5 Tips for Reducing False Alarms

#1. Clean out your smoke detectors. Winter spiders, cobwebs and dust can falsely set off your smoke detectors. Put your panel on test and “blow” out the dust with a can of air.

#2. Make sure plants are not in range of any motion detectors when your vents kick on. Also, floating balloons, fans or electric heaters may activate your motion detectors.

#3. Make sure your family understands how to use the system and if needed, how to cancel false alarms. Contact us for additional training if needed.

#4. Secure all windows and doors BEFORE turning on the security system.

#5. Keep your panel in shape with a yearly tune-up. Each device will be tested and cleaned to keep your system in top shape, reduce the possibility of false alarms and help ensure it will work properly when called upon.

Access Control for Your Office or Building

Access control is a term that means restricting access to certain areas of a building. Most common are entry points into the building itself along with offices or rooms that you want only certain people with authority to enter.

Access control is usually the second layer of security following your intrusion and fire system.

Features of access control include:

• Cards or codes that can be added or removed at any time, thus eliminating the need to "re-key"
• Restrictions on certain areas of your building to allow only those with the proper card to enter
• Automatic opening and closing of doors at set times to assure security and increase efficiency
• The ability to control your building or office remotely and, when integrated into other security systems, can alert you over phone or email when areas have been entered

An access control system reduces the burden of business management by allowing you to secure areas of your office, like client file rooms and your IT room, and by eliminating user error (did they remember to lock the building?). It also assists in reducing shrinkage, remote management and provides an overall feeling of safety among employees.

Ten Tips for Vacation Safety

Spring break is either here or right around the corner. Before you pack up and head out, be aware of the following ways to keep you and your family safe while on vacation.

1. Don't post your vacation plans on facebook, twitter, your blog or any other social media outlet.

2. Make a copy of everything in your wallet and keep in a fire proof safe just in case your wallet gets stolen or lost.

3. Leave your itinerary with relatives or friends so someone knows where you are going.

4. Have someone pick up your mail, your newspapers and watch your house. A car parked in your driveway helps keep your home looking "active."

5. Don't travel with your expensive jewelry. Thieves may target you as someone who may have a wallet full of cash.

6. Automate your lights inside your home to turn on and off at set times.

7. Become informed of the crime in the area in which you are vacationing.

8. If you are staying in a hotel, be aware of all emergency exists and use the hotel safe.

9. If traveling with young children it is a good idea to have them wear an ID of some kind: bracelet, necklace, Velcro shoe tags, and teach them to scream and drop to the ground if a stranger tries to pick them up. Also, make sure you have a current photo I.D. of each child in your wallet.

10. Make sure your young teen has current phone numbers for all family members in their phones.

New Keyfob for Honeywell Systems Shows Status

The new Honeywell 4-button keyfob offers simple push-button arming and disarming that makes operation easy for family members of all ages. No codes to remember, sleek and compact (looks great on keyrings, backpacks and more) and LED confirmation that transmission has been sent makes turning your security system on and off the smart choice. The four buttons may be programmed with security, lights, garage doors and much more.

Most security systems have optional keyfobs available to order. Contact Atronic Alarms, Inc. today to find out what is available for your system at 913.362.0000 or visit the web site.

Atronic Alarms, Inc. Receives Finalist Position in SAMMY Categories

For the third consecutive year, nationally acclaimed judges representing different marketing and advertising venues chose Atronic Alarms as a finalist in two categories of the nationwide SAMMY awards.

The SAMMYs are hosted by Security Sales & Integration and honor the best in security companies' marketing, installing and business practices. Atronic is a finalist in two categories: Installer of the Year, which features the entire company, and the client's quarterly newsletter.

Winners will be announced in April at the ISC Conferences in Las Vegas.