Memorial Day

Memorial day was officially proclaimed in May of 1868 by General John Logan who was national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was to honor the memory of those who had died in the war. Flowers were placed on graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Since then it has become synonymous with a three day weekend, barbecues, swimming pools, lakes and friends. Many people say that much of the traditional observance of memorial day has diminished over the years.

In December 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed asking that at 3:00 p.m. all Americans take a moment of silence to "informally observe in their own way" those who lost their lives serving our nation.

It is 3:15 now, and the moment of silence should be over. Atronic Alarms proudly displays the American flag in front of the building and gives a "shout out" to all who have served and all who have fallen in the name of the United States of America.

Source: usmemorialday.org

Summer Safety for Kids

Most kids are excited to get out of school for the summer so they can sleep in, play video games, read books, play outdoors, invite friends over and duck the torment their parents give them about cleaning their room and doing chores.

It is important to remember that since children are home, safety dynamics have changed. More frequent running in and out of the house means you will probably arm and disarm your system differently. You may want to add different codes or users. If this is the case, please contact Atronic Alarms so we can let Alarm Central update their call and user list.

Most cell phones have the ability to turn on a GPS tracking system. This may come in handy during the summer months if your kids are old enough to drive. It is usually just an extra monthly charge from your mobile provider and can be used in case of an emergency.

If you work out of the home and your teens are in and out, you may want to think about investing in a economical video monitoring system that will allow you to keep track of them through mobile phone and computer video alerts. The system is perfect for those summer times where a little extra activity in the house doesn't have to mean any less safety.

Atronic wishes everyone a safe summer.

Safety Before and During a Tornado or other Severe Weather

After the recent events with our neighbors in Joplin, Missouri, and because spring storms in the Midwest can be severe, we thought it would be fitting to remind people on how to prepare for violent weather that may help increase chances of survival during a tornado.

On the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site a page is dedicated to Tornadoes and how to protect yourself and your family. Below are highlights:

• As with any safety preparation plan, sit down with your family and talk about what to do in case of severe weather or a tornado. Make sure you know the tornado warning system in your town or area and can distinguish between a "watch" siren versus a "warning" siren.
• Show kids a second way to exit from each room.
• Create an Emergency First Aid Kit, keep it current, and remind family members where it is located. A tool box or fishing tackle box is a great place to store the contents.
• Keep batteries, flashlights, and a battery operated radio in your shelter. Do not use matches or lighters after a tornado until you are sure there are no gas leaks.
• Teach your kids to stay away from windows and glass and to quickly grab a blanket or pillow to cover themselves.
• Safest place during a tornado is in the interior part of a basement unless you have a storm shelter. If there is no basement, go to an inside room without windows on the lowest floor: Hallways, bathroom or closet.
• If you are outdoors, avoid areas with many trees and vehicles. Lie down in a gully, ditch or lowest spot on the ground. Cover your head with your arms.
• After a major disaster, shut off the electricity and turn off your water. Try to stay off the phone except to report an emergency. Be careful when entering any structure that has been damaged.
• Teach your kids basic first aid, like applying pressure to a wound, covering with a blanket or jacket to prevent shock and etc.

Types of Cameras for Home or Business Surveillance

There are many camera types to consider for indoors and out for your home or business surveillance system. Below is an example of each:

Dome or Mini-Dome Cameras

Dome cameras are usually used when discreet applications are required. The actual lens is obscured from an onlooker's view and is more tamper resistant than other cameras.

Bullet Cameras

Bullet cameras are NOT named "Bullet" because they are bullet proof. They are named "Bullet" because of their size. They are small and can be adjusted easily. Some come with infrared lighting, and they can be used indoors and out.

Box Cameras

Box cameras are comprised of the camera body, lens and power supply. Each can be custom designed to meet your needs. They can either be an IP camera or analog.

Pan/Tilt/Zoom Cameras

Pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras are very versatile. They can move left and right, tilt up and down, rotate 360 degrees, and zoom in or out to get the perfect view of the scene. PTZs are operated by the end user with a joystick or on the computer with navigation keys.

For more information on camera systems, visit our web site.

Why Have a Home Automation System?

Extra Security

Have you gone to bed and left your garage doors open? A home management system can be programmed to automatically close your garage doors when left open and the system is “armed” and in the “night” mode.

Fire Safety

If you have a fire, The Omni U.L. Listed and CP-01 compliant home management system will shut your HVAC off. This helps prevent smoke and fire from being circulated in the building as well as oxygen that is pumping from the unit.

Lighting

Do you take a summer vacation or winter elsewhere? Automated lighting controls will give the home a “lived in” look while the home is unoccupied as the system randomly turns on and off lights from evening to evening. You will also never again have to come home to a “dark” house.

Remote Access

Have you ever left your home and wondered if you remembered to turn off lights, set the alarm, or close the garage doors? Rest assured that a home management system can help by giving you remote access through your mobile phone, iPad or your computer.

Smart Codes

If your children come home after school, a home management system can “text” you with a confirmation that your child has arrived safely. It will also give you the ability to track who is arming or disarming the system, as well as allow you to choose who can arm the system and when the user can arm it (i.e. the maid service) . . . all on a daily basis.

Energy Management

By controlling temperature and lighting based on time of day or occupancy, home management systems can reduce energy costs. Studies show that dimming a light by just 10% can save 10% on electricity and double the life of a bulb. You can also automate heating and cooling in your home for maximum efficiency and comfort.

To read more about HAI's Omni Home Automation systems, visit the Atronic Alarms website or contact us at 913.362.0000.

Source: Home Automation, Inc.

False Alarm Fees Increase in Kansas City, Missouri

The KCMO Police Department, starting May 1, 2011, will increase annual renewal fees from $40.00 to $49.00 per year depending upon the number of false alarms. This applies to both residential and business alarm users.

Residential users are allowed two free false alarms per year and are now charged $49.00 for each additional false alarm (up to $147.00). Businesses must pay $49.00 for each false alarm.

The ordinance defines false alarms as "an alarm signal eliciting a police response when a situation requiring immediate response does not in fact exist."

If a residential or business security owner has no false alarms in a year, there is no fee to renew. (Visit our web site for a comprehensive list of permits and fees.)

Atronic Alarms is driven in the prevention of false alarms. Systems are custom designed with the end user's lifestyle in mind and use quality equipment installed by highly trained professionals. Read more on false alarm reduction.

Commercial CCTV Systems for Your Business, Building or Office

Protect, Monitor and Provide Evidence

Video security surveillance systems help protect your property, your people and your assets from vandalism or other wrong-doing. It can also verify and provide evidence that an actual break-in is occurring. Whether it is a single camera you need or a complex, multiple integrated network, there is a camera solution that will fit your needs.

There are two main types of camera systems: Analog and Digital. Analog cameras convert signals into a format that can be received by a television, VCR or monitor and is the long-established standard in video surveillance.

Digital or Network Cameras, are rapidly becoming the mainstream as they digitize the video signal and provide people with images not only through their existing networks but through web browsers that can be accessed through the Internet.

Both camera systems have their place in video surveillance. Combining cameras surveillance with access control and other security features, like motion detectors, glass break detectors and panic buttons, can provide your building layers of security giving you maximum protection. Visit our web site for more information on CCTV for your business.