While it is common to discuss how to protect your house and property when you’re gone, it is every bit as important to know how to be safe when you’re at home. In fact, it may be an even bigger concern; as you can replace stolen items, but you and your family are irreplaceable. So, implementing a few of these tips on how to be safe when you’re at home can protect your family’s most valuable possessions—each other.

Know Your Neighbors

There is a difference between being a nosey neighbor and knowing what is going on around you. Getting to know your neighbors is a great way to stay safe, as you are all able to look out for one another. This is why Neighborhood Watch groups are so effective. In fact, you might want to consider starting one of these in your own neighborhood. Police officers will even attend meetings to teach you how to be safe when you’re at home, as well as how to protect your property when you’re gone.

Make sure that your neighbors have your phone number and that they know to call you if they notice anything suspicious.

Be Discreet

Being discreet means a couple of things when it comes to learning how to be safe when you’re at home. One way to do so is to watch what you throw into the trash. Any financial information—including those pre-approved credit applications—should be shredded rather than just tossed into the garbage can. Anything that has personal information should not just go to the curb, as it can be intercepted by people who do not have good intentions.

Another way to be discreet is to change up your routine. If you always go for a walk at a certain time of the day, for example, a burglar could easily recognize that routine and break in when he knows you will be gone for a set period of time. In addition, don’t talk loudly about personal business with your neighbors or while using the phone outside. It’s a great idea to let your neighbors know if you’ll be out of town, but you don’t want to announce it to anyone who happens to be within earshot.

Locks and Keys

Locks and keys are one of the best ways we have of protecting our property, and we often forget their importance when it comes to how to be safe when you’re at home. Locking the door when you’re inside the house will deter potential criminals from inviting themselves in to do you harm. Making sure that your locks are solid and in good repair is also important in making sure you remain safe.

Keeping keys out of the wrong hands is also important when it comes to being safe at home. Avoid handing out copies of your keys to friends. Even if they are trustworthy, you can not ensure that your keys won’t wind up somewhere you don’t want. You should also avoid hiding a spare key in any of the most obvious places: under the mat, above the door, in a potted plant, in a fake rock, etc. Burglars know all of these places, and it will just be that much easier for them walk right into your home. Finally, make sure you can easily detach your house key from your car keys so you don’t have to hand it over to a valet or parking attendant who could make copies.

There’s no sense in becoming overly worried about your safety at all times. On the other hand, it’s just as ridiculous not to utilize some common sense about how to be safe when you’re at home. Simple tips, like not inviting strangers into the house and keeping valuable items out of view of the windows, are quick and easy things you can do to dissuade criminals from taking too much interest in you and your property.

Contact a Local Security Company

While abiding by these tips will help to keep you safe while at home, a local security company can give you more tips on staying safe. They can also provide information about home security systems and the benefits one will provide to your home and family.

Pinnacle to Deploy New Systems in 2010

OREM, UTAH – January 12, 2010 – Pinnacle Security, a leader in the North American residential security market, today announced it will offer an innovative new touch screen developed by GE Security, Inc. with input from Pinnacle. The new product’s sleek design and expanded functionality represent a significant step forward in providing consumers with the latest technology at a reasonable price level.

More compact and easier to use than traditional security keypads, the touch screen includes exciting features offering significant value to consumers. Of these features, consumers can set up automation schedules through a web portal, arm and disarm the security system, and adjust the thermostat from the touch screen. Thus, with no extra effort, consumers may realize a reduction in utility bills by securing their homes.

“It was apparent that previous security keypads needed a twenty-first century face lift both cosmetically and, more importantly, in functionality,” said Kelly Walker, President, Pinnacle Security. “We are excited to be the first to market GE Security’s touch screen and offer a product that will no doubt provide additional value to our customers.”

Pinnacle has been a long-time partner of GE Security and is excited to see GE’s continued commitment and support in delivering products that consumers want. Pinnacle supplied GE engineers with detailed product requirements, a process known within GE as “Voice of Customer”, to assist in the manufacture of the new touch screens.

“Pinnacle’s requirements included a concept that could sync with mobile devices and asked us to engineer and manufacture state-of-the-art control,” said David Nark, Product Marketing Manager, GE Security. “We are excited about the new touch panel and are pleased to work with a security company as focused on innovation as Pinnacle. When we saw their product requirements and merged them with our own, we were confident that the result would be the next big thing in our industry, bridging both home security and automation together seamlessly.”

“Pinnacle is very excited to work with partners like GE Security and Alarm.com who are committed to providing increased customer value in the products they deliver,” said Christopher B. Munday, Chairman and CEO, Pinnacle Security. “In 2010, we look forward to the continued execution of our mission to help individuals protect the things that matter most.”

The panel also incorporates features supplied by Alarm.com, a security industry leader in interactive and wireless services, providing consumers anywhere/anytime access to their security system through the Internet and mobile devices. Some of the highlights of the new product include:

• Intuitive interface and icons: customers can easily navigate the security and home automation features
• Message marquee: provides Pinnacle with an effective way to communicate key product and service messages to its customers
• One-click customer service access: allows customers to find quick solutions to questions and issues
• Weather report: provides quick access to weather forecasts as customers prepare to leave for the day
• Thermostat control: gives customers the option to automatically change thermostat settings as they arm/disarm their security system in order to reduce utility costs and positively impact the environment
• Remote monitoring: text message or email notifications from a home regarding power outages, floods, fires, unlocked doors, windows or intruder entries

About Pinnacle Security

Pinnacle Security is an industry leader in providing quality residential and commercial security solutions to help individuals realize the peace-of-mind that comes from protecting the things that matter most. Pinnacle is headquartered in Orem, Utah and has sales offices throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.pinnaclesecurity.com.

About GE Security

GE Security, Inc., a business of GE Enterprise Solutions (NYSE: GE), is a leading supplier of security and life safety technologies, with operations in more than 26 countries. GE Security offers one of the industry’s broadest product portfolios, including access control, explosives and narcotics detection, fire detection, intrusion, key management and video surveillance. GE Security’s products are used to protect people and property across a wide range of industries, including aviation, banking and finance, education, government and military, healthcare, law enforcement, residential, retail, stadiums and event venues, and transportation. For more information about GE Security, please visit www.gesecurity.com.

About Alarm.com

Alarm.com provides wireless and web-enabled security and activity monitoring technology to residential and commercial customers throughout the United States and Canada. Alarm.com’s Operations Center processes millions of security events every day which are reported by Alarm.com systems used to monitor and protect houses, businesses, vacation properties, apartments, professional offices, restaurants, retail chains, model homes, data centers, and more. Alarm.com technology is compatible with security equipment made by GE Security and is offered exclusively through a network of over 1000 licensed and authorized Security Dealers nationwide

Media Contact:
Jennifer Webb
Coltrin & Associates (for Pinnacle Security)
Jennifer_webb@coltrin.com
212.221.1616

Expects to Continue Customer Growth, Increase Employment Opportunities in 2010

OREM, Utah–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pinnacle Security, a leader in the residential security market, announces a year of record growth, increasing residential installations by more than 60 percent. In a time when many companies are cutting costs and employees, Pinnacle Security is flourishing, hiring more staff, creating new partnerships and continuing to serve the community.

“Building on the incredible growth we’ve seen in 2009,” said Christopher B. Munday, Chairman and CEO, Pinnacle Security, “we expect to continue expanding through strategic partnerships with high-profile brands to drive innovation within the industry, provide greater access to the most-advanced technology in home security and raise the industry standard for compliance.”

Growth in 2010 will be built on strategic partnerships and processes that were initiated in 2009, including a partnership with Alarm.com, which enables Pinnacle Security customers to arm/disarm their systems from their phone, receive text messages when a problem is detected as well as other advantages. Further, new compliance and training initiatives will provide additional structure and alleviate process issues.

“This has been a strong year,” said Munday. “We have been able to create new jobs, help the local economy and provide benefits for our employees that are rare in these economic times.”

In addition to record growth, Pinnacle has created new programs and initiatives for its employees and the local community including college tuition funding programs and wellness programs as well as athletic sponsorships for local colleges and universities.

“Our employees and our community are important to us,” said Steve Hafen, COO, Pinnacle Security. “As we continue growing our customer base, we will provide additional employment opportunities and continue to participate in community sponsorships.”

As a full service security company, Pinnacle now provides alarm services to nearly 150,000 homes throughout North America and employs more than 2500 employees and sales representatives nationwide.

About Pinnacle Security

Pinnacle Security is an industry leader in providing quality residential and commercial security solutions that help individuals realize the peace-of-mind that comes from protecting the things that matter most. Pinnacle is headquartered in Orem, Utah and has sales offices throughout North America. Founded in 2001, Pinnacle is a long-standing partner of GE Security, a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). For more information, please visit www.pinnaclesecurity.com.