FAQ

Why Get an Alarm System?
People choose to install an alarm system for many reasons having to do with:

• the location of their home or business

• lack of community awareness

• frequent absences (e.g., business trips)

• medical emergencies

• and/or a desire for greater peace-of-mind.

According to security experts, homes and commercial establishments with alarm monitoring are over 10 times less likely to be burglarized. Most insurance companies offer an additional discount on homeowner's insurance if you are protected by a home security monitoring system.

A burglar enters a U.S. home every 14 seconds.
60% of burglaries occur while a home is occupied.
38% of robberies are committed with firearms.
(Source: FBI, Crime in the U.S., 2001)

A home fire occurs every 86 seconds
85% of fire deaths occur in the home
9 people die in home fires every 24 hours
A fire injury occurs in the home every 31 minutes
(Source: National Fire Protection Association, 2000)

How does an alarm system work?
After you've purchased your custom alarm system, we help you program the system's communicator to dial the telephone number of an alarm receiver in our locally-based monitoring station. Your security system is connected to one of the regular telephone lines at your home or business for this purpose.

When an alarm condition occurs, your security system "seizes" your analog telephone line and dials the alarm receiver. Your system transmits digital data identifying your account number and alarm condition and then releases your telephone line. Monitoring station personnel take over from here by contacting your home to verify the alarm condition and communicating with the authorities if necessary.

What happens when my alarm is triggered?
Upon receipt of an alarm signal from your security system, dispatchers in our monitoring station will telephone your home or business first. This will avoid false alarms. If you're home when the alarm is triggered, we'll ask you to provide us with your secret password or number and then verify the alarm condition.

If you are not home when we call to verify the alarm, we'll promptly telephone and notify the first available person on your Call-List. Your Call-List may include yourself, neighbors, employees, friends and/or family members.

Immediately after and only if we determine it's necessary, we telephone the Authorities (police and/or fire) to advise them of the alarm condition.

I not happy with the system I currently have through another company. Can I switch over to Houston Home Security?
Yes, however, if you have an existing monitoring agreement with another company, you must wait until it expires. Once you are free from your contracted obligation, feel free to contact us. We will send a qualified Houston Home Security Sales Representative to your location to evaluate your system. Our representatives will determine your security needs, make recommendations, and discuss the necessary steps required to bring you on board as a valued Houston Home Security customer.

For a FREE security review of your home or business give us a call at (281) 850-4678 or email us at .

Why should I have a monitored burglar or fire alarm system?
If your alarm were to go off at anytime during the day or night, who will be around or go out of their way to call the appropriate response agency? When your security system is monitored by Houston Home Security, our 24-Hour Monitoring Center will notify the local authorities when our operators receive an alarm condition signal. The appropriate response agency will then be dispatched to your home or business to help protect your possessions and ensure your safety.

Who will be monitoring my alarm?
Houston Home Security's Underwriters Laboratory listed 24-Hour Monitoring Center. Our professionally trained operators are always there to promptly respond to all of your alarm conditions.

Will your Monitoring Center receive an alarm signal if the alarm is not armed?
No, we will not receive a signal. It is important to turn your alarm on, even when you are at home. It is best to have your perimeter protection on whenever possible. Perimeter protection is an option that allows you to move about freely inside your home while all doors and windows are armed.

What is the difference between a hard-wired and wireless system?
The main difference is the type of technology and the type of installation. When it comes to the system's capabilities and effectiveness, there is no difference.

How long will it take to install my security system?
This all depends upon the size of your system. A typical installation period is one day.

How will I be billed?
Houston Home Security offers an Automatic Payment Plan (APP). This convenient method of payment is authorized by you and automatically debited to your credit or bank card. You won't have to hassle with writing out checks and getting your payment in on time. We also offer pre-paid monitoring options.

My telephone lines are exposed, what happens when the phones are dead or the line gets cut?
Normally, if your phone lines become disabled due to tampering, severe weather, or construction, your alarm signal will not reach our 24-Hour Monitoring Center. Because our 24-Hour Monitoring Center is a critical part of your security system, Houston Home Security offers alternative communication options. These communicators will send signals via radio or the powerful cellular control channel to our 24-Hour Monitoring Center.

If I install a Houston Home Security security system, does it require a separate phone line to communicate with your 24-Hour Monitoring Center?
No, a separate phone line is not necessary. However, the system will seize your phone line for a few seconds when sending an emergency alarm signal to our 24-Hour Monitoring Center.