Richmond Alarm News Blog

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.

 

With mobile traffic making up more and more of overall internet traffic, providing mobile sites to reach on-the-go customers is becoming imperative. Impression Marketing helped Richmond Alarm reach our customers by creating a mobile site that is simple and easy to navigate. 

Extending Service and Access through Mobile

Richmond Alarm customers already have the capability to use smart phone applications that work remotely with home security systems so a mobile website was the next logical step. Richmond Alarm can now help existing customers find the information they need on-the-go and also grant mobile access to potential customers. 

Many regular sites are difficult to navigate on a mobile device due to the small screen size. Over 10% of the Richmond Alarm website traffic was from mobile devices, so a site designed for that platform became a priority.

Quick Access, Simple Navigation

The mobile site is sleek and slimmed down, with a focus on intuitive navigation and quick loading times. Even though the appearance is different, users will have immediate access to the key components of the site which includes links to special offers, Richmond Alarm's services, including the locksmith, a clickable phone number, and links to the home site. 

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design can help reduce crime at your business. 

Security Systems