Author: Taylor

While many of us would prefer to take our beloved pets with us wherever we go, this isn’t always a practical option, especially for frequent travelers. And if you’re like many pet lovers, you probably want to do anything possible to avoid placing your cherished cat or dog in a kennel when you go on an extended trip. Even if you only leave your pets home alone during the day while you’re at work, you probably worry about them from the time you depart in the morning until the moment you walk through the door at the end of the day.

A Smart Home Gives You Peace of Mind While You’re Away

Transforming your house into a smart home will allow you to leave Fido, Fifi, Fluffy or Felix home alone — without having to spend all your time worrying about what they’re doing or whether they’re safe. You can also ensure their comfort throughout the day and night. A smart home enables you to use the Internet and automation to control various systems such as lights, surveillance cameras, appliances and HVAC units while you’re away. You’ll be able to use your Web-connected laptop, smartphone or tablet to perform functions such as:

• Monitoring your pets’ activities: Use your mobile device to view live or recorded feeds from your home’s surveillance cameras at any time. You’ll be able to see that your pets are safe — and whether they may have decided to use your favorite pair of slippers as a chew toy!

• Letting caregivers inside: If you’re leaving for several days, you’re probably planning to have somebody stop by once or twice a day to feed and care for your pets. Smart technology allows you to unlock the door to let them in when they arrive — even if you’re hundreds or thousands of miles away. No more worries about hiding spare keys or having them “disappear.”

• Maintaining their sleeping habits and routines: Your pets grow accustomed to the lights going on an off at certain times while you’re home, which affects their sleeping and behavioral patterns. With a smart home, you can operate your household lighting remotely so you can keep your critters on their routines.

• Keeping your home comfortable: Smart technology allows you to monitor the temperature throughout the day or night. If your home becomes too hot or too cold for your pets, you can adjust the thermostat with a few quick taps on your keyboard or screen.

• Helping them stay out of trouble: Do you have areas of your home that are off-limits to your pets but do not have doors to prevent access? Using smart technology, you can install motion sensors that will detect if they attempt to enter a “forbidden zone.” Tripping the sensors will trigger a pre-recording of your voice coming through your intercom system warning them to stay away.

Learn more about how Titan Alarm, Inc. can help you create a pet-friendly smart home in the Phoenix or Tucson, AZ area. Contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation today.

Learn More About Smart Home Technology

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

 

Home automation is the wave of the future in residential security and system management technology. Home automation integrates the operation of your home’s lights, heating and cooling system, appliances, security devices and electrical outlets within one centrally located control panel.

You can also use your Internet-enabled laptop, smartphone or tablet to monitor and control the various system components remotely — you can perform functions such as raising and lowering the thermostat, locking and unlocking doors and turning lights on and off, even if you’re at work, running errands or traveling.

What Are the Benefits of Home Automation?

The many benefits of home automation technology include:

• Convenience: With home automation, you can control your home’s systems with just a few clicks on a keyboard or taps on a screen. If you forget to turn off the lights or the lock the door when you leave for work, you don’t have to rush back home.

• Energy efficiency: Having greater control over a home’s thermostat can result in significant energy savings. It’s also possible to preprogram the thermostat to keep your home at the desired temperature throughout the day and night, increasing your HVAC system’s efficiency.

• Security: In addition to being able to lock doors remotely, home automation enables you to control who enters your house at all times. You don’t have to worry about hiding a key under the doormat or inside a potted plant on your porch. You also won’t have to deal with the potential security issues involved with leaving a spare key with a neighbor who is looking after your home while you’re away.

• Peace of mind: Knowing that you’re always in control of the operation of your home’s systems — no matter where you are or what you’re doing — is a comforting feeling that gives you greater peace of mind.

How to Get Started With Home Automation

If you’re not sure if a “full-blown” home automation system is right for you, you can test the waters by trying out one component. For example, you can purchase a home lighting starter kit consisting of several switches and a remote control or interface panel. If you’re happy with the results, you may wish to consider a more comprehensive home automation installation.

Getting Professional Home Automation Assistance

If you’re ready for a full-scale home automation installation, consulting with a professional home security system provider is your best bet. A knowledgeable provider can do a “walk-through” of your home with you to help you identify the areas where home automation would prove beneficial. The provider can then work with you to design a system that works for your needs and budget.

Titan Alarm, Inc. Can Help You Explore Your Home Automation Options

If you reside in or around Phoenix or Tucson, AZ, Titan Alarm can assist you in choosing the right home automation solution. Our services include professional design, fast installation and reliable maintenance and repairs. Contact us for more information and to schedule a free consultation today.

Learn More About Home Automation

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• The Dangers Of Co2

Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and potentially lethal gas produced by the burning of organic compounds commonly produced by many devices located in and around the home. Often referred to as the “silent killer,” CO poisoning kills hundreds of people in the U.S. each year and sickens thousands more. CO poisoning produces symptoms that mimic the flu. Exposure to high levels of CO can cause brain damage and even death.

What Are the Sources of Carbon Monoxide in the Home

There are numerous sources of carbon monoxide in the typical household. Examples include automobile exhaust, gas and kerosene space heaters, charcoal grills, diesel and gasoline-powered generators, the solvents in many cleaning products and paints, and even cigarette smoke. In most cases, these items produce CO levels that are harmless to humans and pets. However, malfunctioning equipment or unsafe use can significantly increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Why Is an Attached Garage Such a High-Risk Carbon Monoxide Area?

If yours is like the typical attached garage, it’s easy to understand why this part of your home is such a carbon monoxide “haven.” Assuming you frequently start up your vehicles inside your garage, the carbon monoxide-laden exhaust fumes will result in an accumulation of toxins over time. The problem becomes even more magnified if you run the engine with the garage door closed. In many homes, the garage is the preferred storage spot for paints and other solvent-containing products. The garage may even hold the HVAC unit and water heater in homes that do not have basements. Toxic CO gas from these items can seep into your home and possibly cause poisoning.

The Benefits of Installing a Carbon Monoxide Detector in Your Garage

Just as a smoke detector can provide an early alert of a fire, a CO detector can let you and your family know when carbon monoxide levels become unsafe inside your garage. The device will produce an audible alarm that will continue to sound until the gas is cleared from the garage, and the alarm is loud enough to wake you. You can even integrate CO detectors into your home security system that includes 24/7 central monitoring to ensure the timely dispatching of first responders.

Where Should You Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

The best place to install a carbon monoxide detector inside an attached garage is within 10 feet of the door. You should put detectors in rooms located above the garage, especially bedrooms. As with smoke detectors, CO detectors operate on batteries — most detectors produce an audible chirping noise that informs you of the need to replace the battery.

Titan Alarm – Your CO Detector Source in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ

Titan Alarm, Inc. can install a fully integrated security system that includes lifesaving carbon monoxide detectors in the garage and other vulnerable areas in your home. Contact us for more information and to schedule a free in-home consultation today.

Learn More About Home Automation

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

If you’re like most folks, the first thing you do when your phone rings is check the screen to see who’s calling. A doorbell camera is kind of like having Caller ID for your home’s front door.

As the name implies, these devices consist of a doorbell equipped with a camera that works in conjunction with your home’s Wi-Fi system and your smartphone or tablet. When someone rings the bell, it sends a signal to your mobile device, allowing you to see who’s there without having to open the door. Some doorbell camera systems also offer additional features such as two-way voice communication, motion detection sensors and night vision.

Why Should You Consider Installing a Doorbell Camera?

Doorbell cameras can provide a host of valuable convenience and security benefits:

• Screening visitors from anywhere: With a doorbell camera, you don’t have to stop what you’re doing to answer the door. With a glance at your phone or tablet, you can determine whether you want to respond or ignore the visitor – no matter where you are in the house. If your system has a two-way communication feature, you can converse with the visitor without having to go to the door. You can even see who’s at your door when you aren’t home!

• Monitoring your property: Doorbell cameras are available with wide-angle lenses that can provide a sweeping 180 ̊ view of the front of your property, just as if you were standing on the doorstep and looking out toward the street. This enables you to keep an eye on the kids or pets while they’re in the front yard or see what else might be happening.

• Deterring thieves and intruders: A favorite tactic of burglars is posing as a delivery person or door-to-door solicitor and ringing the bell. If no one answers, they’ll realize that nobody is home and they can break in without fear of resistance. A visible doorbell camera let’s intruders know that they’ve being watched, increasing the likelihood that they’ll move on to another home.

• Providing video evidence: You can purchase a doorbell with the capability to record the live video feeds. This can provide visual evidence that can help law enforcement catch and prosecute home invaders and possibly enable your homeowners’ insurance carrier to expedite a theft or damage claim.

• Facilitating package deliveries: If you receive a lot of packages at your home, a doorbell camera lets you know when your items arrive, so you can go home and bring them inside if necessary. If you can’t be there, you’ll still be able to monitor the package until you get there. The camera can also help to resolve disputes over delivery times.

Contact Titan Alarm to Explore the Benefits of a Doorbell Camera Installation

A doorbell camera serves as a valuable component of a fully integrated home security system. Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. to learn more about the advantages of installing a doorbell camera at your Phoenix- or Tucson-area home today.

Learn More About Smart Home Technology

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

You probably hear the term “smart” used to refer to various forms of technology these days. A smart home is one where you can control lighting, locks, appliances, thermostats and security cameras remotely with your smartphone, tablet or Web-connected computer. You can even preprogram these devices to turn on and off automatically at specific times, which can save energy and enhance your home’s safety and security.

Steps for Transforming Your House Into a Smart Home

While the winter season is a joyous time for most folks due to the holidays, it also presents a few home security and energy challenges. With all those gifts under the tree, your home can easily become a prime target for your friendly neighborhood burglar.

Here are some steps you can take to make your home smarter — and safer — during the winter season:

• Use cameras to monitor your property: Did you know that more than 400,000 home break-ins occur in the U.S. during the last two months of the year alone? With a smart home surveillance system, you can monitor who is coming and going at your home with your mobile device, even if you’re many miles away. You can also use motion sensors that will activate your cameras whenever someone attempts to enter your property.

• Install smart door locks: If you’re planning to travel during the holidays, smart locks can bolster your home security efforts while you’re away. For example, you can use your smartphone to unlock the front door to allow a friend or neighbor inside to feed your pets or water your plants. No more worries about hiding a key under the mat or having one fall into the wrong hands.

• Control your home’s temperature with a smart thermostat: Installing a smart thermostat will help you keep your home at the ideal temperature throughout the day and night and eliminate the need for manual adjustments — you could reduce your heating bill over the holidays and throughout the winter by as much as 20 percent. Many smart thermostats also feature a vacation mode that provides automated temperature control if you plan to be away.

• Automate home lighting: The strategic use of interior and exterior lighting will make your home appear occupied and reduce the likelihood of a break-in. Installing automated light switches will enable you to have lights go on and off based on a predetermined schedule. This will also help you conserve electricity, which is especially beneficial if you hang a lot of holiday lights.

Contact Titan Alarm for More Helpful Smart Home Tips

At Titan Alarm, we’ve been helping Phoenix- and Tucson-area residents find ways to make their homes safer for more than a decade, and we can do the same for you. Contact us to learn more about how smart technology can enhance your home’s security during the holidays — and the rest of the year.

Learn More About Smart Home Technology

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

 

Have you taken your dried out live Christmas Tree to the curb for pickup? Or are you still trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive in your home? For many folks, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the holiday season is decorating their homes — there’s nothing quite like a beautifully adorned tree or strings of colorful lights to capture the Christmas spirit.

 While decorations enhance the joy of the season, they can also increase the risk of a fire. Dried-out Christmas trees, overloaded electrical circuits and unattended fireplaces are just a few of the many potential hazards that could cause a devastating house fire. Stay safe during the holidays by implementing the following household decorating tips:

• Situate your tree safely: Set up your Christmas tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces or radiators. If you have a live tree, water it regularly to prevent it from drying out. If you prefer an artificial tree, purchase one made from fire-retardant PVC plastic material. Be wary of using a pre-lit Christmas tree, as many of these pose a fire hazard.

• Consider electrical upgrades: Consider using LED bulbs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs for your indoor and outdoor Christmas lighting. In addition to consuming less energy, LED lights burn cooler, reducing the risk of fire. Don’t overload electrical outlets with an excessive amount of extension cords and adapters, and never string more than three strands of lights together. Inspect strands before hanging and discards ones with frayed or damaged wires.

• Exercise caution when using candles: Candles can add to the holiday ambiance, but unattended or improperly used candles increase the risk of fire. Place candles on a ceramic plate or other fire-resistant surface and keep them away from flammable objects. Also, keep burning candles out of the reach of small children and pets. Extinguish candles when before moving them or when leaving a room.

• Ensure your fireplace is working properly: If your home has a fireplace, have the chimney professionally cleaned and inspected in the fall, just before the start of the holiday season. If you observe the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace, avoid doing so while a fire is burning. Also, avoid stacking gifts near the fireplace and do not throw discarded wrapping paper into the fire.

• Have an evacuation plan in place: Make sure you and your family know what to do if a fire breaks out. Develop an evacuation plan that includes knowledge of the nearest exit for each area of your home. Keep all doorways and exits clear to ensure an unobstructed escape path. Never go back inside a burning home to retrieve gifts or other items.

• Upgrade your home security system: The holiday season is also a good time to evaluate your home security system and make any necessary upgrades. Strategically placed smoked detectors can provide the early warning that saves lives. Make sure all smoke detectors are working properly and change the batteries if needed.

Titan Alarm, Inc. offers high-quality security solutions that will help you create a fireproof home during the holidays — and throughout the year. Contact us for additional safety tips and to schedule a free in-home security consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

 

More than 100 million Americans take to the highways, railways and airways during the holiday/winter season. You’ll want to be sure your home remains safe and secure while you’re away. Here are a few ways you can “stay connected” to the home front so you can enjoy a worry-free holiday vacation.

Have Someone You Trust Watch Your Home

If possible, have a trusted friend, relative or neighbor stop by your home at least once a day to attend to the property. This person can perform routine tasks such as feeding your pets, collecting the mail and newspapers and watering plants. Having a daily visitor will also make your home look lived in while you’re away, which will make it a less inviting target for burglars. Regularly checking in with your house sitter by phone, text or email will give you the peace of mind of knowing that everything is secure.

Keep Connected With “Smart” Technology

If it isn’t possible to have someone look after your home while you’re away, you can use modern security technology to serve as your home’s “watchdog.” A “smart” home features home automation that will control the operation of various security features, appliances, electronic gadgets and lighting for you, without the need for human intervention.

Smart technology relies on a series of sensors and controllers that can perform automated tasks such as detecting the presence of intruders, adjusting the temperature inside your home, turning lights on and off at prescheduled times and detecting the existence of smoke, fire and carbon monoxide. In addition to keeping your home secure, smart technology can regulate your energy consumption, which can minimize your utility bills while you’re away.

Use Your Mobile Device as a Home Security Monitor

The best smart security systems provide access to downloadable apps that enable you to monitor your home around the clock, even if you’re hundreds or thousands of miles away. With the app, you can use your smartphone, tablet or Internet-connected laptop to view live or recorded security camera feeds, adjust the temperature, control interior and exterior lights and allow people entrance to take care of your home. You can also receive timely alerts via email or text message whenever a situation arises that may require monitoring.

Combine Smart Technology With Professional Monitoring for the Ultimate Home Security Solution

Installing an advanced security system that includes smart technology and central monitoring will ensure your home is fully protected while you’re on vacation. Central monitoring entails the use of trained professionals who keep a close watch on your camera feeds, alarms and other system features so they can take prompt action if something unusual occurs. They will immediately dispatch first responders to investigate the situation, which can thwart an in-progress break-in or prevent a small fire from becoming a destructive inferno. They’ll also keep you up-to-date on any changes to your property’s status.

Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. for more ideas on how to stay connected while you’re away.

Learn More About Security Monitoring

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

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

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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

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.