About Jeremy Kushner

I grew up in a place where crime rates were high and all sorts of things were constantly going missing from the yard, the shed and sometimes even from inside our house. The funniest thing that has been stolen from me were the light bulbs from the porch! I learned the value of home security practices from an early age and I hope this blog will help others keep their valuables and feel safe at home.

Top 5 Home Alarm Systems for 2013

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Posted on October 28, 2012 by Jeremy Kushner

It’s very interesting and exciting for us to research DIY home alarm options and recommend our finding to our readers but we realized that the majority of our audience is looking for something a little different. So, to help those of you who would rather rely on a professional home alarm system with 24/7 monitoring and quick response we researched the market to find four options which won’t break your wallet and are provided by companies with great reputation. Below are our choices for Top Home Alarm Systems – as available in 2013!

#	Product	Pricing Information	Learn More
1.	P: 888-978-2211 Lifeshield provides alarm monitoring, fire & smoke, carbon monoxide, medical and even environmental monitoring.	Their services cost as little as 29.99 per month with no installation fee. You get a free home security system!	Some of the benefits that you can get with Lifeshield are free mobile monitor and their home automation technology which allows you to control your home’s appliances remotely.
2.	P: 855-827-3944 ADT offers burglar, fire, medical, carbon monoxide, and flood monitoring.	The price of monitoring starts at 35.99 per month. If you pay $99 for the installation you get a free security system!	ADT has a long history of providing excellent service to its clients. They have agents responding to any situation 24/7. The technology available at ADT includes touchpads, remote controls, entry sensors, motion detectors, sirens as well as autonomous power supply.
3.	P: 888-589-4144 FrontPoint offers burglar and intrusion monitoring, fire, environmental and life safety monitoring.	The plan starts at 34.99 per month and comes with a variety of sensors as well as awesome home automation technology.	One interesting feature that FrontPoint offers is sms alerts sent directly to your mobile phone in case of intrusion or another situation that might require your attention.
4.	P: 888-896-5778 Protect America has an interesting set of features including police, fire and medical response, land line or broadband monitoring, two-way voice monitoring as well as GPS vehicle tracking.	Their home alarm plans start at 29.99 per month and come with a lifetime warranty and part replacement policy.	You can start with a free system from Protect America however upgrades like cellular monitoring come with additional cost. All of the price perks are available only for people who choose their long-term contract option.
5.	Vivint offers a safeguard against theft, fire, and intrusion.	Their home security service starts at 49.99 per month and comes with their Go!Control, 3 door/window sensors, and 1 motion detector, key fob, and yard sign.	What makes Vivint stand out from the crowd is the fact that their entire alarm system is wireless. No phone lines that can be cut, further ensuring it’s reliability even through the worst of possible scenarios.

Interview with Crestron: Affordable Luxury Home Automation Systems

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Jeremy Kushner

For more than forty years, Crestron has used the latest digital technology to provide the world with home and commercial solutions that are both innovative and elegant. The company’s designs are not only visually striking, but they are also energy efficient and, thus, contribute to a greener environment. While known for creating luxury automation systems, Crestron’s designs remain affordable for middle-income Americans. Dedicated to moving the world toward greater high-tech lifestyles, the company focuses its efforts towards creating solutions for a variety of functional spaces including homes, schools, office environments, hospitals and hotels. With offices in more than 90 countries around the world, the award-winning company is considered a global leader in the building automation space.

As all of Crestron’s commercial and home solutions are Integrated by Design™, the environments that the company creates are not only exquisite, but also provide greater convenience, ease and control to the end-user. With most people using multiple devices for a variety of different tasks and entertainment, consolidating all of these into a single interface is precisely Continue reading →

Electronic Door Locks – Are They Really Safe?

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Jeremy Kushner

When remodeling, replacing a door or simply reinforcing your home’s security, you now have another option in door locks, the electronic or digital lock. After generations have trusted manual locks for keeping their homes secure, the next generation of electronic locks use varying types of technology. However, how safe are these locks compared to our trusted mechanical locks?

Keyless locks are the product of advances in technology and improvements in security. Security risks with keyed locks include lost keys, copied keys, picked locks, lock “bumping,” or forced entry, which iseasier with a mechanical lock.

Some of the biggest safety advantages of electronic locks are simply that they do not require a key. They are also harder to pick or bump since they do not Continue reading →

Interview with Steve Harris from Think Automatic – Home Automation is Getting Smarter!

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Jeremy Kushner

Home automation has become increasing in popularity among tech savvy home owners; however you don’t have to be tech savvy to be able to make your home smarter and more energy efficient. I had the pleasure of talking with Steve Harris, an inventor who is currently in the process of crowdfunding his project, the Luminode. Imagine that all your light switches could talk to each other and remember how you like your lights setup during different times of the day. This is exactly what the Luminode does, without requiring any extra wiring! Check out the interview below to learn more about the Luminode and other future products from Think Automatic that can add substantial value to your home.

HomeAlarmSystems.com: How long have you been working on home automation projects?

Steve Harris (Think Automatic): I’ve been interested in home automation for many years. I installed X10 devices in my home and started playing with systems back in 1995, but I first got professionally involved with home automation when Continue reading →

The Worst Home Security Failures for 2012

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Jeremy Kushner

When home owners purchase and install a home security system, they feel that their home is now secure from potential intruders, and other hazards from fire to carbon monoxide. Unfortunately, installation itself isn’t all that matters. Choosing the right security and the right monitoring service is also key. An excellent security system that no one is monitoring is no better than having none in the first place; or a system that can be easily hacked into or disabled is also a failure.

No security system is infallible – after all the technology involved in security systems can malfunction, and monitoring services are run by human beings who of course, are not perfect. But recent security failures have taken these standard risks to a whole new level of failure.

Whether its intruders depicted burglarizing a home on that homeowner’s security cameras – with no monitoring service or law enforcement response, and Continue reading →

Why Installing a CCTV Cam is Not Enough – Open to Theft

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Jeremy Kushner

A biker who lives in Gateshead, UK and works on an oil rig was targeted multiple times by thieves who wanted his KTM. Five times in nine months, to be precise! His KTM was kept in his garage which was still under construction and didn’t have a door to stop the culprits. The owner of the bike decided that instead of paying for an expensive security system he could install a CCTV camera to monitor the garage himself.

The problem with this choice is very simple. A camera doesn’t stop anyone. It might discourage some but definitely won’t stand in front of the burglar and make sure he doesn’t finish his job. Unless there is someone constantly monitoring the cam, a burglary can happen and you won’t know until you find out that whatever was stolen is missing.

It’s easy to spot a missing KTM, so after it was stolen the biker went to the police with the video showing the burglars’ faces and even posted it online in hopes that someone might recognize them. Watch how two guys face the difficulties of stealing a bike that’s chained to an underground anchor!

AlarmForce Security Systems – Company Overview

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Jeremy Kushner

Company Background: AlarmForce operates multiple service locations throughout Canada and several states in the US. The company is headquartered in Ontario, Canada. The company’s website highlights several awards in business and customer service.

Monitoring Services: AlarmForce offers multiple monitoring services including smoke detection, carbon monoxide monitoring, flood sensors, temperature detection, panic alarms, medical emergencies, theft, and phone tampering alerts.

Benefits: AlarmForce provides a full warranty on installation work and replacement parts for as long as the contract is active. Equipment is covered with a lifetime warranty which extends past the monitoring contract. AlarmForce does all of their own work and does not outsource labor or services to other companies.

Technology: AlarmForce offers multiple technologies to improve home security and personal safety. The Home Alarm package features a wireless two-way voice interactive that provides immediate communication during an emergency. The Alarm Plus package offers motion sensors and protection from cut telephone lines. Wireless signals are sent to the monitoring station in the event phones are Continue reading →

Devcon Security – Overview

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Jeremy Kushner

Company Background: Devcon Security was started in 2004 by a team of security experts. The company’s headquarters are located in Hollywood FL and has their national operations center in Irving, TX. The company claims to be one of the fastest growing security companies in the country, serving customers as far as 60 miles from branch location centers.

Monitoring Services: Devcon provides residential monitoring services for burglary, fire, carbon monoxide, and vandalism. They also provide medical alert systems for medical emergencies. Video monitoring and text notifications for alerts are also offered.

Benefits: Devocon Security offers residential security systems and monitoring with flat rate pricing. At the time of this review, the company was offering $200 off each of the packages as a special Internet incentive for purchase.

Technology: Devcon offers several security technologies for residential protection. Central monitoring stations allow professionals to monitor your property 24/7 to protect from fire and theft. They also offer alarm notification via phone or text. Video imaging is available to record Continue reading →

Protection 1 Security Solutions Overview

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Jeremy Kushner

Company Background: Protection 1 lists their company as the ‘2^nd largest security company’ in the nation with 95.5% customers satisfaction and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They are located in Witchita, KS. They specialize in customized security products and systems rather than a one-size-fits all solution to alarm systems.

Monitoring Services: Protection 1 provides monitoring services for a number of security issues including fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, intrusion, and remote access options. The company also offers identity theft protection through its LifeLock service. Medical emergency monitoring is available through wearable pendants.

Benefits: Protection 1 offers new customers a free in-home security evaluation and a price estimate based on specific situations. The company also offers the Tech Tracker service, a mobile app which Continue reading →

Post Alarm Systems – Company Overview

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Jeremy Kushner

Company Background: Post Alarm Systems was founded in 1956 by a former Police Chief Sam Post. The company is still a family owned business three generations later and still operates from the Southern California headquarters. The company focuses on personalize security packages rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. They perform their own installation, maintenance services and monitoring for residential and commercial customers. According to the company website, Post Alarm Systems has been ranked as one of the Top 100 Security Companies in the Nation by Security Design Magazine.

Monitoring Services: Post Alarm Systems offers 24/7 monitoring services to protect your residence from burglary and fire, offering smoke detectors and heat detectors. They also offer armed response and patrol offers for emergency situations which are priced at tiered levels depending on service selected. Communication systems and alerts work whether or not the home loses power or if phone lines have been cut.

Benefits: Post Alarm Systems installs non-proprietary equipment which allows another security company to take control over the monitoring systems at the customer’s discretion. All systems operate on Continue reading →