Keeping your pipes from freezing: Install a temperature sensor

As far as weather is concerned, I think we've skipped October in Chicagoland. With cold weather here already, it's a good time to talk about how your alarm system can protect you from the freezing cold.

If you have an alarm system, there is a good chance that you can equip your system with a low-temperature device. In its simplest form, the temperature device measures air temperature and will alert you if your air temperature falls below a specified temperature.

There are various levels of sophistication when it comes to a temperature sensor. Often, for one's home, you just need the basic temperature sensor that notifies you if the premises drops below a pre-determined temperature (e.g., 40 degrees). These devices can be very inexpensive.

More sophisticated temperature sensors contain programmable lower and upper temperature limits. These sensors can be set to delay any warnings. For example, you could program the sensor to activate when the temperature is below 27 degrees for 5 continuous minutes. Some sophisticated sensors are weather resistant and can read temperatures from remote locations.

You may find a temperature sensor beneficial if....

1. You live in a cold climate. If your furnace quits, it will not be long before temperatures plummet to below freezing, which can spell disaster for your plumbing.
2. You own a vacant house or a rental house. Many people have vacation homes, cottages, apartments or residences for sale that are regularly vacant for periods of time. A temperature sensor will provide peace-of-mind that your furnace is working and that your house is an acceptable temperature.
3. You have a refrigerator or freezer with valuable items in it. I have relatives with a meat freezer that stopped working. Before they knew what happened, all of the meat had been ruined and the smell was horrible. A simple remote temperature sensor could have detected an unacceptable elevation in temperature and notified my relatives immediately.
4. You own a business. Say you have a room where it is critical that you maintain a certain temperature (for example a room that houses computer servers). You don't want that room getting too hot or too cold. Many businesses have areas where temperatures must be maintained in a specific range and a temperature sensor would be ideal.

Keep in mind that when you use a temperature sensor with a monitored alarm, the results are much more beneficial. If your alarm is not monitored, what good would an alarm buzzer going off do for you when your house is vacant? On the other hand, a quality monitoring alarm company will instantly be notified and follow a specified call list to notify you or other delegates.

In short, temperature sensors can alert you of increases or decreases in temperature. While most commonly used to detect freezing temperatures in the home, you can use them in almost any situation, location or application where temperature change can cause a significant property loss.

Wii Bowling, "cane-fu-fighting" and Alarms

This morning, I read an article on CNN.com about the world's largest senior citizen Wii bowling tournament. In addition to 600 senior bowlers participating, the event addressed senior health and safety at home. While there are numerous ways to make yourself safer, apparently some seniors have turned to "cane-fu-fighting", which is self-defense using one's cane.

Importantly, the article highlighted the fact that falls are the leading cause of injury related death for seniors. There are three recommendations for reducing falls. First, make sure your home is safe. Second, talk with your doctor. Third, get your body in shape.

From an alarm perspective, let me add one way to make your home safer from the harm of falls: Add a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System). While it may not make you less likely to fall, a PERS can mitigate the risk of serious injuries resulting from a fall.

I have had numerous people tell me about how a relative fell and remained on the floor unable to contact help. I believe this is a situation that occurs regularly. It's sad, because it is a situation that can be avoided.

A PERS (which you can get for about $30/mo) can significantly reduce the chances that a loved one will remain on the floor injured. As long as the person who falls is in range of the PERS base unit and is able to push the pendant button, a person will not have to lie on the floor injured.

My company, Alarm Detection Systems, has its eCare service. We provide PERS systems to homes across Chicagoland. I have seen the eCare do its job and help people truly in need. If you're interested in our eCare program, I will be happy to provide you with information, prices, and options. Just send me an email, Security@adsalarm.com.

We're growing.

On October 1, 2009, Alarm Detection Systems announced its merger with the security segment of M.B.N. Home Theater & Security Systems located in Morris, Illinois. ADS will provide monitoring, repair, and inspection of alarms for the majority of M.B.N.’s customers.

Already the largest security company headquartered in Illinois, the merger increases the number of Alarm Detection Systems accounts to over 27,000. Additionally, ADS has launched new program services tailored to the specific needs of its customers.

One new service is Alarm Detection Systems’ “OREO” (Other Real Estate Owned property) program. The OREO program is ADS’s solution to vacant residential and commercial properties. A lot of vacant properties are at risk of intruders, failing furnaces, and flooding. The OREO program is a temporary, cost-effective solution to help vacant property owners.

In addition to the OREO program, Alarm Detection Systems recently initiated its eCare program. At the core of the program is a personal emergency response system (PERS), which consists of a base unit and wireless pendant that can be activated during an emergency.

Many people associate PERS with the commercial where a person falls and cannot get up, but the technology has become much more sophisticated and valuable. The eCare program is designed to pass along the new PERS advancements to our customers because they really help out the user, friends, and family.

Alarm Tip: Test Your Alarm System Monthly

If you have an ADS monitored alarm, simply call ADS at 630-844-6302 and tell us that you want to test your system. You will need to provide your passcode along with your first and last name. Conduct your test by arming your system and “tripping” the alarm (e.g., open an entry door and leave it open). Let the alarm sound for at least 15 seconds. Turn your alarm off at your keypad/control panel to stop the buzzers or sirens. Call our operators back, confirm that we received the alarm signals, and tell us that the test is over.

Call Alarm Detection Systems before Remodeling, Save Money and Headaches

Remodeling can be stressful. Scheduling, rearranging your life, and figuring out the finances can be among some of the issues that weigh heavily during a remodel. You certainly don’t want extra headaches. Take this advice: Call Alarm Detection Systems before remodeling to make sure that your alarm system will not be adversely affected.

Likely, your alarm system has considerable wiring run throughout the walls, attic, and basement of your house. Many windows and doors have integrated alarm devices. When a home is remodeled, the alarm system is frequently disturbed.

Many remodeling projects can have implications on your alarm system. However, we see the most problems when a customer has windows replaced. Here is what happens:

The window company removes the windows…sometimes dozens of windows. In removing the windows, the existing alarm devices and wiring around every window are torn out. The window company installs beautiful new windows, but the alarm system does not work.

Unfortunately, with the windows already installed, repairing the alarm system becomes significantly more difficult. Often, the windows cannot be drilled to run new wiring or install new devices because it voids the manufacture’s warranty. This may force the homeowner (and alarm company) to take costly corrective measures to restore the alarm system.

You can avoid numerous, significant issues by calling Alarm Detection Systems before you begin your remodeling.

For free, Alarm Detection Systems will discuss your remodeling project, and even come to your house if necessary. We will work with you or your subcontractors to minimize the disruption and damage to your alarm system. Often with a little communication and planning, we save a lot of headache because there are things that can be done to minimize alarm damage from remodeling.

We understand that it is an extra effort to contact Alarm Detection Systems. However, we see remodeling problems over and over and over. Please do not remodel without calling us first. We are here to help!