Category: General

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.

Depending on the provider, the cost of a security systems can vary widely with a wide assortment of monthly fees. Below, we’ll go over some facts and let you decide if a security system is the right choice for protecting your home and family.

Facts About Break-ins

Data from the FBI 2012 crime report shows that one in every thirty-six homes in the United States will be burglarized this year, resulting in an average loss of $2,230 per break in (totaling $4.7 billion in property losses). Even more shocking is that a burglary takes place every 15 seconds in the U.S. By the time you finish reading this blog, another home will be broken into.

While monthly fees certainly can vary, a basic security system will cost you far less than what the average burglary will cost you. EMC Security in particular has a popular self-install system for just $299 and offers financing on all systems with just $99 down. Additionally, most homeowners insurance companies reduce premiums by up to 20% with proof of having a security system installed in the home.

Potential Savings

While monthly alarm monitoring varies by provider, a security system may ultimately be less of an expense when you include all of the potential savings. As compared to the yearly $2,230 average loss of a burglary, you could potentially have years of home security before reaching how much you could lose from just one burglary without a security system.

The main deterrent for people thinking about getting a home security system is most often the cost. Studies show that a home without a security system is 3 times as likely to get broken into so you might decide that the cost is worth covering the potential risks – a decision that only you can make for yourself.

If you’re interested in learning more about EMC Security’s systems and costs, contact us at 770-963-0305 or visit our website.

Have you wondered what happens behind the scenes when a home alarm is triggered?

Every alarm will set normal home security alarm procedures into action: When EMC Security’s monitoring center receives an alarm notification, it will immediately call to verify the alarm. If we can not reach anyone by phone (or by our new EMC Text-Alert response system), then the police and/or fire department will be dispatched to the home – whether it is an actual emergency or not.

False alarms can be quite costly to homeowners, depending on where you live. Many cities in Georgia require that homeowners register their alarms, and may charge homeowners false alarm fees ranging from $25 to $500 per incident. And while false alarms can happen, it’s important to take proactive measures to help reduce their occurrence.We’ve outlined five ways homeowners can prevent false alarms.

1. Make sure all users know how to arm and disarm the system.

It’s been reported that 32% of false alarms are due to lack of end-user training, so everyone in your household, including frequent visitors such as babysitters, needs to know how the alarm system operates, which doors and windows are connected, and the correct codes associated with the alarm system.

2. Stay connected with security cameras.

Know what’s happening at home at any time, from anywhere. Security cameras send clips to your phone so you can verify an alarm signal before authorities are dispatched.

3. Watch for stray objects near motion detectors.

If you have motion detectors, make sure there are no drapes or other objects that may move in front of them and cause a false alarm. Be especially aware of forced air heating/cooling vents and ceiling fans.

4. Plan for pets.

If you have a pet, you will need to install a pet immune motion sensor. This type of sensor can ignore movements caused by pets weighing 40 to 80 lbs. You can adjust the sensitivity based on how big or small your pet is.

5. Regularly check your security system and batteries

It’s recommended that you test your system monthly to be sure it’s operating correctly. EMC Security customers can visit our office for a free battery and can call us at 770.963.0305 to have us walk you through testing your security system. It’s also recommended to replace old alarm systems with more up-to-date equipment every 10 years.

So what should you do in case of a false alarm?

When your alarm is activated, a notification is sent to the central monitoring station for immediate action. This includes contacting you at a predetermined phone number. If you have EMC Security’s Text Alert, you and everyone on your emergency contact list will receive a text notification. If someone knows what’s going on, he or she can respond appropriately.

If you’ve triggered the alarm yourself, immediately contact your monitoring station to report the false alarm. Declaring a false alarm quickly can stop police from being dispatched unnecessarily — and save you from being hit with a fine by your city.

Contact EMC Security today to learn more about our home security options.

There are many home security system options on the market. Depending on the size of your home and options added, prices can range from $250 up. These costs include equipment, installation, and activation fees.

Below is a break-down of costs you can expect:

Equipment Costs

The equipment costs make up the bulk of your upfront charges. Depending on the system and the equipment you choose, the price can vary drastically. Some companies will advertise “new-customer equipment pricing” where you can get up to $1,500 worth of “free” equipment upfront. It sounds like a great deal, but make sure to read the fine print on these types of offers, because “free” is almost never free.

Monitoring Costs

Monthly monitoring costs vary widely as well. This monthly charge is for the service of having your home monitored 24/7 by an external monitoring center. Most companies start at a base price and adjust it as you add features or services, such as remote controls or cameras. According to the SDM Rankings, the national average monthly cost is $50.30. EMC Security has one of the lowest monitoring cost starting at $16.95 per month.

Companies, like the above example, hide equipment costs in the monthly fee so the consumer has no idea how much their system actually costs. Typically, the monthly rate is based on a package price and that is what you pay for the remainder of your patronage with that company. Other companies are up-front about their costs – like EMC Security. EMC Security offers a 24-month commitment option where the customer can pay for the equipment in 24 monthly installments. Once the equipment is paid for, that debt is satisfied and the monthly rate decreases to include just the monitoring costs. There is no other company in Atlanta that offers this type of agreement. This is great for people who want an affordable home security option but can’t afford the heavy upfront costs of equipment.

Options

Self-install options have entered the market and are a great alternative to professional installation. With this type of system, you can install it when it’s most convenient for you – without taking off work or scheduling appointments. It’s also typically more cost-effective since you are not paying for installation. It’s important to note that not all DIY security systems are the same. EMC Security cautions against systems from the “big box” stores. We believe no one should trust their home and family’s safety to anyone other than a professional security company. Check out our systems from just $179.

Are you ready to protect your home with a professional home alarm system?

Knowing what to look for is key in finding the right fit to protect your family.

At EMC Security, we’re local and know who to trust when it comes to making the best purchasing decisions: Clark Howard. Recently, Clark shared a customer experience on his blog along with his recommendations for choosing the right home monitoring system. Here are his tips.

Clark says…

Keep these pointers in mind when you’re shopping for a traditional home alarm system

• Know how many doors and windows you need protection before you get a quote.
• A basic system hooked up to a UL-approved station should cost $15-$20 each month for monitoring. Installation of equipment will be extra, usually $600 to $800 for a typical house. Beware of supposedly “free” equipment because the costs will be built into your monthly monitoring.
• Never sign a contract. Contracts with hidden rollover provisions are particularly dangerous. If you have a rollover provision, you must contact the company in a very specific way (sometimes even on a certain day) to break your contract without being penalized. If you fail to do that, you’re automatically renewed for high-rate monthly monitoring for a period of 1, 2, or 3 years.
• Most people sign up for monitoring following a crime in their neighborhood. The perceived risk you feel skyrockets when you hear about break-ins, robberies, and smash and grabs near your home. But that’s not the time to shop for a burglar alarm. You never want to make an emotional decision.

We’re proud to provide affordable home security monitoring starting at $16.95 a month with no contract. Have a question about our security services? Please give us a call at 770.963.0305.

We have seen an influx of DIY “Big Box” Security Systems enter the marketplace over the last few years.

Technology has proven to be easy to use and install, and cost effective for the consumer.

In fact, EMC Security launched our popular Self-Install Security System for these very reasons. Our customers love the option because it saves money, time, and it’s hassle-free. Additionally, the system works great. It’s the same professional system our technicians install in homes every day with the same great professional monitoring from 2 central monitoring stations, and all the benefits that every EMC Security customer receives: award winning service and 24/7 technical support.

Some DIY Security Systems can be down-right dangerous to rely on as a source of protection for your home and family.

Below are 5 Facts You Need to Know About DIY Self Install Security Systems

1. You are on your own when purchasing a system at a retail store. If you don’t know what you need for complete protection, how are you going to “build” your DIY system?

EMC Security’s DIY Security consultants work with you to determine exactly what you need according to your home specifications and safety concerns. We’ll even label the equipment for you so you know which piece goes where.

Once you install the system, our central station will test each sensor to ensure it works properly.

2. A system built for self-monitoring gives a false sense of security. A lot of the DIY home security systems on the market are built specifically for self-monitoring. While we are big fans of interactive technology that sends alerts and notifications to your smart-phone, we do not think you should rely on alerts alone when it comes to the protection of your home and family.

EMC Security’s self install systems are designed for professional monitoring by EMC Security’s central monitoring stations. If an alarm is triggered, EMC Security will notify you, and if you can’t be reached the authorities will be dispatched….within seconds.

3. Poor “cheap” equipment. One of the number one consumer complaints about DIY security systems on the market is the cheap, unreliable equipment. There’s something to be said for equipment manufactured by a leader in the industry.

4. Lack of technological support. If you have an issue with the installation, who can you call? What if something goes wrong with one of the sensors or the keypad? Does the company have service reps that can swing by your house to assist you? These are important questions to ask before buying from an online or “big-box” retailer.

Even though our DIY system is fast and easy to install, EMC Security has local, award winning service representatives available with just a simple phone call.

5. Who is testing the system? EMC Security runs alarm signal tests on every customer every month. If we don’t get a signal, the customer is notified and a service technician is sent out if necessary. A DIY system purchased from a retail store will most likely not provide any customer support after the purchase.

Give EMC Security a call today at 770.963.0305 to discuss your needs and how we can build a DIY Self Install Security System that’s right for you. OR order online now!

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