Author: apigroup

Your access control and security system can be integrated in such a way that your alarm system can be armed and disarmed through a single action on the access control side.

The advantage of this is the convenience of doing two things at once without remembering PINs or operating keypads. You can have the doors lock whenever the security system is armed and unlocked when the system is disarmed and receive notifications via text or email if there is a problem.

An access card can be used to gain access to a building, area or room. There is no need to fumble with keys or remember multiple security codes. Management can control access of individuals throughout the company and depending on the level of security. Grant access only to an employee designated area. Access control can also be integrated with elevators to control access to high security floors.

Propped doors can be a common problem. However, this can be addressed by installing door position switches on the door which sends a signal if the door is propped or forced open.

Electronic access control systems can be integrated with other systems to notify of power outages, high or low temperature alarms, or water level alarms. Almost any type of alarm can be monitored by the access control system.

Cards can have photos, logos and work titles imprinted onto them, to provide quick identification of the individual.

Call One Source Security today at 800-570-6478 and we will show you how to maximize your access control system.

Of course the number one priority if you detect a fire at your home is to usher your family outside to a safe place. It’s debatable and depends on the situation if family photos or a laptop, for example, should be grabbed on the way out.

But what about your pets? They too are of high importance and will be escorted out with the family unless it’s virtually impossible to do so and lives are in imminent danger. But even danger hasn’t stopped family members and firefighters in some cases. We’ve all heard amazing stories of pet rescues. And pet owners will agree that they take precedence over material items.

What if a fire occurred when no one was home—when no one was able to walk out a pet or inform a firefighter that pets were inside?

Just like we have “tot finders” that indicate there are children in the house, there are stickers that alert firefighters that pets are inside the house as well.

As an aside: Tot finders aren’t always in favor nowadays due to possible abduction issues. (*Please talk to your local fire jurisdiction and get its advice on how and if to use tot finders.)

In researching for this blog post, I came across online forums where some firefighters expressed that they don’t favor tot finders. If children grow up and move out, the stickers tend to stay in the window. Also, they may give people a false sense of security. And of course there’s the aforementioned and all-important abduction concerns. These were all cited as reasons.

Getting back to pet finder stickers: If no one is home, pet finder stickers may be the only way that rescue personnel will know pets are inside—short of a neighbor informing them, for instance. Please be sure to ask your local fire jurisdiction about how to obtain these if you don’t have them already.

Not every fire department recommends or distributes pet finder stickers. And some posts in the forums mentioned above were of the opinion, of course, that humans come first. If a pet is found in the process, it will be saved, but that not much faith is put in pet finder stickers.

And for the same reason that some may not favor tot finders (a child may not be in the house anymore, yet the sticker remains), they may not pay close attention to pet finder stickers because pets may not be in the house any longer either.

Moving onto another danger in the household…

Another issue with pets, including small pets such as reptiles, hamsters and birds, is elevated carbon monoxide levels. Carbon monoxide detection is an important part of overall environmental monitoring—in which smoke and heat detection are included also.

These types of pets are very sensitive to small spikes in carbon monoxide, as well as other pets such as cats and dogs. Of course, any spike in carbon monoxide is dangerous to everyone in the household, regardless of its level. This odorless, tasteless and invisible gas does not discriminate.

Again, if a leak occurs during the day when no one is home, the fire department and those on your call list need to be alerted by your security system so these pets have a chance.

The moral to the story of this blog post is to check with your local fire department. Ask about their policy on pet finder stickers—if they have them and/or offer them for sale, if so, where they advise you to place them, and what their advice is if they do not recommend them.

While you’re talking to them, ask them about tot finders and where they should be affixed (assuming they recommend them at all).

Thanks for spending some time with us today.

One note: The importance of fire and environmental monitoring cannot be overstated, such as for smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature changes and for water detection. This certainly could/should have been included in the previous article about the “core” of a system.

We hope you had a chance to read part I of this article published earlier in the week about the core of a burglar alarm system. Today, we’ll talk about some of the ancillary features that aren’t always included, yet still hold importance regarding your safety.

Pictured above are security window screens tied into an alarm system.

One such complementary piece of equipment is a security screen, which will signal the alarm if it is cut because the wire circuit within the mesh will have been interrupted. It also has a magnet in place, similar to a window or door contact, that will signal if the screen is removed. This allows you to keep your windows open at night in the warm months and still feel secure.

Also, make sure to consult with a locksmith to ensure that your locks are secure and that you have the proper locks, such as deadbolts. Make sure that your sliders have adequate locks and that your garage doors have contacts on them.

You’ll also want to make sure the door from your garage into your house is solid and that its lock is legitimate. Just because it is inside your garage doesn’t mean you should neglect it–thieves could break through a garage window and enter your house through this door.

Cellar windows and bulkheads are often overlooked. Make sure to also have your security consultant examine these and provide recommendations.

Lighting is another important component of a security system. It is advised to have motion sensor lights on the exterior; this literally stops thieves in their tracks. For the inside, you can set timer lights to go on and off at various times throughout the day and night (on their own), simulating a situation where someone is home.

With both interior and exterior lights, it isn’t effective to have them turned on all the time (such as overnight if you go away)–a thief will see right through this. You can also tie your lighting into your interior motion detectors so lights will turn on if a thief passes by.

Wireless transmitters that go on your key chain (key fobs) are another option. They allow you to arm and disarm your system from your driveway and to not have to worry about rushing to a keypad. Two-way transmitters will also notify you if the alarm is active or not, thereby indicating that it may have gone off while you were away and that you need to take caution when entering.

Voice annunciator systems help keep thieves away as well. A motion detector goes at the end of your driveway, or in other perimeter locations for instance. When it picks up motion, it prompts a pre-recorded announcement to play and warns thieves to stay away.

Remote video monitoring is another reasonably priced and easily installed option. ISee Video, manufactured by Napco Security, allows you to monitor your home while at work or on vacation. No software is required–just an internet connection.

You can view your family pet or nanny on your smart phone or computer. You can receive email video alerts if motion is detected as well, such as when your children come home from school. It’s also a great way to keep tabs on elderly relatives’ safety.

Please don’t forget about using people as a security measure…including yourself! Have the neighbors make tracks in the walkway snow if you’re away in the winter and ask them to remove restaurant flyers from your doorknobs, take in trash barrels and mail, etc.

And as for yourself, one thing you can do is to make sure to USE YOUR SYSTEM. Many people have them installed, get the decals for doors and windows and even a sign for the lawn, then rarely actually use the alarm.

Thanks for spending some time with us today.