How to Prevent Christmas Tree and Holiday Decoration Fires

It’s the time of the year again. We love to have holiday lights, candles burning bright and the warm glow around the house. It’s that special time of the year when our homes are bursting with the holiday spirit. 

What’s not so lovely is when Christmas glee is turned into horror as the tree bursts into flames or christmas decors catch fire. Christmas trees and other decorations are an annual tradition for many, but misuse and neglect can lead to tragedy. 

Fire departments across the country respond to hundreds of fires during the holiday season each year.  One in every 31 Christmas tree fires is deadly, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The association says electrical failures and malfunctions caused 30 percent of Christmas tree fires.

What can we do to prevent the creation of a fire hazard? Here are a few tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

  • Choose a tree with fresh, green needles.

  • Place it at least 3 feet away from a heat source.

  • Position it so it’s not blocking any exits.

  • Water fresh trees DAILY to prevent them from drying out.

  • Turn any lights off at bedtime or before leaving your home.

When using artificial trees, be sure they are flame-resistant and watch out for electric lights on metal versions. Electrocution can occur if the metal on the tree becomes charged. 

Christmas trees aren’t the only item you’ll need to be careful with. Holiday décor can create unseen problems, too.  Make sure to decorate with fire-safe ornaments and lights. Don’t crowd your outlets with too many plugs or use more than one extension cord for your outlet. Keep light strands to a max of three per cord to avoid a burnout. 

Check your lights. Faulty lights can cause a fire, especially the ones around your tree, which is why It’s essential to check the lights you used to decorate your house.

Another thing you’ll need to be mindful of is candles. D.C. Police said two out of every five home decoration fires are started by candles. The four most common days for candle fires are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, police said. 

With these little extra precautions, you can have a joyful and worry-free holiday.

How to Prevent Car Break-ins

Motor vehicle theft is up 3.1% nationally, says the FBI’s annual Uniform Crime Data report. While thieves may admire glamorous sports cars and luxury sedans, that’s not what they’re generally stealing. In terms of new cars, the Nissan Altima, Chrysler 200, and Toyota Camry were the most often stolen cars in 2016, reports Forbes. The Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Ford F-150, and Chevrolet Silverado topped the list of most stolen among used cars. Overall, used cars tend to be stolen more often than newer models, simply because they have less sophisticated anti-theft technology. In other words, car thieves want your car, but they don’t want to put in too much work.

Here are some car break-in prevention techniques.

1. Lock your doors

A majority of car break-ins and thefts are from unlocked cars. Even if you are parked in front of your house, in your driveway or inside your garage, lock your doors. Criminals like to walk down the street and see if a car is unlocked, if it is, they open the door and take whatever is visible and move on to the next target. However, if the door is locked, they are more likely to move on.

 
2. Don’t leave your car running

It can be tempting to leave your car running when you’re just popping in and out of the store, but this also makes it pretty easy for a thief to hop in and drive away. Also, it’s illegal to leave your car running and unattended in 30 states plus the District of Columbia. Laws vary based on the circumstance and state, but they all have the same goal in mind: to help prevent your car from getting stolen!

3. Park in well-lit areas

If you’re parking your car somewhere after the sun has gone down, try to find a spot underneath a streetlight that’s well lit and well trafficked. Thieves may be less likely to rummage through a car with a spotlight on them and a potential audience just around the corner.

4. Keep your vehicle tidy

Thieves like to window shop! Avoid leaving anything visible in the car. Almost any item that’s visible from the outside – even if you think it is worthless – could be seen as valuable to a thief. Your spare change, sunglasses, even an empty bag (a thief may think there is something inside the bag) could be valuable in the mind of a thief.

5. Invest in an anti-theft system

Whether it’s a steering wheel lock, a window alarm, or an ignition cut-off system, anything that makes a thief work harder could also make your car safer. If it will slow them down or potentially get them caught, they’ll probably pass.

6. Report Break-Ins

If you see a break-in in progress, call 911 immediately! Provide the 911 dispatcher with as much information as possible, such as:

  • Location – Provide an address, block number, or specific location in a parking lot.

  • Description of the suspect – Provide as much information as you can, i.e. sex, race, age, height, weight, hair color and length, color and length of facial hair, colors and style of clothing, and identifying marks such as tattoos and piercings.

  • Direction – If the suspect flees, give the direction of travel. If they flee on a bicycle or in a vehicle, describe the color, make, model, and license plate number, if it is safe to do so!

How to Prevent Fire at Home

Losing your home to a fire can be a scary thought, but there are a lot of preventive measures you can do to prevent home fire or fire accidents. 

 

Most people know the basics of fire safety at home such as not leaving burning candles or cooking unattended, and keeping a fire extinguisher on hand. But there are more things you can do to prevent home fire or home accidents. Here are some of important home fire safety tips.

 

1. Check electrical cords throughout the house

Faulty wiring and outlets are some of the top causes of house fires. Check the electrical cords throughout your home for signs of fraying, and replace all frayed wires. 

 

Be aware of the capacity of your home’s electrical system. Do not overload your circuits. If you have questions about your home’s electrical system, you may want to consult a licensed electrician.

2. Check dryer

If you have a gas-powered clothes dryer, have it inspected once a year to make sure all connections are secure. No matter what type of dryer you have, always clean out the lint filter after a load is finished. Regularly check behind and around the dryer for pockets of lint or items of laundry that have fallen under or behind. Use a shop vacuum or hire a professional to thoroughly remove all lint and debris from the lint trap area and all external dryer vents at least once a year. 

 

3. Inspect heating sources

Regardless of what kind of primary heating you have in your home, an annual inspection will reduce your risk of fire.

Change furnace filters regularly to avoid a buildup of dust and lint that can easily catch fire. If you use space heaters, carefully inspect them before and after each use, and place them at least three feet away from anything combustible, such as fabric or paper. Check water heaters as well, especially those that run off gas and have a pilot light. Make sure nothing is close to the heating element.

 

4. Keep firewood, piles of leaves and garbage away from the home

If a grass fire starts nearby, these items next to your home could easily become kindling. Never dump hot ashes inside or near your home; keep them in a metal container well away from your house and garage.

 

5. Know your shutoffs

 

Know the locations of your power shutoffs for all utilities, including gas lines, circuit breakers, appliances, and fuses. Post clear shutoff directions next to each one. Keep a non-sparking tool handy for turning off gas.

 

6. Install fire alarm system

Many people do not have fire alarm systems installed in their homes. Many assume that they are able to smell smoke when they are asleep and wake up in time to escape in case of a fire emergency. Well, this is not true at all. Studies have been conducted and it has been proven that people’s sleep are disrupted when there is sound or noise, but it is NOT the case with smell. Our sense of smell is lost when we are asleep, and we will not wake up no matter how strong the smell of smoke is.

 

The only thing that can alert you and your family 24/7 from a fire is the sound of a well installed and maintained fire alarm system. Fire alarms are important because they can give you an early signal to something that could be tragic – basically saving your lives.


Titan Alarm
is a full-service security system provider offering a complete range of services to protect your home in the event of a fire emergency. They utilize the latest technology to take your home fire security to the next level with detection and monitoring systems, advanced fire alarms, IP/cellular communications, preventative maintenance, and a variety of other services.

First-time Home Buyers Security Tips

Buying a house involves a long-term planning. Most people dream of buying a house for years or even decades before the actual process begins. Some of the things usually considered are the number of bedrooms, what the neighborhood is like, and how big the garden is, among others. But one important aspect that’s sometimes overlooked is security. 


New homeowners are especially vulnerable to security risks, as they are just beginning to learn about their new home and neighbourhood. You can have peace of mind by optimizing your home’s security. Here are some of the best home security tips to consider when buying your first home:


1. Check out the location before making the decision to buy

Before you make that buying decision, you need to consider the safety of the neighbourhood.

Buyers should keep an eye out for key indicators of a good neighbourhood, such as an active neighbourhood watch group, regular security patrol of the area, well-lit streets and pathways, as well as little to no signs of vandalism.

No neighbourhood will ever be completely crime free, but you certainly do not want to buy a home in an area that has a high crime rate.

For this reason, it is essential to conduct sufficient research into the neighbourhood’s crime statistics and overall safety.

This can be done by liaising with local authorities like the local police station, who will be able to provide you with the latest crime statistics for the area.

Enlisting the help of a knowledgeable local agent can also provide you with information on the safety in the area.

2. Meet the neighbors

There are many other forms of security measures worth considering, once you’ve found your ideal neighbourhood and have settled into your new home.

One of them is getting out and introducing yourself to your neighbors. They don’t have to become your new best friends, but neighbors who are familiar with one another tend to look out for each other, notice when things are “off” or suspicious at the neighbor’s home, and report it to authorities. 

A neighbour who you have built a good relationship with is more likely to keep watch over your home than a neighbour you have barely had any interaction with.


3. Perform an audit of your home’s security

Once you’ve moved into your new home, inspecting each of the home’s entry points is crucial, as online statistics reveal that criminals generally look to target homes with multiple entry and exit points, as well as homes that have easy access to main roads.

For this reason, it is essential to conduct a walkthrough of your house to identify any security flaws and areas that need special attention. 

Test the functioning of the windows and doors around your house in order to assess how easy or difficult it may be for an intruder to gain access into your home.


4. Install a security system

Trying to pick up the pieces after a house break in is a lot more traumatic than preventing one in the first place.

It is essential to focus on prevention and consider the options for securing your home.

The installation of a security system is a popular option among many homeowners, as it is considered an effective way to secure a home.

An active security system can help to notify you immediately if an intruder has gained entry to your property and is especially helpful in the event of you being out of town.

Most home security systems, once triggered, provides an instant notification by transmitting a signal to the relevant 24-hour monitoring centre. By doing so, security dispatchers can immediately inform you of the alarm and head out to your home to inspect the property, as well as alert the local emergency or police services.

Contact https://titanalarm.net/ for more information on home security.

5. Get a dog

Despite all the advances in technology, dogs still make excellent security systems. Dogs are great at drawing attention to unusual activities and will warn you when someone unfamiliar is too close to the house or if they hear unusual noises outside. A pet can add a sense of security to any home, too. The simple idea of having another living, breathing thing in your house has a way of doing that

Home Security

Do I Need Home Security in Phoenix?

Like many people you may be thinking, is a home security system really necessary? Well, the simple answer to this is, yes! 

No matter where you live nowadays, there will always be a necessity for home security. Today we are going to be looking at some of the top reasons that you need a security system to keep your home and loved ones safe.

If you live in Phoenix and you are in search of a security solution that can protect your home or business, Titan Alarm is here for you.

To Protect and Secure

The FBI has recently said that 1 in 3 homes that are not armed with a security system will fall victim to a burglary. Comparing these statistics to 1 in 250, that alone should be enough to convince you.

It may be an unbelievable statistic, but every 13 seconds, a home burglary takes place. That equates to almost 6,000 burglaries per day.

Simply installing a home security system can offer added protection and dramatically reduce the chances of you falling victim to a burglary.

Great For Protection Against Fires

While most people think of home security as a way to protect their homes from burglaries, what many people do not realize is the capability of the security system when it comes to protecting against fires too.

A lot of people are often guilty of thinking a house fire will never happen to them. Unfortunately, when we look at the 2017/2018 statistics from the Phoenix Fire Department, we can see a total of 21,730 call-outs to domestic fires.

This is where an internal motion-sensing camera system can be highly beneficial. These cameras are generally quite inexpensive and can report directly to your handheld devices when motion is captured. 

Having this available when smoke is spotted can give you the vital time required to call the local fire department and have any fire tackled before it goes out of control.

Having the addition of heat sensors and smoke detectors is also a great way to alert anybody that’s in the local area that your house may be in danger.

Monitor Your Carbon Footprint

Having an internal camera system can also be highly beneficial when it comes to ensuring we have done our bit for the planet.

We are all guilty of leaving a light or two on when we head out for work; the trouble is, this is neither efficient for the planet nor our wallets. While at one time, it would have been the case that we would have to travel home to rectify these issues, this is no longer the case.

We now live in a beautiful age of technology, and this enables us to deal with small issues like this wherever we may be in the world. Pairing your security system with smart technology in your home can be highly beneficial.

Save You Some Money

When you own your own home, you know that having homeowners insurance is an absolute necessity. This is loosely related to why you need to have a security system in your home.

While homeowners insurance is below the national average in Phoenix, it is still quite a sum yearly. Having a security system will always lower the cost of your premium. When you take into account the saving you will make over a year, the savings you make on your insurance will pay for your security system before long.

It is important to note that the better and more reliable your home security, the more significant the discount that will be offered by the insurance company.

Remotely Monitor Your Kingdom With Cameras

While people love to get away and travel, more often than not, there is still a little sunken worry that while you’re away, something will happen to your property.

Having an internal and external camera system is one of the best ways to give you peace of mind. No matter where you may be in the world, providing you have an internet connection, you will be able to view all aspects of your home. 

Another advantage of security cameras is their ability to act as a deterrent. Pairing a camera system with a good alarm system is one of the finest ways you can protect your home.

Protects Your Car

One of the finest reasons to get a security system if you live in Phoenix is to protect your car. It may shock some of you, but Arizona is ranked 8th in the entire nation when it comes to car theft.

If there is one thing we love just as much as our home, it’s generally our car (and possibly our children too). There is no worse feeling than waking up to find your vehicle has gone.

Car theft nowadays has come a long way. Car thieves often attempt to gain entrance to the house; this is because they want to get hold of their keys. The best way to deter this, apart from a complex laser-based system, is an excellent house alarm system and of course, home video surveillance. 

Cameras on the outside of the home act as a significant deterrent when it comes to keeping car thieves at bay. It is also a great idea to keep your keys in a safe location too.

Conclusion

As you can see, there has never been a better time to get home security, and it does way more than protect you from intruders.

If you live in Phoenix and you need a complete security solution that can take care of everything from Burglar alarms to access control systems, and everything in between, Titan Alarm should be your first choice. 

At Titan Alarm, we don’t believe in using contractors like most other companies; we have a dedicated and multi-skilled team of employees that will treat you like a member of the family.

Locked Out

What to do when you’re outside… but your keys are inside

It’s 8:25am, your wife is already at work, the kids are at school and you’re running late. The note on the fridge reminds you that it’s trash day… and the garbage truck will be there any minute. You make a mad dash to grab the can and get it to the curb, only to discover that… you’ve locked yourself out of the house. NOOOOOOOO!!!

There are a few things you can do before throwing a rock through a window… or worse… go all Chuck Norris and try kicking in the front door, possibly fracturing your tibia.

So, follow these tips to get back inside and save yourself a trip to the Emergency Room.

1 – Take a deep breath

Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to your body. Those things that happen when you are stressed, such as increased heart rate, fast breathing, and high blood pressure, all decrease as you breathe deeply to relax. You’ll be in a much better state of mind for solving the “key” problem at hand. Breathing exercises are a great way to reduce stress daily… but maybe today isn’t the day to start. Just a few slow breaths ought to do it.

2 – Look for an unlocked entry point

I know, I know… you always keep your doors and windows shut and locked; however, it’s worth taking a look to see if someone left a door out back unlocked or a bathroom window open. Always start with this plan of action since it’s the easiest and fastest way to get back into the house. Only check the access points on the first floor. Avoid climbing trees and trellises to check windows on the upper levels. Again, we’re trying to avoid a broken leg.

3 – Text/Call someone who has a key

Your spouse or kids should have a key, so I’d start there. Unless of course, your phone is inside the house… on the kitchen counter… keeping your keys company. If that’s the case, start thinking of anyone else… anyone close… who might have a spare; a babysitter or pet sitter from the neighborhood perhaps. If you’re in an apartment, go have the landlord/maintenance staff open the door for you. At this point you’re probably second guessing your decision to not buy the hide-a-key rock in the Skymall magazine because you didn’t think it looked real enough.

4 – MacGyver it

Since you’re not an accomplished burglar, or ex CIA, picking the lock probably isn’t an option. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some other acts of ingenuity you can try. Some people might suggest a credit card… but unless you’re trying to break into your master bathroom, you’ll need something a little sturdier. Run over to the neighbors and borrow a butter knife (less creepy than showing up on their doorstep asking for a boning knife or cleaver). Slide the blade of the knife between the door and the strike plate until you hit the door’s plunger or bolt. Then, you can try to force the bolt away from the doorjamb and push the door open. The thought then occurs to you, if you went over to your neighbors, why didn’t you just call your wife from their phone.

5 – Call a locksmith

This is the most expensive way to get back into your house… unless you didn’t take my advice and threw a rock through the window. It also requires a long wait, and reliance on a phone. The upside is that a locksmith will get you into your house for sure, and do it without damaging any of your property.

6 – Stop it from ever happening again

Now that you’ve made it back in safely… don’t let it happen again. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Not sure how to compare a pound of cure to not getting locked out or keeping your family safe, but you get what I mean. The Smart Home solution:

No more keys – Unlock your door with a unique code that you came up with, instead of a key

Lock/Unlock door remotely – This time you’re on your way to work and you realize you didn’t lock the door. No problem. You can use your phone app to lock or unlock the front door from anywhere.

Multiple access codes – You can create multiple access codes so that you don’t have to give out your own personal code to the babysitter… or even the in-laws. Give them their own code, and then just disable it later. That way you’re not resetting it all the time, like your work email password.

What does all of that mean? It means your Smart Home system does just as much to keep you stress and worry free as your new breathing exercises. It gives you the peace of mind that asleep or awake, home or away, you and your family are safe.

Ready to keep your family safe? Call 800-973-9001 (or just fill out the form below) to get a free quote today and see how Titan Alarm can help bring you that peace of mind.

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! … the quotes are free?

You bet they are… and not just for the front door, for all of your doors, windows, thermostat, lights, etc…

Get my Freedom

FREEDOM

I didn’t feel free at all. I felt like a prisoner to my own business

I was going to fail… until I found this

I was at a basketball game a few years ago, rooting on a professional team from the next town over. The playoffs were just around the corner and this was a pivotal game, a must-win as they call it, and it was close… too close. As the halftime buzzer loudly rang, I let out a big sigh of air… apparently, I had been holding my breath down the stretch. As I contemplated taking the arduous journey up the arena’s steps, through the throngs of people, eventually overpaying for a subpar hotdog – a diminutive figure made its way out to center court. As I squinted my eyes to better focus on what was taking place, I noticed a little woman in a brightly-colored, silk costume. I took notice as she began to spin plates on top of thin poles that were a few feet taller than she was. Before I could blink, she had 10 plates spinning all at once.

As she finished with the tenth plate, the first one she had put up started to wobble a bit as it lost speed. She quickly moved to it, and with a flick of her wrist and the deft touch of her fingers, got the plate spinning optimally once again. But… just as she got the first plate back where it needed to be, the second and third plates started to waiver. I thought for sure one of them was going to fall and shatter on the court’s wood floor below. Minutes past, and not one plate fell. The lady frantically ran from plate to plate preventing a crash through the gyroscopic motion of the spin. I don’t know what her anxiety was like… but mine was through the roof just watching. Eventually it ended, but not before I had this thought, “how long could she honestly keep this up for… at some point, she had to fail.”


Years later, I started my first company… and I became the plate spinner. I proudly named myself CEO, and quickly learned that it stood for Chief Everything Officer. There were so many things that had to be handled every day, and I was the only one there to do it. Frantically running around keeping everything moving; marketing, sales, business development, programming, customer service, HR, packing and shipping, etc. And then the startling flashback to the basketball game… “how long could I honestly keep this up for… at some point, I had to fail! And my anxiety… through the roof.

The solution was to quickly surround myself with help. As I brought people on to take over different tasks/departments, it was hard to let go. I was so used to touching all the facets of the company, that I worried about how things were being handled… especially when I wasn’t there. I assumed that there would be a sense of freedom as a business owner… isn’t that why I started it in the first place? But I didn’t feel free at all.

I felt like a prisoner to my own business. Like an anxious, over-the-top, first-time parent who wakes up for every little sound they hear throughout the night… checking the monitor ad nauseam to make sure everything is ok; knowing that they can never leave the house because of the guilt of leaving their child with someone else.

And then things changed… for the better. I finally started to settle down as I surrounded myself with amazing… very capable… employees, who I trusted to do a good job. I knew they loved the company as much as I did, and worked their guts out to break through limits and hit ever growing goals.

That wasn’t all though. There was one more piece to the puzzle. One more solution that had eluded me over the years that I finally was able to adopt and run with. A new brand of technology.

I installed a new commercial security system… and it’s the greatest choice I ever made. It’s my Zen.

PEACE OF MIND

Did someone access the inventory room after hours? Was that a false alarm or a real one? Was the alarm turned on tonight? With real-time notifications, remote control and auto-arming, I now know what’s happening at my business, and know it’s secure, no matter where I am or what time it is.

KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS

I can see all the important activity at my business, even when I’m on the road. With single and multi-site viewing, live-streaming, recorded video and real-time notifications, it’s easy to see what’s happening when I can’t be there.

NO WORRYING THAT OTHERS WILL FORGET

I set up your system to arm automatically at a certain time each day or on a schedule that works with your business hours… and it was easy to do.

ENERGY SAVINGS

I even save energy. Using on-site thermostat lock-out, employees can’t crank up the air conditioning or blast the heat outside of a temperature range that I define. I connected all my lights, locks and thermostats to the security system to ensure that my business is at a comfortable temperature when it’s open and energy efficient when it’s closed.

SECURITY

Whether you have a small team or hundreds of employees like I now do, you can easily manage multiple access plans, remotely lock or unlock doors and monitor activity at your business.

Did I stop worrying about my business? No!

Is it constantly on my mind? Yes.

But… knowing that I can check in when I want to, or get alerts when things aren’t right… I can actually step away and enjoy a vacation from time to time. Or enjoy my son’s baseball game or my daughter’s dance recital. I mean, that’s why I got into this in the first place right? Freedom.


Click here

5 Things You Might Not Know About Your Friendly Neighborhood Burglar

businesses targeted by thieves

We often think of burglars as dark, shady characters who prowl around neighborhoods at night and stay out of sight during the daytime hours. But the truth is that many burglars are cunning, opportunistic criminals who carefully plan their illicit activities well in advance — which is likely why police are only able to solve about 10 percent of all burglary cases.

At Titan Alarm, we believe that the more you know about your “enemies,” the easier it is to defend yourself against them. Here are a few insights into the mind of a burglar that every homeowner should know:

  1. Burglars often live in the neighborhood. The typical burglar doesn’t swoop in from out of town, rob a few houses and hit the road. He or she is more likely to be your neighbor, as this makes it easier to blend into the surroundings and become familiar with the area. It might even be someone you see or speak to every day.

 

  1. They’ve already been inside your home. Many thieves enter a home under legitimate circumstances, then come back later to rob you. In many cases, they’re employed as repairmen or members of remodeling or cleaning crews. While they’re inside your house, they’ll discreetly unlock a door or window, giving them easy entry when they return.

 

  1. They’ll “case” your home before they break in. Many burglars will target a residence and then watch it for several days, or even weeks. They observe the patterns of when you and your family members come and go, determining their best window of availability. That’s why so many burglaries occur during the day, while the occupants are at work or school.

 

  1. They know the outside gives clues to what’s inside. Crooks can tell a lot about what “goodies” might be inside a home by what they see on the exterior of the property. For example, if they spot expensive toys on the lawn or boxes that contained pricy products in the trash, they’ll figure that the house is a treasure trove of valuable items that are worth stealing.

 

  1. Burglars are often social media-savvy. These days, you need to think twice when sending or accepting a friend request on Facebook. Burglars scour social media sites to see who has just purchased a brand-new flat screen TV or is planning a two-week vacation. The prudent move is to avoid mentioning these things on social media — it’s like extending an invitation to a burglar to come and break into your home.

A Home Security System Is Your Best Defense Against Burglars

With all the threats that homeowners face nowadays, a state-of-the art-security system is essential for staying one step ahead of the crooks in the neighborhood. If you live in or around Phoenix or Tucson, AZ, Titan Alarm, Inc. can provide a “smart” security solution that meets your needs and budget. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation in-home security consultation today.

Learn More About Protecting Your Home From Burglars

Updated by Titan Alarm on October 31, 2018.

Press Release July 2018

PHOENIX – Titan Alarm Inc., announces the acquisition of the accounts and customer bases of Post Security and CCS Systems. The deal with Post Security was closed on May 8th and CCS Systems was closed on June 30th..

Titan purchased the monitored accounts of Post Security, a Phoenix-based company owned by Scott Post. Scott formed Post Security in 1990 and provided a full range of low voltage service, including intrusion alarms, access control systems, low voltage wiring, intercom systems, camera systems, and surround sound systems.

IMG_3712 Titan“Post Security adds a very loyal customer base of intrusion alarm systems to Titan’s customer portfolio,” said Danny Holmgren, President of Titan Alarm. “Scott ran a great operation and provided incredible customer service, as evidenced by the praise we have heard from his customers since we began servicing them, and his low customer attrition. We are thrilled that when the timing was right, Scott chose Titan Alarm as the best fit to take care of his customers into the future.”

CCS Systems was established in 1981 in Tucson, Arizona, by Andy and Margie Billings. CCS provides residential and commercial services, including intrusion alarm, fire alarm, CCTV, access control, home theater and A/V, and central vacuum cleaning systems. With over 30 years of experience, CCS proudly built one of the premier security integration companies in Southern Arizona and built a reputation of exceptional quality and customer service.

“For Titan Alarm, the opportunity to combine the customer base and personnel of CCS Systems with Titan Alarm was extremely exciting. Southern Arizona has been a territory that we have serviced for years and built up a small account base in, but we have never established a true branch,” said Holmgren. “The addition of CCS brings a very loyal, healthy account base, but also adds a new territory which will allow us to expand and grow exponentially. This transaction more than quadruples our account base in Tucson.  That’s a very exciting opportunity for us, but we feel that is just the beginning.  We are pleased to be able to retain the staff from CCS and look forward to integrating their great skills and reputations as we build our first brick-and-mortar branch location outside of Phoenix.”

With the closing of the deals with Post Security and CCS Systems, Titan Alarm’s total RMR now exceeds $205,000, with other potential account acquisition opportunities in the works by the end of 2017.

Titan Alarm was founded in 2008 in Phoenix Arizona and has become a recognized leader in the Phoenix market. Titan has gained great market share thru its ability to provide high quality intrusion and smart home systems to its residential customers, as well as being a full-service security and life safety company offering intrusion alarm, HD-video surveillance systems, card access control systems, and fire detection and suppression systems.  Holmgren says that there is a great need for quality security and fire companies in Southern Arizona. “Being able to find a great company that is large enough to provide all of the services that we provide is difficult in most of Southern Arizona.  We are very excited to expand our footprint and truly feel that we will be able to offer a service that fills a great need in this territory”

Learn More About Home Security

Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

What to Do When Someone Breaks Into Your Home While You’re There

While some burglars will “case” a home to determine when no one is there, others are more brazen and will attempt to break in while the house is occupied. This type of home invasion can occur while you’re sleeping or even when you’re having dinner or watching TV. Knowing what to do in these situations can mean the difference between life and death.

What If You’re Home Alone and Someone Tries to Break In?

It can be even more terrifying if you’re home alone, and someone breaks in. The burglar might mistakenly believe that the house is unoccupied — or they may already know you’re the only one there. Either way, it’s important to know how to react. The following tips can help you experience the best possible outcome during a home invasion:

  • Remain quiet: Avoid the temptation to yell out to try to frighten the intruder — this will reveal your location and possibly put your life in danger if the individual is armed. Remain quiet and attempt to determine the intruder’s movements and whether he or she is working alone. Avoid confronting the invader, even if you have a weapon within easy reach.
  • Exit the home if possible: Once you’ve targeted the intruder’s location, determine if there is a way to get out of the house safely. For instance, if you’re in a second-floor bedroom with access to an exterior staircase or fire escape, you might be able to exit undetected if the burglar is on the first floor. Have a destination in mind, whether it’s a car (assuming you have the keys), a neighbor’s home or a nearby business.
  • Find a hiding place: If getting out of the house isn’t a viable option, look for a good place to hide. A closet with a solid door and a strong lock may be your best bet, although you may know of other “nooks and crannies” that would make good hiding spots. Most burglars will think to look under a bed, so this usually will not provide a safe haven.
  • Call for help: If you have access to a phone, call 911 as soon as you’ve made it to a relatively safe location. You may have to rely on a cell phone, as many intruders will cut the lines to landline phones before entering the home. Speak as quietly and calmly as possible to the 911 operator, then stay still and wait for help to arrive. Remain in your hiding place until you’re sure the coast is clear.
  • If you encounter the intruder: If you come face-to-face with the intruder, obey his or her commands and don’t make any sudden moves. In most cases, burglars will simply take what they want and flee before the police arrive.

Protect Yourself Against Home Invasions by Installing a Security System

An effective home security system equipped with features such as burglar alarms, automated locks and surveillance cameras can serve as an effective deterrent to home invaders. Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. to learn more about your security options in the Phoenix, AZ area.

Learn More About Protection Against Home Intrusions

Updated by Titan Alarm on October 31, 2018.