5 Unconventional Uses for Contact Sensors

By Ryan Bell / March 2, 2018 / Comments Off on 5 Unconventional Uses for Contact Sensors

We have previously discussed in 7 Important Security System Add-Ons for Your Smart Home that using contact sensors on doors and windows adds extra security and value to your security system. After all, perimeter doors and windows are the most common use of contact sensors. However, the idea of adding these sensors to other areas of the house…

Residential Smoke Alarm Requirements in Massachusetts

By Ryan Bell / February 23, 2018 / Comments Off on Residential Smoke Alarm Requirements in Massachusetts

There is little debate that working smoke alarms and smoke detectors save lives. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security cites that of the deaths that occurred in 2014 due to residential fires, nearly 25% of them happened in homes without smoke alarms and another 12% happened in homes with smoke alarms that…

Understanding Smoke Alarm Laws and Fire Code

By Ryan Bell / February 23, 2018 / Comments Off on Understanding Smoke Alarm Laws and Fire Code

In part one of this two-part series of blog posts, (Find the first part here.) we discussed home smoke alarm placement and requirements. In this installment, we will dive into the creation of smoke alarm laws and fire code. As mentioned briefly in our last post, there is much confusion around smoke alarm and detector requirements. Much of…

6 Security Measures That Improve Senior Citizen Safety in the Home

By Ryan Bell / February 16, 2018 / Comments Off on 6 Security Measures That Improve Senior Citizen Safety in the Home

Senior citizen safety is a major concern in the security industry. As a homeowner’s age rises, so do the odds of a household accident or emergency. We are often approached by elderly homeowners and their families or friends to help keep their loved ones safe and in their own home. These requests can take many…

Smart Security System Design

By Ryan Bell / February 2, 2018 / Comments Off on Smart Security System Design

We’ve given a lot of advice for using a security system in previous posts. It goes without saying, though, that those tips only become useful once you have a system installed. In this week’s discussion topic, we’ll rewind to the start of the security system design process. We’ll dive into some of the basic decisions…

The How, Where, When, and Why of Access Control

By Ryan Bell / January 25, 2018 / Comments Off on The How, Where, When, and Why of Access Control

Many business owners have an interest in some form of access control system, but do not quite know where to start. These systems offer nearly endless options from both a technology and a usage standpoint. They play a large role in preventing theft, both from outside sources and even from employees. Decisions loom every step of…

5 Security Measures That Deter Employee Theft

By Ryan Bell / January 19, 2018 / Comments Off on 5 Security Measures That Deter Employee Theft

Most of us have walked into a store and noticed security cameras installed to deter theft. Cameras can discourage thieves before they act, or identify a thief after an item has been stolen. However, you may be surprised how often items or money go missing as a result of employee theft. A 2015 Forbes article set out to measure the cost…

7 Important Security System Add-Ons for Your Smart Home

By Ryan Bell / January 10, 2018 / Comments Off on 7 Important Security System Add-Ons for Your Smart Home

When it comes to security systems, most of you know the basics. Door and window contacts, motion detectors, and fire detection make up most home security systems. However, security systems have come a long way during this age of home automation. Security systems do a better job than ever keeping an eye on your home.…

Why Security Professionals Oppose Classroom Door Barricades

By Ryan Bell / March 1, 2017 / Comments Off on Why Security Professionals Oppose Classroom Door Barricades

Classroom safety has become a lightning rod topic over the past several years. A graphic put together by Everytown Research Group maps out the 215 school shootings that have occurred across the country since just 2013. This alarming figure has greatly concerned parents, school workers, and safety workers, and when they search for answers they often find conflicting theories on…

DIY Camera Systems vs Professional Surveillance Cameras

By Ryan Bell / October 25, 2016 /

So you have decided to add the security of video surveillance to your home. Now come the big decisions, and there are quite a few. One of the first decisions you will make is whether to design and install your own surveillance cameras using one of the many DIY camera systems or call a professional to take care of…