We will be closed tomorrow, December 25, for the Christmas holiday.
We here at Alarm Center wish you and yours a safe and very Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Let Us Help Protect Your Family from Holiday Fires
According to the latest findings by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), "U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 371,700 home structure fires per year" and that "roughly one of every 310 households per year had a reported home fire."
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) contends that the holiday season, from December 1 to January 7, is "a time of elevated risk for winter heating fires" and "during this period, structure fires increase and the dollar loss per fire is 34% greater than normal, due largely to the decorative use of Christmas trees, other combustible materials such as wrapping paper, and candles."
There are a number of things you can do to protect your home and loved ones from the elevated risk of fire during the holidays, but perhaps the most important is to add a monitored smoke detector to your home alarm system.
What Is A Monitored Smoke Detector & How Is It Different From Store-Bought Smoke Detectors?
A monitored smoke detector is connected to your home alarm system and will not only sound an alarm but – unlike a plain smoke detector – notify the fire department and then you within seconds.
If you are not at home, a fire may not be called in until the neighbors (hopefully!) happen to see smoke billowing from your windows – at which point it's usually too late to save the home. If you are at home, the monitored smoke alarm will give you time to focus on getting your loved ones out safely without having to worry about stopping to call the fire department.
Even if you have a regular smoke detector/alarm in your home, can you remember the last time you tested it or changed the batteries? The National Burglar and Fire Association (NBFA) found in a recent study that as many as 50% of regular, battery-operated smoke detectors in American homes are "inoperable".
How We Help Keep You Safe
Our alarm systems can monitor your home (or business) for smoke, fire, carbon monoxide (CO), and heat. If a fire is detected in your home, a unique alarm will sound – different than the siren for an intrusion – and, for your safety, will sound regardless if your alarm system has been activated or not.
Almost immediately, a call will go out from our local Central Station to the nearest fire department; even if you aren't at home, your house, possessions, and pets can best be saved by the quickest response to a possible fire.
Statistics state that 64% of house fires occur during the day and the majority of these, without a monitored smoke/fire detector to alert the fire department, are a total loss. Check with your insurance company as they may offer a further discount to your homeowner's insurance if you have a fire/smoke/heat detector and alarm added to your monitored alarm system.
Call us today - (225) 292-5276 - to find out about adding a smoke/fire alarm to your monitored home alarm system, or about getting a full system installed in your home. Give you and your loved ones the greatest gift this holiday season – peace of mind. Knowing your home, family, possessions, and pets are being looked after, even when you're not there, is priceless.
[Call Alarm Center Security today for a FREE quote on a security system for your home or business - 1-800-97-ALARM - or visit our website to see if you qualify for a $0 down installation - alarm.net]
Monday, November 26, 2012
Don't Let Your Christmas Tree Go Up in Flames!
A real, live tree is a beauty to behold and, though it can require more upkeep, is often worth the extra hassle just to enjoy the smell of pine and the look that only a real tree can provide.
Along with that extra cleanup, however, comes extra safety precautions. Let Alarm Center provide you with the information and tips you need to keep your home and loved ones safe this Christmas season.
The first thing to remember about natural trees is that there is a significantly higher fire risk than with artificial trees, which have often been treated with flame-retardant materials.
Christmas tree fires, though rare, are - according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - more hazardous. When they do occur, they cause more damage and have a higher likelihood of causing death. In fact, according to the NFPA report, Home Christmas Tree and Holiday Light Fires:
On average, one of every 18 reported home structure Christmas tree fires resulted in a death compared to an average of one death per 141 total reported home structure fires.What the NFPA found is that natural trees kept moist and regularly watered are "are unlikely to catch fire unintentionally".
To show just how quickly a dry tree can go up in flames and fire can consume the room it is in, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) put out this important, yet terrifying, video demonstration:
And while you may have seen the above video, you might not be aware of it's equally important and eye-opening cousin, which shows a shocking side-by-side comparison of both a dry and a properly maintained "wet" tree catching fire.
Both videos, and more information, can be found on the NIST's informative Fire Safety for the Holidays page. Other pages with equally good information that we recommend you check out:
- Holiday and Christmas Tree Fire Safety by the United States Fire Administration (USFA) & FEMA
- Holiday Lights Fact Sheet by the NFPA
- Christmas Tree Safety Tips by the NFPA
- Holiday Safety Information by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office (LASFM)
Friday, November 9, 2012
Want An Existing Alarm System Monitored? No Problem!
Perhaps you have moved into a new home that has an alarm system already installed, or maybe you had an alarm system installed yourself years ago but have never, or no longer have, it monitored. You have decided you would like your home to be monitored, but aren't sure if you have to get an entire new system installed or if an alarm company can work with what is already there.
Alarm Center has the solution! We can monitor any system, no matter who installed it!
Our customers are monitored through our local U.L. Listed and Approved Central Station; the largest in Baton Rouge. Central Station is never offline and so reliable that it stayed online and functional through Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Issac, keeping our customers safe during and after the storms.
What About Switching?
Do you have a system but are unhappy with your current company or unsatisfied with their response time? Give us a call at 225-292-5276. If you switch to us we'll give you 6 months FREE!
Alarm Center offers flexible solutions for your security needs, whether you're a homeowner who wants to keep their loved ones and possessions safe or a business owner with commercial property to protect. We work with each client individually to build a protection plan tailored to your specific needs.
[Call Alarm Center Security today for a FREE quote on a security system for your home or business - 1-800-97-ALARM - or visit our website to see if you qualify for a $0 down installation - alarm.net]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)