Tips to Stay Safe After A Power Outage Notification

When the lights go out, it’s a scary moment for most. So what do you do when you have a power outage at home or work? How can you stay safe and avoid danger until the electricity comes back on? A power outage is an inconvenient event for most of us, but if you are at home alone or it happens after dark, it can be dangerous. Disruptions to your home’s electricity can occur for many reasons, from lightning striking a power line to maintenance issues with local service providers. We’ll explore some tips for keeping yourself safe during a power outage and how to handle these events best moving forward. Keeping the lights on is an essential part of modern society; read on to learn more about staying safe during a blackout. Stay Safe After A Power Outage Notification As we mentioned, a power outage is a dangerous event for most people. Stay safe during a blackout by following these tips: If you are indoors and the power goes out, turn off all appliances and computers to avoid an overload or fire. If you use medical equipment, such as a respirator or blood pressure monitor, contact your device manufacturer and seek medical advice for alternative options. If you are outdoors during a power outage and it is not safe to re-enter your home, find an alternative place to stay until the power comes back on. If you are in a building that catches fire during a blackout, get out as quickly and safely as possible. If you are in a car on a road during a blackout, remain in your vehicle with the seat belt on until the roads are clear again. Have a Plan and Know Your Neighborhood If a power outage occurs, it is important to have a plan. Before a power outage occurs, talk to your family or coworkers and decide who will stay at the house and who will go to a friend’s home. Make sure that everyone knows who is coming to stay, who will be going to a different location, and how everyone will communicate if cell towers are overloaded. Know where the nearest shelters are and plan how to get there if necessary. If you know the neighborhoods immediately surrounding your home, you’ll know what to expect during and after a power outage. If you’re in a large city, you may see an increase in crime during a blackout. If you’re in a smaller town, however, you may be more likely to see neighbors coming together for safety in numbers. Knowing how your neighborhood will react to a blackout will help you make informed decisions about your safety. Turn on Battery-Powered Lights Keeping the lights on is an essential part of modern society. If the power goes out, however, it is important to turn on battery-powered lights. This will help you to see what is going on and keep you safe in your home. It is also a good idea to keep a flashlight near the front door in case of a power outage. If there are children in the house, make sure that they know to stay away from loose wires or broken light fixtures. If you have candles in your home, be sure to keep them in a safe place. Be careful when handling them, and make sure to keep them away from children and pets. If the power goes out, use the candles sparingly and carefully. Avoid using candles with materials such as paper that may catch fire easily. Lock Doors and Windows A power outage can put your home at risk for burglary. Keep your doors and windows locked to avoid unwanted visitors entering your home. While you may not want to make enemies with your neighbors, it is important to protect yourself and your family during a power outage. If you see a suspicious person on your property, avoid confrontation and call the police. Be aware that people may be outside your house looking for a safe place to stay during a power outage. If you can, open your doors and let people inside who need a place to stay warm. If you have friends or family members staying with you during a power outage, make sure that everyone knows to lock their doors and windows. If you have children living in your home, make sure that they understand how to stay safe during a power outage. Check Up on Neighbors If you see neighbors outside during a power outage, stop and talk to them. Make sure that they are okay and offer them a place to stay if they need a place to warm up or charge their phone. Make sure that they know not to touch any downed power lines. If they are elderly or have small children, offer to take them to a nearby hotel or your home. If you have room in your home for other neighbors, take the time to check in on them and make sure that they are okay. While checking up on neighbors is important, know that you must be careful. Avoid walking on any slippery or unstable surfaces. Make sure that you are not near any downed power lines or outside water sources. If you see that a neighbor needs help or comfort, offer to get them to a safe place. Don’t Use the Phone or Tablet In an emergency, you may want to call loved ones, friends, or local authorities. Before you do, however, remember that phone lines and cell towers may be overloaded in an emergency. Even if you’re able to get through, you may encounter extremely long wait times or no connection at all. If you need to call for help, find a nearby police station or fire station and ask to use their phone. If you use your phone or tablet to look for information about the power outage, make sure that you do not accidentally download malware. Before you use your phone or tablet during an emergency, make sure that you have a virus protection application installed. This will help you to avoid downloading malicious software that may infect your devices. Conclusion A power outage is an inconvenient event for most of us, but if you are at home alone or it happens after dark, it can be dangerous. Disruptions to your home’s electricity can occur for many reasons, from lightning striking a power line to maintenance issues with local service providers. Stay safe during a blackout by following the tips mentioned above. Go through our website to learn more about home security.

Geofencing: What Is It And How Does It Work?

In a world where we can book a car or an Uber with the tap of a button, it’s no wonder that geo-location services are becoming more and more useful. For businesses, geo-locating your customers makes it easier to track their habits and whereabouts. And for users, geofencing can mean getting that special deal or service only when you need it most. The technology is not so new – it’s been around for almost two decades now. With the advent of smart home devices that can be monitored and controlled remotely through a mobile app, geofencing has become an essential function of these smart devices. Geofencing can be used to trigger a variety of actions depending on the specific device. For example, a smart garage door opener can be programmed to close the door when you leave work and open it when you approach a few hours later. A smart doorbell can alert you when a visitor arrives and provides the exact location of the person at the door. A smart security system can monitor its location and arm itself when it detects that you have left the house. As you can see, geofencing has a variety of uses and is becoming increasingly important for the ever-more connected world. But as smartphones become even more connected than ever before through the Internet of Things (IoT), geofencing is becoming increasingly popular. As you’ll see from this article, there’s much more to geofencing than meets the eye. What is geofencing? Geofencing is the practice of using a digital geolocation system to create an invisible barrier or “fence” around a certain area. Once a user enters or exits the designated “fenced” area, an app can trigger an action. Geofencing is used in many industries, including retail, marketing, and smart homes. A retailer, for example, might use geofencing to send coupons to customers when they enter a certain location. Or a medical clinic could use geofencing to send reminders to patients when they are due for a vaccination. Technically, geofencing is a type of “geo-awareness” that uses a device’s GPS and other sensors to detect real-world locations. A geofence, as it’s more commonly known, can be virtual, e.g., a line on a map, or it can be a real-world fence like a building or a park. In the simplest terms, geofencing is a virtual barrier that is created around a real-world location. How Does Geofencing Work? The first step in geofencing is to create a virtual boundary around a location (i.e., the virtual fence). This is usually done via a digital map, where the fence is drawn by hand or through computer-generated mapping tools. Once the fence is drawn, the software must then be programmed to trigger an action when the fence is entered or exited. This action can vary depending on the needs of the business but is often a notification sent to the user. Why Use Geofencing? Geofencing can be a powerful tool for businesses of all kinds – especially when used for marketing. Geofencing allows companies to target potential customers and ensure that their ads are shown only in their relevant areas. It can also be used to create virtual “no-fly zones” to block ads from being shown to certain groups of people. Geofencing can be used to create marketing campaigns that are more relevant to your customers. For example, a sports equipment store might offer a discount code to customers who shop from their mobile app. But if you are close to one of their stores, you will only receive the message if the app detects that you are physically close to the store. For example, a cafe may want to offer a special deal for people who walk past during a certain time. A retailer may want to send special coupons to customers who enter the store. These are just a few examples of geofencing in action. There are many more uses, including: Collecting data – Geofencing can be used to collect data on foot traffic and shopping habits. When used correctly, it can help businesses better understand their customers and how to serve them better. Limiting service area – If you run a location-specific service, geofencing can be used to inform customers where you operate. For example, a plumber can use geofencing to let customers know they only serve a certain area within the city. Triggering an action – Geofencing can be used to trigger an action, such as sending a notification or an automated process. For example, a school can use geofencing to send out an automated reminder to parents when their child’s bus is approaching. Geofencing for Marketing Geofencing for marketing is one of the most common uses of geofencing. Businesses use this technology to target customers who are near their storefronts. This allows businesses to deliver special offers and deals, which can help increase foot traffic. Geofencing for marketing is a user-friendly and cost-effective way to engage your customers. Geofencing for Safety and Security Geofencing can also be used for safety and security. For example, an elderly person with special medical needs who lives alone may want geofencing around their home. This limitation can help seniors live more safely and securely by triggering an alert if they leave their homes. Another example is a child who is too young to walk home on their own after school. Many schools now use geofencing to send an alert to parents when their child is let out of the building. Geofencing works by creating a virtual barrier around a specific location. When your child arrives at or leaves a school that uses this technology, the system will send you a push notification. Some schools even use geofencing to keep kids in a safe zone around the school during dismissal. This can help reduce car accidents and keep kids safe as they make their way home. Conclusion Geofencing is a useful tool for a variety of businesses. Whether you’re trying to capture more customers or engage with current ones, this technology can help. Whether you’re looking to drive foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar store or increase online sales, geofencing can help you target specific areas and better serve customers where they are. With geofencing, you can schedule location-based ads to appear when customers are near your store, invite shoppers to visit your site by offering exclusive deals, or even send push notifications to people who are near your store. By serving ads and push notifications to people who are near your store, you can help drive traffic and increase conversions. It can also be used for safety and security purposes, like triggering an alert when someone leaves a certain area. The technology behind geofencing is constantly improving, so it may only get more useful and powerful as time goes on. This technology can also be used to create a virtual fence around a location. For example, let’s say you have a warehouse with expensive equipment in it. You can set up this technology to trigger an alert if anyone gets too close to the warehouse doors. Another example of geofencing for safety is triggering an alert if your child gets too close to a swimming pool. There are many different types of GPS-enabled devices that you can use to create geofences.

The Easy Way to Saving Money: Compare Security Companies

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly being charged more for the same services? If so, you’re not alone. This is a very common phenomenon in businesses of all sizes. Businesses will often be charged one price for something, and then when it comes time to renew their contract or sign on for another year, they'll be hit with a hefty fee that is double what they paid before. The good news is that there are some ways to avoid this trap and save money on your business security company expenses. Be sure to shop around for the best deal and comparison shop to find the best deal on the best security system for your company. Another tip to save money on your security company is to make sure you are getting the best value for your current service. Compare security companies that offer deals for loyal customers, so be sure to ask about that when negotiating your next contract. Finally, if you are a small business, you might be able to get a discount on your security company expenses if you shop around and find a company that caters to small businesses. The first step to minimizing those hidden costs is doing some research online. Unfortunately, this is often the case. The only way to protect yourself from these scammers is to do your research. You will want to look for security companies with a proven track record and stay away from any company offering deals that seem too good to be true. You may think the security company offering you their services at such a low cost must be operating some sort of scam. However, if you do some digging and see what other people are saying about them, you’ll probably find that there’s a good reason for their pricing structure. Stay Organized The more organized you are when comparing security companies, the easier it will be to find a good fit for your business. Security contracting is a competitive industry, and you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to find the best fit for your company. A thorough vetting process can help you find a contractor that is the best fit for your company’s culture, communication style, and security needs. Make a list of the services you need, and write down exactly what they should be. This will make it easier to get in touch with them and request a copy of their resume. You might also want to include any particular information you would like to see in the application or resume, like degrees, certifications, or experience in certain fields. Make sure you have a process in place for tracking the status of each applicant. You’ll want to be sure to let them know when you received the application, if you requested any additional materials, and when you’re planning to make your final hiring decision. If you have any particular ids you’re looking to hire, you might want to make a list of the contact information for each security company. If you don’t know where to begin, several online business directories can help you find a security company in your area. When you’re well-organized, you’ll be able to find the right fit much more quickly. Ask Questions and Be a Smart Consumer Once you’ve found the security company you’re looking to hire, ask plenty of questions before signing a contract. Make sure you completely understand the billing structure, cancellation policy, and everything else in the contract. Make sure you’re comfortable with it all before you sign. You’ll probably have to sign a contract with any security company you hire, so be sure to read it carefully. Review your contract thoroughly before signing, and make sure you understand all the terms and conditions. If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to reach out to the vendor for clarification. If you’re still not sure, you can always opt out and go with another vendor. Be a smart consumer by being aware of all the terms in the contract, and if anything doesn’t make sense, ask questions. Watch for These Words Some words to be on the lookout for when comparing security companies' contracts include “fine print,” “rates,” and “expiration.” The fine print in a contract is the part that most people don’t read but could end up costing you a lot of money if you don’t. The rates and the expiration of any contract should be clearly stated in the contract. If either of these things is vague, or if it isn’t included in the contract, be wary. Make sure you understand everything in the contract, and if you don’t, ask questions. Diversification is Key One of the best ways to avoid getting caught in the trap of hidden cost creep is by diversifying your security company purchases. This means spreading out your purchases among multiple security companies. For example, perhaps you need some security cameras installed. Instead of hiring a single company to do the entire installation, hire a couple of different companies to do the work. You could hire one company to install the cameras and another company to install the hardware needed to run them. This way, if one company goes out of business, you won’t have to replace all of your cameras. Plus, spreading out your business security company purchases will keep you from being charged excessively high prices. Don’t be Afraid to Walk Away If you find yourself dealing with a company that won’t budge on their prices, don’t be afraid to walk away from them. It’s your company and your money, so you don’t have to accept someone’s unreasonable prices just because you feel like you have to. Be sure to let the company know upfront if you are not happy with their services and are considering switching to a different firm. If you are in the contract period, you can also let them know that you are considering other options. Most security companies will let you out of your contract without a termination fee if you let them know far enough in advance. Even if you’ve signed a contract with a security company, you can ask to cancel your service without being charged an early termination fee. You may be asked to pay for a portion of the services you’ve received so far, but it’s better than paying a high price for something you don’t need. Conclusion The security company you hire will play a big role in determining how safe your business is. This is why it’s so important to pick the right company. Finding a company that offers the services you need at the right price can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. If you are thorough and detail-oriented, it’s easy to find a security provider that works well with your team. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that your business is protected from all types of threats thanks to a security provider that works well with your team. If you stay organized, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to walk away from a bad deal, it’s easy to compare security companies that meet all of your business’s needs.

The Complete Guide To Brinks Monitoring System

Over one million customers have been served by Brinks, a well-known security system provider. Many security companies offer DIY installation options, including Brinks. Brinks' installation video provides instructions on how to install its products; peel-and-stick sensors simplify installation. Some customers may qualify for free installation from Brinks if they do not have the time to install their systems. Through a touch-screen panel mounted on the wall, the Brinks Home Hub serves as a glass-break sensor as well as a control panel. It can differentiate between people, animals, and vehicles using the system's indoor and outdoor security cameras. The Brinks Life Safety Home Monitoring system also includes smoke detectors and Home FireFighter sensors that alert the system's central hub when smoke detectors go off in the home. The Brinks portfolio includes a variety of home automation items, including smart locks and thermostats, in addition to standard security hardware. A smart-home assistant such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant can be used to control all of these devices. The Brinks Home app allows you to control the system as well as view live footage from the cameras. To use Brinks's system, customers must commit to a three-year contract priced at $44.99 per month, which includes professional monitoring, which allows the monitoring center to verify alarms and notify the police of their presence. It is possible to receive a 30-day trial period from Brinks, including a Home Plus warranty, which covers the repair or replacement of damaged items from Brinks. Key Features Wireless and Cellular Monitoring DIY Installation Intrusion Protection Remote Control Home Automation Brinks Equipment Costs & Monitoring Fees You'll need to contact Brinks for a price quote, as the company does not publish pricing. Individual homes have different needs, and Brinks customizes its security system for each. To build a system that meets your needs, a Brinks representative will ask you about your home and security concerns during the quote process. The following are included in Brinks' plans: Starter Package This system includes the IQ 2.0 control panel, a wireless motion detector, and two wireless door sensors. Premium Package Brinks’ mid-tier package comes with an IQ 2.0 control panel, a doorbell camera, a wireless motion detector, and two wireless door sensors. Premium Plus Package Brinks’ premium package includes the IQ 2.0 control panel, a doorbell camera, a wireless motion detector, three wireless door sensors, and an outdoor camera. Brinks also offers a protection plan for its hardware called Brinks Home Plus. For $5 a month, the company will replace or repair any damaged equipment at no cost-free of charge. Customers can choose to either install the system themselves or pay for professional installation. Comparison A monitoring plan is also available through Brinks. However, the company does not publish any information on the plans. It's one of the pricier systems in our ratings because the basic monitoring service from Brinks costs $44.99 per month. The most affordable professional monitoring service from ADT costs $27.99 per month, while the premium monitoring plan costs $62.99 per month and includes mobile app access, live video monitoring, and smart-home device integration. With SimpliSafe, you can control the system remotely as well as watch a live video feed from cameras for $17.99 per month for standard professional monitoring. With SimpliSafe's premium monitoring service, you can integrate Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa into your smart home and view recorded footage for three months for just $27.99 per month. When purchasing Brinks' security system, you are required to make a three-year commitment. The system is available for trial for 30 days before you are locked into the contract. Self-monitoring is not offered by Brinks. Pricing The simplicity and straightforwardness of Brinks' pricing is something we like about it. Equipment packages range in price from $199 to $349. The Brinks Smart Security Complete package for $349 provides the most value in the Brinks equipment selection with hands-on experience. By financing the upper-tier packages through GreenSky, you'll be able to pay less upfront. By choosing the appropriate bundle, you can eliminate the equipment cost from about $15 to $30 per month. Let's take a closer look at each of these packages in a few minutes. The Brinks professional monitoring plan costs $39 per month, which is slightly higher than other providers. In addition to Ring Alarm and SimpliSafe, we've tested other brands which offer home security services for less than $30 each month. The difference between Brinks and other brands isn't enough to justify its higher price. Our thoughts would also be more diverse in terms of options. Most brands offer three or more monitoring plans, whereas Brinks only offers one. Conclusion Among the most reliable monitoring plans we've seen, Brinks monitoring offers affordable home security packages. With as little as $349, you can complete your home security system. We found their Essentials and Complete packages to be the most valuable in our experience with the systems. In our opinion, the Ultimate package is quite overpriced, despite having a modern touchscreen control panel that is rated as the best by the test. As well as being somewhat disappointed with Brinks' one-dimensional monitoring plan and pricing, our team was also somewhat dissatisfied with its service. The professional monitoring offered by their company is incredibly reliable, and they provide rapid response times. Unless you've got home automation and video surveillance equipped, it's too costly at $39 per month. Several companies offer similar services for $10 to $29, so people shouldn't have to pay $40 per month for basic home security monitoring. For DIY home security with plenty of great features, Brinks Home Security is a good choice.

Should You Consider ADT Safewatch Cellguard Technology?

Since its founding in 1874, ADT has been providing security services. With their ADT Pulse security and automation system, which they've improved to provide excellent protection for homes and businesses, the company developed the first automated burglar alarm system in 1940. ADT's monitoring centers help professionals monitor home security systems around the clock to help if there is an emergency, which is the reason why they are the country's largest residential security company. Both homeowners and renters trust ADT because of its extensive security experience and large monitoring network. There are several options available from ADT when it comes to home security monitoring and equipment packages. It costs between $9 and $14 per week for equipment packages and $28.99 to $59.99 per month for monitoring. It's not always the most budget-friendly option to work with ADT since it requires a long-term contract and professional installation. A reputable and professional security company will provide customers with peace of mind, so they may be willing to pay more. Every ADT system requires professional monitoring. Customers can select their level of protection through ADT's tiered subscription approach. Safewatch Cellguard offers an optional cellular backup plan with 24/7 monitoring. ADT also offers SMART Monitoring, or System Monitoring and Response Technology, with all plans. A text-based communication system allows users to cancel false alarms without contacting monitoring agents when their systems are triggered. Home automation, smartphone notification alerts, and remote arming and disarming are included with the higher-tier Smart Home and Video plans. Cloud storage and live streaming of security cameras are included with the highest plan, Video, and Smart Home. ADT's strengths Smart home integration As well as working with Alexa and Google Assistant, ADT also works with connected devices from Liftmaster and Kwikset. Professional installation Since professional technicians will take care of the whole process, you can rest assured your system will work after installation. User-friendly app Monitoring and controlling your home's security is easy with ADT Control. Detailed information There is an installation fee of $99 and a 36-month monitoring contract required for ADT's three security packages. It offers a money-back guarantee in case you are dissatisfied or rethink your decision after six months. The Quality Service Plan is an extended warranty offered by ADT for $7 per month with all online purchases. Upon a need to repair your system's components, the service is included without extra charge. Plan Pricing Multiple elements contribute to the cost of a home security system, including the purchase and installation of equipment and monitoring. The cost of professional monitoring from ADT ranges from $28.99 to $59.99 per month, excluding equipment costs. There are three types of security plans offered by ADT, namely Basic, Smart Home, and Video & Smart Home. Some have more elements than others, but they all offer high-quality home security. Besides 24/7 professional monitoring and access to the ADT mobile app, the Basic plan includes Safewatch Cellguard (a program that allows your system to communicate with ADT's Customer Monitoring Center if necessary) as well as access to the Advanced Monitoring Center. This costs $28.99 per month. The Smart Home plan adds home automation features to the Basic plan for $45.99 per month. In addition to the previously mentioned items, the Video & Smart Home package includes live video surveillance and motion-activated recording for $59.99 per month. The monthly rates for ADT are a bit high, but it has always been the case. Having been around for a long time means they have a more established monitoring network than some of the newer alarm companies offering to monitor for low prices. Besides providing quality products and services, you're also assured that you're well protected by a credible alarm company when you choose ADT. There are six ADT monitoring centers throughout the country, which makes ADT monitoring unique. The servers and backup generators are all fully equipped with comprehensive backup measures for continuous operation. The other five centers can take over if one is unable to operate. Add-Ons and Upgrades Among the equipment available from ADT (e.g., cameras and sensors), you can select from a wide variety of options. Three different home security packages are available from ADT, including motion sensors, cameras, and switches. The three packages build off of one another. Starting with the basics, the Essentials plan includes alarm monitoring, a digital keypad, three door/window sensors, an infrared motion detector, an alarm siren, a backup battery, a wireless keychain remote, a yard sign, and window decals. There is a $9 per week minimum for the Essentials plan. There is a weekly fee of $11 for the Total Protection plan. ADT's Customer Monitoring Centers can communicate with your security system through cellular networks, so you'll get everything in the Essentials package. You get Safewatch CellGuard, a service that includes everything in the Essentials package. In the event of an emergency, you'll be able to reach your family via a backup telephone. Adding ADT Pulse to the Total Protection package makes ADT's Premium Protection plan even more secure. The ADT Pulse mobile app allows users to remotely monitor their security monitoring system and smart devices by connecting their home automation. There is a weekly fee of $14 for this package. What is ADT Safewatch Cellguard? Through cellular networks, ADT's Customer Monitoring Centers can communicate with your home security system. Since cellular services are supplied by cellular service providers, ADT is not responsible for ensuring uninterrupted or error-free service. It is extremely expensive to keep a cellular phone with CellGuard. It is possible to get CellGuard for $300 in total after the installation and costs, depending on the merchant. Other situations may require the presence of a landline and a home security system to be more cost-effective. Using cellular backup, you can stay connected. We encourage you to use Safewatch Cellguard as your backup solution. When an ADT Customer Monitoring Center notices a cellular network failure, Safewatch Cellguard may relay alarm signals to the ADT Customer Monitoring Center, preventing a security gap. Video Storage When you're not home, you can monitor your home with video cameras. Whenever an intruder spots one, they will flee. It is possible to obtain valuable evidence in court based on the footage captured by your security video cameras. Security cameras with ADT Pulse are included in packages offered by ADT. Although videos are limited to 30 seconds, the company offers unlimited storage for security cameras. Installation You don't need to do the DIY installation with ADT since its technicians are trained to install your security system properly. Depending on your package and equipment, professional installation can cost more or less. To determine the possibilities and create a custom security plan, a certified ADT security advisor will visit your home to discuss security options. Your advisor will then return to ensure everything is working properly after the technicians install the components of your system. This professional installation makes ADT a good option for those who don’t want to worry about the installation process themselves. If you’re uncomfortable with technology, ADT will take care of all the details for you. Conclusion ADT is one of the leading home security companies in the industry (and one of the oldest). ADT is an excellent choice if money isn't a huge concern for you and you're searching for a reputable company. Customers love ADT for the peace of mind it brings them, knowing that the company is there to keep their homes safe. On the other hand, if you're budget-conscious, you may opt-out of ADT safewatch cell guard tech. It is relatively expensive to subscribe to their monthly plan in the industry. The quality of other systems and devices may not be as high as the ones you find in cheaper plans. Despite this, ADT has made extensive technological improvements over the years, including Alexa and Google integrations, as well as an easy-to-use app. It is important to note that ADT offers its customers a great deal of value even though cheaper options are available.