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Important Differences Between DIY And Professionally Installed Security Systems

4 Important Differences Between DIY And Professionally Installed Security Systems

4 Important Differences Between DIY And Professionally Installed Security Systems

Important Differences Between DIY And Professionally Installed Security Systems The mode of installation is a big factor when it comes to choosing the best home security system that fits your needs. Homeowners are faced with the decision of choosing between a DIY security system and a professionally installed security system. There are many key differences between them and you must consider a lot of different factors when making your decision.

Following are 4 important differences between DIY and professionally installed security systems:

1. Cost
A DIY security system may seem like your best bet when you are trying to save money. DIY security systems are often sold at relatively lower prices, making them ideal for homeowners that have a limited budget. And since there are no extra installation charges, this option can be appealing to most homeowners. Professionally installed security systems on the other hand, require a contract or installation fees. So, they are relatively more expensive than DIY security systems.

2. Monitoring
Another key difference between DIY and professionally installed security systems is quality monitoring service. When you purchase a DIY security system, you are basically purchasing a security system that will alert you and your family to break-ins and other dangers. Unfortunately, that’s all a DIY security system is able to do, aside from possibly being able to purchase some kind of a cheap monitoring program. Professionally installed security systems on the other hand, are connected with a highly rated professional security monitoring company. So, when the alarm is triggered, not only does the security system alert you and your family, it also be trusted to immediately alert the monitoring center that will then send the proper authorities. Because of this, a professionally installed security system helps the family feel more secure when they are at home, but also when they are not.

3. Tech Support
If you choose a DIY security system, then you are pretty much on your own. The company may be able to answer simple questions, but you won’t have access to equipment replacement options and tech support. Apart from this, if something goes wrong with your DIY security system, it will be you out on the lawn in the middle of the night trying to figure out the cause of the problem. As opposed to this, professionally installed security system has many advantages. With it, you will have access to professional support. The installer will make sure that the equipment is set up properly and will be available any time to answer your questions. Furthermore, if something goes wrong, you will know who to call. The professional installer will be more than happy to walk you through the diagnosis of your security system or come to your house and fix it if necessary.

4. Security System Grading
DIY security systems generally tend to not be graded. Because of this, these security systems often don’t meet the requirements of insurance companies. So, your valuables may not be covered if you experience a break in. On the other hand, professionally installed security systems are graded and they are also connected with a monitoring center. Because of this, these systems satisfy the requirements of insurance companies.

For your further consideration, here is an actual story of a situation that recently occurred with one of our customers, as told by the owner of our company:

We had a commercial customer, for whom we installed and monitored a very good alarm system with glassbreak and motion detectors, etc. A little less than a year ago they switched their phones to IP so they needed another way for the alarm to communicate. We told them it would be $150 to install a cellular communicator for alarm communication and $10 a month for the cell service charges. That is pretty standard and the install cost is just about the price of parts. So anyway, they cancelled and went to a DIY system. They put that system in and got some cheap monitoring. About two weeks ago they had a break-in. It just so happens that our new office location is right around the corner from their office and I didn’t even realize it. One of their employees came out the next morning and told one of our techs that they had been broken into and the alarm never went off. The person broke the glass out of the front door (which is why glassbreak detectors are important) and left and then went back two hours later and busted up file cabinets, took a cash box and some stuff out of the refrigerator. It was likely a homeless person who hangs out around the train tracks right behind the industrial park we are in. But the alarm did not go off either time. One of our employees went by and just talked to them about what happened and at that point they still had no idea why the alarm didn’t go off. They had cameras that did work and that is how they knew the guy left for two hours and then returned. However, he had his face covered so the video is useless.

Final Word
Choosing between DIY and a professionally installed security system is not easy and you have to consider many factors. However, whatever your decision may be, you should know that you are making the right choice by having a security system to secure your home and protect your family.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

3 Ways to Safely Maintain Your Christmas Decorations

3 Ways to Safely Maintain Your Christmas Decorations

3-ways-to-safely-maintain-your-christmas-decorationsChristmas is an amazing time of year as it allows you to spend quality time with family and friends and exchange gifts. Of course, you will want to decorate your home with beautiful festive ornaments in order to give it that cozy Christmas feel. To make sure that your Christmas is perfect and stress-free, you need to ensure that all your festive decorations are maintained safely.

Following are 3 ways to safely maintain your Christmas decorations:

1. Careful Unpacking/Packing of Decorations

First you will need to unpack your last year’s decorations that you want to use during this Christmas. Careful unpacking of those decorations is essential to make sure that they don’t get damaged and can be optimally used to decorate your home. Take extra precaution when unpacking fragile items and put them in small amounts of newspaper until it’s time to place them on your wall or any other suitable place in your home. The same level of carefulness should be applied when you are packing these ornaments after they have served their purpose, so that you can use them next year.

2. Be Cautious When Cleaning the Decorations

You may need to clean your Christmas decorations once you have unpacked them. Cleaning them needn’t be a lengthy process. However, it is recommended that you make use of appropriate cleaning methods. If there are solid decorations, use a damp cloth to wipe down their surfaces. And if there are delicate/fragile objects, then it is recommended to use a special windows cleaner for polishing them and giving them that much needed shiny Christmas look.

If there are any stains on any of your decorations, then use the cleaning materials that are suitable for the type of material that those ornaments are made out of. Use a soft cloth to remove any dirt or dust; use a small round-tipped brush to get dirt out of crannies and nooks.

3. Proper Repair/Maintenance of Damaged Decorations

When going through last year’s Christmas decorations, you might come across some ornaments that have been slightly damaged or broken. While not all of them can be repaired, there are some (e.g. plastic decorations, hanging wooden ornaments, etc.) that you can easily fix with a small amount of superglue. It is recommended that you throw away any broken glass baubles immediately as they can be a safety hazard. Use gloves to collect them and throw them into the bin by wrapping them in newspaper.

When it comes to Christmas lights, make sure to plug them in and check whether there are any faulty or missing lights. Purchase new ones if there’s an issue with old ones and dispose of the faulty ones carefully.

Conclusion

In conclusion, decorating your home with Christmas ornaments is an exciting activity and it is more than just a tradition. Just make sure to maintain them safely so that there are no undesirable outcomes and your Christmas goes according to your plans.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

protect-your-home-by-doing-these-5-things-with-your-windows

Protect Your Home by Doing These 5 Things with Your Windows

Protect Your Home by Doing These 5 Things with Your Windows

protect-your-home-by-doing-these-5-things-with-your-windowsAdequately preparing your windows can greatly increase the protection of your home from break-ins and invaders, but it is an often-overlooked aspect of home security. Doors are an obvious point of entry that can be easily protected by locks and security systems, yet windows tend to be left alone beyond their standard locks.

However, there are many steps that can be taken to help prepare your windows against potential break-ins:

1. Always lock them

It’s an obvious statement but one that is surprisingly ignored – always take the time to lock your windows.

People often leave the home with windows open as they believe the risk is minimal or not even a threat – especially when they’re above ground level – which is a big mistake as many thieves will see it as an open invitation to enter.

Any time you go outside, simply take the time to lock every single window, even if the weather is warm. It’s quick, its easy, but most importantly it’s effective.

Better still – upgrade your window locks! If you think your window locks aren’t up to the task, you can certainly increase their stability by adding a second set of locks.

2. Window cameras and alarms

Many homeowners will install security cameras throughout their home, namely the entrances and exits, as well as areas like the porch. Yet not as many people opt to install window security cameras to deter thieves.

Not only are they a preventative device just like other security cameras as burglars look to avoid them, they can also provide you with a notification should they break-in or set off a house alarm.

3. Reinforced glass

An incredibly effective way of securing your windows is by installing reinforced glass panes. Standard window glass can be broken with relative ease, which is one of the most common methods used to break-in using a window.

Reinforced glass is incredibly durable so it will not be easily broken. Any burglar that attempts to break it will likely given up after long, due to the noise and general disruption it will cause. Options for reinforced glass include tempered glass, laminated glass, and even bullet-resistant glass.

4. Window bars

Adorning the front of your windows with bars is one of the most effective ways to protect your home from potential break-ins. This is due to the fact that even if the glass is broken, no burglar will be able to fit through the gaps of the bars.

Of course, metal bars are viewed as rather unsightly and prison-like, so you may prefer the more aesthetically pleasing grill option.

5. Flood lights

As these are a popular deterrent for other entry points of a home, flood lights can be highly effective for windows too. By simply installing a flood light outside of any window, you can expect most burglars to stay clear, as not many enjoy the idea of breaking in through a well-lit window.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

ways-to-avoid-accidents-in-your-home

Ways To Avoid Accidents In Your Home

Ways To Avoid Accidents In Your Home

ways-to-avoid-accidents-in-your-homeBy their very nature, accidents are unforeseen consequences that can occur anywhere. Though unforeseen, they can be preventable. A regular day walk on the streets can give you evidence for this. There are road signs, construction signs and many other ways that we are made aware of potential danger or the need to be careful.

One way of preventing accidents that would affect you directly is to control your own environment.  In this case, your home. Making your home an accident free zone as much as possible will help save your life and those that live with and visit you. Here are some tips to consider for two common types of accidents that happen in homes.

Preventing Fire Accidents

You have most probably seen news reports of house fires or perhaps even know someone who was affected. Fires have immense destruction power and can grow quickly when they start. Preventing them has to be top priority in any home. House fires can be caused in a number of ways. Identifying them and dealing with them is key.

Fires can be caused by poor electrical work, exposed wires or broken electrical equipment. Children can stumble on some matches, and an innocent game can lead to an inferno. You have probably even heard of exploding phones when fake chargers are used on them. You have to put in place measures to prevent these accidents or to identify them quickly when they occur.

The easiest way to deal with preventing these accidents is to contact a security company and have them evaluate your home. Exposed wires can be covered up. Have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers installed. It is also advisable to have a written notice on the things that people need to be careful about. Have a system of house rules that lead to awareness and prevention. You can also go further and have designated fire exists.

Carbon Monoxide Suffocation

Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous gas. It is odorless and can lead to suffocation. Most victims of carbon monoxide inhalation were not even aware that it was taking place. This is because, the person simply begins to feel drowsy and just sleeps away. How and when does this mostly happen?

In some cases, in an attempt to get warm during the cold season, some people decide to burn charcoal inside the house. While this can get the house warm, burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide. In some other cases, the person would drive into their garage and forget to turn off the car. They may be in a hurry and have promised to go back and turn off the car but they simply forget. Part of a car’s exhaust is carbon monoxide.

In order to prevent this from happening in your home, it is advisable to make sure that your house is well ventilated. Good ventilation allows for clean air to get into the house. Also, you can contact a security company for assistance. They will help you install a carbon monoxide detector to alert both you, and them when carbon monoxide is detected. A response unit may be sent to your house to confirm that everything is ok.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

4-important-places-put-motion-sensor-lighting-outside-home

4 Important Places to Put Motion Sensor Lighting Outside Your Home

4 Important Places to Put Motion Sensor Lighting Outside Your Home

4-important-places-put-motion-sensor-lighting-outside-homeWhether you want to deter criminals from entering or want to light up your home for safety when walking, installing motion sensor lighting is a recommended option. It is one of the best and most cost-effective investments you can make for your property. Placement of these lights plays a key role in enhancing their effectiveness and security of the home.

Following are 4 important places to put motion sensor lighting around your home:

1. Within the Garage

There are two major advantages of installing motion sensor lights within the garage. First, it is likely that some of your most valuable items (for example tools, bikes, or vehicles) are stored within the garage, so the lights there will deter thieves. Secondly, motion sensor lights in the garage will allow you to do work within your garage at any time of the day. If an intruder enters your garage, he/she will be exposed because the motion sensor lights will illuminate the area.

2. Property Walkways

Similar to the ones in the garage, motion sensor lighting on your property walkways will offer two advantages; it will illuminate things for your guests and non-intrusive visitors as well as deter criminals from using walkways, especially those that lead to home entrances. In this way, not only will you be able to increase your home’s security, you will also be avoiding slip and fall accidents.

3. All Home Entrances

Apart from installing motion sensor lighting on main entryways, it is recommended that you install them on all of your home entrances, including the most unlikely ones. Thieves can find a way into a home via windows, backdoors, etc. These are their favorite areas. If you install motion sensor lighting in such areas of your home, burglars will be exposed if they try to enter your home. Furthermore, installing motion sensor lights on fence gates, opening of a driveway, etc. would also be a good idea.

4. Open Areas, Gardens, and Pools

If the motion sensor lighting catches an intruder when breaking and entering, their instant reaction would likely be to escape to a relatively darker area. Such areas generally include a garden, a pool, an open expanse of yard, etc. By installing motion sensor lighting throughout these areas of your home, you will provide no obvious hiding spots for the intruder, and in doing so will prevent an intruder from seeking comfort in darker areas of your yard.

Conclusion

If you take some time and carefully plan the placement of motion sensor lighting around your home, it will pay off with many benefits. When planning the placement of these lights, make sure to consider the overall layout of your home, your primary reason for the motion lighting, your yard layout, and any existing limitations (whether from electric wiring issues or existing lighting) that you may run into when installing the motion sensor lighting. These considerations will help you maximize the convenience and security functions of your lighting.

If you have a home in The Coachella Valley and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

home improvement ideas

Top 5 Ideas for Affordable Home Makeovers in 2017

Top 5 Ideas for Affordable Home Makeovers in 2017

home improvement ideasIf a home makeover is your New Year’s Resolution, then there are many ideas and tips that can help you. A home makeover shouldn’t have to cost you a great deal. Following are some top ideas for affordable home makeovers in 2017:

1. Change Wall Colors

One of the most inexpensive and easiest ways of giving your home a major update is to change its walls’ colors. Replacing the color of the old wall with a fresh and new color will create a drastic change in its look. If the color on your walls is pure white, then you might want to consider changing it to something more adventurous such as a bold and bright color. And if your bedroom has a loud color, maybe switch it up with a subtle, soothing color.

2. Rearrange Furniture

You may be tired of seeing your furniture in the same location all year round. Redecorating your old, existing furniture without purchasing new furniture is a great idea for a home makeover. You could move the couch from the middle of the room and place it in some other area. Furthermore, you can also relocate the chairs into a new location or another room. With these slight changes and rearrangements, you will be surprised to see the difference in your home’s look.

3. Put in Rugs and Carpets

If you have a bare wood floor, covering it with soft warm colored rugs will make for a great change. Replacing old carpets with new ones is also an affordable upgrade. The impact of this upgrade would be drastic.

4. De-clutter

De-cluttering is also a great and affordable makeover idea for your home. Take some time to go through your home, not forgetting all the shelves, cabinets, and drawers, and sort all the things you find. Decide what are the things you want to donate, throw out, or keep. By de-cluttering, there’s a good chance that you will find a few treasures you could use to decorate your interiors. Either way, de-cluttering surely will help you see your home in a whole new light.

5. Add Artwork

Artwork can be a great addition to your redecorated and updated home. You can use artwork to improve the interior aesthetic of your home, and it will also be interesting to your guests. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on an expensive painting…you can visit your nearest department store and get good artsy bargains or you can get creative and make the artwork yourself.

Conclusion
There are a lot of amazing ideas that would be great for home makeover in 2017 and help you transform your regular home to a pleasant and cozy abode. A home makeover shouldn’t be expensive, nor should it be tricky or time-consuming. With your imagination and a tad bit of elbow grease, you can easily transform your drab, old, interiors into a vibrant, fresh and new masterpiece.

If you have a home or business in The Coachella Valley, and are concerned about the overall security of your property, see our page for special offers on a new alarm system, then contact the professional alarm consultants at Command One Security! We are eager to discuss with you the most effective and economical options we have available for home security today. Call us today at (760) 568-0052!

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