What Are the Best Home Alarm Systems If You Live in An Apartment?

It may come as a surprise but two thirds of Americans rent an apartment rather than owning their own home. Even with such statistics, up until recently, the best home alarm systems were dedicated to houses rather than apartments or condos. Living in an apartment does not mean you are safe from intruders, but the lack of acceptable systems make securing an apartment difficult and expensive.

The main problem with attempting to secure an apartment is that most alarm companies that provide system monitoring demand a multiyear contract, and apartment leases are only a year. Signing a multiyear contract makes little sense if you expect to move before the term is up and paying up front a large amount for protection may not be economically feasible. When a study of home security reviews is made, one sees that the deals are similar to purchasing a cell phone and service. If you take a 2 or 3 year contract for cell phone services, the company will probably give you the phone. This arrangement is good for the service provider and makes sense for a phone which is portable in its own right – security systems use hardware and electronics which are fixed.

Good thing there are home security systems now which are portable. The entire set up is wireless including the alert which is done via a cell phone. The sensors are affixed with double sided tape as is the controller. When you move before the monitoring term is up, just peel the sensors off the doors and windows and take them with you. The service provider will reset the system for your new location, often at no charge.

There are features that make sense when the system is used for a house, but not for apartments. Home automation and the management of small appliances does not make sense as hooking up a management system to a stove or oven that you do not own is a waste. Other providers of home security systems have introduced short contracts of a year that require no qualifications.

Now that the electronics are wireless and portable, the needs of the landlord no longer need be considered although it is recommended even out of common courtesy to advise them of your intentions. Apartments can be secured now, just as a house can be, and apartment dwellers are well advised to secure their units. As the number of people coming and going in an apartment building is difficult to monitor, anyone could target your unit for a burglary. Read on Vivint reviews for more information on wireless, portable security systems.

Frost and Sullivan’s Company of the Year for Four Consecutive Years

Praised for providing their clients with maximum value by expanding their customer service and streamlining their internal procedures, Frost and Sullivan once again named Monitronics their choice as Company of the Year – This is the third time in the last four years that Monitronics gathered this prestigious award. For being one of the nation's best home alarm companies, they’ve truly earned it.

Aside from this award, Greg Hurst from Monitronics was named the CSAA Central Station Manager of the Year for 2010 and for the fifth year in a row, they have been awarded diamond status by CSSA and have been nominated for the yet to be awarded 2012 Stevie Award for Sales and Customer Service.

Monitronics is no stranger to awards. They have been winning trophies and certificates from within and outside the industry for years. As a result of major internal programs dedicated to reducing the number of false alarms within the industry, they were recognized by FARA, the False Alarm Reduction Association. This award is of particular significance as the members of FARA are public safety officials, peers within the industry and representatives from various security-related industries which have a stake in this challenge.

Monitronics stands tall in all home security reviews, receiving accolades for their outstanding products and customer service. They are particularly proud of their response time to any emergency – attending to the situation in less than 23 seconds, day in and day out – an industry record. Perhaps their response time is one of the reasons why having a Monitronics home security system may save you as much as 20% on your home insurance premium. As Monitronics reviews their product offering, they are always searching for new and innovative ways of enhancing security and home automation, in co-operation with industry leaders 2Gig, Interlogix and Honeywell.

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Home Security Should Be a Family Affair

The best home security systems in the world can get better if security becomes a family affair.

It may be a sound assumption that most, if not all, homeowners are concerned about the safety of their families. Using readily available security equipment and support services that prevent unwanted intrusion and rapid response in the event a breach does occur is becoming a norm among American families.

There are many home security reviews that focus on the equipment and the companies that provide it, but very little is said about the common sense security steps that can be taken, but are often overlooked. It could be that once a home security system is installed, levels of complacency set in, making the occupants believe that all is well. To enhance the security of your home, a few minutes of quality family time should be set aside to explore and discuss the missing angles of home security that cannot be handled with automation.

Most people believe that home invasion crimes only occur when the home is forcibly entered through doors or windows. This assumption is not true. Not only are burglars simply finding and entering unlocked doors these days; many crimes actually happen after the perpetrator has actually been invited into the home. Someone who is bent on robbing you in your own home is often bold enough to ring the bell and pose as a sales agent promoting a service, or even as a person in distress asking for help. Most people are trusting and don't think twice about opening the door to talk to strangers or offer assistance. A family discussion on when a door should be opened and when a person should be allowed in the home is something that may stop a crime. Often, people have different ideas about strangers. But by developing a common approach to handling certain situations involving strangers builds another layer of defense.

Family members should be involved with what goes on in the neighborhood and they should be taught about certain things to look out for that could pose as a threat. There are Vivintreviews that point this out and suggest what might be considered normal and what might be suspicious. Young people in particular may feel reluctant to call the police, but they must feel free to bring things to the attention of older family members who can make the necessary assessment.

Although it is hoped that a home invasion will never take place, it is best to discuss such possibility in advance – What actions should be taken in the event of an intrusion? Being aware of exit routes, instructions of what phone to use when calling for help and how to remain calm will increase your chances of escaping or counter attacking. When all members of the household are prepared to face danger, they are more likely to act effectively, thereby contributing to lower potential loss or injury.

ADT: Home Automation for People on-The-Go

Security and safety is a growing concern in today’s society. As much as people want to ensure that their families are well-protected at all times, there will be tiny opportunities that lurking wrongdoers can take advantage of, especially with today’s economic crisis. But insecurity grows more for people who are always on the go, such as working mothers. Good thing home automation is now made available by the best home alarm companies to provide homeowners with their much-deserved peace of mind.

Technology is advancing at a record pace, and innovations become inevitable. These innovations commonly arise from demands of consumers. For professionals who travel a lot, securing their homes is already a big undertaking. If only their abodes were pocket-sized, then people will no longer have to worry about leaving. Here are some elements that one should be watchful of when scouting for home automation solutions.

·                     Mobile connectivity and compatibility to your smartphone

·                     Power supply in case of power outage

·                     Pricing, installation fees and other charges

·                     Warranty contract that serves as your satisfaction guarantee

·                     Easy to use product

·                     Easy to navigate website

·                     Reliability of customer support hotlines and representatives

This is what industry pioneer in home automation solutions, ADT, brings to the plate. Their newest product, ADT Pulse, allows you to control not just your security system, but even small appliances as well. The system is equipped with the capability of automatically turning off your lights as soon as you leave the house, and lets you disarm your home to let your children in after school. More importantly, you can do all these things even when you’re at work or out on an errand. The mobile connectivity makes these things happen. No wonder so many ADT reviews are raving about this system.

Vivint : The Next Generation Home Security Solutions

Vivint reviews and articles have been featured in a number of reputable media channels. Forbes.com wrote about the company's venture into solar market with $75 million in funding last year and the $2 billion acquisition of Blackstone that expressed vote of confidence that Vivint will tremendously grow in the Northern American region as households become more engaged in getting alarm system solutions. Tom's Hardware regarded Vivint's line as the next-generation home security safety solutions. And as smart home systems go mainstream, Vivint will be a key driver of growth – this is what the New York Times noted in October of 2011.

Products and Services

All the credits reaped by Vivint from consumers and experts alike are because of their technologically advanced, energy efficient and smart home security solutions. The company makes it a point to innovate products and services to keep up with the changing needs of consumers. The wide-range selection includes automatic door locks featuring 2-way functionality, the Go! Control Panel that uses an LCD touch screen monitor and remote control capabilities that serves as the hub of your smart home network, and recessed door sensors that are almost undetectable and can fit into window or door frames. Bedrooms can be safeguarded from intruders by glass break detectors, motion detectors and window sensors. Surveillance videos and small appliance controls are also available.

With the revolution in the business of mobility, Vivint has also integrated their framework and services into gadgets like Android phones, iPhones and iPads, so people on-the-go are still able to access their home security systems anytime, anywhere. They also offer smart and green home solutions that are available in the $57.99 bundle, which includes 1 smart thermostat, 1 lamp or appliance control and 12 energy efficient light bulbs.

Lastly, Vivint employs technicians all throughout North America to ensure that their customers are supported and as fast as they could. They also have a 24 x 7 x 365 monitoring and support service available, to guarantee round the clock security for your home and family.

Monitronics: Among the Best Home Alarm Companies

Since its foundation in Dallas, Texas in 1994, Monitronics has prided itself as being one of the nation's largest and most reliable security service providers for homes and business establishments. Providing only the best security systems, the company's close to 20 years of excellence has merited the trust of more than 700,000 residential customers and business clients... and this number is still growing!

Monitronics remains to be an attractive choice for home and business-owners everywhere, thanks to its reputation of first-rate service and quality equipment provided by the company's competent and trustworthy nationwide network of authorized dealers.

Distinguished groups and institutions have also recognized the company's brilliance in the security service industry; most consider Monitronics to be among the best home alarm companies in the country. Frost & Sullivan's Alarm Provider of the Year for 2010 and 2008, Inc. 500’s Americas Fastest Growing Companies from 1997 to 2004, and the Central Station Alarm Association's Five Diamond Certification are only a few among the commendations Monitronics is proud to have upon its mantel.

What sets Monitronics apart from all other home alarm companies is its commitment to provide only the best protection for its customers. Monitronics manages to do this by partnering with trusted leaders in technology -- GE and Honeywell. These two companies provide Monitronics with top-of-the line equipment such as control panels that are feature-packed yet user-friendly. Most Monitronics reviews express how customers are enthusiastic about their equipment that can practically cover all bases and leave nothing more to be desired. Despite being ahead of the rest, GE and Honeywell constantly develop new technology to ensure that its users never get left on the sidelines.