Welcome!
|
Links to information on this page for consumers:
Please scroll down to see the brief article, Who ARC serves....
[ Locate an ARC Security
Provider? ] [ How to
choose a security provider ]
[ General
security tips ] [ Contact ARC ]
[ Some BASIC features/benefits of
residential alarm systems ]
Separate pages:
[ LISTS of DEALERS by
STATE ] |
|
Consumer & Business
ALERT!
If you have an alarm system already AND you are
changing your telephone service to DSL and/or VoIP (Voice over
Internet Protocol) or similar change,
contact your alarm provider immediately or prior to any change
in your telephone service or
services. Alarm signal or alarm response could be negatively
affected. |
Who ARC
serves...
We solely monitor alarms...alarm sales,
service on an alarm system, and alarm monitoring are available only through ARC Authorized Providers
While we serve thousands of
consumers and businesspeople 24 hours a day, we
don't contract to do business directly with consumers (residential or
commercial or industrial). All monitoring is provided ONLY through ARC Authorized Security
Providers.
ARC does not sell or install security systems - we solely monitor
them.
ARC Security Providers offer sales and service and provide for
appropriate monitoring, programming, backup, etc. A system can only be
properly monitored if there is active involvement, maintenance,
upgrades, and service by a knowledgeable, competent security dealer,
someone who knows both the human and technical aspects of electronic
security. Please see other information on this page and then contact us
particularly if any of these conditions listed apply to you or your situation:
- Your previous security provider has gone out of business or sold the
business. You
need a security alarm provider to provide for service and monitoring of your
system.
- You are looking for a security alarm provider to purchase a system from, have it
installed and maintained, and properly programmed for efficient
testing and monitoring 24 hours a day.
[ Locate an ARC Security
Provider? ]
[ How to choose a security provider
]
Separate
page: [ LISTS of DEALERS by STATE ]
[
back to top ] |
| |
There are many more - this is a quick take...
Professionally installed and monitored alarm systems deliver a host
of features and benefits...here are a few.
- From your location, a 24 hour link
to experienced people who will help you, and Police and Fire response
to any serious and verified emergency.
- 24 monitoring of smoke alarms if installed. Response even when you
are not there.
- Deterrence of criminal activity and attempts.
- General insurance discounts from insurers because losses are
proven to be lessened by using an alarm system.
- Peace of mind. When you're at your location or when you're
away.
- Instant alert of many conditions, an intrusion, smoke or heat,
temperature, tampering with your alarm system, etc.
- Entering your location, you'll know that no one has entered, or
that someone has.
- Panic or distress calls, an assault from someone who has entered
with permission but then has malevolent intent, such as a guest who
has become suddenly aggressive or unruly, e.g., attempted rape,
assault, robbery, etc.
- Someone experienced you can call whenever you have a concern about
your security, a security problem or issue... peace of mind.
[ back to top ]
|
| |
Whether you have an alarm or not...
IMPORTANT
NOTE: This is general security information and a
discussion of such, not specific security advice. ARC and any of its
suppliers are not responsible for any action of any kind taken or
construed to be taken as a result of any material that appears here.
Some material relates to individuals, residences, and businesses. Other
security professionals may have other opinions or perspectives. Security
and the right methods for a particular persons situation may vary
widely, and to be effective must be geared to particular situations and
conditions. Security is a relative proposition. Consult your security
provider for specific security advice for your individual situation.
1. Controlling access to a home or facility is the most basic
security step. Make sure locks and doors and other access points are in
good repair. Control keys carefully. Account for them.
2. Keep doors locked when home. Keep doors locked when away. Windows,
too, as applicable.
3. Use great caution and forethought when deciding on bars and grates
for application over windows and doors. Far too many people have died
from smoke and fires, unable to get out. See NFPA. You have little more
than 60 seconds to exit in a fire before being overcome by smoke (NFPA).
A monitored smoke/heat detector system serves you best.
4. Identity theft is a risk to everyone. Think twice before giving
your social security number and ID info. to anyone. If it appears on
your drivers license, you may have an option to have it removed upon
license renewal. Check with your state. Throw no identifying material in
the trash without destroying it in some fashion. Consider an inexpensive
shredder. Do not give ID info. out on the phone. CONTINUED
BELOW. SCROLL DOWN.
5. ALWAYS ask to see company or organizational
IDs of anyone coming to your home on business. View these before
opening the door. A number of scams are perpetrated using
misrepresentation, e.g., claiming to be from the gas company, telephone
company, cable company, city inspector, etc., to gain entry. If you
didn't call them, be suspicious. Ask for IDs.
6. Don't open the door to unexpected strangers. If
you cannot see or view a visitor on the other side of your entrance
door, install a wide angle peephole lens. Better, use a small
camera/intercom unit so you can see and communicate without opening the
door. Unobstructed view, use an intercom. If someone claims they must
use a phone to call someone or it's an emergency, offer to make the call
for them. It is very useful to have a method to talk or communicate
WITHOUT opening the door. As long as you can see and speak with the door
locked, you've reduced risk. If you don't wish to be surprised by people
entering or approaching your property, detectors and annunciators are
available from security providers, as are camera & intercom
devices.
7. Don't get suckered into using phony alarm signs
and stickers or other phony devices made for this purpose. The alarm
industry can spot a phony instantly, and so can any crook. What these
may do is advertise to crooks that you have things of value inside, and
that you don't have any real alarm or security system. Unwittingly, you
just became an attractive target for a burglary.
8. Buy a dog, if you like dogs, because dogs are
lovable and good company and because you want to give a good home to an
animal. Dogs are not an electronic security system. They "may" provide a
deterrent effect, and they may not. Dogs shut off in a part of
the house or locked in the basement, they can only bark. In a break-in
they may help, and they may not, but the main point is that it is not an
either-or proposition. You can have them both. With no one home, many a
dog and pet has died in a fire, unable to call for help, for lack of a
monitored security system with 24 hour monitored smoke detectors. A dog
is a dog. An electronic security system is what it is. It won't lick
your face, but it's great to have in all kinds of
emergencies.
9. Have a gun? Separate the gun from the ammo.
Remember, any weapon you have may be turned against you. Other than
silence when someone has entered or broken in, it is wise to have an
alarm automatically sounding long and loud that can effectively send an
intruder packing. And there is no danger of accidentally shooting
someone who has entered, and thereby avert tragedy, e.g., the case where
a son returned home after a long time away, slightly intoxicated,
forcing the door open and... well, you know the rest.
10. Consider investing in an alarm system. Costs have
come down considerably - they are certainly no longer just for the rich.
There are many benefits, and the biggest is the peace of mind that comes
with a solid, well-designed, professionally installed and monitored
alarm system. You can also give someone special the gift of security,
should you wish. Parents can give this security and peace of mind as a
gift to their grown children, or vice versa.
[ back to top ]
|
| |
Carefully. Security is an important thing to have,
and your relationship with your provider should span many years. Unlike
hiring a plumber or contractor for a one-time job, it is your on-going
security and relationship with your provider that will be of utmost
importance - choose carefully, choose well.
Do all the things that you would normally do to
evaluate anyone or any company you might do serious business with for
any product or service. Then go further.
Check references and follow them up. Check with
consumer organizations or other groups that monitor business
performance, such as the BBB, Attorney General's office, your local
crime prevention officer at your local police force. Ask about their
experience, background, their company, their training, how they will
help to prevent false alarms, about service and maintenance, pricing.
Check with any professional groups or associations they are members of.
If there is local or state licensing for security systems or for fire
systems, obtain license numbers and check with the government office
issuing those licenses. Write down a list of questions that you have
prior to any appointments. When representatives arrive, ask for
identification. Read any agreements that you will have to sign. Ask
about who will monitor your system, where they are located, if they have
certification from Underwriter's Laboratories, or any other professional
certifications. Find out. Monitoring is a critical component of your
system.
These steps taken, you can begin to enjoy peace of
mind.
To locate a dealer in your area, scroll down
[ back to top ]
|
| |
Locating an ARC Authorized Security
Provider...
We have begun to list
those ARC Security Providers who agree to list here and give us
permission,
along with contact info., links to their web sites if they have one,
etc. Listings have begun. See
listings to date arranged by state, with indicators of AREAS SERVED and
their Products/Service offered:
Separate page: [ LISTS of DEALERS by
STATE ]
Contact us if listings are not posted for your area.
Scroll down for email and contact information 
[
back to top ] Read Newspaper Articles About ARC's Growth
Acrobat PDF Files - you must have a free Acrobat Reader - adjust size
on opening, and printing out is an option. News print.
Security
Systems News
Headline: Central
rekindles old business
Euclid
Observer
Headline: In
a Down Economy, Euclid Employer Continues to Grow
|
| |
E - Mail
Click here first to check listings for your state:
Separate page: [ LISTS of DEALERS by STATE
]
If listings for your area are incomplete, please send an email to ARC with
ALL of the following:
- Your name
- Your email address
- City, State, Province, Zip
- Residential or Commercial or Industrial
- Brief description of what you are looking for, e.g. a home alarm,
intercom, tv cameras (cctv), business alarm, etc.
We'll get back to you after identifying one or more ARC
Authorized Providers that serve your vicinity. Should there not be one in
your area, we may suggest another provider or refer you elsewhere for
help. Feel free to ask questions. We'll help as much
as we can. Thanks.
To send an email, scroll down
to page bottom and click on email.
Complete contact info at page bottom.
Please let us know what you think by sending us an email. All the
information that appears here should be useful and relevant. Please let us know. Thank
you for visiting and feel free to contact us. Scroll down.
ARC Management
[ back to top ] |
070700 |
If
you've found this page helpful, please send this page
or a link in an email
to a friend. |
|
