Electronic alarm systems are over 100 years old, one of the earliest being patented by Alexander Pope of Boston. His system was very similar to modern alarms, consisting of magnetic contacts placed at the openings and interconnected by pairs of wires to a battery and a bell. The disturbance of any of the openings closed the circuit and caused the bell to ring. This system was, of course, much simpler than modern alarms and its main disadvantage was that it could be defeated by cutting the wire.

Basic Principles of Alarm Systems
There are two basic "levels of protection" provided by a security system: exterior (or perimeter) protection and interior protection. The ideal security system uses a combination of both types.

Perimeter Protection
Exterior or perimeter protective devices generally consist of sensing devices attached to doors and windows leading into the home. These devices are wired in such a way that they will sound the alarm in an entry is attempted and send an emergency call for help to ASI's central monitoring station. Magnetic contacts are the most widely used for perimeter protection. These devices work with a switching mechanism. The contacts are attached to doors or windows and, when opened while the alarm system is activated, the magnet moves away from the switch and the alarm is activated. In the event that an intruder attempts to bypass the magnet contacts by breaking the glass in a door or window, specially developed sensors can detect the sound of glass breaking and activate the alarm.

Interior Protection
It is important to have a method for detecting an intruder should he elude the perimeter security system. This is where an interior system comes into play. Some of the more commonly used interior protective devices are motion detectors. There are three basis types: infrared, microwave and ultrasonic. These protect the interior by detecting the body heat or movement of an intruder and sounding the alarm. In environments where pets may be present, special "pet immune" sensors can alleviate the potential for false alarms. Another commonly used interior device is the glass break detector. Using the sound and vibration associated with breaking window glass, your alarm system is activated and help is dispatched.

Fire Protection Systems
Both smoke and heat detectors should be included in any security system for fire prevention and life safety. Like the security system, a fire prevention system will not only make your protection complete, but also reduce your homeowner's insurance premiums. Smoke detectors should be located in or near all bedrooms and hallways — on all levels of the home. They work by detecting the presence of smoke particles in the air. Heat detectors, which detect rapid temperature changes rather than the presence of smoke, are best suited for locations such as the kitchen, garage and workshop, poisonous gases and water heater closets. Another important argument is your life-safety system is a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas, which kills. It is usually the by-product of incomplete combustion from gas ranges and cook tops, gas and wood burning fireplaces, gas water heaters, and most commonly, gas central heating systems. CO detectors detect the presence of CO gas & sound the alarm, alerting occupants to evacuate. If tied into a monitored security system, life-safety personnel are alerted and respond for possible rescue operations.

For additional questions about these or any other alarm system issues, just ask your ASI representative.

Home security strategies can be broadly classified into three categories, often referred to as the three "Ds" of home security. These are deterrence, denial and detection.

The First "D" — Deterrence Burglars are basically lazy and will usually take the "path of least resistance." You can make your home look too risky to a burglar by using some of these techniques. Place inside lights, and even a TV and stereo, on a timer when you are away from home. Don't stop your mail, water, newspaper or other deliveries while you are away. Have a neighbor pick these items up for you. If you have a home security system, make sure you post signs and window decals warning potential intruders that your home is protected.

The Second "D" — Denial
Two-thirds of all burglars break in through doors. In fact, most enter through unlocked doors. The remaining one-third gets in through a window, typically an unlocked window. Denial involves making these points-of-entry as impenetrable as possible by taking the following kinds of precautions: After moving into a new home, immediately replace all of the locks. Use interconnecting deadbolt locks. And make sure your deadbolts require a key on both sides of the door for access. (For fire safety purposes, leave the key inside the lock on the interior to facilitate an escape.) Sliding glass doors are especially vulnerable. Make sure they are secure by pinning them, which will take care of both horizontal and vertical movement. Look for especially vulnerable points-of-entry and fix them. Chances are good others know about them, too. Put security film over glass panes.

The Third "D" — Detection
No matter how well you incorporate the first two "Ds" in your home defense strategy, a criminal may still decide to violate your home. Here are some techniques to help ensure that he is detected and apprehended if he does: Professional burglars will tell you that it is often concerned neighbors looking out for one another who detect them committing their crimes and call the police. Install a quality home security system that is monitored on a continuous, 24-hour a day basis by a professional security company. Studies show that homes with a security system are 2.2 times less likely to be burglarized than homes without a system. A survey by the International Association of Chiefs of Police also showed that more than 90% of Police Chiefs believe in the value of a monitored home security system.

A central station is a facility that monitors security and life-safety systems for specific situations (e.g., most commonly burglaries, robberies, fires and medical emergencies) and then makes an appropriate response. The key components of a central station are the equipment used to communicate with the alarm systems and/or people in need of assistance (for example, regular telephone lines and cellular telecommunications), the computerized receiving equipment that logs and prioritizes calls for assistance, and the professionally trained staff that responds to each situation.

Why Be Monitored?
It's a well-documented fact that alarm systems that are monitored by a qualified central station reduce crime. A recent study by researchers at Temple University found that homes with monitored alarm systems were 2.2 times less likely to be burglarized than homes without a system. Businesses with a monitored alarm system are .46 times less likely to be victimized.

A central station acts as your "silent guardian," safeguarding your home and loved ones 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. For example, if your home's smoke detectors are monitored, the fire department can be dispatched far earlier, saving valuable time. Without monitoring, by the time the smoke and flames can be seen by neighbors it is probably too late to save your home. And with a panic button or similar device, you can be assured that a security professional is always at hand to provide potentially life-saving assistance when you need it most. Our central station is all tested and proved state-of-the-art computerized monitoring with a trained staff on duty 24-7. All systems are redundant, on-site power generation prevents down times during power failures. And it's local to the S.F. Bay Area, no long distance monitoring by people who aren't familiar with your community.

A very important, though often overlooked, benefit of a security and life safety system is that it can give you substantial savings on your insurance premiums and tax liability. In fact, it's not unusual for savings in these areas to largely offset the cost of installation and monitoring.

Reduce Your Insurance Premiums
Insurance companies know that monitored security and life safety systems help prevent losses. In fact, a home with a security system is far less likely to be burglarized that a home without a system. So most insurance carriers offer discounts on insurance premiums when you install or upgrade a security system.

Depending on the type of system installed, this can mean savings of 5% to 20% or even more on your premiums.

Reduce Your Tax Liability
A home security system is usually considered a "capital improvement" on a home. If you make such an improvement you can add the cost to your home's adjusted cost basis at the time of sale. This reduces your capital gain and, therefore, your capital gains tax when you sell your home. (By the way, security systems are very popular with new home buyers, which will make your home easier to sell.) Some tax exempts to business clients who install security systems may still be available as a result of Homeland Security legislation. Check with your tax advisor to be sure.

At the same time, monitoring fees are normally eligible for treatment as a deductible business expense. This is also true if you are running a business out of your home, for that portion of the system that is protecting the "business area." (See your accountant for advice concerning your particular situation.)

Not Just a Burglar Alarm
Many people think that security systems are meant to deter burglars from breaking into homes and businesses. And they're right. But just as importantly, a well-designed security system can help protect occupants when they are on the premises. One of the best example of this kind of protection is with kids who are sometimes left home alone, or so-called "latchkey kids." Let's look at a situation where this would be the case.

Imagine for a moment that your school-age son or daughter has arrived home from school, before you get home from work. Suddenly, a stranger steps from his hiding place in the bushes, ordering your child to disarm the security system and let him inside your home. This is where the "duress code" feature of a professionally installed and monitored security system would come into play.

Fast and Appropriate Response is Key
In this situation, rather than inputting the real code to your system, your child would instead input a "duress code." This would make it appear that the security system has been disarmed, when in fact it is sending a silent emergency signal to the central monitoring station. The central station operator, upon seeing this incoming signal, would report it to the authorities.

Armed with information that this is a silent panic from a residence, the responding authorities would react very quickly, and with the knowledge of what they were potentially up against. This kind of rapid and appropriate response would help ensure the safety of your child a far better situation than not having a security system at all, as any parent would agree.

Even More Benefits
Other applications for child safety are the "check in" feature, which would tell you (often by pager), that your child has entered your home safely, and the "chime" feature, which would alert you to any doors or windows being opened (especially handy if you have small children in your home).

So if you think a security system is just for catching burglars, talk with us. We'll tell you all about the many ways today's advanced security systems can give your family greater protection, and give you a real peace-of-mind.

Every day in the United States, 53 people are injured and 11 die in residential fires. The fact is that many of these fires, injuries and deaths could have been prevented-if the victims had practiced good fire safety habits and procedures.

Smoke Detectors
One of the most important things you can do to keep your family safe from fire is to install monitored smoke detectors on each level of your home and outside each sleeping area. Why? Consider this. Homes with fire alarm systems are four times less likely to experience a fire-related death.

These systems are especially important since nearly half of residential fires occur between 11 pm and 6 am, the time when residents are usually asleep. And since many fire victims are overcome by the poisonous fumes created by a fire before ever waking up, the alarm of a smoke detector could very well save your life someday. And while the unmonitored smoke detectors which came with your home are excellent, they only make noise. If you are overcome with smoke or not at home, they will burn with the rest of your home and help may not arrive in time. This is probably the single most important reason to have your security system monitored. It can be a life saver.

*This is not necessary the current belief - you might check a fire safety site for more info on this.

Plan an Escape Route
Because of the confusion that often accompanies a fire, it is important to plan at least two escape routes ahead of time with family members. Decide on a specific place outside where everybody will meet, and practice your escape plan at least twice a year. For higher floors, consider an escape ladder.

Also keep in mind that many people are trapped inside their homes by the security bars on their windows during a fire. If you have security bars, make sure they have a release on the inside so you and your family can escape. Unlike in the movies, fire is not bright orange, when fire enters your home, it quickly fills with smoke and you plunge into the depths of blackness. Practice your escape plan & routes with your eyes closed. It may save your life.

*This is not necessary the current belief - you might check a fire safety site for more info on this.

Stop, Drop, Roll
As part of your fire safety preparedness, make sure everyone in your family understands not to run if they or their clothing should catch on fire. Running will only fan the flames. Instead, stop, drop, and roll on the ground to smother the fire. And if caught in thick smoke, remember to crawl low to the floor, since the best air will be a few inches off the floor.

By planning ahead, you can do a lot to prevent fires and ensure the safety of your family. But if a fire does start in your home, don't forget that the idea is to escape first. Do not ever return to a burning building and don't stop to use the phone, let your monitored security system call for help.