One of the great benefits of a wireless home alarm system is that you can easily add devices without the mess and annoyance – or expense – of running wires when you want additional protection. It’s even easier if you set up your own system in the first place, since now you don’t even need to schedule a technician to come to your home.

What Does Wireless Really Mean?

Wireless home alarm systems are easier to set up, and easier to use. And when I say “wireless,” I meanit both ways: wireless alarm sensors have become the norm, and wireless communication (which means safer cellular monitoring) is now offered by more alarm companies. Both of these technology advances have created alarm systems that are simple for anyone to install. In fact, these days you can purchase a “real” alarm system (meaning a system that meets national standards from Underwriters Laboratories) that’s fully programmed and can be set up in about half an hour, with no tools or wires. That also means you can start with the basics, and build the perfect home alarm on your budget and schedule. Read More »

Tradition has it that home security is built around door/window sensors and motion sensors, and that’s been true – just about every system includes both of these devices. But we also find more and more customers selecting glass break sensors to enhance a system, as an effective cost-saving device when protecting a group of windows in one room. And, unlike motions sensors, glass breaks are active in both the “Stay” and “Away” modes. For more detail on that important topic, here’s a link to my post on How to Arm Your Alarm System. Since folks are increasingly arming their systems when home at night, glass breaks could be the key. Today I’ll explain glass break technology – and why using these sensors could make sense for you.

The Right Design

Plenty of alarm companies try to fit you into a “one-size-fits-most” solution, instead of customizing your system to your specific needs. For instance, few of them focus on safer cellular monitoring.  Our handy video on alarm system design touches on each device and how it is used, to help you make the right choice. Another thing to bear in mind is that our lives change – and so do our neighborhoods! You may want to add devices to your system to increase your peace of mind, or use your system differently – and having a system that is flexible and grows with you can be a real asset. This is another area where an easily self-installed alarm system offers a definite benefit: allowing you to add any device, at any time, easily and affordably. Read More »

OK, some of you may be asking, who is Zynga? Well, they are one of the hottest social game developers in the world. Remember last December, when actor Alec Baldwin was kicked off an American Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport because he wouldn’t turn off his cell phone? Reportedly he was playing one of the most popular Zynga games – Words with Friends. I know all about this web-based application that resembles Scrabble, since my wife is also addicted. And Zynga has other popular games you may have heard of: FarmVille, CityVille, and Zynga Poker, to name a few. Active monthly users total about 250 million! But the company has been in the news for other reasons, as this recent story indicates.

As expected, Zynga filed today to raise an additional $400 million in a secondary stock offering. One thing that caught my eye was a reference to founder and CEO Mark Pincus under the section of employee benefits:

“In addition, in 2011, due to specific threats relating to the personal security of Mr. Pincus and his family, we provided Mr. Pincus with certain security protection.” Read More »

You might think the primary purpose of your alarm company’s contract (aka “Subscriber Monitoring Agreement”) is to hold you to a payment schedule for a prescribed period – but that’s just part of it. Lots of services with a monthly fee require a contract: cell phones and cable are good examples. However, your home security subscriber agreement deserves a closer look, because there’s a lot more to it. Not all alarm companies take the same approach, so I’ve compiled a short list of the issues that you should research in advance. But first, here’s a link to a story of an alarm customer who was snared by a contract detail.

Adams is the first to admit that he should have read over that contract more thoroughly before signing on with another company. But, what he says really pushed his buttons is the way the company responded to his request for cancellation.  “They told me if I didn’t pay it within 10 days they would send it to a collection agency, very inappropriate,” said Adams. “People need to really read their contract thoroughly and understand how the renewal process is going to occur and maybe they can avoid these extra fees,” he said. Read More »

Each May the Internet starts to light up with complaints about door-to-door alarm salespeople. Since most of these “door knockers” are in still college, and schools are getting out around now, this is when the annual cycle begins. And they knock on millions of doors every summer. Lots of people buy alarm services from these companies: after all, the script is slick and well-rehearsed, and the tactics are designed to get the sale on the spot. But increasingly it’s getting harder for these companies to sign up new customers, because the word is getting out.

Top 10 Lies Exposed

Perhaps my favorite post about door-to-door alarm sales is the one that completely exposes the door knockers for what they are: aggressive, sometimes fraudulent, and not necessarily your best source when you are shopping for peace of mind. Then again, most of the people who buy from door knockers weren’t shopping at all: they just answered the door. And that brings us to the subject of today’s post, which is a recent comment on my blog entry that addresses the door knocker phenomenon – and one company in particular. Read More »

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