Category: home security

For many of us, summer is the time for getting away from the everyday stress and enjoying some downtime — and that often means going away on vacation. But worrying about what’s going on around your home can prevent you from relaxing and enjoying yourself.

An excellent way to put your mind at ease is to install a home security system equipped with smart technology. This will allow you to use your smartphone or tablet to monitor your home, even if you’re thousands of miles away. What’s more, you won’t have to take much time away from those fun-filled activities you’ve been looking forward to for so long.

Here’s what you can do with smart technology:

• View camera feeds: If you’ve installed video surveillance cameras to watch over your property, smart technology enables you to use your mobile device as a remote monitor. You can watch live and recorded video feeds whenever you wish, giving you a little extra peace of mind.
• Receive instant alerts: If you don’t want to be bothered to check on your camera feeds while you’re relaxing, smart technology can provide instant alerts whenever there’s an issue. Your monitoring service will also receive a notification, enabling them to investigate the situation and inform you if there’s a problem that requires your attention.
• Lock and unlock your doors: If you’re like many vacationing homeowners, you might have a friend, relative or neighbor stop by your house once or twice a day to care for your pets, take in the mail or make sure that everything is okay. Smart technology allows you to unlock the door remotely to let the person inside and lock the door when they leave. You don’t have to worry about hiding keys under the mat or having them copied or lost.
• Control lighting: You’ll be able to use your phone or tablet to turn lights on and off to make it look as though someone is occupying your home. You can even automate the process by pre-programming the activation of the lighting at specific times during the day and night.
• Engage in virtual communication: If you have teenagers who aren’t going with you on vacation, smart technology allows you to stay connected with them while you’re away. By connecting a video app to your indoor security cameras, you’ll be able to observe your kids’ comings and goings and even converse with them whenever you wish.
• Adjust HVAC units and appliances: With smart technology, you can control the operation of your thermostat and household appliances with a quick press of a button. You’ll be able to keep your home at the ideal temperature and minimize your energy consumption.

Contact Titan Alarm to Learn More

Titan Alarm, Inc. is at the forefront of smart home technology in the Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. Contact us for more information and to schedule a free in-home security consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

Most security experts agree that video surveillance cameras should serve as the backbone of any reliable home security system. Cameras enable homeowners and monitoring service providers to detect suspicious activity in and around your property on a 24/7 basis.

Cameras also act as a visible deterrent that can prevent intruders from attempting to break into a home. And recorded video feeds from the cameras can help law enforcement officials apprehend burglars and serve as evidence if a case goes to trial.

Tips for Protecting Your Security Cameras

It’s also true that some home intruders will attempt to disable security cameras by cutting cables, throwing rocks at them or even coating the lens with black spray paint. The following tips can help you “tamper-proof” your cameras:

• Mount them high: Placing your cameras approximately nine feet off the ground will make it more difficult for intruders to reach them or strike them with a thrown object. Just make sure that there are no ladders or other items outside that could allow a burglar to climb up and disable the camera.
• Keep them hidden: There are many ways you can conceal your cameras so that intruders won’t be able to see them — place them in birdhouses, trees, fake rocks or garden gnomes. If you choose to hide your cameras, consider installing a non-functioning “dummy” camera in a highly visible location such as above the front door to act as a deterrent.
• Go wireless: A wireless camera system does not have cables that burglars can cut. Going wireless also gives you more flexibility to place your cameras exactly where you need them.
• Install protective housing: Cage-like housing constructed with a durable plastic material is available to protect your security cameras from damage. Make sure you select a cage with a gap that is wide enough to prevent obscuring the camera’s field of vision.
• Add tamper detection: A tamper detection service will send an instant alert to your smartphone whenever someone tries to fiddle with your cameras. You can then use your phone to activate an alarm that will cause the intruder to flee.
• Consider purchasing vandal-proof cameras: You can buy high-quality IP cameras that will continue to function even if they incur damage by vandals or thieves. When combined with a reliable monitoring service, you may be able to notify law enforcement in time to catch the burglars in the act.
• Protect against hacking: In addition to physical damage, your surveillance cameras may also be susceptible to hacking if they’re part of a wireless network. Taking the same precautions as you do with your online bank accounts and credit cards — such as changing your password frequently – will minimize your risk.

Contact Titan Alarm for More Helpful Advice

As a leading home security solutions provider in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ, Titan Alarm Inc. can help you get the best results from your video surveillance system — including protecting your cameras against damage. Contact us to schedule a free in-home security consultation today.

Learn More About Home Video Surveillance

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

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.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

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.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

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.

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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.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on October 31, 2018.

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.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

Page Updated November 1, 2018

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.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.