Home and Business Safety Tips

Why do I need an alarm?

If an intruder enters your premises by force, then once they are inside, there is no rush for them to leave. An effective alarm system achieves two things:

1. It makes your home less likely to be targeted, since intruders would rather break into a property without an alarm, and
2. It will alert others when something is wrong; for example, if a fire breaks out while you are away. If the system generates a call to a monitoring service, then the monitoring station can take action immediately.

What is an electronic strike or lock?

The electronic lock or strike is the part of the system that releases the door or gate to the unlocked position.

Do I need a safe?

If you have any valuables at all, then you really should own a safe. It’s most critical to get the proper type of safe for the items you intend to keep in it, so consult a Right-One^® specialist to help you decide. Resist the temptation to buy a safe based on a low price. Purchase a small security safe for jewelry and cash, or a larger fire-resistant safe for documents and valuables. Use a gun safe to store guns; any other type of safe will allow the gun to rust. Data storage and computer media need a special type of media safe; placing them in a standard fireproof safe will not protect them from a fire’s electromagnetic fields, and the data will fry. Jewelry is more vulnerable in a fire-resistant safe, which is easier to break into than a TL (tool resistant) safe. Put your safe in a unique spot rather than an “expected” location like a closet.

What is a master key system?

Master key systems provide control over who has keys, and they provide control over which doors each key can access. With a restricted key system, extra keys cannot be duplicated without your authority. With a master key system, you also have the convenience of one master key to work all doors.

What is key control?

Key control means the level of security around how your keys can get copied. Good key control occurs when only the owner and designated users authorized by the owner are able to obtain additional keys. Bad key control happens when you don’t know who has your keys, or when anyone can obtain additional keys without any verification or requirements.

How long does it take to install my new home alarm system?

It takes approximately one full day to install a Right-One^® alarm system. Our installation process is comprehensive. We send two security professionals who properly mount all devices, taking care to conceal any wires, and customize the panel location for your home so the system looks better, works better and lasts longer. We also test the system thoroughly by sending out all signals and making sure they go to the right place (monitoring system, 911 emergency response center, and fire department). Finally, we make sure that you understand how to operate it properly.

Who monitors my Right-One^® security system? What happens when the alarm gets tripped?

All Right-One^® security systems are monitored by a third party provider that maintains a national network with backup locations. If your alarm gets tripped, the call location will respond within 30 seconds. Generally, the center will contact the police for security situations, the fire department for a fire alarm, and emergency services for life safety alerts. Whatever your preference, Right-One can set up the system to respond however you want it to. For example, if you want all monitoring alerts to be sent to a particular family member, the monitor will call whomever you have specified in your party list.

What does an access control system do? How does it work?

An access control system uses a reading device to allow or deny entrance into a secure area. In order to gain access, users must scan or enter a valid identification element, which can be any combination of a number, a valid access card, or a biometric attribute (i.e., retina scan). An effective access control system can offer you the ability to create multiple levels of user privileges, and can even be integrated with HVAC and lighting controls. It can also provide you with monitoring capability, alarm generation, and a record of access.

Why should I invest in an access control system?

Violence and theft are major and growing threats to America’s businesses. A good access control system increases the security of your office, enhances the safety of the entire building, and improves your operational effectiveness by automating access and recordkeeping. A fully integrated system can also save you money in equipment, wiring, and manpower.

Who can benefit from an access control system?

Businesses can benefit from access control systems in many different ways:

• Retailers and service providers can monitor and restrict unauthorized access to vulnerable areas such as loading bays, stock rooms, and warehouses. They can also control time card record keeping and access to sensitive computer data.
• Sports and event facilities can control employee, player/performer, and public access, as well as HVAC and lighting.
• Hospitals and medical facilities can limit access to sensitive areas such as patient records, drug supplies, and hazardous materials storage.
• Health/leisure centers can control access to various facilities and deny access for delinquent account holders.
• Transportation hubs can restrict access to sensitive areas such as runways, garages, and baggage areas.
• Plants and refineries can minimize the threat of sabotage, vandalism, and espionage. They can also quickly determine employee locations in the event of an emergency.
• Financial institutions can control access to records, vaults, and computers. They can also link video surveillance and elevator control with an integrated system.
• Government installations can better protect their employees, intellectual property, and resources from terrorism and industrial espionage.
• Educational institutions can control access to classrooms, offices, and labs. An integrated access control system can also provide attendance reports, library privileges, and even meal accounts.

What credentials should I expect my alarm technicians to present?

Professional alarm technicians should be able to present credentials from the Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, a Virginia registration for security systems, and/or a Maryland security systems license, or appropriate state credentials if you are outside the Washington area.

The equipment I’ve ordered seems very sophisticated. How can we be sure we’re using it correctly?

Right-One^® will provide you with the appropriate level of training for using your new security system properly. Our goal is to ensure that you are comfortable with using the equipment.

What happens if I lose the master key in my master key system?

If you lose the master key, the entire system will need to be re-keyed. Otherwise, anyone who finds the key could get in.

Does my homeowner’s insurance cover the installation cost of my Right-One^® alarm system?

While most insurance companies do not cover installation costs, many offer discounts on your policy for monitoring services. Check with your insurance provider to obtain the details of your policy’s coverage.

My house has just been burglarized. What should I do?

First and foremost, call the police and file a report. The police should check the perimeter, the house, and the doors to determine how the intruder got into your home. It’s critical for you to correct any vulnerabilities so that you don’t get targeted again in the future. Contact Right-One^® to consult with one of our physical security specialists. Our team members are well-rounded and can develop a customized solution for you that doesn’t suffer the same weaknesses as pre-packaged systems.

What measures does Right-One^® take to insure that a thief doesn’t call you to break into someone else’s property?

The safety of our community is paramount to Right-One^®. When called to a house, we will ask the caller for a driver’s license and check to ensure that the addresses match. If the client is unable to provide a license, we will then request secondary identification or proof of official USPS mail matching the client to the address. If we can’t get evidence that the caller belongs inside the property, we will decline the job.

We just laid off an employee who failed to turn in her access card when she left. What should we do?

Your suggested course of action may vary, depending on the type of system you have. If you are using a Right-One^® system, a Right-One^® professional or a trained company employee can easily remove that person from the system through its intuitive software interface.

If you are using another system, we will need to first obtain access to the system in order to see what’s possible; there’s no guarantee that we’ll be able to lock the dismissed employee out.

All access control systems are not created equal or user-friendly. At Right-One^®, we are confident that our access control systems are simply the best.

My government agency wants to outsource our physical security services. Does Right-One^® provide service to government clients?

Right-One^® has a wealth of experience in developing physical security solutions for a wide variety of government clients. We hold a certification in the inspection, penetration, repair and recertification of GSA containers and vault doors. We have also performed extensive safe work for government clients. Our government service has been a great source of pride for us. It has been a tremendous honor to lend our expertise to the service of our nation.