is the hub for home automation devices and cameras that integrate to your security and are controlled via one mobile app.
All the Heavy Lifting. Is done. We’ll program and label each device specifically for your home, so all you have to do is open the box, peel and stick the equipment in place, plug it in, connect to your Wi-Fi, and go.
Where to Buy. The DIY system can be purchased either by visiting emcsecurity.com or by contacting us at 770.963.0305. Monthly monitoring is $16.95 for Wi-Fi, $23.95 for cellular option.
Beware of Imitations. Don’t be led into a false sense of security. Never purchase a system from a company that does not require 24/7 professional monitoring, nor provide technical support.
HAVE A SYSTEM? FINE TUNE AND UPGRADE
SECURITY SYSTEM CONVERSION
Is your security system looking a little worn-out? Does it need special treatment or updating?
REPLACE OR MODIFY YOUR EXISTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS
What’s a Conversion? Replacing or modifying the control panel and keypad(s) of an existing security system. Door/window sensors, motion detectors, wiring, and smoke detectors may or may not need to be replaced.
Why Do I Need This? Some systems do not accept a simple reprogramming because of proprietary equipment specific to a ertain alarm company. Therefore, it’s necessary to replace the control panel and keypad(s).
What About Updates? Some systems may not necessarily require a conversion but the customer chooses a conversion to upgrade to newer technology.
Examples and Ideas.
- Upgrade to a touchscreen keypad
- Revise communication method
- Integrate security cameras
- Add home-automation and interactive services
What’s the Process? Contact us at 770.963.0305 to schedule an in-home appointment to inspect the security system and determine your needs. Monthly monitoring is $16.95 for phone and Wi-Fi connection, $23.95 for cellular connection.
In-Home Technician. At this appointment, the conversion will be completed and tested, interactive services will be applied and the homeowner will be fully trained on system operation.
HAVE A SYSTEM? POWER-UP WHAT YOU’VE GOT
SECURITY SYSTEM TAKEOVER
Is your security system ready to go? Is it in crime-fighting shape and just needs to be activated?REPROGRAM YOUR SYSTEM SO EMC SECURITY CAN GET TO WORK
What’s a Takeover? Reprogramming an existing functional security system to allow for a change in monitoring companies.
Why Do a Takeover? A takeover is the most affordable way to switch monitoring companies. If you are searching for a great value you aren’t getting now, switching to EMC Security may be the answer.
What’s Included?
- A full system diagnostic
- Reprogamming & testing
- Battery replacement if needed
- Training on system operation
- EMC Security yard signs and stickers
What’s the Process? Just give us a call at 770.963.0305. We’ll determine if your system can be reprogrammed, go over the details, and schedule the takeover appointment.
EMC Security Difference.
- Monthly monitoring is $16.95 for phone and Wi-Fi , $23.95 for cellular connection.
- No-Contract option
- Response averaging 14 seconds
- New EMC Group Chat Notification
Contact EMC Security. 770.963.0305 | emcsecurity.com
Teach Your Kids About Your Security System
A home security system provides you and your family with additional protection in the event of an emergency.
Ideally, adults should be the only people operating a home security system; however, what better way is there for children to learn how to keep safe than by learning how to work the home security system by themselves?
How to Teach Your Kids about Your Security System
- Review your home’s access points, such as doors and windows, discussing how the alarm system is triggered and the process that follows.
- Provide instruction on how to turn the system on and off. Review the password with them and express the importance of keeping it secure by not telling others. This is particularly important if your child has friends over while you’re not at home. To be on the safe side, consider changing the password periodically.
- Practice! Set up times to perform practice drills and review security measures. This is a great time to teach children what to do in the event of a false alarm.
- Consider a mobile security app for additional peace of mind and convenience. With the mobile app, you’re able to view, arm, and disarm the security system from anywhere.
- Establish a family safety plan, such as a fire escape plan and what to do if your alarm goes off. Review the plans often to ensure your children know how to stay safe.
Contact EMC Security at 770.963.0305 to learn more about the mobile app and other smart-security services.
Is Your Home Being Targeted For Burglary?
Many burglars are smarter than you’d think. In fact, there are articles that feature career burglars giving homeowners advice to avoid being a target in the future.
While that information is in another article, below will feature ways you can spot when your home has become a target, and what you can do to prevent an intrusion.
1. Do you see a questionable car parked near your home that you know doesn’t belong to your neighbors or anyone visiting?
What to do:
- Use security cameras to keep an eye on traffic near your home to identify patterns and unusual behavior. Statistics show a criminal will most likely pass up your home if a camera is visible. They simply don’t want to get caught on video.
- Take notes: vehicle description, time of day, etc.
- Talk to your neighbors.
- Alert the police.
2. Do you notice strangers walking past your home more often? Do they appear to be lingering or scoping out the house and property? While not everyone that walk the neighborhood is a potential criminal, strange, unusual behavior could be suspect.
What to do:
- Use your security cameras to video foot traffic around your home. Again, place cameras where people can see them because they help deter criminals.
- Talk to your neighbors.
3. Do you see strangers going door to door from a “legitimate business or government agency”? Crafty burglars use this as a way to gain access to the home, discover your habits, ask questions about what systems you have in the house, see if there’s a dog, etc.
What to do:
- Never let anyone in your house that doesn’t have an appointment that you’ve confirmed previously. Not only is it a personal safety risk but it gives the stranger a chance to scope out your home for a future break-in.
- Ask for a business card and references. Call the business or references to ensure the person is legitimate.
- You aren’t obligated to open your door to a stranger. A better solution is to answer the door through your video doorbell. You can have a full conversation (and video it) from your kitchen or across town.
When it comes to protecting your home and family from danger, it’s always a good idea to be extra careful. While not every stranger you see is a threat, suspicious behavior can be a cause for concern. By being vigilant, and maybe a little paranoid, you can help deter potential break-ins.
For maximum protection, install a security system and integrate security cameras. Learn more here.
How to Reuse Your Current Security Equipment
Switching to a better home security monitoring service is called a system takeover.
The benefit is that—if it’s relatively modern and compatible—you can keep the equipment you already own rather than buy a completely new system.
How does a system takeover work?
In most cases, it’s fairly straightforward to use your existing security system and switch to a new alarm monitoring company.
It’s important to speak with your new alarm monitoring company to determine if your current system is compatible with their monitoring center.
- For example, when you call EMC Security, the main details we’ll review the type of equipment currently in place (and may ask you to text an image of your keypad) and discover if you want to add or upgrade any components. This might be a good time to upgrade to a touchscreen keypad or add security cameras.
- Once we get a good sense of your situation, we’ll send one of our trained technicians to your home to reprogram your system and make any changes requested or required.
If your system is not currently compatible with EMC Security, but is not locked out due to proprietary equipment, we’ll suggest a conversion to replace the “brains of the system” so it can communicate reliably with our central monitoring station.
- While this option is not as inexpensive as a takeover, it can be quite less expensive than replacing the entire system.
If you want the best security company in your area, we encourage you to shop around and ask your sales rep the right questions. Spending those few extra minutes to understand your security company will save you a lot of headache and disappointment down the line.
Want to learn more about security systems before you make a decision? Contact us at 770-963-0305 and we’ll answer any questions you have.
Why a proprietary alarm is a thumbs down
Would you be happy purchasing security equipment from a company and being stuck using their service exclusively, even if the service is poor or the price keeps increasing?
It could happen, especially if you purchase ADT, Xfinity (Comcast), or Simplisafe security equipment. Simplisafe and Xfinity even claim a benefit of not requiring a monthly contract. But the fact is, if you aren’t happy with their service, you’ll need to throw the equipment in the trash – because no other company can take it over and monitor it. Their technology is proprietary.
These companies make their proprietary equipment quite attractive with huge sales or “free” equipment.
But that comes at a cost:
- A lengthy contract that rolls the equipment cost into the monthly payment
- No way out because no other company can take it over
Let me ask the obvious question:
If the company locks you into a monthly contract or locks other companies out of monitoring the equipment, what incentive do they have to offer you good service once the sale is complete?
The answer is simple – They have no incentive.
For these reasons, EMC Security gives proprietary equipment a thumbs down. We want our customers to CHOOSE to do business with us. That’s why we give them the freedom to cancel at anytime for any reason – with no penalty. The equipment is non-proprietary so many companies can monitor it.
Click here to schedule a quick, easy takeover today.
Key features of a good home security camera
With a lot of choices available for you, it can often be tough to find the ideal home security system that can keep your home and family feeling safe from harm.
Security cameras come with a lot of features that make one different and often better for you than others.
We’ve put together our list of key features you should look for when choosing your home security cameras.
High Resolution Camera
This is the most important feature because the camera is useless if the image isn’t clear. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image. A full HD resolution of 1080p is best, but HD 720p is OK if you are on a tight budget.
Field of View
A higher viewing angle will give you the most recording coverage but depending on your needs, you may not need something so expansive. Field of view ranges widely by the camera so check this specification to make sure it’ll work properly in the chosen location.
Recording/Storage
There are a few types of recording that are common for home security cameras.
The most popular cameras use cloud storage. This option makes it easy to view video anytime. The length of time or amount of storage varies by camera so make sure you understand what you are getting so you aren’t surprised when you need to access video that might have been deleted. Some cameras include a memory card space for additional storage.
Alternately, DVR/NVR camera systems record on-site. The footage lives on the DVR/NVR in your home to be viewed at any time.
Infrared Night Vision
Make sure your camera has IR night vision. Even if your camera can capture footage hundreds of feet away during daylight, if it can’t capture video at night, it’s doing half its job. IR lights can capture crystal clear video, even in total darkness.
Two-way Audio
Camera with two-way audio allow you to speak through the camera and can capture background noise. This is a great feature because it allows you to be at two places at once. You can communicate with anyone around your home – pets, infants, aging parents – without the need for a phone.
Integration with Your Security System
Get the most out of your security cameras with integration to the security system. For example, if a camera detects motion in a specific area, your camera can activate the alarm or a light. Integration is the best way to stop crime as it’s happening.
Mobile App
The reason why security cameras have become so popular is because of the convenience of viewing video from anywhere through a mobile app. Many cameras provide real-time access so you can answer your front door from your kitchen or across town.
Keep in mind that not all security cameras are made equal, so it’s important to research to make sure you get the best for your needs.
Take a look at EMC Security’s line of wi-fi based IP cameras that are both advanced and affordable starting at $79.
Why Do Self-Install Security?
EMC Security launched a line of self-install security systems a few years ago.
Today, our DIY systems are the most popular, and most affordable systems we offer.
We acknowledge that consumers can be a little hesitant when it comes to installing their own system – because it’s something that hasn’t been offered until lately. But just like anything else, once they experience it, they realize there was nothing to fear.
Advanced technology has made DIY systems easier than ever to set-up. But even more importantly, once the system is set-up, DIY systems are easier than ever to use day in and day out.
Who is Self-Installing?
Over half of consumers that acquired a security system (51%) in the past 12 months self-installed their system, according to Parks Associates’ report, DIY Disruption: Smart Products and Home Security.
Why Self-Install?
1. Reduce Cost
Many of these consumers find the cost savings of DIY systems highly attractive — 48% of those who self-installed their system did so to save money,” says Dina Abdelrazik, senior analyst, Parks Associates. “Current self-install security solutions are designed from the ground up to be installed by the consumer.”
2. It’s Convenient
Additionally, just as many reported that they like the convenience that a self-install system provides: no installation appointment, no waiting for installers, and no privacy lost from installers coming into the home.
3. Set-up is as Easy as They Say
The research also confirms that DIY systems are in fact as easy to install as they claim. “DIY security systems are easy to install, can make the consumer feel safe, and provide peace-of-mind value while delivering cost savings.”
Parks and Associates is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services.
Is your security system looking a little worn-out? Does it need special treatment or updating?