Category: Home Security

While having a reliable, easy-to-use security system is essential for homeowners at every stage of life, there can be a heightened need for seniors, especially those who live alone. Criminals often prey on vulnerable elderly folks who may not be able to protect themselves. What’s more, many standard system features are not always “senior-friendly,” which can render them ineffective in some situations.

The following tips can help to ensure that seniors have access to the best security solution that will keep them safe, without being a hassle to use:

• Install video surveillance: While every home should have security cameras, they’re even more important for the elderly. A video surveillance system allows a senior to investigate a strange noise or see who is ringing the bell without having to go outside or even open the door.
• Use remote operation: A traditional home security system features a wall-mounted keypad or control panel, but this might not be a viable option for mobility-challenged seniors. On the other hand, a remote control-based system allows the elderly to operate and monitor it from anywhere in or around the home.
• Consider oversized buttons: Visually impaired seniors may have trouble seeing the buttons and small numbers on a keypad, making it difficult, if not impossible to operate. A simple solution is to install an oversized keypad with larger numbers and symbols.
• Augment sound with lighting: Most security systems have audible alarms that alert the occupants of a fire, burglary attempt or other safety issues. However, these features offer little benefit to seniors who may be suffering from hearing loss. It may be necessary to incorporate flashing or strobing lights to provide an elderly resident with a visual warning sign.
• Stay up-to-date with smoke and carbon dioxide detector maintenance: Seniors with limited physical capacities may not be able to check or change the batteries on ceiling-mounted smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A friend or loved one may need to handle this potentially lifesaving task.
• Activate home automation: A system that automates the operation of alarms, heating and cooling units, appliances, door and window locks and lighting can make life much easier — and safer — for seniors. A professional installer or a tech-savvy friend or relative can assist with any programming needs.
• Utilize central monitoring: A professionally monitored home security system is paramount for the elderly. The central monitoring station includes trained personnel who can respond to alarms triggered at the house and dispatch help immediately if needed.
• Look into medical alert systems: Seniors with health issues can benefit from wearing a push-button pendant or bracelet where they can request help if they fall or experience a medical problem. As with home alarm systems, these products come with central monitoring to ensure a timely response during an emergency.

Titan Alarm Can Provide the Best Security Solutions for Seniors

Here at Titan Alarm, Inc., we recognize the challenges that many older adults face when attempting to stay safe. We can design and install a customized security system that addresses the senior’s specific safety challenges. Contact us for more information and a free in-home consultation today.

Learn More About Home Security

• When To Replace Your Old Security System
• Why A Home Security System?
• Will My Security System Work During A Power Outage?
• Wired Vs Wireless Security Systems

While many homeowners understand the importance of securing doors and windows, they often overlook another favorite burglar entry point — the garage door. Intruders who find their way into the garage can help themselves to whatever you’ve stored there — lawn furniture, sports equipment, tools, etc. Even worse, attached garages may have an interior door (that is frequently left unlocked) that provides easy access to the rest of the home.

Tips for Safeguarding Your Garage Door

 Don’t let thieves use your garage door as the portal to all your valuables. Use the following steps to help you create a “burglar-proof” garage:

• Remove temptation: There are lots of residential property owners who think nothing of leaving their garage doors unlocked or even open during the day, which serves as an invitation to thieves. Remember, most burglars prefer to operate during the daytime hours. Keep the door locked whenever the garage is not in use. If your garage door has windows, consider installing frosted glass to prevent crooks from seeing inside.

• Take the opener with you: Those garage door openers that clip to a car’s sun visor can allow thieves to gain easy access to your garage — and they might even steal your vehicle, too! Take the opener inside the house whenever you exit your car. Better still, purchase a keychain remote opener.
• Secure the emergency release: Clever criminals know how to reach the door’s emergency release lever by slipping a coat hanger through the top of the opening. You can defeat this tactic without preventing the release’s function simply by attaching zip-ties to the handle.
• Keep your door properly maintained: A door that isn’t functioning correctly or is showing signs of deterioration makes it easier for burglars to break into the garage. Have a professional residential garage door company in your area perform a preventive maintenance checkup about once a year. A reputable installer can also tell you when the time has come for a door replacement.
• Beef up interior door security: You should install the same high-quality locks on the entrance door between the garage and your home as you have on all other exterior doors. That way, even if a burglar makes it into the garage, he or she won’t be able to enter your house.
• Make sure your home’s security system encompasses your garage: If you’re planning a new security system installation or upgrade, consult with the installer about incorporating surveillance cameras, motion sensors, access control devices and lighting that provide coverage for the garage. You’ll sleep better at night knowing you’ve taken measures to protect this vulnerable area of your home.

Contact Titan Alarm for More Garage Door Security Advice

Titan Alarm, Inc. offers more than a decade of experience in keeping Phoenix– and Tucson-area homeowners safe by providing the most advanced security solutions. Contact us to learn more about your garage door protection options and to schedule a no-obligation in-home consultation today.

Learn More About Home Security

• The Com Test
• Things To Do In Tucson
• Tips For Maintaining Your Home Security System
• Titan Alarm Acquires Arrow Security Design

There are many good reasons to undertake a home remodeling project. Sprucing up a bedroom or bathroom, for example, can increase the room’s functionality and make it more attractive. And the right exterior renovation can boost your home’s curb appeal and make it the envy of the neighborhood.

There are also several improvements that will provide financial benefits by increasing your home’s resale value. The following projects can deliver an excellent return on your investment when the time comes to put your house on the market:

• Making minor bathroom renovations: Many folks make the condition of the bathrooms a top priority when determining whether to purchase a home. The good news is that you don’t have to tear the entire room apart to make a cost-effective upgrade. A project that involves replacing the tub, sink and flooring could produce up to a 100 percent return on your investment.
• Redesigning a kitchen: The kitchen has become the focal point in the modern home. A kitchen upgrade that includes replacing the oven, range and fixtures, as well as re-facing the cabinets and putting in laminate flooring will cost around $15,000. It will also yield a return of up to 98 percent when you sell your house.
• Transforming an attic: Converting an attic into a bedroom can provide badly needed sleeping space for a growing family and increase a home’s value. Depending on where you live, an attic conversion will yield a return of 80-105 percent at selling time. Your attic project should include the installation of high-quality insulation, assuming you don’t already have it.
• Remodeling a basement: A finished basement can give you additional living space to use as a spare bedroom, family room, entertainment area or “man cave.” You should also be able to recoup about 90 percent of a basement renovation project’s cost upon selling your home.
• Improving the exterior: Unless buyers are looking for a bargain-priced “fixer-upper,” they’re likely to drive by without stopping if they see a house with a dilapidated exterior. Making improvements such as painting, installing new siding or upgrading the landscaping will increase your home’s resale value — and make it more inviting to prospects.
• Building a deck: Adding a backyard deck or patio or expanding the porch will also add value to your home and increase its visual appeal. The typical deck project costs around $10,000-$12,000, but you’ll get about 90 percent of that back when you sell your home.
• Investing in smart technology: You might not think of features such as home automation and wireless security cameras as home improvements, but today’s home shoppers, especially younger buyers, are looking for “smart” technology that is already integrated into the design. This can you a competitive edge over other sellers, especially during a buyer’s market.

Titan Alarm, Inc. Can Handle Your Home’s Smart Technology Needs

If you own a home in Phoenix or Tucson, AZ or the surrounding areas, Titan Alarm can install an innovative security system equipped with the latest home automation technology. Contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation today.

Learn More About Home Automation

• History Of Home Security
• Holiday Headaches
• Home Automation Geo Location Services
• Home Automation With Voice Control

Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

Installing a state-of-the-art security system is an important step to reduce your risk of a burglary or home invasion. However, experienced criminals look for any opportunity they can find to thwart the system — what might seem like an insignificant detail to you can help a crook decide whether to target your home or move on.

Use the following tips to help you “think like a thief” and decrease the likelihood that you’ll become the next victim of a break-in.

• Trim trees and vegetation:

  When burglars see a home surrounded by trees, bushes and hedges, they may view it as the perfect cover to obscure them from neighbors and passersby on the street. Keeping the vegetation trimmed may detract from your property’s curb appeal and reduce shade, but it can also prevent thieves from targeting your home.

• Don’t leave a spare key outside:

  Some folks think they’re being clever by stashing an extra house key in the ceramic giraffe on the porch or under the doormat. But veteran burglars know all the hiding places. Leave your spare key with a trusted neighbor, or better yet, install door locks you can activate with your mobile device.

• Set the alarm during the day:

  Many homeowners mistakenly believe that burglars only practice their craft under cover of darkness. Therefore, they often neglect to activate the security system before leaving for work in the morning. Thieves are aware of this, which is one reason many burglaries occur in broad daylight. Always set the alarm, even if you’re only leaving the house for a few minutes.

• Don’t broadcast your out-of-town trips:

  We all love to share our traveling and vacation adventures on social media. Enterprising crooks also monitor Facebook and other sites to see when you’re heading out of town, giving them an open invitation to stop by for a “visit” while you’re away. Wait until you get home to share those fabulous photos from your trip!

• Watch what you put in the trash:

  Did you just purchase a new flat screen TV, computer or other expensive electronic gadget or household furnishing? If you place the item’s box with your curbside trash, your friendly neighborhood burglar will also be aware of your purchase. It requires a little extra effort, but breaking or cutting up the box before putting it in the garbage can help keep the thieves away.

• Hide your ladder:

  It’s more convenient to keep the ladder on the side of the house, but a burglar can also use it to gain access to a second-story window. Store the ladder and other “stackable” items inside your (locked) garage when they’re not in use.

Contact Titan Alarm for More Helpful Home Protection Advice

As the leading home security solutions provider in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ, Titan Alarm, Inc. can provide additional tips to help you create a burglar-proof home. Contact us for more information and to schedule a no-obligation security consultation today.

Learn More About Stopping Home Intruders

• Sneaky Burglar Tactics You Might Not Be Aware Of
• Residential Alarm Systems in Phoenix
• The Right Ways to Deter Home Theft

Have you ever received a notice from a delivery service informing you that they’ve dropped off your package — only to discover that the item isn’t there when you get home? You may have been the victim of a so-called “porch pirate.” These individuals steal packages from porches and stoops, often in broad daylight. The most brazen pirates will follow delivery drivers as they may their rounds and pilfer the packages as soon as the truck is out of sight.

Each year, millions of Americans have had their delivered items stolen by porch pirates. While package thefts occur more frequently during the holiday season, many “professional” pirates practice their illicit trade throughout the year.

Tips for Preventing Porch Thefts

The following steps can help you from becoming your friendly neighborhood porch pirate’s next victim:

1. Choose an alternate delivery option: Rather than having the package delivered to your home, explore the possibility of using one of the following alternatives:

• • Amazon locker boxes: If you ordered the item from Amazon.com, you can choose to pick it up at one of their locker locations. If you’re unable to collect the package within the three-day timeframe, Amazon will issue a refund.
  • Post office boxes: Some (but not all) shippers will send packages to a P.O. box for pickup.
  • On-site pickup: Many companies will allow you to pick up ordered items at their location.
  • Trusted neighbor’s home: You may also be able to arrange to have the package delivered to a neighbor’s house if no one can be home to meet the delivery driver.

1. Use home security features to keep porch pirates at bay: If none of the above methods are practical or convenient, modern home security technology can come to your rescue. All these options are compatible with smartphones and tablets, enabling you to monitor and control them remotely:

• • Doorbell cameras: In addition to alerting you when someone is ringing your doorbell, these innovative cameras will notify you whenever they sense motion on your porch.
  • Smart locks: Use smart locks in tandem with doorbell cameras to thwart porch pirates. Use your camera feed to confirm the presence of a legitimate delivery driver, then press a button on your smart device to unlock the door so the driver can leave the package inside. You can them re-lock the door when the driver departs. If you’re not comfortable with the thought of a driver entering your home, you can install a smart garage door controller that allows access to the garage instead.
  • Outdoor surveillance cameras: Cameras placed at strategic locations around your home will provide a sweeping view of your property. In addition to enabling you to watch delivery drivers from the moment they arrive unit they drive away, you can also keep an eye on a package left at a spot other than your front porch.

Nothing is worse than anticipating a package to be on your doorstep and realizing it’s not there. It’s a growing problem in neighborhoods across the U.S., too. Packages are disappearing from porches, stoops and doorsteps — and porch pirates are the culprits.

Porch pirates are thieves who steal delivered packages from your house. Because more people are shopping online, more deliveries are arriving each day to homes, especially during the holidays. When you are at work, school or running errands and unable to accept the packages, it results in an easy target for thieves.

How to Prevent Stolen Packages ?

Here are a few tips on how to avoid your special deliveries from being stolen:

• If you aren’t home at the time of delivery, send it to your workplace or a friend or family member who will be available.
• Request a signature for packages and deliveries to make sure the right person is receiving the box.
• Don’t leave gifts in open view. Surround your front area with shrubs or plants to enclose your area for more privacy.
• Don’t advertise package arrivals with posts on social media.
• Use smart package lockers from Amazon. Their lockers allow you to pick up your package at selected locations.
• Request an access point for deliveries besides your home, like a grocery store.
• Track your package so you know the exact day and time of your package’s arrival.

Installing Video Surveillance Cameras to Impede Porch Pirates

One of the smartest and most effective ways to thwart off porch pirates is to install security camera systems where your packages are left — whether it be at your front door, side garage door or even back porch.

Security systems can deter thieves, especially when you place cameras in evident and visible locations. However, you will want to apply them to high areas, so thieves don’t tamper with the system. If a porch pirate notices your security system, it can prevent package theft not only at your home, but it may also help secure your neighborhood as well.

Along with a security system, always make sure your home in well lit. Use outside lights, motion lights, spotlights and timed lights while you’re away to give your home a lived-in look. An alarm system is also a helpful tactic if you want to prevent package theft.

Titan Alarm Is Here for You

Our professionals are here to assist you in determining the ideal security system for your home. With our innovative systems, you can control your alarms, cameras, door locks, door, bell and lighting all with your smartphone. You will see who enters your property at all times whether you are home or away.

For more information about how we can help you keep special deliveries safe, contact us today.

Learn More About Home Video Surveillance

• What Are Porch Pirates And How To Thwart Them
• Wireless Security Cameras And Wireless Video Surveillance Systems

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

• Smart Home Automation With Your Children
• Home Automation Support Center
• Technology Is Changing Home Security
• The Dangers Of Co2

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

• Home Security System Saves Energy
• Is Your Smart Watch At Risk?
• Keep Kids Safe With Home Automation
• Keep Your Playrooms Safe