Richmond Alarm News Blog

Security Company Door Knockers

Spring time seems to bring out all types of solicitors. It is unfortunate that there are also companies sending people to the homes of Richmond Alarm security system customers, and these people claim several things to get into your home and get access to your security system.

Some of the Tricks Door Knockers Use

• There were power outages and they need to check your electronic security elements
• Your security company went out of business and they can "help" restore security services

Richmond Alarm Does Not Send Uninvited Sales People to your Door

We don't arrive at your house uninvited. And when you call us, we'll have proper identification that we are happy to show you at any time. Never let anyone into your house if you have not invited there. And if anyone raises concerns for you, contact your local police.

Home Security Companies

It is almost Spring in Central Virginia and we are looking forward to the nice, longer days. With the longer days, also come a few hassles, like door knockers. A common scheme of less reputable security companies is for door knockers to pressure you to switch to their home alarm service. The door knockers are also known as “poachers” because they often see a security sign in a yard and use pushy sales tactics to convince home owners that their home security company has gone out of business, so the home owner should now use a new security company. In most cases this is false.

Richmond Alarm Company President, Wayne Boggs received a call from a customer last spring. An elderly woman was a victim of such a scam. Wayne learned that the door knocker convinced the customer RAC had gone out of business, removed her perfectly good alarm system and then smashed it on the floor, rendering it useless. He proceeded to install a new, less functional system and wanted to charge her for services. Thankfully the woman’s adult son got involved and called us to help resolve the matter. The State Department of Consumer Affairs was contacted and Wayne helped find the contact information for the other company. The customer was eventually reimbursed for the cost to have Richmond Alarm replace her system.

Two lessons can be taken from her experience:

1. Do not allow solicitors into your house. All solicitors should have proper identification and a license, but even if they do, we strongly advise residents to keep them out of the home. Allowing a stranger into your home significantly increases the risk you could be a victim of a much more serious crime than fraud. In today’s world it is simply too dangerous to be opening the door to strangers.

2. Don’t believe news delivered to you by a door to door sales person. If they are authentic, they will understand that you want to confirm their information. Ask the sales person to leave a business card and call them back if you are still interested later.  Your alarm company will not just show up at the door without an appointment.

Your local police are always available to help if you are unsure. Contact them immediately if you see suspicious behavior or if you feel threatened.

Get in the Spring, Home Improvement Spirit

Look for Richmond Alarm this weekend at the Home & Garden Show located at the Richmond Raceway Complex. The show starts Friday and runs March 2-4, 2012. We are sharing a booth with the BNI Home Services Power Players Team in Building 2, Booth 64. We’ll be there all weekend handing out swag and demonstrating medical alert & home security systems and giving away Virginia Key & Lock magnets.

Additional displays and give-aways from our partners on the BNI Home Services Power Team:

• Blankenship Insurance Services
• CitruSolution Carpet Cleaning
• Mr. Rooter Plumbing
• Atlantic Heating & Cooling
• Oriole Landscaping
• OSM Paint & Repair
• A&W Powerwashing

We look forward to seeing you there and hope you enjoy the Home Show!

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.

Since 2008, Richmond Alarm Company has worked with Balducci Builders in Hanover County. The Balducci's are well known in Hanover and the surrounding communities for their quality workmanship and well-managed projects. They won awards in several categories in the 2010 Richmond Excellence in Remodeling Awards. 

For home additions, remodeling, custom homes, and realty, Balducci Builders can assist with all stages in creating the home of your dreams.

Richmond Alarm is proud of our on-going relationship with Balducci Builders and looks forward to providing our products and services to those in Hanover and surrounding counties.

A valued residential security customer recently asked:

I have been told that I should not post signs on my property designating who I have security with because thieves can look the company up on the internet and learn how to disable the alarm system. Is this true?

This is false. Yard signs actually are effective at deterring thieves. Data shows that home with security systems are several times less likely to be burglarized.

Security System Company Reputation

Some residential security companies are known for their “one size fits all” systems. And it is possible that a company’s reputation is known to never protect windows or seldom use more than one motion detector in a central location. Thieves do not know how to disable security systems based on the brand, but depending on the company, they could know where the weaknesses are.

Security Systems Tailored to Your Property

Since each Richmond Alarm security system is designed to meet the needs of the particular client and home, and everyone has different needs, each of our systems is different. The RAC sign in your yard means you have a security system that targets all areas of risk in the home. Most burglars attack homes with no indication of a security system.

Make Your Home a Difficult Target for Criminals

Police often say, “crooks are lazy” and unlike what we see in the movies, burglars do not want to spend the time or effort breaking into a home with a security system because they know it also increases their risk of being caught, particularly if there is video security. There are usually other homes on the same street with no security at all, some of which will have the doors unlocked. Typically, a thief would not choose to attack a home with a security system to defeat, there is another that has no system at all, and often doesn’t have deadbolt locks.

Yard Signs

So keep your yard sign up, even if it isn’t Richmond Alarm, stats say any sign it is better than not having one. And although we are frequently asked, Richmond Alarm does not sell our signs or stickers. They only come free, with your security system or security monitoring.

In a power outage, the backup battery on your security system is designed to power the system for 8-12 hours and the usual battery life is 3-5 years. If your power has been restored after Hurricane Irene, wait 24 hours for control panel to recharge the battery. If after 24 hours it does not show a full charge, it is time to purchase a new one and they are easy to install yourself.

Purchasing New Control Panel Batteries

You can find these at local retailers like Radio Shack or Batteries Plus but their stock is not certain. We are stocked with control panel batteries at our main office at 14121 Justice Road in Midlothian, VA. Contact us and we’ll have it ready for you.

Keep your family safe from intruders, theft and fire with a quality security system that is designed to meet your needs based on your home and lifestyle. Make sure the company is reputable and stands behind their work. Be cautious of companies that use scare tactics to force sales. Clearly, we are biased and hope you’ll choose Richmond Alarm for your residential or commercial security, however whatever electronic security company you choose, we encourage you to make a decision based on some good advice from the Electronic Security Association.

10 Tips for Choosing an Electronic Security Security Company

For consumers seeking the services of a reputable and experienced security company, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) has the following recommendations:

1. Ask your insurance agent, friends, family or neighbors for referrals.
2. Visit the ESA website for a list of member companies throughout the United States who have agreed to abide by the National Code of Ethics.
3. Call several companies and ask if their employees are trained and/or certified by a nationally recognized entity like the ESA’s National Training School.
4. Ask the companies for proof of applicable state and/or local licenses.
5. Ask the companies if they conduct any pre-employment screening (i.e. drug test and/or background checks).
6. Contact your local police department's Crime Prevention Department, state licensing agencies, Consumer Protection Agencies, and the Better Business Bureau regarding any past interactions with, or history on, the perspective security companies.
7. After you've narrowed the field to three or four alarm companies, ask for the name of the person who will call on you.
8. When he/she visits, ask to see some company identification.
9. Ask each alarm company representative for an inspection, recommendation and a quote in writing. Use a checklist to compare different packages and price quotes.
10. Never feel pressured to sign anything. Be cautious of those who push you to sign a contract quickly or who may be offering unusual deals or incentives.

CNN Video on Purchasing Home Security Systems

Thank You to the men and women who protect our communities and country

While you are on duty, you shouldn’t worry about your family's safety at home. Richmond Alarm offers 15% off the installation of a home security system or system upgrade to current sworn law enforcement, fire fighters, rescue squad and active military personnel.

Contact us now through September 30, 2011 to receive this discount. 

See When your Child Arrives at Home

Have your kids outgrown after school care? We realize that it is a tough decision, taking the leap to letting them stay home by themselves after school. Richmond Alarm has a solution to help give you peace of mind that your teen has arrived home safely. We can email you a video clip or still image of your child entering the home after school! All you need is a high-speed internet connection, and one of our Total Connect Video packages.

Connect to Home Activities from Any Location

In addition to pushing information out to you via email, you can also log in to your system from any computer or Smartphone! With cameras for both outdoor and indoor applications, you can keep an eye on what is going on at your home while you are away.  This is the perfect system for the working family!

This system can be standalone (video only) or be incorporated into most of our newer security systems.  This connection to your security system, allows you to receive alerts from critical areas such as gun and liquor cabinets, as well as allowing you to remotely arm and disarm your system you’re your computer or Smartphone.

Richmond Alarm is proud to offer these services to our clients.  We hope that we can make a difference in your quality of life with these small but significant lifestyle enhancements.  Call us for further information, or to schedule a free in-home consultation.