How Soon to Invest in Home Security After Moving

Once the weather starts to warm up, the annual “moving season” is underway. If you’re among the thousands of Americans who will be moving this spring, you may wonder how soon to have a home security system installed. To inform your decision, here are some things to consider.

Home security can deliver peace of mind.

No matter how much you love the home you’re moving into, there’s bound to be a period of time before everyone feels accustomed to their new surroundings– especially when they’re tucked into their beds at night. To deliver peace of mind to everyone in the family, your home security system can be armed before bed time, disarmed when the sun rises and armed again when everyone leaves or the day – all from an app on Mom and Dad’s smartphones. When you have a security system installed in your new house starting on move-in day, it can give everyone the comfort they need to feel at home much more quickly.

Home security can monitor and manage guests. 

In those early days after the move-in, licensed contractors and moving professionals will be in and out of the house and family and friends will be dropping by.

No matter who your guests are, you want to monitor everyone who enters and exits the home – and you don’t want to do it by worrying about who’s going to be there to let them in, or whose job it will be to make sure nothing is being in taken as they leave.

A smart home security system can do all of that for you, with smart locks that you turn off and on with your smartphone app to let people in and out – and if you choose to include smart cameras, they can be checked when people are leaving to make sure nothing was stolen. Better still, a video doorbell can help you verify who a person is the second the arrive at your door.

Home security can save you money on utilities.

Anyone who has ever turned on utilities after moving knows what an unwelcome expense it can be. Paying a deposit for each of those services can add up to hundreds of dollars, and many new homeowners start looking for ways to save on the monthly bills to come. One solution may be your home security system, when it includes a smart thermostat that can adjust the home’s heating or cooling from your smartphone app. Using this feature can help a homeowner save on utilities month after month.

So, how soon should you invest in home security after moving? If these things are important to you, then the answer is as soon as possible. To learn more, contact Security Instrument for a free home security consultation.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned integrator that is equipped to help commercial organizations design and implement home security. In Delaware Valley, Security Instrument serves thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Upgrading to a Smart Home with Your Tax Refund

In 2017, the average American tax refund was $2,763 – and in 2018, it’s expected to be slightly higher. No wonder April has long been regarded as the beginning of the home improvement season; after all, many cosmetic home improvement projects fall within the $2,000 to $3,000 budget. But guess what else falls in between that cost range? The cost of a home burglary.

It’s true – many property crime statistics pinpoint the average dollar value loss of a burglary at $2,300. Taking that into consideration, it could make sense for many homeowners to use their tax refund for something other than cosmetic home improvements. If you’re one of those homeowners, we suggest that a smart home system may be just the home improvement you’re looking for.

Investing Your Tax Refund Back into Your Home

Remember, a smart home system does more than improve your home’s security. It can incorporate many kinds of smart devices, all of which you control with a smartphone app:

· Smart thermostats for energy efficiency and a comfortable home

· Connected video cameras for optimized home security, smart locks for keyless entry

· A video doorbell alarm that allows you to see who’s there and talk to them through the speaker

· Garage door openers for gliding in at night

· Lighting that comes on when you want it to with the tap of an app

Of course, all of these features are part of a bigger home security picture. Your home security provider installs them, but you control them.

Still thinking about new countertops?

A smart home system may not be as pretty as a new slab or marble or granite, but it can certainly accomplish a lot more. If you’re considering what home improvement deserves your tax refund this year, that’s our vote. To find out more about smart home systems and upgrading to a smart home in Delaware using your tax refund, contact Security Instrument to request a complimentary home security assessment.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security company, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Home Security While You’re Spring Breaking

Home security matters just as much when you aren’t home as it does when you are. So if your family plans to take a trip for this year’s spring break and you haven’t yet invested in a smart home security system – or if you have made the upgrade to a smart home system, but you aren’t sure how to get the most out of it – then it’s time to consider how such a system can protect your house while you’re away. Let’s address some of the most important ways it can do this.

Remind You to Lock Doors

“Did we remember to lock the garage?” That’s a question you won’t need to ask if you make the most of the alert features on your system. The night before you leave, set an alert on your phone that reminds you to lock up at the right time; that way, you’ll have one less thing to worry about from the road. And if you somehow manage to ignore your alert, you’re still in luck because you can turn on your electronic locks remotely with your smart phone. Electronic locks are an especially great feature of smart home systems for vacationing families.

Help You Check on House Sitters

If someone is staying at the house while you’re away, it’s obviously a person you trust. But what if you have concerns about your pets being fed, walked, or let outside? After all, your house sitter may not be around 24/7.

In that case, use your smart home security system to get notified when the person enters the house. If you haven’t received an alert by the time you’re expecting them, you can make the choice to text them a quick request for a pet update. How does your system know when your house sitter is coming and going? It allows you to give them their own code for the keyless entry keypad. It can be activated when you leave for your trip, and deactivated when you return.

Alert You to House Emergencies

Spring time can be notoriously rainy, and even the best-kept home is not immune to the risk of leaks. Likewise, sometimes things just “happen” to plumbing systems – and the worst time for it to happen is when you’re away on vacation. To prevent a minor mishap from becoming a major emergency, flood detection can be programmed into your smart home security system ahead of time. That way, you get a smartphone alert if there’s water on the floor and can call someone to check it out. Remember, you can let them in with a temporary code that you activate when they arrive and deactivate when they leave. There are many ways that remote access to your system is a valuable thing to have when you’re away from home.

To learn about more ways a smart home security system can give your vacationing family peace of mind, contact Security Instrument. We will be glad to answer your questions.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is the largest full-service, independently-owned provider of home security in Delaware, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Why Young Professionals Are Choosing Home Security

There’s an interesting movement taking place in millennial homeownership: Young homeowners are turning to home security technology earlier than the previous generation did. What is causing this phenomenon? It’s simple: the reality that today’s security systems are not the same security systems their parents used.

What They Grew Up With

Remember, this is the generation that grew up with a single keypad panel on the wall – and more often than not, that was the only security system equipment these young people were accustomed to.

In fact, most of their families probably referred to this system as “the alarm” when they were growing up – leaving them with the impression that there wasn’t much more it could do in an emergency than activate an audible sound in the event of an emergency.

Now that this generation is grown, starting its own families and purchasing its own homes, its members are learning that home security has come a long way since they were kids. They are learning that home security systems are monitored by professionals who respond to activated alarms and dispatch help when it’s needed.

More Than Home Security

Millennials are also learning that modern home security systems aren’t only for security. Now, home security systems have smart technology that makes homes more energy efficient and saves people time – both of which are documented priorities of the millennial generation.

According to one study, 74% of millennials call smart technology that is customizable to their needs a top priority when buying and maintaining a home. The same source points out that making their homes more energy efficient is important to 70% of millennial homeowners.

When these young professionals find out that a security system with smart home technology integrated can accomplish these goals, they see it as much more valuable than “the alarm” they grew up with – and they’re right.

Fear of Missing Out

Something else worth noting is that young homeowners are members of the “FOMO” generation: fear of missing out. Savvy millennials know there’s more to homeownership than furniture, cookware and tasteful wall art. They want a home security system that can respond to a wide range of issues that may affect their homes, including environmental threats and risks that may affect their home’s value. Those are the value-added features a security system with smart home technology can offer, and young professionals don’t want to miss out on it.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is the largest full-service independently-owned security company in Delaware Valley, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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How Home Alarm Monitoring Can Save Your Life

While most homeowners understand that a monitored home alarm is a great tool for catching a burglar in their tracks, many are still unaware that this is a tool that can proactively save your life. Maybe people think dangerous events at home just don’t happen anymore. But the numbers tell a very different story when it comes to events like these.

Burglary and Home Invasion

Home burglaries have become so commonplace that the FBI now has four separate categories of burglary: completed burglary, forcible entry, unlawful entry without force and attempted forcible entry.

But aren’t most burglaries non-confrontational events? Not necessarily. According to a Department of Justice report, a member of the household is present for approximately 28% of burglaries, and 7% of these burglary victims experienced some type of violent crime during the episode. It could happen to anyone, and your home alarm monitoring is designed to help prevent it.

House Fire

Everyone thinks their house won’t catch on fire, until it does. “Aren’t house fires only for irresponsible homeowners?” “Don’t house fires only happen in bad neighborhoods?” The answer to both of those questions is no. U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 355,400 home structure fires per year, resulting in 2,560 civilian fire deaths. House fires can happen because of a variety of factors, including environmental ones. Even responsible homeowners in the best neighborhoods are not immune.

Your home alarm monitoring service is designed to get emergency responders to your home in minutes, without you having to alert them yourself. You will get an alert to your smartphone, but the 24/7 monitoring center will be notified at the same time – and they’re already getting help to the scene, working to save your home and your life.

Other Life-Threatening Dangers

An intelligent home monitoring service is also designed to intervene when dangerous environmental factors are present. If deadly carbon monoxide is detected in the home, your system will alert you so you can get everyone out of the house before they start experiencing symptoms. If a tornado is approaching, a smartphone alert can prompt you to get the family in the car and flee to a safer destination.

Remember, home alarm monitoring technology no longer relies on wires and cables to work. Instead, a dedicated cellular connection ensures you get the lifesaving alerts you need, along with an immediate signal to the monitoring center. That’s all it takes for help to be on its way, and that’s why you need monitored home security. Wilmington homeowners, call Security Instrument if you’d like to learn more. We’ll be happy to speak with you.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous electronic security options. We serve thousands with commercial and home security in Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Professional vs DIY Home Security: 5 Reasons To Contact A Local Alarm Company

The do-it-yourself movement is here to stay, it seems – but when it comes to home security, you don’t want to go it alone. Installing a security system is on a whole different level than your average DIY home improvement project; here are some of the most important reasons why you don’t want to attempt it.

You need a customized security solution.

A DIY home security project is an enormous undertaking. From the moment you get to your local retailer and see the choices in front of you, you’re baffled and overwhelmed. Guess what? It doesn’t get any better from there.

Your store’s sales people don’t specialize in home security, and that means they can’t help you choose the right system for you. It also means they can’t give you reliable advice on installing it.

Now, compare that with the experience of a professional home security installation. A security installer starts by providing a consultation at your home; it’s that appointment that gives them the ability to recommend a customized security solution especially for your property.

You need clean, accurate installation.

A wireless home security installation is less invasive than a traditional system, but it still requires proficiency to complete. One thing a DIY home security job is likely to leave is a mess – but with a professional installation, your installer completes the job quickly and cleanly. The system will be tested before he leaves, so you can rest assured the installation is accurate and the system will work properly. A DIY installation doesn’t offer this simplicity, and that will end up costing more in the long run.

You need support long after the installation.

So, you bought other devices to go with your security system: sensors, cameras, maybe other smart devices to integrate. That’s great – but what happens when something goes awry with any of them? Even if your purchases are warrantied, you’re not likely to have a lot of support from the manufacturer or the retailer. But if your installation was performed by a security provider, you’ll have access to support anytime something goes wrong. And if they provide your monitoring services, you’ll have support for that too.

To learn more about professional installation vs. DIY home security, Wilmington homeowners can contact Security Instrument. We will be glad to provide a free home security consultation.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous electronic security options. We serve thousands with commercial and home security in Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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What is Alarm Monitoring and Why Do You Need It?

It’s one thing to have an alarm. It’s another thing to have your alarm monitored by a professional monitoring center. Read on to find out why there’s no substitution for a monitored alarm.

Everyone needs help in an emergency.

No matter what someone does for a living, how skilled they are at self-defense or how tough the man or woman of the house is, everyone needs help when there’s an emergency. People of all professions – including fire fighters, law enforcement and military members – need help like anyone else if there’s a break-in or fire. Help is exactly what a monitored alarm will send in these events. Without a connection to a monitoring service, an alarm system is far less effective. An unmonitored alarm will sound in the event of a break-in, but the help stops there.

An emergency can happen to anyone.

Maybe you think a burglary or house fire could never happen, but the numbers tell a very different story. Nationwide, there were an estimated 7,694,086 property crimes in 2017; that’s according to the most recently available FBI statistics. And when you consider that property owners suffered losses estimated at $15.3 billion as a result (not counting arson, which would add on even more losses), these clearly are not victimless crimes. A break-in is no small matter, and it can happen to anyone. Likewise for fire: Government statistics show that U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 355,400 home structure fires per year, resulting in 2,560 civilian fire deaths. When you consider these numbers, it’s clear an emergency can happen to anyone.

An emergency doesn’t give you time.

When an event becomes an emergency, there’s no more time to waste. If an intruder breaks in or a fire breaks out, you may not have seconds to spare. That means no time to call for help, including calling 911. How does a monitored alarm solve that? If there’s a break-in, it springs into action by contacting the monitoring center immediately. If there’s a fire, it does the same thing the moment the smoke is detected. When your monitored alarm sounds, that’s the moment the agents at the monitoring center are sending help. Because you just don’t have time to call for it.

These are the reasons you need a professionally monitored alarm – one that’s connected to a center where trained security agents are standing by 24/7 to protect your home security. Wilmington homeowners that want to learn more, please call Security Instrument. We will be glad to answer your questions.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous electronic security options. We serve thousands with commercial and home security in Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Home Security: The Indispensable Elements That Make Your Life Better

It’s no secret that choosing a security system can be overwhelming. With so many configuration options, how do you know what the indispensable elements are? Rest assured, we have you covered. The indispensable elements of a security system are:

Motion Detectors

Motion detectors are used to detect the opening of doors, windows and other vulnerable entry points on your property. When the detectors sense motion around them and the system is armed, they send an emergency signal to the central station so the alarm will activate and the security operators will respond.

In addition to making sure all doors and windows are protected by motion detectors, some homeowners decide to add extra detectors for their drawers, safes, sheds and other areas they want to make less vulnerable. This can be a good strategy, particularly if you have a large property. 

Professional Alarm Monitoring

Professional alarm monitoring is the inarguable, number one essential of home security. Without the monitoring service, there’s nowhere for the motion detectors to send a signal to; the only thing your system will do is sound an audible alarm. If you want help to be sent to your home, then monitoring is crucial. When they receive the signal, the trained security operators at the monitoring center will respond and send help right away.

Cellular Connectivity

The home security system of your childhood was hardwired into the infrastructure of the home, including the landline phone. Now that you’re a homeowner and no longer own a landline, you need a home security system with cellular connectivity. This ensures a few things: first, that the connection can’t be cut with scissors or other burglary tools. Second, it has a battery backup so it will still work if there’s a power outage; that system you grew up with didn’t work if power lines went down. And third, it can be installed wirelessly and easily.

These are the indispensable elements of today’s home security systems. To discuss your specific needs for home security, Milton homeowners can request a free home security consultation from Security Instrument.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous electronic security options. We serve thousands with commercial and home security in Milton, Delaware and its surrounding areas.

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How Schedules and Scenes Help Run Your Smart Home

Today’s homeowners have busy schedules: work, kids…and somewhere in there, relaxing. No wonder families are looking to devices like Alexa, Google Home and Amazon Echo to help them manage all of it. Fortunately, your security system can play a role too. If you’ve chosen to integrate smart home technology, then the built-in features on your home security app can help out with your household management. Those features Schedules and Scenes. Let’s look at what they can do.

Run Your Smart Home with Schedules

Open up your app, and find the Schedules feature. Decide what you want it to do for you, and it will use your past security data to make it happen. Want the cameras to start rolling only in certain situations? Your Schedules feature can do that. Don’t want the camera to record the kids running outside to play? Schedules is the place in the app to program that. You can even adjust your smart thermostat ahead of time using Schedules, which can help homeowners save money on utilities.

Run Your Smart Home with Scenes

There’s another feature on your home security app that can help you run home more simply. It’s called Scenes, and it lets you manage your whole network of smart home devices with one-tap commands on the app.

You can even adjust your smart thermostat ahead of time using Schedules, which can help homeowners save money on utilities.

 

How does it work? There are four pre-set scenes that are already programmed in your app: Home, Away, Sleep and Wake Up. Although each scene already features certain commands, you can add or delete commands as you see fit. Any of your scenes can have commands added or deleted to control when lights, locks, thermostat and alarm do what you want them to do. You can even create your own custom scenes, which is another great way to get more control over your home. And your Alexa, Google Home or Echo devices are connectable.

Schedules and Scenes offer you even more control over your home via smart home security. Willington homeowners who want to learn more, please call Security Instrument. We would be happy to answer your questions.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous electronic security options. We serve thousands with commercial and home security in Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Home Security: Why are Wireless Keypads Better

Do wireless keypads really offer a big advantage in home security? Yes! For those who are still attached to an outdated, hardwired home security system, here are the reasons you should consider upgrading to wireless from the keypad up.

The installation is less aggressive.

Older home security systems required everything to be hardwired to the home’s infrastructure. This was an aggressive installation, with the unavoidable hazards of drilling and electrical work included (and, the added labor made for a more costly installation appointment to boot). But with a wireless home security installation, everything from the keypad to the sensors are less invasive on the home and more affordable for the homeowner.   

The technology is more reliable.

The technology required to support an older home security system isn’t just outdated; it’s also unreliable. What happens if the landline phone service is interrupted, or a home invader cuts the cord? The system is immediately rendered ineffective. The same goes for a power outage; no power, no home security.

But with a wireless keypad and wireless home security, these unfortunate events don’t disturb the system. Wireless security detaches your system from the technology of yesterday, and your family will be better off because of it.

The problems are easier to solve.

No system is perfect, and even wireless home security has the occasional need for maintenance or repair. The good news is, wireless technology allows most problems to be solved remotely rather than with an expensive service call. If your wireless system is experiencing problems, we may be able to troubleshoot and repair the issue without a visit to your home.

Wireless home security is more than convenience; it’s money-saving, home-preserving technology that just makes sense. To learn more about wireless keypads for home security, Wilmington homeowners can callSecurity Instrument. We will be glad to give you more information.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous electronic security options. We serve thousands with commercial and home security in Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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