Tag Archive for: Home Automation

12 Home Security Strategies To Combat Burglary

We all want to believe that our neighborhood is safe and that we’d never be the victim of a break-in. The sad and frightening fact is that over two million home burglaries are reported every year in the United States. Of those, only about 13% are prosecuted due to lack of evidence and witnesses. That’s pretty startling. But it’s okay, there are many home security strategies you can use to combat burglary.

Burglars Take More Than Stuff

When a burglary happens, the perpetrator takes far more than your belongings. They violate your privacy, cross personal boundaries, and rob your sense of security and safety. All of these things take a huge emotional toll that can last a lifetime. And the effects of burglary do not stop with the immediate victims. When one home is burglarized, there is an increased chance of another home or homes in the neighborhood being burglarized. It also encourages a rise in other crimes in the neighborhood.

Home Security Matters

The good news about burglary is that there are things you can do to dramatically reduce your chances of being burglarized—and the benefits can extend into your neighborhood. Here are just a few of the many home security strategies you can use to improve your safety and security.

  • Make it obvious that you are serious about security. Nearly 60% of burglars say they will avoid a home that has security systems in place.
  • Use home automation to simulate presence in the home. Most burglars will avoid a home that is occupied.
  • Install home security cameras both inside and out. Use remote viewing to check on the property.
  • Use glass break and motion sensors on windows.
  • Use motion sensors throughout the home.
  • Install smart locks on your door instead of traditional lock and key.
  • Use codes to let in service providers instead of providing or hiding keys.
  • Get a smart garage door.
  • Install a video doorbell and use it to answer the door when you are not home so you do not disclose your absence.
  • Check video doorbell footage when activity trips the motion sensor. Take a snapshot or video clip of all suspicious activity.
  • Use motion sensor lighting around the perimeter of the property.
  • Use home automation to provide alerts if doors are left unlocked, and either lock them remotely or have them lock automatically if you leave the area.

Having a home security system and using home automation can greatly reduce your chances of being burglarized. It can also reduce the chances of y0ur neighbors being burglarized as well. When a neighborhood has a number of homes with home security systems, burglars tend to avoid those neighborhoods because of a greatly increased chance of being caught on tape.

About All Action Alarm

All Action Alarm is a family owned business that has been caring for Long Island families since 1980. Our 5 diamond central monitoring station keeps watch 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Contact us today at (631) 549-7225.

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How to Update an Older Home to Meet Modern Needs

It is hard to beat the charm of older homes, and in many cases, the use of quality materials and craftsmanship. The unfortunate part about older homes is that they are not always the best fit for modern living. The spaces are used differently and differently proportioned, they may not be as energy efficient, or have any of the high-tech features you’d like. The good news is that it is far easier to make an older home modernly perfect with very little effort.

Improving the Layout

If you are a fan of an open floor plan, chances are good you’ll be knocking out some walls in an older home. Most typically, new owners to older homes will take down the walls that block the view from the kitchen to the dining and living rooms to give the home a more open and spacious feel.

Add Rooms

In most old homes, bedrooms were fewer but larger and have fewer bathrooms than a modern home. In some cases, adding actual square footage to add bedrooms and bathrooms is a great option. Another may be to reconfigure the space to accommodate an additional room and bathroom.

Improve Energy Efficiency

Older homes typically lack in energy efficiency because they have older HVAC systems, lack today’s better insulation, have older windows and doors that are not sealed, and older energy draining appliances. These problems are easy to fix by adding spray foam insulation to the walls and replacing doors, windows, and appliances. Once the space is upgraded, you can save even more by using home automation tools like a smart thermostat, smart lighting, and smart appliances to keep energy use (and your bills) down to a minimum.

Add Modern Conveniences and Safety Features

Once your home is configured just how you’d like, it is time to finalize layers of safety and convenience with home security and automation. Home automation and security features can give a home with yesteryear’s charm some modern shine. Secure your home with a smart garage door and smart locks and secure windows with glass break and motion sensors. Consider using smart lighting and smart security cameras both indoors and out. Use geofencing to have your retro castle treat you like royalty and respond to your proximity, turning off or on lighting, electronics, and appliances or locking or unlocking doors. Now you can say you are truly, at home.

All Action Alarm has been making sure Long Island residents feel safe at home since 1980.

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Crisis Averted. 5 Times You Were Glad You Had Smart Home Automation

In the general sense, we are always glad we have smart home security and home automation, It makes  life safer, and a lot more convenient. But have you ever thought about all those individual incidents that could have turned out a lot differently if not for your home automation system? Here are just a few of those heart-stopping moments.

The Kids Forgot The Key But You Are An Hour Away From Home

Your son called to tell you he can’t get into the house because he forgot his key, but you are an hour away. He will probably be safe hanging out in the backyard or at a friend’s house, but you would sure rather know he is safe at home. Smart locks solved the problem twice. He can either use a code to get in, or you can unlock the door remotely.

Did I Turn Off The Curling Iron?

You think you turned off the curling iron, but can’t quite remember. You hope you did, but not knowing is causing you some serious anxiety. If you didn’t, it could mean your home is in cinders in a matter of minutes. Thankfully, you can check the status of that and other problematic appliances on your smart home app and turn it off right from your device.

Are the Kids Behaving

They are old enough to need a little independence, but still need some serious supervision. They can’t get into much trouble in the two hours you are away, right? With home automation you know if the door opens alerting you to a sudden unsanctioned influx of occupancy. Sensors can also tell you if they are into off-limits areas. Still not sure? You can also check the smart camera feed and see what is really going on.

You Didn’t Lock the Door

The morning was rushed and you completely forgot to lock the doors and arm the home security system. With the vast majority of burglars gaining entrance through an unlocked door, you know your home is at risk. It is just one more moment you were glad you had smart home automation because all you had to do was open the smart home app on your phone and lock the doors and arm your system from the palm of your hand.

Mom Ignored the Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Your mom was home when the carbon monoxide detector went off. Since the gas is both colorless and odorless, she thought it was a false alarm. Since you got the alert you could call her and tell her to get out, and since you have 24/7 monitoring, help was on the way to ensure her health.
Yes, having a connected home really makes a difference. All action Alarm is a family owned business that has been protecting Long Island Homes and Businesses since 1980, and we have heard so many stories about how having a connected home has made a difference in our clients  lives. We work hard so you can simply enjoy life.

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Smart Home Perks: Health Benefits of Smart Lighting

There are so many things to love about smart home technologies, like the convenience, energy savings and better security. Still, there is a huge benefit that often goes unacknowledged– the health benefits of smart lighting.

Lighting and Wellness

Smart lighting is fun and easy to have installed and integrated into a smart home system, but it can also play a huge role in wellness. The human body needs light. It also needs certain kinds, for certain durations and at certain times. Mess with that, and you mess with a lot of other things in your body. In fact, according to fascinating research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, overexposure to certain kinds of lighting, and exposure at the wrong time can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. It also plays an important role in memory and mental well-being.

We Fail To Factor in Light Exposure

Our bodies rarely get a break from light, it seems, but most of us never even notice. There is always a light on nearby. Fluorescent lighting, our televisions, computer screens, games, mobile devices, and even our phones all emit light. And all that light registers as a lot of noise to our brain and Circadian Rhythm which is responsible for regulating sleep and hormones necessary for good health.  

Top Health Benefits of Smart Lighting

Most people opt into smart lighting for the long-term energy savings they can provide, but having them can, ultimately, be very beneficial to your long-term health, too. Here are the top 6 health benefits of smart lighting.

  1. Reduces Incidents of Injury– getting Injured is a serious thing. For many people, even a few days off can have huge repercussions with finances. The CDC reports over 700,000 hospitalizations each year and 20% occur in low light conditions. Smart lighting helps avoid falls by allowing users to turn on lighting from wherever they are at from their smart phone, and when integrated into a smart home system, motion sensors can detect movement and light the way.
  2. Improved Circadian Rhythm–The Circadian Rhythm is a sensitive physiological process experienced by living things. If the process is disrupted, it causes sleep disruptions which in turn cause additional health problems. Smart lighting and color changing bulbs can help promote alertness with cool colors and promote the production of melatonin with warmer colored light which helps induce sleep.
  3. Better Sleep- Getting proper light, and limiting exposure during the evening hours helps the body get a better quality sleep. A more restful sleep contributes to improved memory and concentration as well as improved mental health.
  4. Induces Cortisol–Waking up to quality light helps your body produce Cortisol which is responsible for mental alertness. Using smart lighting to simulate dawn helps the formation of Cortisol.
  5. Reduction in Health Risks– The wrong kind of lighting at inopportune times works to suppress melatonin. Studies link melatonin suppression with depression, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
  6. Better Mental Health– Lighting has a huge impact on our emotions. Smart lighting is a tool that can be used to help fight depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and anxiety.

About Us

All Action Alarm is a family owned business that has been protecting Long Island and New York homes since 1980.

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10 Practical Home Security Tips That You Can Use Today

A burglar is out for one thing: to find a home that is easy to enter. If your home appears too difficult or the risk of being caught is too great, they will move on to the next house. It does not take a lot to make your home appear intimidating to burglars – in fact, it is very simple. Unfortunately, too many homeowners ignore these super simple security tips that could significantly reduce the likelihood their home is robbed in the future.

Everybody loves a top 10 list, so here’s our checklist for living safely!

10 Simple Home Security Tips That You Can Use Today

  1. Locking Doors and Windows 

    Before you leave your home or go to bed, lock the doors and windows of your home. If you have a home automation system, use your computer or smartphone to remotely lock your doors if you forget to do so before leaving.

  2. Use a Home Security System 

    A home security system is your best defense against burglaries. There are numerous systems available that can be customized to your home and budget. Your local home security company can help you choose one. Simply installing it is not enough – you must also activate it!

  3. Check the Locks 

    Locks need maintenance just like every other area of your home. Be sure to install deadbolt locks on outside doors, use the right locks on sliding doors and secure dog/cat entrances when you are away.

  4. Occupied, Even When Vacant 

    Regardless if you are home, your house should appear occupied. That means turning lights on at night and having them turn off with a timer (if you will not be home in time to turn them off).

  5. Reduce Shrubbery 

    One thing burglars look for is how easily they can hide around the perimeter of your property. Cut back shrubs and trees, especially those near upper levels and windows, so that burglars have nowhere to hide.

  6. Secure Your Garage 

    Your garage has an entrance into your home, and it’s a common target for burglars.  Secure your garage just like you do your home. Park your car in the garage too, if you can, as this will make it harder for burglars to tell when you are home and when you are out.

  7. Lights 

    Use exterior lights and schedule them to turn on when the sun sets. Use motion sensing lights for dark areas on the lawn too.

  8. Mail 

    If you go out of town, stop your mail delivery or have a neighbor pick it up for you. Mail that builds up in the box tells burglars right away that no one is home.

  9. Outdoor Wires 

    Make sure the telephone lines and electrical wires are not easily accessible by burglars. Burglars will usually attempt to disarm security systems by cutting these.

  10. Change the Locks 

    If you lose your house keys, move into a new home or have someone move out of your home, change the locks on the doors.

Protecting Long Island With Professional Home Security For Over 37 Years.

All Action Alarm has been a family-owned business since 1980. We are experienced and maintain a high standard of continual knowledge and education in all areas of residential and commercial electronic systems. Contact us today for a custom quote for your home or business.

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