When it comes to protecting your family, home and business, knowledge is power. That's why our team of security experts created the Security Information Center. The articles below will give you some solid ideas, tips and techniques you can use right away to help make yourself, and the people and things you care about, safe and secure.

How an Alarm System Works

Electric alarm systems are over 100 years old, one of the earliest being patented by Alexander Pope of Boston. His system was very similar to modern alarms, consisting of magnetic contacts placed at the openings and interconnected by pairs of wires to a battery and a bell. The disturbance of any of the openings [continue]...

The Three Ds of Home Security

Home security strategies can be broadly classified into three categories, often referred to as the three "Ds" of home security. These are deterrence, denial and detection. Burglars are basically lazy and will usually take the "path of least resistance." You can make your home look too risky to a burglar by using some of [continue]...

The Insurance and Tax Advantages of a Security System

A very important but often overlooked benefit of a security system is that it can give you substantial savings on your insurance premiums and tax liability. In fact, it's not unusual for savings in these areas to largely offset the cost of installation and monitoring. Insurance companies know that monitored security systems [continue]...

Fire Alarm Systems Save Lives

According to the National Fire Protection Association, a structural fire occurs in the United States every 60 seconds. In 2004, these structural fires resulted in over $8 billion in property damage. Much worse, they were responsible for thousands of deaths and injuries. Recognizing this threat to both people and [continue]...

What is a Central Station and Why Be Monitored?

Many people think that security systems are meant to deter burglars from breaking into homes and businesses, and they're right. But just as importantly, a well-designed security system can help protect occupants when they are at home. One of the best examples of this kind of protection is with kids who are sometimes [continue]...

How a Security System Can Protect Your Children

A central station is a facility that monitors security and other systems for specific situations, most commonly burglaries, robberies, fires and medical emergencies, and then makes an appropriate response. The key components of a central station are the equipment used to communicate with the security [continue]...