Here at Now Security Systems, we advise all our customers – residential and commercial alike – to test their alarm system monthly.  The goal, of course, is to make sure your system is properly communicating with our monitoring center; otherwise, there’s no point in having your system in the first place.

Another occasion for testing your system is any time you change or replace your phone or cable service.  That’s because, however inadvertently, a phone or cable installer could cause issues with your alarm system connectivity.  In that instance, we advise you to test your security system even before the phone or cable installer leaves your premises so if anything needs to be adjusted, it can be taken care of right away.

It may sound like a long shot, but trust us when we say we’ve witnessed countless such incidents.

Testing your system is roughly a 5-minute process, and a simple one at that.  Just give us a call at 203-281-1121 and we’ll talk you through it, a step at a time.

At Now Security Systems, delivering added peace of mind is our ultimate goal, and helping you test your security alarm system is one more way we provide it.

Making the basement a place for everyone to enjoy can be an overwhelming and expensive undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many affordable and even inexpensive DIY projects that can help make your basement fun and more productive.  Here are a few suggestions:

Designate zones: Most families have different hobbies and interests. Perhaps the children like to play games, teens want to watch TV and play video games, while adults just want a quiet place to relax or do crafts. Whatever your needs are, you can get started by designating areas of your basement for each such purpose.

Indoor play area: Short of creating a permanent play area, how about just bringing in some outside toys during the off-season months so the kids can enjoy their play time without tripping all over you and everything you’re working on upstairs. You can also press an old crib mattress into service for some downstairs jumping, a small trampoline, a 4×4 wood post for a balance beam, and a bin of old costumes for dress-up and play acting.

Furniture: Unless you want to buy a whole new set of furniture for your basement TV zone, you can get very creative with the seating! Using storage cubes helps double the functionality of seating and added space for blankets or toys. Bean bag chairs or inflatables are fun, inexpensive, and much more tolerant of spills and stains.

Nooks: There is one thing that every basement has and that’s space under the stairs. That space can be easily sectioned off for a perfect book nook, study space, or napping zone. You can either frame it out into a formal space, or just add some pillows, strong lights, and hang long curtains to create a privacy zone!

Your basement also should be included in your home security system, especially if there’s any way at all for an intruder to get inside your home. Contact Now Security Systems today for a free and no-obligation proposal on how we can better secure your basement and your entire home so you and your family can live your lives with greater peace of mind.

As the world gets ready to watch a new president take up residency in the White House, we thought it would be fun to share some surprising facts about this centuries-old, not so humble abode.

1. All in a Name – Before Theodore Roosevelt dubbed this stately structure the ‘White House’ in 1901, it was also known as the Executive Mansion, the President’s House, and the President’s Palace. Roosevelt was our 26^th president
2. A Starter Home – During the construction of the nation’s new capital city, George Washington took up residence in a well-appointed brick mansion in Philadelphia – the acting capital at the time. Before that, Washington lived in two other homes in New York City during his presidency.  The only place he didn’t call home during his two terms was the White House as it was not completed until 1800, a year after he died.
3. The First Resident – Washington did, however, oversee construction of the White House and, before that, picked a plot of land on the Potomac River to serve as the nation’s capital. The first official occupants of the White House were president John Adams and his wife, Abigail.
4. All the Comforts – Running water was piped into the residence in 1833, a central heating system was installed in 1837, and electricity lit up the home beginning in 1891.
5. Plenty of Room – The White House consists of 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms. It occupies six floors and features 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, 3 elevators, 147 windows, and 412 doors.
6. Market Value – According to Zillow, the White House is worth about $397 million. It’s a good thing the First Family is allowed to live in the sprawling mansion rent-free.
7. A Pricey Face Lift – It takes about 20 gallons of paint to coat the exterior of an average 2,000 square foot home. However, if you were to paint the exterior of the White House, you’d need about 570 gallons of paint – and a lot of time.
8. Pool Party – Believe it or not, what is now known as the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room was once a swimming pool. In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned the building of the indoor aquatic arena and swam in the pool regularly to help soothe his polio. In 1970, Richard Nixon pushed to have a larger space for the members of the press corps, and the pool was filled in.
9. Lawfully Wedded – Seventeen White House weddings have been documented. The first, in 1812, was for the sister of first lady Dolley Madison. The most recent, in 1994, was for the brother of first lady Hillary Clinton. Grover Cleveland became the only president married in the White House when he wed Frances Folsom in the Blue Room in 1886.
10. What’s with the Elephants? – Some pretty exotic pets have also called the White House home. Take, for instance, the pair of tiger cubs kept briefly by Martin Van Buren, or the tobacco-chewing ram preferred by Woodrow Wilson. And yes, even a herd of elephants once resided there, the prized possessions of James Buchanan.

As for White House Security, we’d need more than blog to provide you with all that information.  But here’s just a taste of how its occupants are protected, starting with the iron fence that surrounds it.  Alarms are positioned beneath the ground and infrared sensors above the ground to detect intruders, while guard stations control the entrances and bullet-proof windows protect against sniper fire.

Is your home and family as well protected as you’d like it to be?  If the answer is “no” or you’re just not sure, we invite you to contact Now Security Systems today for a free in-home security analysis and proposal.

Life has a way of rendering family budgets obsolete – for better, or worse.

Someone gets a promotion of a spouse who has been a say-at-home parent goes back to work full time, and suddenly you have more discretionary income.  Conversely, your employer cuts back on your hours or, worse yet, your position is eliminated, and now it’s time to tighten your financial belt.

One of the monthly expenses that tends to be among the first to get chopped is home security monitoring, especially among families who live in low crime neighborhoods and have no history of break-ins, attempted or otherwise.  But is that really such a good idea?  Let’s go by the numbers:

• According to the FBI, only 1 in 250 homes with an active security alarm system will be burglarized compared to 1 in 3 for homes without such a system.

• According to the Electronic Security Association’s “Home Safety Fast Facts” report, 9 out of 10 burglars said that if they encountered an alarm or home security system, they would not attack the home. (Nice of them to take part in the survey, don’ you think?)

• Another FBI study reveals that the average burglary will result in a $1,725 net loss to the homeowner. Compare that to what you may now be paying for monthly security monitoring services, and then decide if the risk is really worth it.

• By the time you finish reading this blog, 13 new burglaries will already have been committed in the US.

Here at Now Security Systems, we can’t tell you how to prioritize your expenses.  What we can tell you that home security systems with ongoing monitoring services play a valuable role in safeguarding homes in every state, including right here in Connecticut.

For more information or a free in-home security evaluation and new system quote, contact us today.

“Dinosaur” is both a great and multi-purpose word, don’t you think?

All at once it conjures up images of creatures who roamed the continents in search of food, water, safe nesting areas, and little else all those millions of years ago while also referring to anything else that is already or about to become extinct.  You know, like, “VHS tapes have gone the way of the dinosaur.”

Well, now there’s another endangered species slowly but steadily slipping into the mists of our memory banks:  the telephone landline.  We needn’t debate whether that’s a good or bad thing; we simply need to acknowledge that partial or total extinction is all but assured – the only question left to be answered is “when”.

For some, that represents one less monthly bill to pay and little else.  For others, it’s a concern and for a very practical reason.  We’re talking about Connecticut home owners with security alarm systems, those that signal security monitoring providers via home phone lines. Which begs the question: “If I give up my landline will that render my home security system useless?”

The answer is a resounding “no”.  Here at Now Security Systems, for example, we still provide landline monitoring connections if that’s what you prefer.  But we offer a second and, for most of our customers, far superior alternative:  the StarLink Alarm Communicator that comes with an app you can download to any computer or mobile device.  Among other things, you can use your app to arm and disarm your system remotely from any location with a Wi-Fi connection.

StarLink can take the place of or be used to back up your landline to communicate signals to our monitoring center.  Like a smart, advanced technology cellphone, StarLink works on today’s most modern cellular networks (GSM and CDMA) and transmits your security system’s high priority signals wirelessly, digitally and dependably.

So if you’re letting a little thing like your lapsed landline service stop you from obtaining the peace of mind that only a well-designed home security system can afford, contact Now Security Systems today and ask us about our StarLink Alarm Communicator.

While many of us believe and live our lives on the premise that “age is just a number”, the numbers still matter. Here’s one, for example: every day, an average of 100,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 and enter a new season of life – one that presents some challenges when it comes to staying safe and comfortable in the place they call home.

Are you or a loved one are part of this rapidly growing population base? If so, here are 5 tips for making your home better suited to a longer home life of independent living.

1. Easy Entry

For older homeowners or anyone with mobility issues, being able to enter and exit a home easily is important. Consider adding a stairless entry, slope to the doorway, or a ramp. If none of these options are possible, add non-slip materials and sturdy hand rails to stairs. You can even modify the front door to have a no-threshold entry to reduce the risk of tripping and falling.

2. Low Maintenance

If the siding or deck has seen better days, upgrade to materials that require very little maintenance, like composite decking and vinyl siding. To make landscaping a little easier, choose native plants that require little care and consider installing a time activated sprinkler system.

3. Kitchen Convenience

Your kitchen doesn’t need a complete overhaul to become more user-friendly. Simply replace cabinet shelves with shelves on rollers that can pull out to access items in the back. If you opt to remodel, consider installing drawers in the base cabinets and adding a dining area that is comfortable for chairs instead of bar stools.

4. Smart Home

From appliances that beep or light up when they’re turned on to sensors and timers for interior lights, thermostat controls, and security systems, today’s manufacturers are making products that are smarter, easier, and safer to use.

5. Bathroom Safety

Change your walk-in shower to one with a zero-clearance entry (no threshold), and add a non-slip stool or bench. Replace your existing toilet with a comfort height model that makes sitting down and getting up easier. Choose flooring with some traction to help prevent slips and add some well-placed grab bars near the toilet and in the shower/bath area for an added measure of safety.

To help you or your senior parents sleep better at night, you might also want to consider adding certain home safety and security features, including:

• A home security and alarm system
• Strategically placed video surveillance cameras so you can keep an eye on your property and on those who seek to gain entry, forcibly or otherwise
• Hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

To learn more about these home security products and our very attentive security management services, contact New Security Systems today.

So, you’ve been looking around your home lately, and more and more you’re loving what you’re seeing.  You don’t hate the views, you’re just so used to them you could draw them from memory – assuming, of course, you can draw that well.

At the same time, funds are a little tight and with the holidays coming up, you don’t want to break the bank simply to delight your vision.

Now, with the stage properly set, here are 6 simple ways to add a little character and style into your home, and fall in love with it all over again.

• Do a little trim work. Whether it’s traditional dental molding beneath the ceiling, a classic chair rail in the dining room, or bead board in the bathroom, wood trim and wainscoting is an easy way to instantly change the look and feel of a room.
• Accent a wall. Wall paper is back and it’s better than ever. Whether it’s calm and neutral or bright and lively, a wallpapered wall in a space makes for a great focal point and is a fun way to show off your personal style.
• Pamper your powder room. Give your boring powder room a timeless look by swapping out that dated basin for a pedestal sink. From sleek and modern to sculptural and classic, it’s a quick way to set your powder room apart.
• Light it up. No matter how well designed and decorated your home may be, the wrong lighting can make it lackluster. Replace dated fixtures with eye-catching chandeliers, pendants, and spot lights for instant ambiance and greater lighting control.
• Look up. Who says ceilings can’t have style? Add some visual interest to yours by installing wood beams for a natural, rustic look, bead board for an easy cottage feel, or decorative ceiling tiles for a more traditional touch.
• Make a grand entrance. Don’t forget the role your front door plays in setting the tone for what’s inside. Up your curb appeal factor by adding a splash of color to your entry door or a seasonal wreath.

Don’t get so wrapped up in the look of your home, however, that you overlook its security.  From improving on what you already have to designing and installing a custom home alarm system, Now Security can help you protect what’s yours: family, valuable possessions, and all.

A fireplace, either gas or wood-burning, is a great way to add charm and warmth to your home while reducing your heating bills during the cold Connecticut winter months.

For all the good they do, however, did you know that fireplaces and chimneys are involved in over 40% of home heating fires? So before you spark up another log, make sure your fireplace is able to keep you safe and comfortable by following these simple steps.

• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep at least once a year. This annual maintenance task can potentially save you thousands of dollars in damage while beefing up your home security.

• If you have a wood-burning fireplace, make sure to burn only seasoned wood, such as oak, that has been chopped and stored in a dry place for several months. Softer woods produce more creosote, which can build up in the chimney.

• Don’t overload the fireplace with wood. Smaller fires produce less smoke, and subsequently, less creosote.

• Avoid burning paper, cardboard, or anything other than wood in the fireplace and never use lighter fluid. These only cause more smoke, resulting in more creosote.

• Make sure your fireplace is equipped with a metal screen or glass doors to catch embers.

• Keep combustible items at least 3 feet away from any open flame.

• If you have a gas fireplace, be sure to turn the valve to the “off” position when not in use.

So what’s the big deal about minimizing and routinely cleaning away concentrations of creosote?  For starters, even though it’s a byproduct of a wood-burning fire, it’s combustible in its own right and can ignite from a floating ember and start a chimney fire.  If creosote is accidentally ingested, it can cause a burning sensation in your mouth and throat and, over time, lead to kidney and liver damage.

Luckily, exposure to creosote is relatively low when proper precautions are observed.  Speaking of which, fireplace owners are ideal candidates for a whole-house burglar alarm system, one that also can include hard-wired smoke and CO detectors.  After all, accidents can and do happen, and Now Security able and ready to help ensure you have all the protection you need against accidental injury or damage to your home.

How much do you trust your children? How much do you want to trust them?

Before you answer either question, consider the following:  a house guarded, in part, by a security alarm system is only as safe as every mature member of your family allows it to be.  If, for example, you’ve recently installed a home security system but haven’t instructed your children on its use, do you really safe as you thought you might?  Probably not.

That’s precisely why you need to instruct your children on how to arm and disarm the system, especially if one or more of them arrive home ahead of working adults are left home by themselves even for short periods of time.

Here are a couple of additional reasons why children should be taught how to work home security systems:

Fosters Mutual Trust

If your kids are like most, they want to be trusted and feel a closer connection to home and family when they are.  Giving them your home security password and having them practice arming and disarming the system under your supervision is vital to that process. By demonstrating your trust and confidence in them, you’ll be earning even more of theirs in return. Experience, after all, is still the best teacher.

Children become security conscious

Is there a part of you that thinks telling your kids about the importance of and reasons for having a home security system is to rob them of some measure of their childhood innocence?  If so, consider the following: school age kids already know plenty about the world around them, and probably more than you realize.  And ultimately, isn’t it far better to have them aware of security concerns than to expose them to the dangers that benign ignorance can cause? The point is, teach them to be aware without being afraid, and that having a home security system gives everyone another reason to feel secure.

Prevents False Alarms

What if you were to set your security alarm and then leave the house not expecting your children to arrive home before you, but one or more of them does without knowing how to disarm the system.  And now you have one more very good reason to give them that added trust and responsibility.

Here at Now Security Systems, your family’s safety and security mean the world to us. That’s why we invite you to contact us if you’re not confident that your current security system is completely adequate for your current needs, or if you don’t have one at all.  We’ll come to your home, size up your needs, explain your options and give you a free new system quote, complete with our 24/7 monitoring services.  You’ll be safer yet when you choose Now Security Systems.