July 2011
Visit: www.pinnaclesecurity.com|Customer Support: 1-877-746-7233

Top ten reasons you may not be getting the most out of your security system.
Security Tips Contest!!!
Outdoor Lighting Tips and Tricks
Congratulations to July’s Winners
Get One Month of Free Monitoring
Top ten reasons you may not be getting the most out of your security system.

1. You forgot to arm your system. This is unfortunately the most common reason. Many people simply don't remember to press that "Doors and Windows" button. Its both the easiest thing to do and the hardest, all at the same time. To make it easier to remember, you may consider getting a Key Remote or setting up some reminders using Mobile Control. After all, a system that is not armed cannot alert the Monitoring Station.

2. You’re too scared to use your system. Let's face it, that siren is loud, right? We hear all kinds of reasons why people don't use their alarm. "What if my code doesn't work and I can't turn it off?" "What if it wakes up my family?" "It might permanently injure my pet's sensitive ears" and our favorite: "What if the police get mad at me for a false alarm?" No matter the reason, the easiest way to overcome your fear is to "test" your system and see for yourself. Call Customer Care and let them know you want to run some tests, and they'll make sure the monitoring station doesn't contact the police. Either way, don't just avoid using your system.

3. Broken sensors. Not a common reason, but if one of your door or window sensors is broken the system will need everything to be "secure" before it can arm. When you press "doors and windows" the system will say "Back door open" and will wait to arm the system until you close that back door. Not to worry, call tech support for a replacement, and while you are waiting you can "bypass" the door. To make sure all your sensors are working, press the "Status" button on your primary panel.

4. Your pets will create false alarms. Many of our customers have their system set up to be Pet Immune," but others do not arm their system, believing that their pets will trigger a false alarm. In some cases that could be true. Depending on your configuration and your pet's habits, your alarm may go off when your dog enters the motion sensor's field of view, or when your cat jumps on top of the couch, but that doesn't mean you can't arm at least the doors and windows. Remember, some protection is better than none.

5. You think arming your system makes you a target. False! We've heard some say "Arming my system tells people I must have something worth taking." The truth is EVERYONE has something worth stealing. Have you heard the adage "one man's trash is another man's treasure?". If someone is trying to break in, he/she either doesn't know you have you have a system or knows about it and assumes its armed. Either way, you'll want to make sure your sensors are ready to alert the monitoring station.

6. Dead batteries. If the batteries in your sensors aren't working, your system isn't doing anything. How do you expect a door sensor to scream its electrical warning to the primary panel if it has no power? Sometimes simply removing the battery and replacing it will do the trick. (Connectors get dusty over time) But if that doesn't make the low battery signal go away, change those batteries!

7. You don’t have a sensor on every window. Over 50% of all intrusions occur through doors, but that doesn't mean that windows shouldn't be covered. If an intruder climbs through a window that does not have a sensor installed, the system will not detect him. To be TRULY protected, you'll need a combination of sensors on every door and window, which detect if/when they are opened, and a glass break detector to know if they skip opening the window and just break the glass.

8. Your phone line was cut. Since many alarm systems (especially older ones) run through a landline phone, all an intruder has to do is snip the line leading to the little grey box mounted on the exterior of your home. It won't matter how much the alarm sounds, the monitoring station won't hear it. You can fix this with an amazing device called a cellular unit which not only installs a dedicated cell phone in your panel, but adds a whole new range of access with the Mobile Control service. (Note: Cellular can also be used as the primary communication method for the system, so you can save money by saying "Adios!" to that landline service altogether.)

9. Your panel was smashed before it could send a signal. If the intruder understands technology, he'll think that disabling the panel (which includes removing the battery) eliminates the panel's ability to communicate. With older panels and inferior services, that is true, but when you have a Pinnacle Security system equipped with a cellular unit and Mobile Control, you'll also receive the amazing "Crash and Smash" service powered by Alarm.com. Even if the panel is disabled, we'll know about it. Someone tried smashing Pearl Lewis' panel but got caught 12 minutes later. If you haven't watched that video yet, click here.

10. You LET them disarm the system.Look at your panel right now. Is your Key Remote sitting on top of it, telling your cousin "Here I am, use me!" Is your code written on a sticky note and taped to the front of the panel? Do we really need to scold you for this? Keep your user code, your smartphones, your Keyfobs or WallFobs, and anything else that might let your cousin disarm the system, in a safe, private location.

Your Pinnacle Security alarm system will do an amazing job, but you need to do YOUR part to help us secure your home and family. If you have questions or want to learn more about a Pinnacle Security System, visit our website at http://pinnaclesecurity.com/

Security Tips Contest!!!


Post your Security Tips for a chance to win a $200 Shopping spree to Home Depot!

Pinnacle wants to hear any good tips you have to share with ways you have found help secure your home. Visit the Pinnacle Facebook page and share your methods on our wall and you will be entered to win $200 to Home Depot.

Every post gets and entry in the drawing. Every "like" on your post gets a bonus entry, so have your friends "like" your post!

Contest ends July 15. The winner will be posted on Facebook July 18th.

Outdoor Lighting Tips and Tricks

Motion-triggered flood lights can be purchased from most local hardware stores

A good outdoor lighting setup is a great defense against those who would break into your home. Intruders like the dark, they want to hide from view, and the more visible they'll be, the less likely they are to break in. If you light your home and yard the right way, you will significantly decrease your chances for trouble.

The sign light illuminates your Pinnacle Security yard sign at night.

First off, your Pinnacle Security Yard sign should be equipped with a sign light. This light enables this important deterrent to repel would-be intruders 24-7. Since its solar powered and uses LEDs, you'll never need to change the batteries or replace the bulb, and the light sensor detects ambient light, turning it on only when its needed. If you don't have a sign light but want one, call our customer care department at 877-746-7233

If its not already, your home should be equipped with motion-activated flood lights. These devices can be purchased a most hardware stores and many department stores, and are typically mounted on the exterior of your home on a corner or by a door. If they detect movement on your property, they'll turn the light on, scaring away anything or anyone that shouldn't be there. Motion activated lights also have the added benefit using less energy, since they only turn on when they're needed. Constant bright light is not as effective, as flooding your property with bright lights all night long create dark shadows during the night, giving burglars better hiding places, and have the potential to make intruders bolder. As opposed to a steady light, a light turning on gets attention, and if someone is caught in that light that doesn't belong, neighbors and others can take appropriate action.

Path lights illuminate for safety without detracting from your home's exterior.
Use lights with lower wattage. These don't cast the harsh shadows like brighter lights do, but can still offer enough light to dissuade potential intruders. Likewise, they make your property safer for everyday use by illuminating walkways and landscape features.

To activate a panic on the primary panel, press and hold or "double tap" the button.
Should you believe that you have an intruder on your property, then it is definitely time to bring on the bright lights. Whether its a manually thrown switch or a motion triggered flood lamp, a big blast of light at this point will generally scare a burglar away, and give the impression that the home is not quite as vacant and the homeowners not so unaware as the intruder initially thought. And, of course, it will help you see what is going on outside so you can act appropriately.

The "Emergency" button on the Touchscreen Keypad can activate a panic.
If your Pinnacle Security system is not armed and you see a potential intruder on your property, don't worry, activating the emergency panic built into the Simon XT Panel or the Touchscreen Keypad will trigger the siren and alert the monitoring station. When the police arrive, try to remember everything you can about the situation, like which direction they fled in, how they were dressed, and what they looked like. (Gender, height, build, hair color, and any other unique characteristics might help the police identify the suspect, so do your best to provide accurate information)
Thanks for letting us help you secure your home and family! For more information about Pinnacle Security products and services, visit our website or 888.217.2550

Congratulations to July's Winners!


Testimonials

This is probably not your standard reason for loving your security system, but for me it is important.

We went on vacation secure in the knowledge that Pinnacle was protecting our home and my precious cat. I made arrangements with a friend to take care of "Alex" the two months we were away. I started checking online to see when my friend visited my cat. Thanks to the information I found, I was able to get someone else to take care of my kitty because the first one never checked on her more than once a week. Also I had to remotely unlock the door so I knew exactly when she was there. Lesson learned: if someone is going to watch your pet, it is easy to see if it is being done or not. Thank you, Pinnacle!
- Angela B.


I signed up with Pinnacle about 2 years ago. The house I bought is in a heavily wooded area, we have larger windows in the lower level that made me nervous since we spend most our time on the second level. I had an outdated alarm system that came with the house but I could also see it wasn't entirely installed properly. I had looked into popular companies I have heard of but wasn't willing to spend $5000 for basic equipment and installation. One day there was a representative walking around our neighborhood promoting your systems, poor guy didn't know what he was getting into when he walked up to me. I had what seemed like a thousand questions, he patiently answered every one of them and had my system installed in a few hours after that for an extremely affordable price including equipment and installation. I've even had a rep call me if we haven't used the alarm in a while to make sure nothing was wrong. Thank you for making sure a great product and having great people working for you.
- Karen L.


I purchased my alarm from Pinnacle a couple of months after I purchased my home. I am a single parent of three, disabled and a veteran. When I retired from the Army, I needed peace of mind knowing that my family is safe, during the day and at night. If I am not home when my children get off of the school bus, I feel safe knowing that Pinnacle has secured my home and my children in my absence. There is so much peace in that. I also appreciate when Pinnacle calls just to complete a systems check. It let's me know that my home is being monitored at all times. Thanks Pinnacle!
- Sabrina M.

Get One Month of Free Monitoring

Pinnacle Security has protected thousands of homes from burglaries, fires and medical emergencies. We would like to hear how your alarm has benefited you and your family. Three entries will be selected every month. Those entries selected will be given one free* month of monitoring (up to $69) from Pinnacle Security. Whether the system saved your home or a loved one, or simply gives you peace of mind when you leave your home, we want to hear your story. Send your comments to: [email protected]
© 2011 Pinnacle Security 1290 Sandhill Road Orem, UT 84058 I All rights reserved. Prices subject to change without notice.
* Winners will be notified via email at the beginning of the following month. All entires and testimonials submitted become property of Pinnacle Security.