Home Security Systems Blog

Although disasters such as home fire and earthquake get far more media attention, the fact is that flooding is far more common and does substantially more damage - with effects that can last for months, if not years. A security system with a flood sensor can’t stop a flood, but it can alert you when water enters you home. This can help you limit the damage to your home. The sooner you can move valuables to higher ground, and start pumping the water out the less damage you will receive.

People living in low-lying areas such as the Gulf Coast or along the Mississippi River bottoms have discovered this the hard way. However, such flooding is not confined to areas around rivers, lakes and seacoast. Virtually anyone in North America can be a flood victim - and it doesn’t take a great deal of water to cause a substantial amount of damage. According to National Flood Insurance Program, no more than 1 inch of water is all it takes to cause major property damage.  Flood waters only two feet deep can carry off an automobile.

Tragically, a great deal of flood danger is caused by irresponsible development by greedy corporations that want to throw up housing developments in the most unlikely places, simply to turn fast profits. Compounding the tragedy is the fact that these homes are usually cheaply built and easily damaged - and then, homeowners find they are not even covered when they attempt to file a claim.

When it comes to flood danger, forewarned is forearmed.  Just as your home has fire and intruder alert systems installed, so too should it have a flood alert system. Several reputable companies offer flood warning stations and systems for residential use that monitor factors such as precipitation, water levels for your area,  wind speed and direction, relative humidity, temperature and even moisture levels in the soil - all of which can significantly affect the amount of damage your home is liable to suffer.

Most of these systems can be customized for different geographical regions, networked to National Weather Service bureaus such as NOAA over the World Wide Web, and use the latest communication technologies to keep you and your family informed about flood dangers, allowing you to take preventive steps - or if necessary, evacuate ahead of the rush.

When looking into a home security system with flood sensors, be certain that such a system can be combined with resources from local and federal government agencies, allowing you to access up-tyo-the-minute data via satellite and other sources.

Investment in a home security system with flood sensors for your home is as important as having smoke and fire alarms and intruder protection, regardless of where you live in the U.S.

(See GE Concord Express Owners Manual for Full Features List)

Whether you are building your dream home or retrofitting an older home with a home security system, the Concord Express^TM by General Electric is one of the most affordable and user-friendly home security systems available when it comes to intruder alert as well as fire protection.

GE Concord Express^TM Features

Concord Express^TM integrates hardwired and wireless security devices across as many as 24 zones. Six of these zones are hardwired, and the simple installation allows the user to set up one of these as a double-wired smoke detector loop, capable of handling up to ten detectors. In addition, the Concord Express^TM features an integrated radio receiver that is capable of handling up to 16 wireless zone; this permits easy expansion of your system with GE’s proprietary LearnMode^TM sensors as well as the use of remote keychain touchpads. This LearnMode technology is used to encrypt all remote touchpad transmissions, protecting your alarm codes from would-be thieves who may be using nearby cell phones to eavesdrop.

Finally, two programmable built-in output devices can be set up to activate external devices such as lights should a system event occur.

If you need more than 24 zones of security, the GE SnapCard^TM allows you to expand your hardwire zones by as many as six, plus two double-wired smoke detection loops. These cards are easily connected to the system circuit board, and can be expanded even further with the SuperBus 2000 8Z input module, making for a total of 38 zones.

GE Concord Express^TM Remote & Multiuser Access

The Concord Express^TM allows for up to 16 user-programmable codes so that everyone in the household can have their own level of access privileges. On-site programming is fast and easily accomplished using standard alphanumeric touch keypads that can be used to access a menu-driven interface. Should you need to do remote programming, GE Security’s ToolBox® downloader software can be installed on any PC, enabling the user to enter code safely and securely over the World Wide Web - one of the most recent and most exciting developments in home security system technology.

GE Concord Express^TM Price is Affordable

With prices starting as low as $120, the Concord Express^TM by General Electric represents a small investment in peace of mind for you and your family, monitoring your home 24/7 for intruders, fire danger and even environmental damage.  Its powerful range of high-tech features give the Concord Express^TM the most “bang for the buck” of any other home security system in its class.

The Ademco 4110 Vantage Series Home Security System consists of a wall-mounted security control contained in a shoebox-sized, lockable metal cabinet that can readily be mounted against any wall. Powered by a microprocessor, the Ademco 4110 control can be accessed using a console that is equipped with a standard 12-key multifunction numeric keypad with LCD display. The Ademco 4110 security system allows for up to 6 wired zones in the home or place of business.

The Ademco 4110 control interface consists of a 21 terminal connector block, allowing for interface with peripherals that include a plug-in transformer, phone line, remote controls and external alarms. The central control is easily accessed and can be programmed from any remote control console. Because of the special memory storage function, the Ademco 4110 can be reprogrammed over and over again; however, this function also protects any current programming should there be a power failure.

The Ademco 4110 is fully compatible with, and communicates readily with any personal computer over standard phone lines; programming data can be uploaded and downloaded to such a modem-equipped PC as well (not currently compatible with the Macintosh OS).  Since only two commands are used - one for uploading and the other for downloading - communications between the Ademco 4110 and the PC are simple, and a complete security instruction set can be transferred in less than a minute.

Each of the six wired zones can be set up for any one of nine different functions, including Entry or Exit Burglary, Fire, 24 Hour Silent or Audible Alarms and Intruder.

There are some limitations to the Ademco 4110. Although programming will not be affected by a power outage, passive intrusion detectors and smoke detectors will not function in the absence of power unless some type of external backup is in place. Because some passive detectors operate with infrared light, they may also fail to provide warning if they have been blocked or tampered with. Alarms that are installed on floors other than those in which people are present may not be heard by those located on different levels. Honeywell, the manufacturer of the Ademco 4110, also advises consumers that telephone lines that are required for the transmission of alarm signals to a central monitor may be blocked if said lines are out of service or have been tampered with. Finally, any of the electronic components may be subject to failure, although Honeywell reports that such components are designed to last up to 20 years; regular system tests of the Ademco 4110 Home Security System are therefore strongly recommended.

View the Ademco 4110 Owners Manual for additional information.

The Simon XT Wireless Security System is a product of General Electric.  The Simon XT replaces the older Simon 3 home security system, which has now been discontinued, and features several significant upgrades over its predecessor.

The Simon XT Security System is a full-featured home security solution representing the latest in home security technology, yet is easily installed and is priced significantly less than similar home security systems costing hundreds of dollars more. Wireless alarm capability means that the user will not need to run unsightly wires to detectors and sensors in and around the home.

Simon XT Features

GE’s Simon XT Security System offers numerous improvements over the old Simon 3 system, which include the following:

• Support for 40 Wireless Zones
• Large backlit alpha-numeric LCD display with customizable text
• Simple menu-driven settings for timers, latchkey, and pass code options
• High-decibel siren
• Backup power supply
• User-friendly arm, disarm, and status buttons
• Emergency fast-action keys
• Microphone for emergency two-way communication
• Speaker for voice audio status messages, prompts and live communication
• Fully programmable and configurable “voice chimes”
• One-touch silence and sensor bypass buttons
• 100-event buffer with time and date stamp

(See Simon XT Manual for Full Features List)

All functions can be controlled by a small key-fob remote mechanism.

Simon XT Connectivity

One of the most advanced features of the Simon XT Security System is an integrated voice dialer that is capable of connecting to the user’s home telephone connection and calling in alerts to any telephone number in the world. This feature, which is usually an expensive option, is standard on the XT. These connectivity and communication features go far beyond standard telephone lines, however. The Simon XT Security System is one of the first such systems to have online Internet capability. This means that users can receive notifications not only by phone, but via e-mail. A sophisticated camera system also allows users to monitor events at home from any computer monitor connected to the World Wide Web. Of course, all control functions can be accessed online as well; this capability makes the Simon XT exceptionally useful for those who which to monitor conditions at any second homes or rental properties they may own.

Simon XT Complete Package

The Simon XT Security System comes with everything you need in order to be up and running within minutes. In addition to the control panel, the system comes with its own power supply, telephone jack and flat cord and a rechargeable 24-hour backup battery in case of power failure.

The Ademco Lynx is a wireless home security system manufactured in Mexico under license and authority of Honeywell, Inc., one of the largest security and defense companies in the United States.  This particular home security system is quite user-friendly and easily installed; the control panel incorporates the functions of a siren, dialer and speakerphone, all of which is accessed and controlled from the standard numeric keypad. Featuring state-of-the-art security technology, the Ademco Lynx wireless home security system features a new voice prompt programming method that guides the user through the installation process, step-by-step. This allows even those with little or no experience in such installations to easily put the unit into place and configure it for their own needs and circumstances.

Ademco Lynx Features

The Ademco Lynx wireless home security system offers powerful features for the most demanding home security needs. Some of the features supported include:

• 24 wireless zones of protection and one hardwired zone
• Full 16-button keypad with easy to read LCD display and status LEDs
• Lack of usage notification
• Four wireless keys that don’t require zones
• Real-time clock
• Wall or optional desk-top mounting
• 85db internal sounder with voice siren
• Internal speaker and microphone
• Eight user codes
• 84 event log
• Rechargeable battery backup
• Scheduling
• Voice siren
• Speaks zone descriptors during programming

(See Ademco Lynx Manual for Full Features List)

In addition, the Ademco Lynx wireless home security system supports as many as eight X-10 devices. X-10 is the international standard for wireless operation of a range of home appliances, and has been recognized as being among the most reliable such protocols for over thirty years. This advanced home security system also supports 5804WATCH, a remarkable device that permits operation of the wireless Ademco Lynx security system from a wristwatch - thus eliminating the need to carry a separate control device.

Parents especially will appreciate the Ademco Lynx’s sophisticated, yet user-friendly control features. In addition to an automated “Follow Me” alarm and voice reminders, this home security system provides full voice response, a family message center which members of the household can use in order to record and access voice messages, and the unique Ademco Paging feature, which provides spoken notifications whenever someone enters of leaves the building - making it much easier for parents to monitor their children’s whereabouts. However, the motion detector will ignore the movements of anything under 40 pounds - meaning that alarms and alerts will not be constantly activated by the movements of pets.

Ademco Lynx Price is Affordable

The Ademco Lynx Wireless Home Security System has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $549.