Category: General

A few years ago a friend told me, “I don’t need security, I don’t even have to lock my doors way out here.” Fast forward to 2021, their large barn with thousands of dollars of equipment and family valuables was broken into, and my friend is now installing a professional security system with cameras. Unfortunately, there are desperate people everywhere that will stop at nothing to claim what’s yours.

It’s time to be prepared. Below is a list of solutions to keep you and your valuables safe:

1. Video surveillance—a must have!

Many rural properties are situated on acres of land with additional structures such as barns and sheds. A security system with video surveillance is the best defense against potential threats since you can keep an eye on your entire property, prepare yourself for whatever the cameras may see, and notify the proper authorities before things escalate.

If a thief is successful, the video could come in handy in identifying and catching the culprit.

Rural property owners use video cameras to view everything else that lives on the property. For example, you can quickly act on weather damage to property or unwelcome wild animals bothering your livestock or getting into the vegetation.

2. Shine a light on intruders

Burglars can’t stand lights, so when it comes to keeping your rural property safe, auto-lighting came make a huge difference between keeping your house, equipment, or even livestock safe. When looking for a motion-sensor lighting system for your rural property, look for one that can be accessed remotely from anywhere.

3. Lock it up

The more layers of security you add to your property, the safer you and your family will be. Smart door locks are smart decision because they go far beyond remotely locking and unlocking your doors. For example, you can create an emergency automation that immediately unlocks your doors in case of a fire.

With the introduction of advanced technology, there are many home security options available.

Most of them fall into two categories: professionally installed, and self installed/DIY systems.

Below we will provide the benefits of each to ensure you get the system right for you.

Professionally Installed Systems

When you purchase a professionally installed security system, like one from Atlanta’s own EMC Security, a security expert assesses your home and lifestyle to determine the security solution that is right for your needs. Once the system is customized for your home, a professional security technician will install and test the system. This includes installing the panel, keypad, sensors, and integrating remotes services on your mobile devices. A wireless system takes 2-4 hours to install and test every sensor to ensure it’s working properly.

Some homeowners decide to install a pre-wired system. Pre-wired security systems have wires connecting each device to the control panel (or hub of the system) and operate on electricity in the home. Installation could take a full day, depending on the size of the home and type of system.

There are some companies that make outrageous offers for free security systems with professional monitoring. If you choose to evaluate these companies for your home security, pay attention to the fine print and contract terms. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A reputable security company will charge a fair price for equipment, offer payment terms, and keep monthly monitoring costs affordable.

Is a Professionally Installed Security System right for you? Find out here.

Self-Install/DIY Systems

A home security system you install yourself, like EMC Security’s Self-Install System, can be a more affordable, convenient option for many people looking to secure their homes. 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.

Here’s why:

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 consultants work with you to determine exactly what you need according to your home specifications and safety concerns.

2. Some are Poor “cheap” equipment. One of the number one consumer complaints about DIY security systems on the market is the cheap, unreliable equipment.

3. 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? 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.

Customize Your System and Get a Quote Now >

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:

1. A lengthy contract that rolls the equipment cost into the monthly payment
2. 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.

Have you ever sign up for a subscription or on-going service and then get surprised by a renewal charge that shows up on your credit card bill weeks later? Have you gotten discouraged when you can’t figure out how to cancel? Or it’s too late to prevent the charges?

It’s called automatic renewal, and the practice is showing up more frequently in consumer contracts for all sorts of services and products. It’s happening everywhere from entertainment subscriptions to gym memberships to home security.

If you’re unwittingly auto-renewed into a new contract with a home security company and want to challenge the agreement — you’re not alone.

Georgia law requires every customer to be notified between 30 and 60 days of the original expiration date of the contract. The notification must clearly state that the contract is renewing. It must also provide clear instructions on how to cancel service if they do not want the contract to automatically renew for any term more than month to month.

Most companies are following state regulations on notification of a contract term in the original agreement. However, fewer are properly following the requirement of notifying customers that their contract is automatically renewing for more than a one-month term.

If you find yourself in this situation, check to see if you’ve received this type of written notification within the required time period. If not, you can dispute the auto-renewal and get out of the renewal without penalty.

Once you’re free from the binds of the agreement, you can resecure your home protection with EMC Security’s no-contract required policy.

Click here to download a full copy of the Georgia Auto-Renewal Law.