The AMSA Security Blog

Along with rising temperatures, summer often brings rising electricity bills. Try some of these strategies to reduce your electric bill this season. Think of it as making a good thing even better.

1. Change Your Hot Water Temperature

Hot water is the second largest energy expense within the average home, accounting for 18% of your monthly utility bill—making it a great starting place for reducing energy usage.

Check the thermostat of your hot water heater. If you can, lower your hot water temperature to 120 degrees. Some appliances, like dishwashers or washing machines, require the water temperature to be around 140 degrees. A little research may go a long way in savings. If your appliances won’t be negatively affected, you can take 6% to 10% off your utility bill when you lower the hot water temperature to 120 degrees.

2. Only Run Appliances At Night

Appliances generate a lot of heat, which means more energy usage. By waiting until nighttime, you could save money because your appliances won’t be working as hard.

3. Turn Off Your Ceiling Fan

Keep your fan off when you aren’t home. The fan doesn’t reduce the heat in your home, it just circulates the air so that it doesn’t feel as hot. There’s no point in running the fan when you aren’t home. This is wasted energy.

4. Check The Refrigerator and Freezer Temperatures

The typical refrigerator is designed to run between 37 and 40 degrees, while the recommended freezer temperature averages around 5 degrees. Don’t make your appliances work harder by setting them colder! These temperatures will keep your food preserved properly and you’ll save money on your electric bill.

5. Check Your Windows

In both the winter and summer months, it is important that your windows are energy efficient with a full seal around them. Any draft coming in from the windows will cost you money. Even though a new window may sound pricey, it will certainly pay off in the long run. Probably sooner than you think!

6. Install A Home Automation System

One of the best ways to reduce your electric bill is to install a home security system with home automation. Alarm Monitoring Services of Atlanta provides local Atlanta home automation that allows you to control your thermostat and your electricity from anywhere.

The home automation system will also allow you to save electricity with your lights and electronics. You’ll have the ability to control your lights if you ever forget to turn one off!

Some home automation systems include motion sensors that will automatically turn lights on when someone enters the room and turn them off once the sensor registers no one there. You can even add timers to lights, so they’ll turn off and on when you schedule them to. This is not only energy efficient but safety conscious as well, allowing you to turn on exterior lights when it gets dark and make it seem as if someone is home while you’re on vacation.

7. Don’t Use Appliances Without A Full Load

This rule applies mostly to your washing machine and dishwasher. Don’t waste water and electricity on only a half load of laundry or just a few cups in the dishwasher. Use your appliances efficiently and fill them to capacity. You shouldn’t overfill them either as this may not only waste energy, it can also impact performance, leaving you with dirty dishes or laundry—that need to be re-run.

To prevent expensive water damage, it’s best to prepare your home before a flood occurs.

1. Be Aware Of Weather Warnings:

Floods are a common and costly natural disaster. They can occur anytime following a hurricane, thawing snow, or even just several days of heavy rain. Watching your local weather report will help warn you of a flood if it is likely. A flood or a flash food watch means that a flood is likely to occur and that residents should be on the lookout. A flash flood warning means that flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon. You should take immediate precautions in the event of a flood warning.

2. Establish An Evacuation Route:

When a flood is taking place and you need to leave your home, it is recommended to have a plan for your family to meet up in a specific area in case you are separated for any reason. Create your plan with a flood map. Make sure to use the highest elevation to leave your neighborhood. Also avoid any bridges with fast moving water beneath them as the strength of the water flow could compromise the bridge.

3. Prepare Your Home:

Bring in any outdoor furniture and move any important items to the highest possible floor of your home to protect them from flood damage. Seal walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid direct flooding. Disconnect electrical appliances and refrain from using them if you are wet. If instructed by an emergency warning, turn off your gas and electricity at the main switch or valve.

4. Create A Disaster Kit:

This should include a portable radio, emergency cooking equipment, flashlights, fresh batteries, non-perishable food, drinking water, and any essential medicines along with a first aid kit.

5. Install A Home Security System:

A home security monitoring system with flood protection will let you know when there is something wrong and a flood has started in your home. It will also automatically turn off the water supply to prevent further damage. With a home security flood monitoring system, you will be warned before the damage begins and will have immediate assistance for any flood damage you may have received.

Alarm Monitoring Service Of Atlanta provides leading security monitoring and flood monitoring services. Keep your home safe during a flood and prevent the damage water can cause to your home.

Everyone is excited for Valentine’s Day. Before leaving home for your romantic getaway, make sure your home is prepared and secured so you’ll have nothing to worry about.

1. Place Mail On Hold

To ensure your home is safe while you’re gone, make your home appear as if it is occupied, even when it is not. Place all your mail, newspapers, and deliveries on hold while you are not going to be at home. It is a clear sign that a house is empty, and has been for several days, when there is a packed mailbox with newspapers strewn across the yard and packages by the front door.

2. Ask A Neighbor To Park In The Driveway

Have a car parked in the driveway each night that you’re gone. The change of position will make it appear that someone is home. Ask a trusted neighbor to either park their car in your driveway or to move your car in your own driveway. This makes it appear as if people are coming and going.

3. Install Timers On Lights

Use lights in your home that can be seen from outside windows and set up timers on them. The appearance of several lights turning on throughout the home makes it appear as if people are there.

4. Use Outdoor Motion Detectors

A great way to scare off any intruders is to have them be seen. If you use motion detector lights throughout your property, any trespassers will be deterred from theft if there is a good chance of being seen by someone else.

5. Do Not Leave A Spare Key Outside

It’s important that you do not leave a key outside your home. Even if you think it is in a unique place that no one would think to look, there is a chance that someone else could find it. The worst situation you could get into is giving your house key over to a stranger when you are not home.

6. Install A Home Security System

Alarm Monitoring Service Of Atlanta provides home security monitoring for you as well as a home automation system. You’ll feel safe when you’re not at home because there will always be someone monitoring your home. You’ll be able to lock your front door remotely and view the security camera feed from your phone. Even if you’re away and your alarm goes off, the police will be there very quickly.

7. Lock Your Doors And Windows

Sometimes you might forget something simple like a window that one of the kids opened last night. Sadly, this could lead to a much more serious situation. Keep your home completely locked up and give a key to someone that you trust to keep an eye on your home.

8. Don’t Post About Your Trip

It is important to keep your Facebook friends out of the loop on your vacation. By posting the details of your vacation on social media, you are posting a free invitation to the world that you will not be home and that your house is completely empty. Be wise about your choices and on social media.

Alarm Monitoring Service Of Atlanta wants to remind you to have a safe and happy Valentine’s Day by securing your home before you decide to take a weekend getaway. You’ll have peace of mind while enjoying time with your loved one.

Halloween is creeping up on you. Wouldn’t you love to give the neighborhood a fright they’ll remember? With new home automation technology, it’s easier than ever to bring ghoulies and ghosties to life. Check out these frightful Halloween home automation ideas to ensure Halloween night is an absolute scream.

• Monsters Emerge As Night Falls: Many lawns are now decorated with inflatable monstrosities of every kind, but leaving them plugged in wastes a lot of energy. Set your dastardly decorations up on smart plugs that turn off during the day and activate when night falls. The neighborhood will watch your front yard slowly fill with monsters as darkness descends.
• Ghosts At Your Window: With a motorized drapery controller and a ghostly decoration, you can set it up so a ghost will randomly fly across your window every now and then. Giving trick or treaters on the outside a small fright when they see something move in the darkened windows.
• A Breath Of Foul Air: With motion detectors and a fog machine hooked up to a smart plug you can have the machine spray a stream of fog at trick or treaters as they approach your door, causing them to shriek with surprise.
• Spooky Music And Screams In The Night: With a few well-placed wireless speakers and a good home automation app, you can stream spooky music throughout every room of your home. But why stop there? Set up creepy sound effects on a random timer and watch as Halloween house guests jump at the creaky doors, evil laughter, and bloodcurdling screams that echo down the shadowy corridors of your home.
• Terrifying Television: With a smart TV you can set your screen to some spooky static or any other terrifying image you’d like. You can even make it so that if anyone changes the channel the TV will turn itself back. Guests will think your home is haunted when the channels start changing themselves.
• Flickering Lights: Smart lighting allows you to set scenes that automatically activate at a certain time. Using this technology, you can program your lights to randomly flicker throughout the night.
• Halloween Hues: Smart lighting also allows you to change the color of your lights. Exchange the bright white lights of everyday life for the spooky orange and purple of Halloween.
• Doorbell To Die For: With a smart doorbell you can replace the ordinary chime with a horrifying sound. You can even program the lights to flicker and a fog machine to go off. The neighbors will have to muster up real courage before ringing your bell.
• Death’s Door: With a motion sensor and an automatic door opener you can give your neighbors a real fright. Nothing will send more chills down their spine then when they go to knock and the door opens for them. Once guests enter your newly haunted home, you can even program the door to shut itself behind them. Add smart locks and watch as guests try to leave only to find the recently open door now locked to keep them inside.
• Somebody’s Watching: With security cameras throughout the interior and exterior of your home you can watch all the spooky happenings from one secret location. A great way to keep an eye on kids and make sure they’re safe. Combine this with all the fog machines, smart lights, and scary sounds to set off any of your fearful decorations when it will scare people the most.

Alarm Monitoring Services Of Atlanta provides home automation services for the local Atlanta area. They would be more than happy to set your household up with home automation equipment so you can haunt your home for Halloween. Try out home automation this haunted Halloween night and be prepared for the screams!

Home automation not only makes life more convenient around the house, it also saves you money. Check out the infograph below for more information on how home automation can help you save on insurance and energy bills as well as some helpful suggestions from AMSA on how you can best utilize home automation in every room of your home. Make your home a smart home today!

Many different apps exist for personal and home safety. Some send alerts in case of break in. Others take advantage of home automation systems. The sheer number of apps and their uses are astonishing. Here are just a few:

1. SOS StaySafe App
   This app allows you to send an emergency message to your friends and family by shaking the mobile phone. It sends a text message or email to specifically selected contacts with your name, exact location, and battery level. This message will continue to be sent at regular intervals until deactivated.
2. VithU App
   This safety app for Android sends an SOS text message when you press the power button twice. Your contacts will receive alerts every two minutes with your physical location.
3. bSafe
   This app is designed to keep you in touch with your friends 24/7. This app shares your location with friends and triggers an automatic alarm if you have not checked in on time. It will even send you a fake call to help dodge an unwanted situation.
4. Life360 Family Locator App
   This app allows you to create circles and add people to them to examine locations on a confidential map. This way you’ll always be able to keep track of your family members and confirm that they are safe.
5. iCare Health Monitor
   This app is designed to measure physiological parameters using your cell phone. It measures blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen, vision, hearing, lung capacity, and other physical data to keep you aware.
6. S Health
   This app records and analyzes your daily activities to help maintain a successful diet and lead a healthier lifestyle. It also allows the user to search for health issues and find help for them.
7. Kitestring
   This app is based on a web service that checks in with you and sends alerts to pre-selected contacts if you fail to respond. These alerts are sent through SMS text messages so the service can work with the most basic phones.
8. Bugle
   This app was created with input from Search and Rescue professionals. This app is designed for runners, hikers, cyclists, and other people who don’t want to take their phone when they’re not home. If the owner doesn’t check in after a certain period, contacts are alerted.
9. SafeTrek App
   This is an emergency app that lets you alert the police if you are in an unsafe situation but also has a failsafe in case you don’t need emergency help. The app is launched if you place your thumb on the “Safe button”. If you move your thumb from the button, it will prompt you to enter a 4-digit code. If you don’t answer the code, the police will be notified. If you answer the code correctly, nothing will happen. This is a discreet way to be ready in case a situation is questionable.
10. Samsung Galaxy’s Safety Assistance
    This is one of the features installed in the Samsung Galaxy S5, S6, and S7. This is a built-in emergency tool that lets you quickly notify pre-determined contacts that you may be in trouble. You can configure the settings of this feature by going into the settings on your phone. This can turn on an SOS alert by setting the lock button 3 times. Your location, a picture from your camera, and a brief voice recording will be sent.
11. React Mobile
    This app turns your smartphone into a powerful lifeline. It features a “Follow-Me” feature that lets you share your GPS location with friends and family so they can track your whereabouts in real-time and follow you to safety. This app is perfect for running alone, meeting new clients, keeping track of loved ones, and walking home alone at night.
12. MyHome from AMSA
    Created by Atlanta security company, Alarm Monitoring Service of Atlanta, it enables you to connect with your home automation system. It allows you to set the security system as “armed” or “disarmed”. It can alert you if there is motion activity on the property. If for some reason there is a power failure or if a window is left open, this app will alert you. You will also be sent a text alert if there is any flooding. MyHome allows you to control your lighting and climate as well.

By downloading a few safety apps, you can better protect yourself and keep your home safe.

A professionally installed and monitored home security system can protect your home and your family 24/7, notifying you of emergencies and dispatching the proper authorities when you need them most. However, many benefits of professionally monitored home security aren’t often considered. Some of the benefits for wireless security systems in Atlanta include:

• Easy Installation
  Professional installation of your home security system means it is done correctly. A professionally installed wireless home security system won’t affect your current electrical installation and won’t result in unnecessary drilling through walls or countertops.
• Fire/CO Detector Monitoring
  A home automation system can protect your home from fire and carbon monoxide. These systems will alert the monitoring center and emergency services if there is a fire or if poisonous CO gas is detected. Even if you aren’t at home you’ll receive alerts through your smartphone.
• Will Work If Power Outage Occurs
  Home security systems will continue to work even if the power is out. If power lines are cut or a disaster disables the electricity, the alarm system will continue to function and keep you protected.
• Home Automation
  Save energy on your electric bill by having your home automation system monitor and automatically adjust heat and lighting throughout your home. You’ll also find many new uses for your smartphone. You can keep an eye on your home when you’re not there. You can change the temperature and turn on the lights before you even enter a room.
• Protect Your Family
  A home security system is an efficient and affordable way to find peace of mind. You will never have to wonder if your family is safe. Sleep easy at night knowing if any disaster occurs you will be immediately alerted.

Alarm Monitoring Service of Atlanta provides inexpensive home security and home automation systems that create convenience and safety in your life. Protect your home and family while reaping the immeasurable benefits of your wireless security system.

Keeping your family safe is your number one priority, even if that family no longer lives with you. Don’t be afraid to share advice with senior family members on how to protect their homes, keep themselves safe, and spot people out to deceive them. Help them stay safe by following these tips for senior citizens.

1. Never hide keys under the doormat or anywhere else outside. Intruders know where to look to find spare keys. To ensure your parent or grandparent can always access their home, install a keypad lock to their front door or leave a key with a trusted neighbor.
2. Monitored alarms are perfect in case of burglary, fire, carbon monoxide, or medical emergency. These features can be especially helpful if your loved one finds themselves in a situation they cannot handle on their own.
3. Home automation provides seniors with easy access to make sure appliances are turned off and allows them to view their security camera feed whenever they wish.
4. It is a good idea to make sure that the locks are working properly on a regular basis. Making certain these access points are secure is always the first line defense.
5. Instruct any seniors to never give personal information over the phone. This includes their credit card number, social security, phone card, or bank account numbers. Many scams claim to need this information and often promise prizes. Warn your loved ones to protect their identity.
6. Automatic locking doorknobs are the perfect gift for that forgetful loved one. Making sure the doors are always locked when they need to be.
7. Try to replace any old doors with solid wood or metal. The frame of the door needs to be especially strong so that it cannot be kicked down. Another option would be to reinforce the current frame. Peepholes are also important as they allow your loved one to see who is outside before they even open the door.
8. Purchase a medical alert bracelet for your parent or grandparent. Slip and fall incidences are one of the most common types of household accidents. For someone who is unable to recover from such an accident on their own, being able to get quickly and conveniently in touch with a trained emergency operator is imperative.
9. Install motion sensor lighting around the property of their home. This is a great way to alert them when someone is outside and helps protect against vandalism as well.
10. Many seniors install home security systems in their Atlanta homes to keep them safe.

Share these basic home security tips with your loved ones and inform them how they can stay safe from scams or other people trying to take advantage of them.

Motion sensors are an essential part of home security. These security features are one of the first indicators that an intruder has entered your property and are provided by AMSA Security for Atlanta home security needs.

There are several different types of motion sensors to detect movements inside and outside of your home. The newest motion sensors are connected to a home security control panel which has the ability to alert you when a potential threat is in your home. Safewise.com provides information on how these motion sensors work:

Role of Motion Sensors:

Motion sensors in the home are designed to detect any motion. These sensors work when you are not at home or when you let your system know that you are not there. They can be used conjunction with security cameras included in your home security package as well. Motion sensors have the ability to alert you in many different situations including:

• A window or door being opened or closed
• Triggering a doorbell when someone approaches the front door
• Alert you when children enter a restricted portion of home including the basement, medicine closet, or workout room
• Notifying your if your pet has wandered into a restricted part of the home

Types of Motion Sensors:

• Passive Infrared (PIR)

– This type of sensor detects body heat. These are the most common sensors used in home security systems. When a sensor is activated and warms up, it can detect movement based on heat. This creates a protective grid in the system. Once a moving object sets off numerous zones and the infrared energy levels change rapidly, the sensors are tripped off.

• MicroWave (MW)

– This type of sensor sends out microwave pulses and measures the reflection of moving objects. These sensors have the ability to cover a larger area than infrared sensors, but are sometimes interfered with by electrical interferences.

• Dual Technology

– This type of sensor includes passive infrared technology with microwave sensor technology. The combination of security technologies reduces false alarms. One is considered passive, while the other is active. In order to trip off a sensor, both need to be activated.

• Area Reflective

– These sensors emit infrared rays from an LED source. Using the reflection of the rays, the sensor measures the distance from the sensor to the person or object setting off the sensor.

• Ultrasonic

– This sensor sends out pulses of ultrasonic waves in order to measure the reflection off moving objects.

• Vibration

– This type of sensor detects vibrations. These are a common household sensor that can be purchased at local stores. The sensor uses a small mass on a lever that activates a switch when it senses a vibration. These are a good idea for a security measure, but are known to be unreliable.

Motion sensors are one of the most common home security tools and best ways to keep your Atlanta home safe. Check out AMSA’s Atlanta home security services and learn more about our motion sensor offerings combined with our state of the art home security systems.

Source:

http://www.safewise.com/resources/motion-sensor-guide

Home automation allows families to experience basic home functions in a whole new way, improving their safety and freeing up time. With AMSA in Atlanta, you can monitor when specific doors are used, if a window is left open, if your basement floods, and much more. Making the switch to home automation provides several benefits that you may have not considered. Here are the 6 top reasons to automate your home:

1. Home Security – Wirelessly allowing friends and family to enter your home with automated door locks, viewing live video through surveillance cameras, and setting up customized alerts on your phone are just a few ways that you can automate your home security while protecting your family.

2. Money Savings – With home automation, you can control the lighting and heating systems when you’re not using them. Many families with home automation have reduced their bills by almost 20%.  You also may be eligible for home insurance discounts.

3. Convenience –Imagine pressing one button for full home automation: your smartcode deadbolt locks your door, your security system arms itself, all your lights turn off, and your thermostat sets itself at a pre-determined temperature.

4. Home Safety – Avoid walking throughout the house in darkness, possibly causing an injury. The features provided with home automation can automatically light closets, stairways, and other dark areas upon entry. You can always make sure that you turned the oven off, or that your daughter didn’t leave her flat iron on before school.

5. Environmental Benefits– Home automation allows the common household to have a better grasp on their environmental impact. It can help reduce power consumption and automatically turn off devices when they are not in use.

6. Peace of Mind– The home automation system allows you to check on all of the little things you may have forgotten. When you’re on vacation, you can control the lighting to make it seem as if someone is home.

Automating your home provides improved security, peace of mind, and even cost savings over time. With state of the art technology and improved convenience, you can even make an impact on the environment.Home automation security systems innovate your home and allow you to manage it with ease.