Tips from Security Pros

If you’re a homeowner, you may know that installing an alarm system is just the first step in securing your property. Without routine maintenance, your system can fail, exposing you and your family to theft.

Whether you have a technician come out or prefer to do the work yourself, here are some tips on how to keep it running smoothly for years to come.

Testing Your Alarm System

Test your system once a year to be sure Denalect still receives the alarm signal. “This is the most reliable way to make sure your alarm system can communicate with us,” explains Denalect’s owner and founder Rod Uffindell.

Prefer to test the alarm system yourself? A Saturday or Sunday afternoon usually works best. Just follow these easy step-by-step instructions:

• Call Denalect’s Central Station and tell them you are testing your system.
• Turn on the system while you’re in the house. Then you want to trigger the alarm. For example, open a window or door. Let it ring 15 seconds then turn it off by entering your code.
• Call the Central Station to make sure they received your alarm’s signal. Note: Your phone line may be disabled for a short time if the alarm is set up to use the phone lines to contact us.

If you have any questions or would like Denalect to walk you through the testing process, feel free to contact us at (925) 935-2680, weekdays between 9:30am to 4pm, and ask for the service department.

Or schedule a technician to come out and test the system for you. For a small additional monthly fee, Denalect offers a maintenance program, which covers the cost of all necessary tests, battery replacements, etc.

Replace Old Batteries

In alarm maintenance, another important step is replacing the old batteries. How often do they need to be replaced? While every system is different, here are some general guidelines:

• All of Denalect’s alarm systems have backup batteries in case of power failures. Expect to change those batteries every 3-5 years.
• Batteries for wireless alarm sensors and panic buttons also need to be replaced periodically.
• If your alarm has smoke detectors installed by Denalect, they will most likely draw their power from the alarm panel. If your house came with smoke detectors, then you will most likely need to replace the batteries every year.

Unsure which batteries your system need to be replaced? If your alarm was installed by Denalect, we’ll have that information on record. Call us weekdays at (925) 935-2680, between 9:30am to 4pm, and ask for the service department. You can even drop by our business office and we’ll sell you the batteries you need.

Or set up an appointment with one of our technicians to replace the batteries for you. Just contact our business office at (925) 935-2680, between 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

> If you’re an existing Denalect customer, it’s a good idea to let us know whenever there’s any work done on your telephone lines or if you’re switching providers. Certain alarm systems might be affected by, or not work with, some of the phone providers out there. That’s why we provide several different options for monitoring your system, including cellular, internet and our own private wireless network.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home alarm and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Plan on traveling out of town this summer or fall? Here are 12 important safety tips to help protect your home while you’re away.

1. Check all the locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows. Replace old deadbolts that might be easy to kick in. For windows, insert dowel rods inside the window frame so they can’t be forced open.

2. Test your home security and/or smoke alarms. Replace any dead batteries.

3. Notify your security company that you’ll be away. Give a trusted family member, friend or neighbor your alarm code, the security company’s contact info, your itinerary and your contact numbers in case of emergencies.

4. Install a motion-sensor on one or more outdoor lights. Inside, set inside lights and/or a stereo to turn off and on randomly.

5. Hold your mail, newspaper and garbage service. Or better yet, have a trusted neighbor or house sitter collect your deliveries every day and bring in the garbage bins on collection day.

6. Don’t leave a spare key outside. Instead, give it to a trusted family member, friend or neighbor.

7. Arrange to have your lawn mowed while you’re gone.

8. Prune any shrubs or trees near your home’s doors or windows, so burglars can’t conceal themselves.

9. Secure the garage by unplugging the electric door opener or deadbolt the door so can’t be opened. If you’re leaving a car at home, park it outside against the garage door to block access. Be sure to remove any garage door remotes from the car.

10. Lock up any valuables.

11. Unplug small appliances or electronics, such as the coffeemaker or the TV, or make sure they are plugged into a surge protector. An unexpected power surge can damage these items or even cause a fire.

And finally…

12. Don’t broadcast you’re out of town on your voice mail, email, Facebook or other social media sites. Wait to post your vacation photos until after you return.

 

Denalect Alarm proudly serves the home and business security needs of Contra Costa County in Northern California: Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Let me be the first to welcome you to our new, more informative website.

While many of you are here to get information about your home and business security options online, we also want to give you the opportunity to contact us anyway you like. Give us an old fashioned phone call and we will actually answer it ourselves – not somebody in India, Los Angeles or Fresno. Or, if you prefer, email us or fill out one of our online e-forms to specify what you want to know.

Since 1969, Denalect has been more than “doing business.” My team and I are here to help not only with our safety services but with our technology as well. That way you can do more of what you enjoy – without worries about safety.

Our customers are at the center of all that Denalect does. No two customers are exactly alike and, consequently, no two Denalect solutions are the same. We’re all about wrapping the technology around your needs.

Thank you again for your time and attention. In future postings, we’ll be offering a wide variety of topics – safety tips, talking with local community resources, contributing information for the betterment of our community.

All the best,

Rod Uffindell
Founder & Owner
Denalect Alarm

Proudly serving Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.