Month: December 2017

The holiday season might be the most festive time of the year — but it’s also a time when homeowners are more vulnerable to crime. Opportunistic burglars know that most homes are filled with Christmas gifts — especially if they can see them under the tree when glancing through a window. They also understand that many folks travel during the holiday season, making their unoccupied homes more susceptible to break-ins.

Use the following home security checklist to ensure you don’t become another holiday crime statistic:

• Keep presents out of sight: While placing gifts under the Christmas tree adds to the holiday spirit, the presents can also attract the attention of burglars. If this isn’t already your custom, wait until just before going to bed on Christmas Eve to break out the gifts, and keep the well-hidden until th time arrives.

• Maintain “radio silence” on social media: Crooks know that people love to boast to their friends on social media about the cool gifts they’ve gotten for Christmas. Many will monitor Facebook and other social media sites to see what goodies might be available to them — and then wait until you’re away to break in and steal them. The safer course is to only mention your gifts when you see your friends in person or talk to them on the phone.

• Watch what you put out in the trash: Did you get a new flat screen TV or other expensive product as a gift? If you put the boxes these items came in out with your curbside trash, you’re also advertising what you’ve gotten to your neighborhood thieves. Tear bigger boxes down before taking them to the curb, or keep them for storing household items.

• Put your lights on a timer: Many burglars will watch a home for several days to look for signs of inactivity or the absence of residents. The lack of interior or exterior lights at night is often a telltale signal to crooks that no one is home. Using a timer to automatically turn lights — including your Christmas lights — on and off at random times can keep burglars guessing and minimize your risk of a break-in.

• Keep your home safe while you’re away: Are you planning to travel over the holidays? Making your home appear “lived in” can help to prevent a burglary. Stop newspaper, mail and package deliveries temporarily, and if possible, have a trusted friend or relative stop by at least once a day while you’re gone. Also, alert friendly neighbors of your absence so they can keep an eye on your property.

• Install a home security system: The start of the holiday season is also a good time to beef up your home security. If you don’t have one already, consider installing an advanced security system with features such as motion sensors, video surveillance cameras, burglar alarms and centralized monitoring.

Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. for more tips on how to keep your home safe during the holidays – and throughout the year.

Learn More About Home Security

• Titan Security Solutions For Phoenix
• Touchscreen Demo
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• Try Out A System

Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

News reports about fatal house fires are an all-too-common occurrence. In many instances, sprinkler systems could have prevented these tragic events by putting out a localized fire before it could spread throughout the home. Even if an automatically activated sprinkler does not completely extinguish a fire, it can keep it under control until the fire department arrives — and that can make the difference between life and death.

Just how effective are residential fire sprinklers in preventing major fires? According to the U.S. Fire Administration, sprinkler systems can reduce the risk of fire death by as much as 80 percent and lower the amount of fire-related property damage by approximately 70 percent.

Resistance to Home Sprinkler System Installation

So, if it’s true that sprinkler systems save lives and minimize property damage, why isn’t every home required to have one? There isn’t a simple answer to this question. Although the International Residential Code mandates that all new single-family dwellings must have sprinkler systems on a national level, each state has the right to chose whether to enact the guidelines.

There are currently more than 30 states that have not made sprinkler system installation a requirement.

In Arizona, for example, there is no statewide law requiring sprinkler systems in one- and two-family homes. Some state laws also prohibit local jurisdictions from adopting ordinances that mandate sprinkler systems installation, although there are exceptions for certain cities. The Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale has had an ordinance that requires sprinklers in new homes in place for more than 30 years.

Real estate developers and home builders pose the biggest obstacle to wide-scale sprinkler system installation, citing that sprinklers are not cost-effective and needlessly drive up the price of new homes. They also state that modern homes have sufficient safety features that make sprinklers unnecessary.

Many homeowners are also reluctant to install sprinkler systems for various reasons. Cost is one major drawback —  on average you can expect to pay about $1.35 per square foot. Given that the typical size of new homes these days is approximately 2,400 square feet, the average sprinkler system price tag is around $3,240.

Some residential property owners believe that a sprinkler system will detract from the appearance of their home as well. However, today’s systems enable an installation that hides the water pipes, meaning that the only the sprinkler heads are visible. There are also unfounded worries about accidental activation. It typically takes an actual fire to set off the sprinklers, which should minimize concerns over unnecessary water damage.

Should I Install Fire Sprinklers in My Home?

The decision whether to install a sprinkler system essentially boils down to weighing the cost vs. the potential lifesaving benefits. If you are looking to fire-proof your house, sprinklers deserve careful consideration. Even if you only need it once, your sprinkler system can pay for itself by preventing costly property damage and, more importantly, saving the lives of you and your family.

Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. to learn more about the pros and cons of installing a sprinkler system in your Phoenix- or Tucson-area home.

Learn More About Fire Sprinkler Systems

• Essential Sprinkler System Facts
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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

 

There’s a lot to love about the beautiful, vibrant city of Tucson, AZ. With an average of 350 days of sunshine per year, Tucson can provide a welcome refuge for people in other parts of the United States who are tired of dealing with cold weather and snow. The stunning desert landscapes surrounded by soaring mountain ranges also make Tucson a wonderful place to live, especially for outdoor enthusiasts.

While Tucson has much to offer, like most large cities, it also has its issues. Tucson has experienced sluggish economic growth in recent years, and its poverty rate is much higher than the national average. Unemployment has also been an ongoing problem in “The Old Pueblo.” In a two-year period from 2013-2015, the city saw only a two percent increase in the number of new jobs, which is less than half the growth rate for the rest of the country over the same period.

Crime Is Also a Problem in Tucson

Poverty, few jobs and several additional factors have contributed to high crime rates in Tucson. According to 247WallSt.com, the 421 incidents of violent crime per 100,000 residents that were reported in 2015 was only slightly higher than the statewide figure for larger Arizona cities. However, the rate of violent crime in the city was also higher than the national average.

Another serious concern is the home invasion rate in Tucson, as well as the amount of property crime in general. The 247WallSt.com website points out there were 6,643 reported property crime incidents in 2015, which was more than twice the national average for that year.

Local crime experts state that the mobile nature of the Tucson population plays a significant role in the high crime rate. While the typical American citizen relocates about every five years, the average Tucson resident moves approximately every 3.5 years. A transient population makes it more difficult to establish the strong neighborhoods that are essential for reducing the risk of property crimes such as burglary, vandalism and home invasions.

How to Keep Your Home Safe in Tucson

Although you might not always be able to count on your Tucson neighbor to “watch your back,” there are several proactive steps you can take to minimize your property crime risk. Walk the perimeter of your home to check for vulnerable spots such as doors and windows that are not visible from the street.

Keeping doors and windows locked is also a simple, yet often overlooked step that will help to deter criminals. Installing a high-quality security system is another essential for preventing you from becoming another property crime statistic.

Contact Titan Alarm for a No-Obligation Home Security Consultation

Titan Alarm, Inc. offers comprehensive home security solutions to residents in the Tucson area. We can design and install a professionally monitored security system equipped with motion sensors, burglar alarms, surveillance cameras, home automation and other advanced features that will provide 24/7 protection against all types of property crimes. Contact us to schedule a free on-site security consultation today.

Learn More About Home Security

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• Home Security Tips For The Holidays

Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

Virtual reality computer technology allows you to simulate a thrilling and possibly harrowing experience that you might not have the inclination or courage to try in real life. Just put on a headset, engage the VR system and you can “do” everything from flying a World War II fighter plane to skydiving or driving a race car. Many of these systems are so life-like that you will experience many of the same sights, sounds and other sensations as you would if you were there.

While many people participate in virtual reality for entertainment, it also has numerous practical applications. Taking a virtual reality tour is an increasingly popular trend in the real estate industry. Prospective buyers can enjoy a “virtual reality headset retail house tour” that enables them to view the entire house — without ever having to set foot inside. You can download and play the virtual reality content on your computer, smartphone or tablet and insert the device into a headset. This enables you to view and interact with the property just as you would when taking an in-person tour.

Virtual Reality Tour Benefits

Virtual reality tours enable buyers to view several homes at one time without having to visit multiple properties. If you’re in the market for a new home, you won’t have to waste your evenings or weekends traveling to open houses or going from one property to another. The interactive design of the VR system also allows you to take a close look at each room and hone in on features and details such as light fixtures, floor tiles, fireplaces, etc., giving you a true sense of what it would be like to live in the home. You can even use virtual reality to help you design your dream home — you’ll be able to visualize the home before it’s built! Better yet, you’ll be able to see if the home you are interested in has a home security protection service in place in order to help keep your family safe.

If you’re a real estate agent, offering virtual reality tours can give you a competitive edge with younger, tech-savvy buyers who tend to do just about everything on their phones or mobile devices these days. You’ll also find that by incorporating virtual tours with other interactive features such as mortgage calculators, information regarding schools and local amenities and targeted search functions, in addition to highlighting the houses core features such as a home security system, you can provide a more comprehensive shopping experience for your prospects. And you may not have to spend as much time staging open houses or conducting guided on-site tours.

An Advanced Security System Will Provide “Real” Protection for Your Home

Unfortunately, fire, break-ins and carbon monoxide poisoning pose real threats to homeowners in Phoenix, Tucson and the surrounding areas, so it’s important to know whether or not your new prospective home has an advanced home security system in place to help keep your family safe. If you fall in love with a home and find that after you purchased your new home, it does not have a safety and security system in place, you’ll need a reliable security system to protect your property and keep your family safe.

Titan Alarm, Inc. can work with you to design a high-quality system you can count on, and we’ll support it with professional 24/7/365 monitoring that will give you additional peace of mind. Contact us for more information and to schedule a no-obligation security consultation today.

Learn More About Home Security

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

Security cameras have come a long way. These days, there are numerous camera options available to serve just about any home setting. You can even purchase cameras you can fit inside smoke detectors or place in other discreet areas, enabling you to hide them from view.

While there are many types of devices, choosing the best cameras for your surveillance applications requires making an initial assessment to determine whether you need it for indoor or outdoor use. From there, you’ll need to focus on the most appropriate features for your security environment:

• Night vision – Obviously, if you are purchasing an outdoor camera, you’ll need cameras that offer clear nighttime vision of the most vulnerable areas of your home and property. Cameras are available that can function in low-light or even no-light environments.

• Field of vision – Field of vision is a key factor for both indoor and outdoor cameras — how wide of an angle must the camera provide to ensure a full view of the area? Generally, outdoor cameras need to cover a larger viewing area and offer a wider angle than indoor cameras.

• Range of motion – Do you need the camera to remain fixed on a specific area or object, or should it provide flexibility to change the view? You can purchase cameras that pan or tilt, or stationary devices that do not move.

• Resolution – Resolution refers to the clarity of the image provided by the camera. Today, you can purchase high-definition cameras that enable you to see the smallest details, even when the viewing conditions are not ideal.

• Motion detection – You can purchase a camera with motion detection functionality that will notify you the instant a person, animal or object enters its field of vision.

• Wireless connectivity – Wireless devices are typically the best cameras for security if you require maximum placement flexibility. The absence of wires or cables makes it easier to install the cameras exactly where you need them, and you won’t have to worry about intruders disabling your cameras by cutting the wires.

• Recording capabilities – Cameras that can capture and record video images enable you to go back and review past events at any time. This can also assist law enforcement in their efforts to apprehend and convict an intruder.

• Remote functionality – Do you worry about what might be happening in and around your home when you’re not there? Cameras equipped with “smart” technology allow you to use your Web-enabled computer, smartphone or tablet to view live or recorded feeds while you’re at work, running errands or away on vacation.

• Cost – Of course, you will need to select an affordable camera that meets your security requirements and fits your budget.

Titan Alarm Can Help You Select the Right Home Surveillance Cameras for Your Needs and Budget

If you own a home in Phoenix or Tucson, AZ, Titan Alarm can design a customized security system that includes high-quality surveillance cameras. Contact us to schedule a free in-home security consultation today.

Learn More About Home Video Surveillance

• 5 Things To Look For In Your Video Surveillance System
• Benefits Of Security Cameras
• Best Places To Put Security Cameras

Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.