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Home Automation Gives You Safety and Convenience While Away

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Home automation allows you to turn your house into a smart home using various home control devices. These products make life easier while the house is occupied and add another level of security and convenience when you’re away from home.

All homeowners have unique schedules, but because nobody can be home 24/7, home automation can take the hassle out of monitoring your home from work or across the world. Learn how you can take advantage of home automation benefits:

  • No unwelcome entries: Assign unique key codes to babysitters, neighbors or anyone else with a valid reason to stop by the house. Instead of giving out keys or your garage door code, these codes will alert you when the individual enters and leaves your home. You can even delete the codes if that person should no longer enter your house.
  • Change your home control remotely: If you forget to lock the door or turn off the lights, you can manage these functions and more from just a smartphone.
  • Turn lights on and off to give your home a lived-in appearance when the house is unoccupied.
  • Save on your energy bill by turning down the temperature and turning off lights when you’re away from home.
  • Monitor everything through your smartphone. You don’t need to set up a DVR program or use complicated technology — control your entire home automation system right from your iPhone, Android or BlackBerry anywhere in the world.

If you’re looking to customize your home control, start with SafeMart’s Personal Monitoring Adviser. The Adviser will walk you through all the components of home automation to make sure you have the maximum control, security and convenience.

 

Simple Home Security Tips for Spring Cleaning

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Effective home security protects homes from the outside-in. Outdoor home security system components work with the central system, and just a few tweaks can help home security systems best monitor any dangers. Add some simple tasks to your spring cleaning list to ensure maximum protection for this season and beyond.

In addition to testing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors in the spring, follow these home security tips to safeguard against internal and external threats:

  • Check the safety measures around your shed or garage. As you dust off expensive – and dangerous – yard tools and machinery for the summer, make sure motion sensors will alert you if your kids approach a sharp blade. Clean up any standing cans of dangerous chemicals like gasoline or paint. Even those without children, or wandering pets, should be wary of curious neighborhood kids and protect their property before an accident occurs.
  • Test motion sensors on your outdoor entrance ways and windows that have not been opened in months.
  • Change your thermostat settings to save energy when you leave windows open to naturally cool the home.
  • Inspect outdoor camera angles in case new foliage blocks a camera lense.
  • Remember to put away any equipment like ladders to avoid making a burglar’s entrance easier.

Homeowners without an up-to-date home security system can use SafeMart’s Personal Monitoring Advisor to create a customized security plan. A small investment now, for a new or an updated system, will protect what’s priceless this spring and for seasons to come.

New Security Cameras Avoid Old Problems

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Surveillance cameras come in a variety of forms, but don’t let the options overwhelm you. New technology makes wireless security cameras the easiest and most secure option for anyone regardless of technology expertise.

Understand the benefits of security cameras before you decide on this important safeguard for your home. Here are some of the ways security cameras best protect your home:

  • Wireless cameras avoid the risk of burglars cutting camera wires, and make it easier for homeowners to install cameras without drilling holes for wires.
  • Smartphone technology allows you to watch live video feeds of your home from anywhere in the world instead of worrying about changing videotapes. This remote viewing can help you keep an eye on the kids, too.
  • Security cameras work over the Internet instead of through a DVR, so there’s always space for your favorite television shows and nobody accidentally deletes something important.
  • Wireless surveillance cameras move with you if you change houses, whether you move down the street or across the country.
  • Setup takes you just minutes instead of hours of waiting for an appointment with a stranger.

These benefits and more apply to both indoor and outdoor cameras. Gone are the days of confusing videotapes and big, ugly cameras — now you can enjoy peace of mind from anywhere in the world with SafeMart’s security cameras. To begin the process of choosing the best security cameras for your home, use the personal monitoring adviser to learn how to protect your valuable property.

Camera Security Best Protects Your Family

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Camera security helped Philadelphia police solve an “unprecedented” 30 percent of cases that had video evidence. But surveillance cameras can now do more than protect against burglars; they can be the first line of defense to keep your family safe from other dangers.

More than 15.1 million children stay home alone after school, a number that continues to rise, according to the Afterschool Alliance. Whether your kids come to the house alone or with a nanny, security cameras can help you extend your watch even when you can’t be physically present. Learn how to keep the most precious part of your home safe with indoor and outdoor home surveillance:

  1. Install a front door camera so your kids never have to open the door when they’re alone. You can monitor package drop-offs and other activity with motion-activated cameras, so you only need to check your security system when someone crosses the step.
  2. Monitor your teenage driver by placing a security camera near your garage. Ensure Junior isn’t taking the family wheels out for a spin, and that your children come home before curfew.
  3. Avoid dangerous, unsupervised play near pools and other backyard hazards. Motion-activated cameras are the perfect solution to protect both your kids and any neighborhood children who may wander near a pool without an adult present.
  4. Keep an eye on the nanny with household cameras. Make sure babysitters come to the house on time and interact well with the kids — instead of watching television.
  5. Set up a camera near the crib to watch your baby sleeping right from your smartphone if you’re outside with the kids or away from home. You don’t have to worry about being in range of a monitor to hear a little one’s cries because you can see the baby in real time.

How do you keep your family safe with camera security? Leave us a comment to help other customers learn how to protect what’s priceless.

Go Green With Home Automation and Home Control

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Earth Day falls on April 22, 2013, but you don’t need a particular day to conserve energy. Home automation is one of the most efficient ways to save both the planet and your wallet.

A “smart home” with home control features used to be a futuristic idea, but millions of homeowners now enjoy the ease of — and energy savings from — controlling their homes from just a smartphone. Homeowners spend an average of $2,100 on energy bills each year, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, but a just few simple tips can improve your home automation and lower your monthly bills:

  • Install a programmable thermostat.  As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling, and a programmable thermostat can save you $180 — or more — every year in energy costs. Home automation takes the hassle out of remembering to adjust the temperature when entering the house and reduces the time it takes to warm or cool a home. You can even program the temperature from your smartphone anywhere in the world.
  • Program devices together so that, for example, when you open the door, the hallway lights turn on and the temperature rises. Synced events like this avoid wasting your time and your home’s energy.
  • Remotely monitor your lights and other devices to turn off the appliances you don’t need, even if you forget when running out of the house in the morning. Use SafeMart’s smartphone app to dim or turn off your lights.

Home automation is the perfect intersection of energy and financial savings. With today’s technology, you can easily configure a home automation system to fit your home’s unique needs.

The Best Home Security Systems Are Wire Free

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Home security systems have protected homeowners and their valuable property for decades. One problem with traditional wired security systems, however, was a lack of reliability in the dangerous situations the security system is meant to protect against. Smart burglars cut the phone line on the security system to disable communication between the home security system and the police, and the home was left defenseless.

Homeowners have no reason to fear that type of situation now, with wireless home security systems that protect against cut wires and other dangers. Most 21st century security systems are wireless, so a home invader can not disable it by cutting the phone line. Additionally, technological advancements also protect against power outages and wires damaged by environmental factors, such as storms.

A wireless home security system has advantages beyond dangerous situations. Those with less technological expertise find these security systems much easier to put in place themselves without waiting for an unknown, and potentially untrustworthy, installer to come to the house. These new home security systems eliminate the need to drill holes around a home.

New home security systems fit Americans’ lifestyle better than wired security systems. One in 10 Americans moved in 2009, according to the US Census Bureau, and the rate continues to increase. In case of a job transfer or other move, a wireless home security system can relocate with the homeowner, saving time and money during what can be a stressful period.

Home security systems help protect what’s priceless. Learn more about how you can customize a home security system to fit your needs today.

Home Automation Drives Energy Savings

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Home automation features are helping families across the nation who are working harder than ever to stretch the dollar as far as it can go. Whether it’s skipping eating out, watching movies at home or keeping energy costs low, many households are tightening their belts. But new technologies like home automation make cost-saving measures painless, especially when it comes to energy costs.

According to the Energy Information Administration, Americans spend more than $1 trillion annually on energy, meaning there is plenty of room for homeowners to find savings. Wireless home security systems with home automation can make it simple for many families to reduce their home energy costs by giving them the tools to reduce their consumption and save some money. Here are a few ways home automation with wireless home security can make a difference:

  1. Turn off your lights even when you aren’t home. It’s always frustrating when you realize you left lights on while you’re away for the day. That wasted energy could cost homeowners some of the income they work so hard for all day. But home automation systems make it easy to turn off the lights remotely, be it from your computer, or from your iPhone or Android device. If you’re not sure if you left the lights on, you can check their status easily and turn them off if needed.
  2. Set your thermostat to power down during the day. While your and your family are at the office or in class, there’s often no need to keep your heating or air conditioning running at full blast. Instead, you can use full home automation to schedule your thermostat to power down when you leave in the morning and start back up a few hours before you return. That way you aren’t paying for heating or cooling you don’t need, but your home is always comfortable when you’re there.
  3. Set your lights to go off and on automatically. If you’re taking a trip out of town or plan to be gone for the night, it’s important that your lights be on at certain times so that intruders believe someone is home. But just leaving your lights on is ineffective and costly, and timers can be difficult to use. Too often, lights are left on overnight, giving intruders a sign that no one is actually home and costing homeowners on their energy bills. Using home automation to set the lights to go on while you’re gone but to go off overnight is an easy way to bring down energy bills and protect your home.

For many families, home automation has become a simple tool to effortlessly reduce their energy costs and save money. In a time when homeowners nationwide are looking for ways to keep more of the money they earn, home automation tools can help with easy-to-use tools that make saving money simple.

Choosing a Home Security Camera or Surveillance Camera System

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If you’re in the process of creating or updating a home security system, you probably are looking into home security cameras as a way to keep your family safe. Nothing gives homeowner’s a better sense of security than knowing that there is always a helpful eye keeping the home safe from intruders.

With today’s technological advances, you have a wide array of surveillance cameras at your disposal and choosing the right model is important to making sure you get the most out of your security system. Just ask yourself these questions to be sure you choose the right home security camera.

  1. Is the camera for indoor or outdoor use? If you want to protect your entire property, or be aware in advance when an intruder approaches your home, an outdoor wireless camera may be the best option. These security cameras can be trained on your driveway and any entrance points, and typically need to be built for a variety of weather conditions. If you want to monitor inside your home to make sure your family is safe, indoor cameras are probably the best choice. However, many families opt for both indoor and outdoor security cameras in order to have complete protection.
  2. Do you want motion-activated cameras? In many cases, families have no need to check their security cameras unless something goes wrong. This is where motion-activated cameras may be able to help. These security cameras stand guard 24/7, but only take photos when something moves in front of them. This means a homeowner can be sure that if an intruder enters, the camera will kick in to scare them off and provide evidence to keep the home safe.
  3. Do you want to be able to watch live streaming video? Alternatively, you may want to be able to check in on your home at any time for peace of mind. Live streaming video security cameras allow you to remotely view any activity in your home so you are always in control. Whether it’s making sure your kids got home from school to checking in while you’re at work, live streaming video can be the right choice for anyone who wants to check up on their home at any time.
  4. Do you want to have infrared ability? Criminals can no longer use the cover of darkness to avoid detection if you choose a camera with infrared capabilities. Infrared security cameras use heat signatures to pick up even the stealthy intruder, day or night. You can choose from among motion-activated and video security cameras with infrared so that no matter what you plan to use your cameras for, you can be sure that darkness won’t offer any help to intruders.

Picking the right wireless security camera for you needs is a crucial step in assembling the right home security system. Make sure to assess what you want out of a security camera, and look for a camera that works best to fit these attributes.

Five Practices for Your Neighborhood Watch Program

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According to the National Sheriff’s Association, the effectiveness of neighborhood watch programs has been proven through drops in burglaries after implementing the program­— in some areas, crime went down as much as 77 percent. After establishing a neighborhood watch program in your community, there are still ways to improve a neighborhood’s program. Here are five methods to ensure your neighborhood watch program is effective and sustainable.

  1. Engage the entire community. 
Religious institutions, schools, businesses, local government agencies, youth groups, senior groups and other organizations are all potential resources and/or partners for a Neighborhood Watch. Groups in your community may be able to offer advice or insight to better your program. Extend invitations to Neighborhood Watch meetings to these organizations to involve them in the discourse of the program. The more of the community that is involved in the program, the wider the reach of the program. FBI statistics show that subdivisions with an active Neighborhood Watch Program are 43 percent less likely to experience crime, so reach out across neighborhoods within your town. A Neighborhood Watch Program needs everyone from the community to be involved, including single parents, teenagers, senior citizens and renters.
  2. Communicate effectively with participants
. Distribute duties among participants clearly and reasonably to divide and share responsibilities equally. Create a structure for the program everyone knows and have leaders of meetings direct discussion in a beneficial and efficient way. Bylaws and elected officers can help establish structure. Create a phone tree or contact list for everyone to stay in touch. Establish a consistent meeting time and agenda to encourage maximum attendance and informed participation.
  3. Assess and address community needs
. Contact the local law enforcement for more in-depth information on your neighborhood. Look at past problems and solutions to crimes, and identify areas that need specific work. Develop strategies to problems one at a time, and as the group works together more, more complex problems will become easier to take on. Evaluate past actions and strategies of combating crime and the effectiveness, and use these experiences to determine what is successful in the program.
  4. Extend the program past basic security. 
Neighborhood Watch Programs may be used to improve a community beyond crime prevention. Some programs sponsor community cleanups, volunteer at local organizations, organize after-school activities and other efforts to help the community. These actions also help build the coherence of the neighborhood and create a stronger bond of trust in the program. Improving the community will also aid in lowering crime rates if the Neighborhood Watch Program is contributing to education and service around the area.
  5. Keep the program active. 
As a Neighborhood Watch Program eliminates crimes, the program also may begin to dissolve after main issues are addressed and solved. A Department of Justice review found that in nearly all studies of Neighborhood Watch Programs, crime decreased. To reinforce the necessity of crime prevention, create new goals for the program and implement activities to find new opportunities. Continue to recruit new members and organizations into the program. Use media to spread the information about Neighborhood Watch Programs even beyond your neighborhood and community.

As your Neighborhood Watch program grows and expands, you may face challenges and new openings to expand the program. These five easy tips will help you get the most out of your local Watch program to help keep your community safe.

Seven Home Security Myths

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Seven Home Security Myths

In the past, owning a home security system was a luxury, with high-tech equipment and expensive services. Now almost anyone can buy and install his or her own system. A security system makes the home three times less likely to be burglarized. Don’t let outdated myths about home security stop you from protecting what is priceless.

  1. A home security system is too expensive. Certain home security options can be pricy, but if you do your research, you can find the perfect, affordable system for you and your home. Determine what you want from your security system and what doors, windows and other areas you want secured, then compare companies to find the best fit for you. Securing your home could save you money: In the average burglary, residents lose $1,725, and 34 percent of the time the burglar will enter through the front door.
  2. Home alarm systems require a long, binding service contract. Customers should take caution with service contracts, because most home security companies will lock you into a contract for three years or more. However, SafeMart offers a one-year contract that renews monthly after its conclusion to provide you with the most convenient and flexible service. Because most of SafeMart’s products are wireless, if you move before your contract expires, your security system can move with you.
  3. Security systems require an expensive installer. Although hardwired security systems must be professionally installed, many more people are now switching to wireless security systems and alarm monitoring, making installation so easy you can do it yourself! SafeMart delivers pre-configured systems to your home for you to place and activate at your own convenience, which means no more hassle from unfamiliar installers coming to your home (or missing appointments!).
  4. Alarm monitoring always costs $40+. There are many different plans to fit your alarm monitoring needs, so you can find exactly what you need in price and usefulness. Alarm monitoring doesn’t have to be costly—SafeMart offers cellular alarm monitoring as low as $19.95 per month.
  5. My pet will cause false alarms. Alarm system manufacturers know that almost 70 percent of U.S. homes have one or more pets, and systems are designed accordingly. For example, some home security systems have motion detectors with pet immunity.
  6. My home isn’t a target for intrusion. Some neighborhoods feel safe but a burglary occurs every 15 seconds across the country. A security system makes your home three times less likely to be broken into. A security system with alarm monitoring protects against smoke, carbon monoxide leaks and flooding in addition to burglary.
  7. Wireless alarms are unreliable. Many homeowners across the nation are now switching to wireless systems. With wireless communication, your system will send signals to the central monitoring station even in the event of physical damage or a power outage. SafeMart’s alarm monitoring has an alarm response time of 18 seconds with three separate monitoring stations to make sure you are always secure.

With the right company and thorough research, purchasing home security for your house and family can be a simple and easy step to ensuring your safety. A home security system gives you peace of mind and helps protect what is priceless to you.

Hundreds of Free Months of Alarm Monitoring After Super Bowl Safety

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Chicago (February 5, 2013) SafeMart home security will reward hundreds of free months of alarm monitoring to customers who correctly predicted that the San Francisco 49ers would score a safety in the Super Bowl. For the second time in Super Bowl history, back to back Super Bowls have included a safety.

In 2012, the first year of SafeMart’s “Official Sponsor of Safety” contest, the Giants scored a safety on the first play of the game. This year, the 49ers scored a safety on the last play of the game. SafeMart immediately posted a congratulatory message to their customers on their facebook page and customers reacted with excitement.

Prior to 2012, there had only been four safeties in Super Bowl history. Since SafeMart launched the contest two years ago, the rare score has occurred in back-to-back Super Bowls. This year, San Francisco scored a safety late in the game on an even more unlikely play in which Baltimore intentionally ran out the back of the end zone rather than punting the ball.

“It has been exciting to have a safety two years in a row,” SafeMart President Chris Johnson said. “We’re thrilled to be able to once again offer free alarm monitoring to so many of our loyal customers.”

SafeMart provides safety and peace of mind for families across the nation with its award-winning wireless home security systems and focus on making sure that every customer feels safe in their home. With this in mind, the company decided to use the Super Bowl as a way to promote safety nationwide.

About SafeMart
SafeMart has redefined home security. Delivering revolutionary protection and peace of mind, SafeMart delights customers across the country. The company leads the industry with its interactive Plug & Protect wireless alarm system that empowers customers with cutting edge protection and control. SafeMart provides unbeatable value and exceptional service with its award-winning LiveWatch alarm monitoring service. The company (a division of LiveWatch Security, LLC) is the most recommended security company in America. Recently, it was named the #1 Wireless Security Company in America, #1 Alarm Monitoring Company in America and won a national award for e-Commerce Customer Service.

Media Contact:
Sam McBride
630-300-8734
sam@safemart.com

SafeMart Home Security is the Official Sponsor of Safety

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SafeMart home security announced the 2nd Annual “Official Sponsor of Safety” contest to bring attention to safety and home security during the game this Sunday in New Orleans, Louisiana. This week, new SafeMart customers who sign up for alarm monitoring can win up to one year of free alarm monitoring. Last year, SafeMart awarded years of free alarm monitoring after the New York Giants scored a safety on the first play from scrimmage.

Customers can enter the contest by posting the name of the team they think will score a safety during the big game on SafeMart’s Facebook wall. Existing customers will win one month of free monitoring for a correct guess, and new customers who purchase a system before the game can win one year of LiveWatch alarm monitoring for free!

“Protecting what’s priceless is a very serious matter to us, But we want our customers to have fun as well,” says SafeMart President Chris Johnson. “This contest is just one of our efforts to make their home security experience the best one possible.”

Safeties are rare, but last year, SafeMart customers around the nation won free alarm monitoring by picking the New York Giants, who scored a safety on the first play of the game. There have been six championship games in the past 45 years with a safety. Two of the six occurred in back to back years in 1975 and 1976.

To enter SafeMart’s Official Sponsor of Safety contest, just visit SafeMart.com where you will find details about safety and home security as well as contest details.

About SafeMart

SafeMart® has redefined home security. Delivering revolutionary protection and peace of mind, SafeMart delights customers across the country. The company leads the industry with its interactive Plug & Protect® wireless alarm system that empowers customers with cutting edge protection and control. SafeMart provides unbeatable value and exceptional service with its award-winning LiveWatch alarm monitoring service. The company (a division of LiveWatch Security, LLC) is the most recommended security company in America. Recently, it was named the #1 Wireless Security Company in America, #1 Alarm Monitoring Company in America and won a national award for e-Commerce Customer Service.

A History of Home Security Systems from GE Security

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A review of the past three GE Security home security systems:

As home security systems have advanced toward more affordable plans and systems, improved monitoring and better technology, the equipment offered by major distributors is also increasingly useful and up-to-date. For security system equipment manufacturer GE Security, its main security system has evolved over the years from the wireless Simon 3 to the Simon XT. Now, GE has also released the Simon XTi, with even more advanced features and ease of use.

The Simon 3 security system is a wireless system with a panel of specific buttons labeled and arranged for convenience. It has a microphone for two-way voice: in case of emergency, you can speak directly with the central station. The Simon 3 will notify you by pager or phone in the case of a home intrusion. With the control panel, you can manage lights and locks, enter security codes and contact emergency personnel. The system contains a 24-hour back up battery for power outages and 24 available zones for protection. The Simon 3 supports up to six programmable access codes and up to eight light or appliance controls.

However, GE built upon the existing Simon 3 model and created a better, more encompassing system. The Simon XT allows for 40 zones for wireless transmitters, a significant increase from the previous 24 zones. The XT features a different display of buttons, with full numbers and both a microphone and speaker for two-way voice application. Another significant addition is the new LCD screen on the Simon XT, which displays a blue backlit screen and the status of your home security system.

The Simon XT also has more programmable user passcodes and phone numbers, and it allows for home automation through Z-Wave enabled devices. It also keeps the latchkey feature of the Simon 3, which alerts parents when children don’t arrive at home and put in the passcode. However, the Simon XT is not X10 compatible like the Simon 3.

The newest, most advanced edition to the GE security system series is the Simon XTi, a self-contained combination of the Simon XT and the GE Two-Way Talking Touch Screen. The Two-Way Talking Touch Screen is compatible with the Simon XT, but the most recent system features both in the larger color LCD touch screen. All buttons are now found on the touch screen, which also shows temperature, weather, open doors and windows, lights and unsecured locks.

The Simon XTi keeps the two-way voice, Z-Wave controls and back up power of the Simon XT. However, the newest system lets you view and keep pictures from the wireless Image Sensor right on the screen. The LCD color screen gives the suer many more features and a smoother operating experience. The combination of the Two-Way Talking Touchscreen and all the features of the Simon XT make the Simon XTi an even easier and more convenient control system.

10 Home Improvements to Boost Home Security

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Home improvement projects can improve your home security and protect against intruders and other dangers. Home improvements range from simple maintenance of old rooms to completely refurbishing them. Here are ten easy ways to make your home not only more beautiful and up-to-date, but a safer place to live.

  1. Replace old, rusted locks. About 34 percent of burglars enter through the front door and 30 percent do it through unlocked doors. The more wear a lock has, the easier it is for burglars to break in, even if you remembered to lock up before you leave. Installing new locks will also ensure that you are the only one with keys to your home. For more up-to-date technology, you can try using electronic locks that take passcodes, or alarm monitoring allows you to lock and unlock your door whenever you want.
  2. Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Having these helpful devices around the home can save your life in an emergency. Most people won’t wake up during a fire, and carbon monoxide is almost undetectable by humans. You can also look into installing heat sensors and flood sensors for extra protection.
  3. Add lighting around your home. Burglars never want to be seen, so installing lights around your home will stop them from approaching. You will also feel safer walking back home at night or driving up to a well-lit area. Light timers can also come in handy. Possible places to implement more lighting are along the sidewalks and driveway, on your porch and around potential points of entry, such as doors and windows.
  4. Use a home security system. Today’s home security systems are sleeker, more convenient and more affordable. Wireless systems allow you to place discreet sensors wherever you want, and many system interfaces use touchscreens and extra features such as temperature, weather reports and home automation. Having a security system makes your home easier to control, as well as three times less likely to experience a robbery.
  5. Upgrade your doors. If any of them look run-down or damaged, replace them with new ones of metal or solid core. Burglars most often enter through doors and windows, and if they are old and worn, breaking in is quicker and easier for them. Invest in deadbolts for each door to add another level of security.
  6. Install a mail slot. With a mail slot, you can ensure that no one is taking your private mail when you are not around. People can access your checks and your personal information from your mailbox if it is right outside your house. Also, a large pile of uncollected mail is a good indicator of an empty home.
  7. Clean up with some yard work. A homeowner’s lawn plays a very important role in whether or not a burglar targets the house. Having a well-kept lawn will deter criminals as well as raise property value. Trim down trees and overgrown hedges to remove hiding places for burglars. Store away tools and toys scattered around the yard so potential burglars won’t be tempted to approach your house. You can even have trees completely removed if you think a burglar could climb to the second story, or if they could fall over in a severe storm.
  8. Drill a peephole in your door. This way you can check who is at the door without having to open it. Not only is it more safe, peepholes will allow you to avoid answering door-to-door sales people, solicitors and other potentially dangerous or threatening visitors. Drilling and installing a peephole can take less than 15 minutes to finish.
  9. Check your windows. Twenty-three percent of burglars enter a home through a first story window, and nine percent through a second story window. Use blocking devices for windows and sliding doors so burglars can’t get in. Putting in security bars for your windows can also be effective, and you can look into decorative patterns to match your home.
  10. Buy a safe for your valuables. Burglars know the hiding places people use for their valuables, including the freezer, the bedroom closet, drawers, under the mattress and many more. A safe provides extra guarded protection for the things you want to keep secured, and makes it harder for a burglar to find what he or she is looking for. Make sure the safe is too heavy to be moved, and conceal it in a discreet hiding place.

Home improvements can be a great opportunity to add new home features and increase your personal protection. With these handy tips, you can improve your home along with your sense of security!

Carbon Monoxide Monitoring

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Carbon monoxide is one of the most dangerous threats your home could hold. This is because it is colorless, odorless, deadly and almost undetectable. In addition, carbon monoxide starts from within your home, through incomplete burning of fuels such as coal, wood, kerosene and more. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 170 people in the United States die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year. Because anyone could be exposed to carbon monoxide, and no one can easily detect its presence, having carbon monoxide monitoring is crucial to your safety at home.

Carbon monoxide can come from any fuel-burning appliance if it happens to malfunction. These potential threats include furnaces, ranges, water heaters, room heaters, portable generators and fireplaces. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Look out for these signs. If exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide for a prolonged time, it could result in mental confusion, vomiting, loss of coordination or consciousness, or even death.

The severity of carbon monoxide poisoning relies heavily on the duration of exposure. That’s why having a carbon monoxide alarm is so important to your and your family’s health. The earlier you can detect the gas, the sooner you can get to a safe location. It is vital that you move to a place with fresh air immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as receiving proper attention for your health and your home.

An alarm will let you know when there is carbon monoxide in the area, but the experience can still be harmful if you do not get the proper help. A monitored carbon monoxide alarm connects to your home security system and monitoring service. When the gas is detected by your alarm, not only does your alarm go off, but the proper authorities are also notified. This can be especially helpful if you do not hear the alarm or are away from home while the alarm is sounding.

With carbon monoxide monitoring, your monitoring company’s central station will call you to verify the alarm, make sure you are notified and follow the proper procedure, check to see if you have been affected and alert emergency responders such as medical aid and the fire department. The fire department can then come to assess your home and safety, and let you know when you are allowed back into the home. You will also receive proper medical treatment right away to minimize damage from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Managing a carbon monoxide emergency is not feasible alone—you need the help of professionals to eliminate the threat and assess your health risks. Carbon monoxide monitoring saves time, energy and lives with fast responses and dependable help.

SafeMart Stories: Dave

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As part of our 10th Anniversary this summer, we are excited to take a look at some of the amazing employees who have made SafeMart what it is today. Check back for even more stories about the great employees who have helped us accomplish 10 years of delighting customers.

“SafeMart has really made it a goal, a primary goal, to take care of what’s best for the customer, find out what makes it easier for them to provide protection for their families. And I think that’s unique.” – Dave 

Dave has been with SafeMart from the very beginning. He joined our family in the summer of 2003 and over the last nine years, he has seen firsthand the transformation that this revolutionary company has undergone.

When he first started at SafeMart, Dave did a little bit of everything as he helped us hit the ground running.

“I did a lot of things. I packed boxes, I did some data entry, then I moved into sales and support,” Dave said. “So I basically have done pretty much anything you can do in the company from the very beginning.”

That experience on the ground floor has shaped Dave’s view of the company as he has moved up through the ranks. Today, he serves as our Director of Operations, a job he describes as doing “basically anything that’s fun and exciting.”

In this role, Dave has seen the massive changes at SafeMart as we have moved forward. He said that when he first began, much of the focus of the company was on making things work, compared to today’s focus on improving processes and make things easier for the customer every day.

“The biggest change I think is just an acceleration of improving our processes,” he said. “In the beginning it was a smaller company. We grew organically; we were kind of taking it as it went. And in these last few years we’ve just seen things accelerate and just how we handle things in general, always looking at ways of improving, and it didn’t always use to be like that, and that’s really exciting because it helps us do more with less.”

For Dave, this has truly made the difference. As he’s watched SafeMart grow nationwide, he doesn’t think twice about where the credit lies: it has always been about a desire to delight the customer.

Dave said the home security industry may have a negative reputation in the minds of customers across the nation. He wants to continue to win those customers over every day through terrific service and protection.

“We do start with the customer in mind,” he said. “There are a lot of unsavory types in the business. This company was founded with the intention of helping people. So I think really, a lot of companies are in the business again to cut a profit, and SafeMart has really made it a goal, a primary goal, to take care of what’s best for the customer, find out what makes it easier for them to provide protection for their families. And I think that’s unique.”

And while SafeMart employees work tirelessly to protect families, Dave said the employees themselves are also a family.

“It’s a great group of people. I’ve grown up and matured with a lot of the people that are here,” he said. “I really have a lot of respect and affection for everyone who works here, it really is kind of a family away from home. It’s the first job I’ve had where I don’t mind getting up and going to work. It’s not something I dread, in fact I look forward to it. I recently had an injury that kept me away from work, and I was not happy. I was not happy at all being away from SafeMart.”

Looking back on SafeMart’s first 10 years, Dave said he has seen a great deal of change and he expects that to continue because it is so central to SafeMart’s mission. When Dave sees a new product come in and quickly go out to customers who need it, he says that gives him a sense of pride and enthusiasm.

“We are on the edge now of technology and innovation,” he said. “A lot of the products we are leading with came out weeks before. That’s not something we really did before. So it’s really exciting getting new technology, implementing it quickly, and getting it out to the customer so that they can experience the same excitement that we have.”

About SafeMart
SafeMart® has redefined home security. Delivering revolutionary protection and peace of mind, SafeMart delights customers across the country. The company leads the industry with its interactive Plug & Protect™ wireless alarm system that empowers customers with cutting edge protection and control. SafeMart provides unbeatable value and exceptional service with its award-winning LiveWatch alarm monitoring service. The company (a division of LiveWatch Security, LLC) is the most recommended security company in America. Recently, it was named the #1 Wireless Security Company in America, #1 Alarm Monitoring Company in America and won a national award for e-Commerce Customer Service.

SafeMart Expands Wireless Home Security Capabilities With Verizon Wireless

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CHICAGO, IL, May 15, 2012 — SafeMart is excited to announce its expanding service with the addition of Verizon Wireless as a network service provider for SafeMart’s award-winning wireless home security systems. This will provide LiveWatch monitoring customers with an even faster and more effective means of managing their interactive home security systems.

“We have added the Verizon Wireless network to deliver the best possible experience to our customers,” says Chris Johnson, President of SafeMart. “Using multiple vendors and networks gives our customers more flexibility in choosing the wireless network that delivers the best coverage. Our top priority is our customers’ satisfaction and every decision we make, we make with our customers in mind.”

Verizon Wireless’ broad and reliable network will increase accessibility for SafeMart’s wireless customers. SafeMart already covers the entire US, but Verizon is known for coverage in certain areas that other providers don’t service. LiveWatch monitoring customers will be able to monitor their homes from any location using this wireless network.

The improved wireless network is only one of many measures SafeMart is taking to provide the best home security to its customers. SafeMart also offers fully customized and professionally configured home security systems with its revolutionary Plug & Protect™ delivery model.

SafeMart’s use of the latest cellular technology ensures the most convenient and dependable methods of home security and automation for homeowners. With Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE and 3G networks, SafeMart is able to offer its customers the best wireless options possible for their home security systems. The combination of SafeMart’s wireless services and customized equipment and Verizon Wireless’ nationwide coverage will make home security even easier.

About SafeMart

SafeMart has redefined home security. Delivering revolutionary protection and peace of mind, SafeMart delights customers across the country. SafeMart leads the industry with its interactive Plug & Protect™ wireless alarm system that empowers customers with cutting edge protection and control. SafeMart provides unbeatable value and exceptional service with its award-winning LiveWatch alarm monitoring service. SafeMart (a division of LiveWatch Security, LLC) is the most recommended security company in America. Recently, SafeMart was named the #1 Wireless Security Company in America, #1 Alarm Monitoring Company in America and won a national award winner for e-Commerce Customer Service.

Security Speaking Podcast: SafeMart Home Security President Chris Johnson

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Editor-in-Chief of Security Sales & Integration Scott Goldfine talks with President and Founder Chris Johnson about SafeMart and the home security industry as a whole.

SG: Welcome to security sales and integration, security speaking podcast. I’m Scott Goldfine (“SG”), Editor and Chief of SSI. I thank you for listening as each week we discuss the trends, issues, opportunities, challenges, technologies and more, affecting today’s electronic, security industry professional. My guest today is Chris Johnson (“CJ”), President and founder of St. Mary’s, Kansas based SafeMart Home Security. SafeMart markets its Plug & Protect™ wireless alarm system and LiveWatch alarm monitoring service to both residential and commercial customers. Having made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies, consecutively from 2009 to 2011, the company focuses on providing professional grade security at lower costs. With customer-installed solutions spanning security and surveillance. Chris, thank you so much for joining me today.

CJ: No problem, thanks for having me Scott.

SG: Now Chris, if I come to you as a home owner looking for a system, why should I go with SafeMart as opposed to a large national provider like ADT, or a similar local or regional company offering complete installation services?

CJ: Well I think the answer to that may be two different parts. Let me just start by saying, at SafeMart when we deliver our LiveWatch security services and then the alarm equipment that enables those services, we are focused on making sure that our customers are well covered, as opposed to say, “minimal coverage,” just to get a contract. On the other side of the coin, we try not to sell anything that the customer doesn’t need. It’s kind of a unique sales approach in an industry that is known to operate kind of on both extremes. There are some local and regional companies that do a fantastic job. A lot of companies that I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with over the past few years where I think that we actually appreciate good competition. Those companies that truly have a long term view, and are focused on taking care of the customer. There is enough space in this market for a lot of different approaches.

SG: What are the roots and genesis of the business, how did it get started? Is it accurate to call SafeMart a do-it-yourself model? Where do you fit in the scheme of things, and how did it get started?

CJ: Let me start with the background and then address the question about do-it-yourself if that’s ok. My background is kind of a maze of really neat experiences, which in retrospect kind of looks like a straight line leading to SafeMart. At seventeen years old I started my training to become an EMT, and challenged the state board exams a few days after my eighteenth birthday. EMS was a pretty cool gig for an eighteen year old, you grew up fast. While I continued working for a local EMS service I quickly went on to start my paramedic training and college coursework. At 22 I was made director of our local county EMS department, which was a hospital based department. I continued working EMS and at the same time I functioned as the Operations Director for that hospital. All of this to say that I have extensive background in emergency services, working with law enforcement, fire, EMS agencies, emergency dispatchers. I loved the excitement and the opportunity to help people, but it’s also really been a great life experience with some things I’ve done with SafeMart. Over the next several years I continued as a paramedic, but also had an opportunity, an interesting opportunity, to play some key roles with a telecom training company, working on some new e-learning initiatives that they had. I worked both on the publishing side and on the sales side of the business. So again, some unique experiences that helped and all came together. I had no idea where Providence was taking me on this wild path, but we woke up one morning to the “.com bust,” and at that point I guess my entrepreneurial side kicked in. I saw an opportunity maybe to do my own thing so to speak, and a short while later I took a phone call from a past colleague at the telecom company who knew that I wasn’t going to be interested in waiting for the dust to settle after this technology bust. It was 2001, and there were some people who saw an opportunity to fill a void in the residential alarm market. What started with them, with kind of a manufacturing focus and they even had a prototype of a self-contained wireless alarm system, that quickly proved to be an uphill battle with some pretty well established alarm controls and sensor manufacturers in that space. Even with a niche focus, for somebody to enter this space as a manufacturer, unless they’ve already got a customer kind of established and in the wings, it’s pretty hard to establish any upside for the company or any measurable benefit for the homeowner. So after a complete assessment of the landscape, nothing too technical of course, mostly a gut feeling and just observations, I came up with the concept and founded SafeMart. Today, we’ve grown into a pretty substantial force, participating in what I consider a true paradigm shift in the residential security market. So that’s kind of the background of the company, long story long.

There’s the question of the DIY market that you asked about, originally that’s kind of the way that we started, was a real strong DIY or do-it-yourself focus. You think about the acronym DIY and it has different connotations for different people. We really started developing at that point something that we wanted to play in the middle. So on one end of the spectrum in the industry, you’ve got large trade dealers from ADT to a one-man-shop. On the other hand, you do have the true DIY players who expect the customer to figure out the ins and outs of the alarm and kind of become an alarm technician overnight, for a one time deal, which is not real exciting. Both ends have challenges, one has high costs and the other has frankly low value. We operate in what I consider middle ground, of what we call professionally configured systems. While we still rely on the customer to participate in the placement of the sensors and things like that, which by the way makes them ultimately more familiar with their system, and more comfortable to use it.

With our Plug & Protect™ process we give the customer the best of both worlds. Professional quality equipment, UL listed central station monitoring, professionally configured programming set up and activation, plus lower costs on our end, which are passed on to the customer. That’s kind of the long and short of where we see ourselves in this market.

SG: I know Chris you and I have talked about that a lot of players that have sort of come and gone in that space, how has that been flushing itself out and where do you see that going?

CJ: It’s one of those things where people look, and I’ve had conversations with a lot of dealers around the country, who are trying to figure out what direction they’re going to go, some big, some small, some really do a fantastic job, some not so much. We’ve seen a lot of competitors come and go, on the internet specifically. I used to keep track of them, I don’t even bother anymore. I think the number is in the hundreds, and even thousands if you count all of the ADT or money dealers that end up advertising, which is a different story. The ability to flip the contract makes the economics quiet interesting with the advertising. The idea of the internet, it’s a great place and easy place to get cheap leads, I can tell you that the advertising competition is fierce in this space. Again, much of it is driven by the dealer market, big and small. When they can flip a contract for a healthy multiple, even with a handsome bounty on that contract, the math in the end sometimes doesn’t end up working out, because the total costs aren’t always rolled in. We’re a lot of times good at certain things, but not always good at everything so really looking at true costs I think sometimes takes months or maybe a year. It ends up being kind of a flash in a pan for a lot of companies advertising online. I would say that it’s growing, but I haven’t seen any evidence that it’s growing faster than the overall market, which is on the uptrend. Now certainly there are inherent moves to that medium, whether it’s social networking or just people researching more online, and I think that there are a lot of traditional dealers who have a great presence online with their local website telling their story and why they’re a great company. I don’t think the presence in that medium should be confused with trying to compete in the pretty cutthroat space of advertising online.

SG: How is SafeMart structured in terms of number of employees, their roles, how you train them, their expertise, and then how and who does your monitoring and how is service handled?

CJ: My business partner Brad and I run the business together with a really fantastic management team. We have about fifty employees and then other contractors. We have what you would expect from a security company, a good portion of our head count is in sales and technicians, then as a technology company, we have our web and application developers, we’ve got our marketing team, and then a great bunch of critical support roles like accounting and inventory management. There’s a lot going on but we have on the sales side a very extensive training program that lasts about six weeks. For the technicians, we insist that our tech’s are top notch, from the most experienced on our team all the way down to say the newest recruit learning what a RJ31 X-Jack is, or what a end of line resistor is and we’ve got a whole spectrum of experience on our team. Our technicians have a long, more progressive, never ending training process. This team is driven to know every residential panel, inside and out. We get a lot of support from manufacturing training and industry training, but most of it we have developed internally within the past ten years. We’ve got a very strong focus on training both on sales and technical side. We partner with CMS, to handle our alarm monitoring, they’re a good partner where all of our accounts are with CMS. On the service side, we service all of our own customers remotely.

SG: Do you think that this model is something that traditional security dealers might look toward as things change? Particularly the way technology has been enabling some of these things, where do you see that heading for the more tradition type of dealer?

CJ: There will always be a place for the traditional brick and mortar roll in a truck dealer. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. There are some significant challenges ahead, which are going to require them to adapt, mainly to customer expectations changing. There’s a lot of great companies who operate in this space. If they remain focused on long term success, driven by the best technology, and that doesn’t just mean a key pad. Software plays a big role in the solution now. The best technology and taking care of the customer, and actually making a profitable business which would seem obvious, but again, when you have a lot of it driven by dealers who can flip contracts, it really changes the dynamics of it. If they’ve got a solid business and they can focus on those elements I think it will serve them well. We’ve got a very large number of dealers in a very fragmented market. When they are just focused on selling a contract or treating their customer base as an annuity, I really think the days of easy money from flipping contracts without a long term focus is going to change. This shift is more of a financial shift as it is a shift in the delivery mechanism that we’re focused on. The local and regional companies that have a solid business, and take care of their customers are going to survive and actually flourish as there’s some cleansing in the market. But there’s going to be a lot of headwinds and I think that on the residential side that there’s going to be some things really being thrown into the mix including new competitors that a lot of the effects of that ultimately are unclear. On the commercial side, I think there will always be a growing need for full on site surveys and installation. Since the downturn of the housing market, there have been a lot of security companies who have by necessity redoubled their efforts to focus on commercial accounts and some of them actually like it. They see, “Hey I can actually make a profit on the installation, imagine that.” I’ve talked to a lot of dealers who have moved into commercial space, again out of necessity, who intend on staying there because the value proposition is much different. They can sell the quality of their company and their technicians, as opposed to just being focused on price. I think as the U.S. economy improves these commercial opportunities are only going to grow. There will always be a need for traditional dealers in this space, and look, the good work that they do on site in a lot of cases cannot be replaced. That’s my take on the residential and commercial side, and again the shift that’s happening I don’t think is as much with a delivery mechanism as much as it is a financial focus.

SG: Looking at the competitive landscape, more recently we’ve seen a lot of the telecom’s, and cable companies coming in and taking a real shot at home security and bundling those things with other products and services. How concerned are you about that and where do you see that going?

CJ: That’s a good question. It’s a question that a lot of people are asking right now. I think the thing that we keep focusing on is the total market penetration. Market penetration on the residential side has been pretty flat for about two decades, about 18, 19, 20 percent. With new competitors coming into the space does that number grow? Some think it will double over the next ten years. If this happens, on the surface it could look like that it will amount to a net gain for existing dealers, as more marketing and focus and awareness expands the total market for everyone. That would hold true if everything else stayed the same. That is absolutely clear that it would be a boom to everyone in this industry, if nothing else changed. But, there’s also chance they will take a scorched earth approach and acquire customers at any cost. As they compete and vie for a position amongst each other, I mean look they’ve got huge advertising budgets and millions of existing customers. In this scenario, the outlook would not be as bright for traditional dealers and frankly would not be as bright for the customers, but the ability of these service providers to bundle will make it hard for customers to know how much that security piece or how much that automation piece actually costs. I realize that it’s easier said than done, but that’s another reason that we cannot compete on price because a traditional dealer is not going to compete on price with a telecom provider; with the marketing budget, with the economy scale, and with the ability to bundle. I know the emphasis in this industry for a long time has been on price or at least hook them on price or get the contract at any cost. That is the financial element that I’m saying is going to change, and we’ve got to focus on quality and taking care of the customer and long term outlook. I think that there’s some challenges too that they’re going to face. It’s not going to be just as easy as walking in and taking market share.

SG: Looking at this year Chris, what is your outlook? Has your outlook changed since maybe late last year when you first looked towards 2012? What have you seen in the first quarter, and what are you looking for in the rest of the year?

CJ: 2012 just goes back to the question about the telecom players coming in, and I want to make one more point there. I think 2012 is going to be the beginning of a new era in residential security for a lot of reasons. New entrance into the market and a rapidly changing platform, hardware and software. It’s going to get really interesting. There is a key element which I consider kind of a wild card as far as what’s going to happen in the competitive landscape, and that is the inherent complexity of this business. The needs analysis, the system configuration, the programming, the monitoring procedures, the dispatch procedures, the licensing, the alarm permits, it’s a lot of complicated elements of this business that create a pretty high barrier to entry for any company. The big players are not just going to walk in and take all the market share. If it were that easy I think they would have done it by now, but make no mistake they’re coming and in some markets are already here. For 2012, in addition to the changing competitive landscape, the manufacturers are scrambling to develop new platforms. The alarm panel as we know it, I think is going away. As we know it, the brains, the platform, what we’re seeing now with the integrated touch screens that are being slapped on to the old style platform I think is just going to be a stop gap. While they are probably developing more flexible, modern platforms, and don’t get me wrong I like the new emphasis on the touch screen, the consistent user interface, more intuitive navigation, I think the manufacturers finally realized it was probably not a great idea to have alarm engineers designing a user interface. I’m really excited about what we’re seeing from Logics, Honeywell, and others, as they really focus on mobile and user interface and a truly integrated platform. There’s also a lot of developments on the software side with interactive services and customer’s expectations for mobile connectivity and all of these things are coming together at once. It’s going to be interesting. On the economic outlook, I think the past three or four years have been really challenging for a lot of companies. I think demand as a whole is increasing, from what I’m hearing and seeing, and we’ll be relatively strong this year. I think the market will be somewhat clouded by all the disruption that’s starting but again, those companies who focus on their core competencies will do fine with a stronger consumer. For us specifically, we look for an ever increasing number of subscribers who want interactive services as I mentioned, and I think that will hold true for all of our colleagues. As we try to get this value proposition in home security from a need to a want, so a really big shift there with some stickier services. The bottom line for us is we are expecting our strongest year ever.

SG: Fantastic, Chris we’re out of time but thank you so much and I wish you continued success and a good rest of the year.

CJ: Thank you very much Scott, it was a pleasure talking to you.

SG: I want to remind listeners, for comments or questions please e-mail me at scott.goldfine@securitysales.com and as always thank you for listening.

SafeMart Named National Growth Hero by Interlogix Global Security

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CHICAGO (April 30, 2012): Interlogix Global Security (NYSE: UTX) honored home security leader SafeMart with the National Growth Hero Award for being the fastest growing home security company in America in 2011.  The annual award recognizes a home security and alarm monitoring provider for the fastest growth during the previous calendar year.

SafeMart won the National Growth Hero Award by focusing on delighting customers.  “Customer service is a category that is extremely important to us because our growth is directly tied to our customers’ experience.  We follow up every activation with a ‘Customer Delight Call’.  We are with you from start to finish.  We don’t purchase contracts from dealers and we don’t sell our contracts to fund growth.  We grow the old fashioned way; we deliver a superior experience to our customers.” says SafeMart CEO Chris Johnson.

SafeMart is unique because of its focus on customer service and because it provides its award-winning, LiveWatch home security solutions in a revolutionary way.  By delivering, professionally-configured, wireless security systems that are ready for placement, SafeMart has eliminated the need for expensive installers, long contracts and high monthly fees while giving the customer a more convenient, superior solution.  The delivery model allows SafeMart to reinvest money into customer service which has led to explosive growth over the last 18 months.

“Our teams take pride in delivering fantastic ‘Customer Delight’ that is much more than satisfaction.  We want to provide the best customer experience in the country for every single customer.  This Award is a reflection of our efforts to deliver superior value and service to our customers.” says Johnson.

While the recognition is welcome, Johnson acknowledges that in a service industry, they can never be complacent and they will continue to outpace the rest of the industry by pushing the company to provide the best home security and alarm monitoring customer service in America.

About SafeMart
SafeMart® has redefined home security. Delivering revolutionary protection and peace of mind, SafeMart delights customers across the country.  SafeMart leads the industry with its interactive Plug & Protect™ wireless alarm system that empowers customers with cutting edge protection and control.  SafeMart provides unbeatable value and exceptional service with its award-winning LiveWatch alarm monitoring service.  SafeMart (a division of LiveWatch Security, LLC) is the most recommended security company in America.  Recently, SafeMart was named the #1 Wireless Security Company in America, #1 Alarm Monitoring Company in America and won a national award winner for e-Commerce Customer Service.

Press Contact:
Sam McBride
785-321-3154
sam@safemart.com

SafeMart Steps To Safety: Apartment and Condo Living

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The city life offers its residents a constant pulse of creativity, energy and excitement. But, with that bustle and exhilaration comes a high number of people living in close proximity, often in a multi-unit building. According to a National Crime Prevention Council study, apartment residents are 85 percent more likely to be burglarized than those living in other types of housing and condo owners are nearly 25% more likely.

Here are some security tips to offer your urban clients who are looking to purchase in a multi-unit building.

Secure all points of entry and items you own and store outside:

  • Lock all the windows. Often being on a high floor lures people into a false sense of security. Intruders can access higher-level apartments because of fire escapes, ladders, and possibly even from another balcony.
  • Always dead bolt the front door. Many apartment dwellers feel that because their front door opens to an interior hallway they don’t need to deadbolt or lock their doors. This provides easy access to criminals who can easily break in via a door lock.
  • Check the door’s quality to make sure it can’t be kicked down. A sturdy door should be solid wood or metal.
  • Put locks on outdoor furniture, grills, bikes and other items that maybe accessible to thieves on decks and patios.

Give the impression of habitation when you leave:

  • Keep the television or radio on when you leave, to make it sound like someone is home.
  • Keep the shades down and use light timers when you are out for the evening or out of town
  • If you are leaving for an extended period of time, ask someone you know to pick up your mail for you or put a hold on its delivery
  • If you live alone, consider adding an additional name aside from yours on your mailbox to give the appearance that more people reside in the unit.

Stay informed and aware:

  • Look up crime rates and the location of any sex offenders around your apartment to keep yourself informed.
  • Meet your neighbors and join a condo association board, if available. Your neighbors will be able to help recognize signs of suspicious behavior.
  • Keep track of everyone that could have a key to your unit. As a rule, you should always change the locks when you move in.

The tips above will help lower the likelihood of your apartment or condo falling victim to criminal activity, but nothing helps more than having a security system in your apartment or condo.

Our partner, SafeMart, has reinvented the way home security is delivered so that renters and owners can add a home security system without having to sign long contracts, wait for installers or pay for expensive support visits.  SafeMart.com lets you customize a system that fits your apartment or condo and gives you 24/7 control from your mobile phone or computer.  It’s the perfect solution for apartment renters or condo owners.

This was a guest post from Sam McBride who writes the home security blog for SafeMart.com

Steps To Safety: Suburban Living

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The quiet suburban life: a close community, wide spaces, and familiar neighbors. More space and privacy can sometimes invite more attention from intruders so home security must be considered. Taking the necessary security precautions and home maintenance steps will help keep your suburban life feeling secure and ensure your family is safe from harm.

Below are some ideas to give to clients once a home is purchased in the suburbs, or if you have purchased your own home.

Safeguard Your Home

  • When you buy your home, replace the locks to ensure you are the only one with a copy of your house key.
  • Identify points of entry for intruders, such as unsecure windows and doors, and replace or fix them.
  • Inspect the lighting around your home. If there is not enough, install more lights, especially around possible points of entry.
  • Trim your lawn and landscaping around your house to eliminate hiding places for intruders.

Consider a Home Security System

  • Deploy home automation features that allow you to lock and unlock doors from anywhere so you don’t have to leave a key under the mat.
  • Installed cameras will record your property and catch intruders in the act or while they are scouting your home.
  • Motion sensors around doors and windows will catch intruders who are trying to enter your home.
  • A home security system can also be set to automatically lock doors and turn lights off or on.

Practice Safe Habits

  • Always lock the door after yourself coming in and out of the house and make sure back, side and any other doors on the outside of the home are locked as well.
  • Close and secure all windows and doors before going to bed–especially if they are on the ground level.
  • Set light timers to give an appearance of habitation on both the inside and the outside of the home–especially when you are away for an extended period.
  • Always shut the curtains at night, so intruders cannot see into your home.
  • Don’t leave possessions such as cars, bikes and toys in the front yard overnight.

Establish a Positive Rapport with Neighbors

  • Learn more about your neighborhood safety groups like Neighborhood Watch.
  • If there is no Neighborhood Watch group available, start one by talking to your friends and others around your neighborhood.
  • Let your neighbor know how to recognize suspicious activity around your home.
  • Leave an extra key with a neighbor rather than hiding it somewhere around your house.
  • Communicate with neighbors when contractors are coming to your home.

 

This post was posted on the homefinder.com blog as guest post from Sam McBride who writes the home security blog for SafeMart.com

Home Security System Alerts Sent To Your Phone with LiveWatch Alarm Monitoring

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In this alarm monitoring video, SafeMart showcases LiveWatch alarm monitoring and its ability to arm and disarm a home security system remotely from an iPhone, Android, iPad or computer.

SafeMart Launches Neighborhood Safety Contest

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During the month of March, SafeMart is giving away 6 months of free monitoring for SafeMart customers or a $50 gift card for participants who are not SafeMart customers.  The winning neighborhood also gets, a 30 minute virtual consultation with a SafeMart Security Consultant!

SafeMart’s Neighborhood Steps To Safety™ include but are not limited to the list below

How do you keep your family and the families around you safe?

SafeMart’s Neighborhood Steps To Safety™:

  • install a home security system that monitors:
    • intrusion
    • fire
    • carbon monoxide
    • flood
    • freeze
  • communicate with neighbors when:
    • vacationing
    • contractors are working on your home
    • visitors will be staying at your home
  • hold your mail and newspapers while on vacation
  • develop exit plans for emergency situations in the home
  • trim bushes in front of the home
  • make sure the city keeps your street well lit
  • add motion sensitive lights to the exterior of your home
  • form a formal neighborhood watch group
  • introduce your neighbors to all of the people living in your home
  • tell neighbors where your family sleeps in your home so they can communicate to fire fighters
  • use door locks with codes rather than leaving keys out
  • [what do you do that’s not on the list?!]


Terms and Conditions:
Email, video, images and audio files are all acceptable forms to nominate a neighborhood.  Submissions must be emailed to Sam@SafeMart.com by Saturday, March 31, 2012 at midnight to qualify.  SafeMart will review all submissions and post submissions on our blog at SafeMartBlog.com.  SafeMart will review the submissions and select the winning neighborhood.  The selection is the sole discretion of SafeMart.

The winning neighborhood will receive a 30 minute consultation from one of SafeMart’s Security Consultants conducted using Google Hangout.  Additionally, the individual who nominates their neighborhood will receive 6 months of free monitoring if they are a SafeMart customer or a $50 gift card to iTunes or Google Play if they are not SafeMart customers.  Only valid where legal.  This promotion is for entertainment purposes only.  This offer may be terminated at any time without notice.

Entries and the information given to LiveWatch Security, LLC (d/b/a SafeMart) during the submission process is the sole property of LiveWatch Security, LLC and can be used for any purpose including but not limited to blog posts, emails, testimonials on the website, tweets, Facebook posts and content for Google+. LiveWatch Security, LLC reserves the sole right to use the content submitted freely and without authorization from the submitting party.

2012 Stevie Award Winners Announced: LiveWatch Security for Customer Service

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The Stevie Awards honored LiveWatch Security, LLC for the best customer service in America with the 2012 Stevie® Award for Best e-Commerce Customer Service. This worldwide competition recognizes companies across all industries and in a variety of different areas.

Of the more than 1,000 organizations that submitted entries, finalists were chosen based on an average score from 93 worldwide professionals. Past winners of Stevie Awards include E*Trade, AT&T and SalesForce.com.

“We are honored to be recognized for this latest award because customer service is a category that is extremely important to us. Our teams take pride in delivering fantastic ‘Customer Delight’ that goes way beyond satisfaction. Our goal is for SafeMart.com and LiveWatch Security to provide the best home security customer experience in the country for each and every customer,” says LiveWatchCEO Brad Morehead.

The e-Commerce Customer Service Award recognizes companies like LiveWatch for customer service, and also the use of online technology and social media in unique and innovative ways. “We pride ourselves on attention to detail with every phone call. This recognition for customer service is something our team is really excited about because we look at each phone call as an opportunity to impress a current or a future customer,” said Joe Thomas, Director of Customer Service and Support.

“Our goal is not to just ‘satisfy’ a customer, but to deliver such an amazing experience that they are delighted. Our customers can’t wait to tell their friends and family about the home security experience that they received from LiveWatch,” says Morehead.

While the recognition is welcome, both Morehead and Thomas acknowledge that in a service industry, they can never be complacent and they will continue to push the company to provide the best home security and alarm monitoring customer service in America.

About LiveWatch Security, LLC
LiveWatch Security® has revolutionized home security in America. LiveWatch Security protects and delights its customers with its award-winning LiveWatch Security, interactive smartphone controls and commitment to delighting every customer. Thousands and thousands of customers are switching to LiveWatch while saving up to 30-70% off of traditional, location-constrained competitors. LiveWatch Security from SafeMart® with Plug & Protect™ has forever improved the way you can secure your family, home and belongings. LiveWatch® Security is the most recommended security company in America. Recently, LiveWatch Security and (its e-Commerce division) SafeMart were named the #1 Wireless Security Company in America and won a national award winner for e-Commerce Customer Service.

Inc 5000 Interview With SafeMart CEO Chris Johnson

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Home Security’s fastest growing company has been added to the Inc 5000 for the 3rd straight year.  We sat down and talked to CEO Chris Johnson about what it took for SafeMart to make the list 3 years in a row and how he views the future.

 

SafeMart Reviews

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New Home Security Reviews for SafeMart 1/2/2012:

We LOVE getting great home security reviews from great SafeMart customers! Here are a few of the many great SafeMart home security reviews that we’ve received lately!

“Everything was great. Service and instructions were great and an old geezer like myself, had absolutely NO trouble at all! It’s great!” – Johann N.

“It’s been great so far!” – Philip M.

“The process was real smooth, I liked it a lot.” – David E.

“I have been very happy with the customer service.” Sam M.

“The system is great. I like it a lot. I have had no issues at all. It’s been simply great.” Ed R.

“It was really really easy to sign up. It was even better than we expected it to be.” Marianne L.

“The entire thing was about as painless as it could have been. I am genuinely impressed. The customer service is outstanding. I am very pleased with every aspect of the company.” – John M.

Home Security Reviews for SafeMart 3/9/2011:

Hey friends, it’s been a while since I’ve posted, but we’ll get back to regular postings now.  If you didn’t get a chance to check out our awesome new home page, please do.  There’s more to come, so don’t you worry.

Now, what is the purpose of this post?  Am I simply going to list a ton of SafeMart reviews?  No, probably just one.  The main point is to say that SafeMart delights thousands of customers every year and we have the testimonials to prove it.  Here is a review I received just yesterday:

Doing business recently with you company was a pleasure not only because of the excellent products and directions, but more importantly for truly outstanding customer support.  This is your company’s greatest asset and an element that puts you on a higher plane than your competition.  In fact, I would say that you could serve as a model to many companies that I have had to deal within other industries that have not come near to your service in this regard.

Please know that your employees involved in the following order and case have earned an EXCELLENT from this customer in courtesy, product knowledge and prompt responses.

-P.M., New Jersey

Awesome!  This guy is really delighted.  But he’s not the only one.  To read from other truly delighted customers, visit our SafeMart Reviews page.