PAC Integrations
P.O. Box 6008
Concord, CA 94524

UL's product safety certification programs require companies to submit samples of product for UL testing. When products comply with the applicable requirements, the manufacturer is authorized to use the UL Listing Mark. UL follow-up inspection then confirms that all products used in installed solutions match compliance standards. The company is included in UL's Product Directories. Only products that bear a UL Listing Mark are considered UL Listed. PAC Integrations only uses UL Listed products in its installations.

A quality home security alarm system may decrease the chances that someone breaks into your home. Even if the alarm system does not keep someone from breaking in, it may cause the burglar to be in your home a shorter amount of time.

Burglars look for an easy mark. They prefer homes that provide good hiding places and relatively easy entry. Follow these simple but effective steps to make your home less appealing to a burglar:

• Install proper outdoor lighting, including motion-activated floodlights, to keep your home perimeter well lit at night.
• Position and mount exterior lights high enough to make them difficult to disable.
• Make sure all entrance doors have deadbolt locks.
• Install a peephole in the door to see who is there without having to open it.
• Secure sliding glass doors and windows with a bolt lock or by placing a sturdy bar in the track.
• Keep your valuables and expensive electronics out of sight - if a burglar doesn't see something worth stealing, they are more likely to target a different home.
  

It's smart to take protective measures to reduce the risk of personal injury and property damage before a fire occurs.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home.
• Test and clean smoke alarms monthly.
• Replace smoke alarm batteries each year.
• Review escape routes with your family and practice escaping from each room.
• Teach family members to stay low to the floor when escaping a fire.
• Clean out storage areas in your home.
• Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids indoors.
• Never smoke near flammable liquids.
• Clean fireplace chimneys and remove branches from above chimney openings.
• Keep open flames and heating units away from walls, furniture, draperies, and flammable items.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children.
• Do not overload extension cords or electrical outlets.
• Install fire extinguishers in your home and teach family members how to use them.
• Ask your local fire department to inspect your home for fire safety and prevention.

"Listed alarm service company" is a common way of saying that a company is authorized to use the UL Listing Mark on alarm services that are in compliance with UL's requirements. For alarm systems, the UL Mark is a certificate.

A quality home security alarm system generally includes these basic components:

• Control panel where the system wiring terminates, the backup battery is located and where it is connected to the phone lines for a monitored system.
• Keypad where the system is armed and disarmed.
• Siren to sound the audible alarm.
• Inside motion detector that senses changes in a room caused by human movement. Special motion detectors are available for those with pets.
• Door and window contacts that sound the alarm when the door or window is opened while the security system is activated.
• A central monitoring station that receives notice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if any of these system components are set off or activated.
  

Call toll free:  800-479-4PAC (4722)

According to FBI statistics, more burglaries occur in July and August than in any other months. And, not surprisingly, most break ins are during the day, between 8 AM and 5 PM, when the odds of residents being at home are lower. Given this information, it's important to be consistent and diligent about locking all doors and windows each time you go out. If you have an alarm security system, make sure to activate it for maximum protection.

It's important to evacuate your home as quickly as possible. Do not endanger yourself by attempting to take possessions with you.

• Check all closed doors for heat before opening them.
• If the door is hot, go through a different exit or use a window.
• If the door is cool, open it slowly to ensure it offers a viable escape route.
• Crawl low under any smoke to your exit - heavy smoke and poisonous gasses collect first along the ceiling.
• Close doors behind you to delay the spread of fire.
• If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop to the ground, and roll until the fire is extinguished.
• To prevent smoke inhalation, cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel or T-shirt.
• Stay out of the house once you have escaped. Do not re-enter.
• Call 9-1-1.

"Listed central station" means that an alarm monitoring facility has demonstrated the ability to provide service that meets or exceeds the standards outlined by UL. In the case of monitoring stations, UL requirements cover building structure, receiving and monitoring equipment, and staffing, as well as installation and ongoing service. In order to be able to provide standards-compliant service, the building, equipment and staffing requirements must be met at all times. PAC Integrations and its central station partners are UL Listed.

Some home security alarm systems include these additional components:

• Smoke detectors
• Closed circuit TV to monitor and/or record activity inside or outside
• Glass break detectors
• Panic buttons
• Pressure mats for under rugs
• Alarm screens for windows
  

Fax: 925-687-7662

Statistics prove that burglars prefer to break into an empty house. They watch for signs that you are not at home. These tips help your home appear occupied when you're at work, traveling, or on vacation:

• Get to know your neighbors. Tell them when you are out of town and ask them to keep an eye on your home.
• Give your house a "lived in" look by setting up automatic timers for lights, radio, or a television. Use several timers to stagger the on/off sequences.
• Unread newspapers or an overstuffed mailbox are obvious clues that you are not at home. Ask a relative, friend or trusted neighbor pick these up each day. Even better, put your mail and newspaper delivery on hold.
• Leave a vehicle in your driveway. If you don't have an extra car, ask someone to park theirs at your home. For extended times away, arrange for a friend or neighbor to move the vehicle around from time to time.
• Make sure your answering machine message does not announce that you are away or when you will return. Keep your message neutral and only say you are busy and can't come to the phone.
• Seasonal outdoor maintenance may inadvertently give away the fact that your home is temporarily unoccupied. Ask someone to mow the lawn, water the flowers, rake leaves, or shovel snow while you are away.
• Be careful whom you tell that you will be out of town. Not everyone is trustworthy or ethical, so exercise caution with new or very casual acquaintences.

If needed, take a headcount to make sure all family members escaped. Check to see if anyone is injured.

• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Cool and cover burns to reduce the chance of further injury or infection.
• Do not attempt to open safes or strong boxes - they retain intense heat for several hours.
• If you rent your home, contact the landlord.

A "Certificated alarm system" means that, as a Certificate-issuing alarm company, PAC Integrations declares that it only provides services that comply with the established UL standards. It is equivalent to a manufacturer whose products are qualified to bear the UL Mark and whose company name is included in a UL product directory. A Certificated alarm system is subject to random audits to countercheck compliance.

Motion detectors are not recommended as the primary means of detection because they are activated only after someone breaks in. By themselves, motion sensors do not deter someone from the initial act of breaking and entering. However, other security components, such as surveillance cameras or window sensors, have been shown to deter some burglars from taking that first step to enter your home and harm your property. 

Yes. Monitored alarm systems are an effective deterrent. Nine out of ten convicted burglars said they avoid houses protected by an alarm system. Security system decals and signs can also discourage unlawful entry into your home.

But even with a monitored alarm system in place, take appropriate precautions:

• Do not give out your alarm code. Only a family member or trusted friend should know the code in case of  an emergency.
• Make sure your security system includes a loud alarm. Install detectors at all exterior doors and windows.
• Motion sensors are strongly advised in the master bedroom and main living areas.

Keep copies of records and other important documents in a waterproof portable container. Another option is to keep these files in a secure, off-site location, such as a safe deposit box.

• Social security cards, driver's licenses and passports
• Birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Will
• Current photos of family members
• Emergency contact list
• Immunization records
• Bank and credit card account numbers
• Insurance policies
• Contracts and deeds
• Stocks and bonds
• Inventory of valuable goods (include photos videos, appraisals, etc.)

At PAC Integrations, the answer is yes. It is important to note that the vast majority of alarm systems in the U.S. are not Certificated. A system that has a Certificate complies with published, nationally recognized standards and codes that provide a baseline common understanding of the system and service provided.

When a home security system is connected to a central monitoring station, these are the steps that occur:

• Your activated security system component senses something.
• The system waits 30 to 45 seconds to give you a chance to deactivate the system to prevent false alarms.
• If the alarm is not deactivated, the security system sends a message to the monitoring company over telephone lines.
• The monitoring company receives the message and verifies the alarm, usually by calling your home. If they do not receive the proper password or do not receive an answer, the police are called.
• The police respond and also notify the fire department or medics if needed.
• There is usually a monthly fee for the monitoring service.
  

Obviously, there are no guarantees. Taking every precaution still may not stop the determined burglar. Whether you live in the city, suburbs or a rural community, every home in a neighborhood is a potential prospect to a thief. The point of these tips and suggestions is to make your home a less appealing target.

Burglars choose houses that offer easy access, adequate cover, obvious valuables worth stealing, and virtually no chance of being caught. When you make your home hard to break into, it increases the burglar's risk of being caught. And when the risk is too high, the thief goes elsewhere.

You may be surprised to learn that the average family has a one-in-four chance of being the victim of a serious crime each year, as estimated by the U.S. Justice Department. Don't make it easy to become part of that statistic.

• Never hide a key in the  mailbox, under the doormat, in the planter box, or above the doorway. If you know about these hiding places, so do the "bad guys"!
• Don't put your name or address on your key ring. It might lead a burglar right to your front door.
• When having service work done on your vehicle, remove the ignition key from your key ring rather than leaving all your keys at the shop.

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and car. Maintain a three- to seven-day supply of vital medications.

• Prescription drugs, pain relievers and antacids
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Antiseptic, sterile needles
• Sterile adhesive bandages and gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Safety pins in multiple sizes
• Scissors and tweezers
• Thermometer
• First aid manual
• Heat and fire-resistent blanket

UL Certification has minimal effect on pricing. It is most important to make sure that you compare the various components included in the proposed solution. Elements that are generally considered minimum components for reliable alarm service include:

• Proper equipment required for the application
• Installation made in accordance with codes and standards
• Trained alarm technicians installing the system
• Repair service provided by trained alarm technicians
• A preventative maintenance program by trained alarm technicians

If these elements are in place in competing systems, the cost of a Certificated alarm system should be competitive with a similar non-Certificated system.

Unmonitored systems usually have a combination of loud alarms and flashing lights. This type of system relies on neighbors or passers-by to call the police. The lights and alarms should be installed on the street side of the house where they can be easily seen, but in a position that does not provide easy access.

Choosing a home security system provider can be confusing. It's wise to ask a variety of questions to help differentiate the reputable, reliable firm from the "here today, gone tomorrow" company.

• How long has the company been in business? Find out if they are members of the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau.
• Request references from two or three customers who purchased a system similar to what is appropriate for you. Call these people and ask if they are satisfied with the quality of the system, installation, service, and value of their investment.
• Ask about equipment warranties. What types of service agreements are available? What is the average response time for a service call?
• How does the alarm company screen new employees? Do they conduct background checks for criminal records, etc., especially for installers and service personnel?
• Obtain quotes from at least three different companies. When comparing prices, be sure that you consider company reputation, reliability, and longevity in addition to evaluating the specific coverage, features, and functionality of the proposed solution.