Category: Home Security

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

• Protecting Your Glendale Home
• Smarter Home Security
• How A Smart Home Can Keep Your Family Safe

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

• Ways A Smart Home Can Make Your Life Easier
• What Are Doorbell Cameras?
• Z Wave Smart Home

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.

Learn More About Fire Alarm Systems

• Uncommon Fire Hazards In The Home
• Unexpected Fire Hazards In Your Home
• Why Smoke Alarms Are Needed

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

• Home Security Monitoring
• Home Security Smartphone Apps

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
• Troubleshooting Common Home Security System Issues
• Try Out A System

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
• Fire Sprinkler Corrosion
• 5 Reasons to Have Your Fire System Inspected

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

• Home Security Boot Camp
• Home Security For The Elderly
• Home Security Tips For Renters
• 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

• Holiday Season Security Checklist
• Home Security Advancements
• Home Security Boot Camp
• Home Security For The Elderly

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