Richmond Alarm News Blog

On February 13, Lulu’s Creamery opened in the King’s Charter shopping center in Mechanicsville. Word is spreading quickly among Hanover County residents about the new shop, owned by the Carlton family. Customers are happy they can get fresh soft serve ice cream, baked treats and micro roasted coffee. Many enjoy the cozy atmosphere, big screen TVs and free WiFi.

Soft serve flavors of the week and coffee & soup of the day are posted on their Facebook page, and coming soon to the Lulu’s website. You can even vote for soft serve flavors of the week - so vote for your favorite. (Come on Yellow Cake Batter)

 

Thanks for choosing Richmond Alarm Company to provide security monitoring to your business, Lulu! We wish you all the best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caring for elderly parents can be a challenge, but Richmond Alarm Company has a simple solution to help you care for the ones you love without the pain and trouble of relocation. Utilizing the Total Connect system from Honeywell, combined with personal monitoring devices, Richmond Alarm can help you keep a watchful eye on aging or disabled family members, even when you are away from home.

How It Works

Remote Security Monitoring

This system can alert you when someone enters the home. Upon entering, a picture can be taken and sent to your mobile web-enabled devices such as your smartphone, iPad®, or laptop immediately. You can also receive images from cameras placed anywhere in the home at any time. This feature is especially helpful if your loved one is receiving in-home care, as you'll be notified immediately when they arrive. The remote monitoring features can also be integrated into existing security systems.

Personal Home Monitoring

Falls within the home, particularly involving stairs and showers, are a major concern when caring for an aging family member. Richmond Alarm's personal monitoring device allows the individual to simply press a button on a pendant worn around their neck, wrist, or clipped onto a waistband to call emergency services as well as alert you and, if necessary, your neighbors. Monitoring centers are local to help insure the quickest response to any emergency need.

The Benefits

The elderly tend to do better, have a better standard of living and are happier, in their own homes. While it is not possible for everyone to grow old in their own homes, for those who can, it is a comfort and a blessing. The biggest concerns for family members are typically issues of safety. These systems, especially when combined, can help family members, however distant, keep a watchful eye on their aging parents or loved ones. More information about helping the elderly age in place can be found on the AARP website.

Reduce Crime at Businesses with Quality Surveillance Systems that are Regularly Maintained

A recent piece on NBC 12 in Richmond profiled a store owner who uses high quality video cameras to monitor his property and surrounding areas. The store owner finds that the money spent on a quality surveillance system gives him security he would not have with a bargain-camera.

What is the Difference Between a Professionally Installed Surveillance System and a Camera System from a Big Discount Store?

Corey Boggs, Operations Manager at Richmond Alarm Company, says that the biggest difference is that cameras sold in most large discount stores are not commercial grade, they are consumer grade. That means they are not designed to run 24/7 and typically do not have a long life.  Warranties are typically shorter and there is no repair process so downtime could be an issue.

Additionally, when a camera system is designed and installed by professionals, they take into consideration the environment, field of view, lighting, and other conditions that can affect the quality of the camera image. 

Not all cameras are created equal and not all cameras will work in all conditions. Professional design helps to ensure that the property is protected properly and the images will be reliable and usable. Oftentimes when police are called to the scene of a robbery, they find the images of cheap camera systems to be too dark or blurry and are not much help in identifying the suspect.

Regular Maintenance of Surveillance Equipment

Police encourage businesses to keep their systems maintained. Check the recordings, check the focus, make sure there is enough lighting near the camera, and clean them regularly. Often, the first time many business owners look at or adjust their camera system, after the initial installation, is when there has been an incident! This is too late.

‘It's good to have all those things in place, so when robberies happen we'll be able to apprehend those suspects,’ said Richmond Police Lt. Ronnie Armstead.”

CCTV versus Video Monitoring

Closed circuit television (CCTV) is useful to monitor and digitally record activities. This video surveillance is useful after a robbery to use as evidence in identifying and prosecuting suspects. It can be monitored by you or your representatives on your property, but it is typically not monitored by a security company (although it is possible with IP connectivity). Richmond Alarm recommends a product called Videofied. This system consists of an inconspicuous, portable and wireless Motion Viewer that triggers a signal to our monitoring station, in the event of activity in the protected area. Our monitoring professionals are trained to recognize actual threats versus non-threatening or “false” alarms such as animals or wind-blown debris. In the event of an actual threat, police are notified and often catch the crooks in the act. 

To have your CCTV system looked at or cleaned up, give our service department a call at 804-858-0106.

The sound of a home security alarm being triggered is unmistakable. The loud noise associated with alarm systems is designed to warn those within the home and alert nearby neighbors that there is an intruder, fire, or some other emergency. But what about those who can't hear or can't hear well enough to get this audible warning?

Non-Auditory Alerts for Home Security Systems

The audible alarm is standard in virtually every home security system, but may not be adequate for those who are hearing-impaired. To warn these customers of danger, some home alert systems can have visual cues added, such as flashing or strobe lights, throughout the house. These sorts of alarms are commonly seen in public buildings such as hospitals, grocery stores, or banks.

In some instances, a visual and/or auditory warning may still not be enough. Should there be an emergency at night, a hearing-impaired individual would neither hear the alarm nor see the lights. One way these special alarm systems help ensure their safety is by using a vibrating device attached to the bed or mattress. When the alarm sounds, this device vibrates fiercely, waking the sleeping individual and alerting them to the danger.

Be Prepared, Get Protected

If you or someone you know is hearing-impaired, such owning such an alarm system could be critical in the event of an emergency. If a home monitoring system is already in place, a simple addition to the system may be all you need. To find out more about hearing-impaired alert systems, or to set up a free assessment, simply contact us online or call 804-276-9259.

Great work by the VCU Police resulted in several arrests at this construction site after Videofied and Richmond Alarm alerted them to intruders on the property.

Surveillance Videos that Led to Arrests

1/11/12 Construction Site Intrusion Video

1/11/12 VCU Police Respond to B&E Alert

1/11/12 VCU Police Apprehend Intruders

1/23/12 Construction Site Intrusion Video

1/23/12 VCU Police Respond to call from Richmond Alarm on Videofied Signal

1/23/12 Intruders Try to Flee

When it comes to home safety and security, we often think of motion sensing alarms, video monitoring, and keypads, or what might happen if someone were to break into our home. But water damage is among the most common and least thought about dangers to your home. Richmond Alarm can help you reduce the risk of costly water damage through Simple Home Automation.

Water Damage is an Overlooked Risk

Many appliances within the home can be the source of water damage: washing machines, dishwashers, air handlers, water pipes, and hot water heaters. A leak in any of these can cause serious damage to your home which can be costly to repair.  They can also create hazardous conditions which could jeopardize your safety. The longer water damage is left untreated, the greater the risk of mold and mildew which can cause serious health issues as well as potential safety hazards.

Be Prepared to Stop Leaks and Minimize Water Damage

Richmond Alarm offers security system technology with water and flood sensors. These systems detect leaks as they happen and can alert you via your mobile phone, so you'll be able to handle the situation immediately. The longer water damage goes unnoticed in your home, the more damage your home sustains. Early warning could mean the difference between minor repairs and major repairs that involve drywall, flooring, sub-flooring, insulation and even floor joists. An average water damage repair costs around $5000, so it makes sense to prepare ahead of time and to know immediately when a leak occurs.

Reliable Security Systems

An early warning system for water leaks in your home is only beneficial if the system is reliable. Richmond Alarm is an authorized Honeywell dealer and offers remote home monitoring services utilizing Honeywell's Total Connect system. The system works with web enabled mobile devices, making it easy to check in on your home while you are at work or out of town.  

Contact Richmond Alarm 804-276-9259 to learn how your security system can be used to sense a leak so you can take immediate action to prevent major problems.

Suspects are caught in the act this weekend, at two separate locations.

Thanks to Videofied and exceptional law enforcement officers, unauthorized entries were video monitored and apprehensions were made.

January 7, 2012

This unauthorized entry triggers a signal to operators at Richmond Alarm. We could see this was not a false alarm, so called police and provided information regarding the number of people and what part of the building they entered.

Police respond promptly and apprehend suspects.

 

January 8, 2012

An intruder enters the building, Videofied senses motion and sends a signal to Richmond Alarm

Police arrive and soon apprehend the intruder.

Every property is different when it comes to security needs, but churches and places of worship, present special challenges. Congregations want to be welcoming of all visitors and show trust in current members while at the same time being responsible about protecting their property and staff. According to Security World News, churches suffered $24 Million in property losses in 2009. Churches are often seen as safe places by members; however burglars often view them as “soft” targets due to the trusting nature of congregations.

Security Solutions for Churches

Often when a congregation gets a new security system, members quickly become frustrated by false alarms and police dispatches. It is difficult to educate such a large group of people on how to handle a new system. It is also difficult to determine who should have access to the new security system. In most cases, to help prevent false alarms, it may be best to start by putting intrusion systems on the areas of the church that contain the most commonly stolen (ie valuable) assets.

Commonly stolen property from churches

• Audio Visual Equipment
• Musical Instruments (guitars, drums, keyboards)
• Laptops and Office Electronics
• Cash from the Offering

Richmond Alarm recommends the following security for churches:

1. Designate 1 or 2 main entry points to the church. Change the locks on all other doors because it is nearly impossible to track all the keys that have been floating around. Keep all other doors securely locked and only accessible by essential personnel (such as the maintenance superintendent and pastor)


2. Put access control on the main entry points and use keycards to control who may enter. This provides a record of who enters, and also allows for a person’s access to be removed if necessary.  Periodic purging of the system will also help to maintain an up to date database of who has/needs access to the facility.  This is a huge advantage over traditional lock an key security.


3. Use a safe to store the offering or other money held in the facility


4. Install an electronic security system in the office and audio visual (AV) areas such as the sanctuary or high-tech meeting rooms. Keep instruments and sound equipment locked in the areas protected by the electronic intrusion security.


5. Take advantage of the auto arm and auto disarm features of the security system to help prevent someone from forgetting to arm systems and leaving the facility unprotected.

Contact Richmond Alarm Company for a free security system evaluation and estimate 804-276-9259.

Do you know what to do if your alarm system sounds? Would you be ready if it woke you up in the middle of the night? It is startling, but being prepared with a plan will make it much less stressful.

1. Don’t Panic. Easier said than done, we know, but try to remain calm.


2. Listen. Determine if your alarm is the sound for a burglar or fire. A burglar alarm is a constant sound, but a fire alarm is “temporal” which means is changes speed (tempo).
   
   
   • If it is a fire signal, follow the steps to get you and your family out of the house safely.  (We’ll have more details on this in the new year).
   • If it an intruder signal, AND you have a keypad in your bedroom, go to the keypad to see what zone triggered the alarm.


3. Answer the Phone. Richmond Alarm (or your security provider) will call you, so be ready to give the pass code. If you do not have a keypad in your room, you need a phone. The representative will have information about what sensor triggered the alarm.


4. Decide if you need the police to come. Based on what area the alarm is from, you may decide it was likely a pet or other non-threatening cause, and choose to investigate yourself. We’ll stay on the phone with you if you choose to do this.
   
   However if you don’t feel safe, stay where you are so you don’t risk confronting an intruder. Never hesitate to tell the security company to call the police.




The sound of a security system is intended to be annoying.

5. Silence the alarm on the keypad. For an actual intruder, the alarm is intended to scare them off or at least make them feel unwelcome so letting it sound for a few minutes is better than turning it off immediately.


6. Communicate with Police. Remember officers probably won’t know you from a potential intruder. Be prepared to provide identification to prove you are the homeowner, not a burglar trying to trick them. They will investigate for signs of intrusion, or other causes of the alarm.

On the Road

If you are hitting the road to for the holidays, be aware that a growing cause of accidents is distracted driving, and most accidents from distracted driving are caused by mobile devices. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that drivers using cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in serious crashes. Texting while driving is illegal in Virginia, but talking on the cell phone, even hands free, is still considered dangerous.

Leaving Home

Before heading out, make one last check to be sure all heat generating appliances are turned off or unplugged. Irons, curling irons, ovens, clothes dryers and Christmas tree lights are all culprits in house fires. Some security systems allow you to remotely arm/disarm your security system using a wireless device, and these can also be used to control certain appliances while you are away, including the thermostat.

Visiting Homes with Young Children

If you are staying at a home with young children, remember to be conscientious about keeping medicine and other potential poisons (including alcohol) out of a child's reach.

Happy Holidays from Richmond Alarm

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season. Please contact us if there are ways we can assist you to protect your home or business in the new year.