GE Simon 3 Installation Manual DVD

The second complete installation DVD is now available.  The Simon 3 DVD Installation Manual is a detailed, step by step video covering all common applications, and a few "advanced" applications, such as Aux. Power Supply and Relay for an External Siren.  At over 50 minutes, it offers tremendous value to the Do It Yourself Installer.  And, its absolutely free when you purchase a Simon 3 Kit from SafeMart.  Its all part of SafeMart's goal to bring the greatest possible value to their customers.  

Here's a teaser video of the full DVD:

FAQ - Lithium Batteries

There's still a great deal of incorrect information about the reliability of wireless systems.  We've addressed that before on this blog, and its addressed in more detail here.  Right now, I'm only going to address one question, and that's concerning battery life.   Here's where another advance in technology has helped make wireless security an ever better option: and that is lithium batteries.  Most newer wireless devices now use lithium batteries, meaning you only have to change sensor batteries every 7-10 years.  Its all part of the manufacturers goal to make home security systems easier and easier for the end user.

Home Security Monitoring

Home Security Monitoring is, unfortunately, something that is frequently overlooked by homeowners when purchasing a security system.  Homeowners spend a great deal of time and money researching systems and installing them, and then, don't purchase a monitoring package.  Its one of those things that stuns the mind.  There's absolutely no reason why every single homeowner with a security system shouldn't have monitoring.  Here's why:

24 hour, central station monitoring means that your monitoring company is immediately aware of any alarm at your home.  If there is a general alarm, they will immediately call you to check that everything is ok.  If you do not answer, or if you do not correctly verify that everything is alright, they will contact police who can respond immediately.  In the event of a fire or medical alarm, they will contact emergency personnel immediately.  The standard response is not to contact the homeowner first in those cases.  Your home security is supposed to work to its fullest capacities, but one of the main goals (assistance in the event of an emergency) is really only possible with 24 central station monitoring.

Now lets say that you don't opt for central station monitoring; you're going to use only "self-monitoring."  In that case, if you've set your system to contact a private number, you will receive a call from your system telling you that there's an alarm.  Well, there are two problems with this.  Number one, you may or may not answer the phone.  If you don't, then your system really isn't doing anything extra.  (Remember: the siren sounds locally either way).  But lets say you do answer the phone.  Frequently, the police department will not respond to a call from a private homeowner, if that homeowner is not actually on the premises to confirm the alarm.  

I hope that you now grasp how important central station monitoring can be.  So, now its time to discuss cost.  Well, UL listed, central station monitoring is available from SafeMart.com for only $9 per month.  If you also add in that many home insurance companies offer a discount for having a monitored system, you will realize that the cost is negligible.  And while the cost is so little, the benefit to your home and family is not.

Adel Trinity 788: New Biometric Lock

SafeMart is now carrying the new Adel Trinity 788 Fingerprint Door Lock.  The door is easy to install and provides a great deal of security.  If you need to protect certain rooms, but don't want to worry about the hassle of keys, this is the way to go.  It takes very little time to install and program.  Once that's done, the only key you need is your fingerprint.  Check out the video below for more details:

New Website Features - One Page Checkout

For the past two weeks I've tried to present certain new features on SafeMart's completely redesigned website.  Today, I want to briefly introduce you to the new streamlined checkout process.  

Usually, when checking out on a website, you have to enter information, and click next.  It then takes you to another page where you will enter more information and then go to another page.  You continue this way until all of the information is entered (usually at least three pages).  If you have to go back to correct information, it is time consuming and frequently you lose the data you entered.  To correct this, SafeMart's website now has single page checkout.  All of the information is on one page.  This means there's no delay and no chance of losing information that you've already entered.  Its all part of our goal to provide our customers with the easiest and best possible experience.  Come by and take a look.  You'll like what you see.

Ademco Vista 20P DVD Installation Guide

A few months ago, the guys at SafeMart were sitting around talking about how to make the overall home security experience better for the end user.  The new website was one of the biggest ways, but another idea that came through was installation videos.  What if we offered a complete, step by step, detailed video showing the customer how to install and program their home security system, while offering some helpful tips on laying out a system.  Well, that idea blossomed and has now become a reality: The first of many complete video installation guides is complete and it is for the Ademco Vista 20P Home Security System.  

First things first, why the 20P?  Well, the 20P is an advanced, popular, hardwired system.  Because it is hardwired, it will automatically take more time to wire than a wireless system; and because it is popular, a DVD installation guide will offer greater value to a greater number of people.  

Now to the DVD itself.  Its almost an hour and a half with 19 chapters.  These are detailed chapters explaining all common applications as well as a few advanced "extras" that may not apply to most homeowners.  It really does add a ton of value to the system.

And it doesn't cost anything if you buy an Ademco Vista 20P Kit from SafeMart.com.  If you already purchased an Ademco system elsewhere, you can still buy the DVD for a low price at SafeMart.  And if you buy the DVD, please take the time to give us short review here.

Here's the teaser of the full installation DVD:

X10 Home Automation

X10 Home Automation is probably something you've heard of.  You may have heard it described as "Smart Home" or just general "Home Automation."  But what exactly is it, and how does it relate to home security?

According to Wikipedia, X10 is an "...industry standard for communication among electronic devices used for home automation..."  What does this mean?  Basically, you can purchase an X10 controller that will send a signal through the electrical wires to your X10 devices, "commanding" them to perform some function.  The possibilities are pretty much endless.  An easy example is lighting.  Using X10 you can control all, or some of the lights in your home remotely.

So, how does this play into home security?  Well, some home security systems, such as the GE Simon 3, are now X10 compatible.  And many home security devices are now X10 devices.  For example, you can purchase an internal siren that will automatically sound in the event of an alarm.  When an alarm is registered on your system, it sends out a signal in the electrical wires that is picked up by any X10 devices set to pick that up.  You could have all of the lights in your home immediately turn on or only have a strobe light to disorient and frighten an intruder.  The possiblities are endless.  Basically, it adds a new level of convenience and protection to your existing home security system.  

New Website Features - Product Demonstrations

I just wanted to take a minute to tell you about one of the features available on SafeMart's new website.  We now have a "Watch Our Videos" page and we've included video embeds on many product pages.  We have long committed ourselves to including detailed product descriptions on each page.  Still, sometimes it helps to see the product in action.  Thats the basis of our videos.  We're taking one to three minutes to show you a quick demo of the product and discuss some of its features and applications.  Stop by and take a look.  We think you'll like what you see.