Fans of the Back to the Future films series might recall the two main characters traveling into the future to prevent a family disaster. They encountered a home with keyless entry, voice-activated appliances, remote lighting, and so on. It turns out that many of the remote home management features imagined by authors and screenwriters during the 1970s and 80s are now reality. Yes, the future of remote home management is here.

Home security companies in the 21st century have begun integrating security alarms with remote home management. The combined systems not only improve home security, they also make it possible for consumers to manage quite a number of home-related functions from anywhere in the world. All you need is a mobile device and either a cellular or Internet connection.

Here are just a few examples of some of things we can now manage remotely:

• Thermostats – With the high cost of home heating and cooling these days, thermostat management is incredibly important. Thankfully, there is no longer a need to do battle with programmable thermostats that are nearly impossible to figure out. Remote management lets you adjust the temperature in your home from anywhere. You can still program your thermostats, of course, but remote management lets you adjust temperatures with the touch of a button on your mobile device.
• Lighting – Remember the days of programmable timers that plugged into wall sockets? Those days are over thanks to remote home management. New technology lets you control your lighting as easily as you control your thermostats. Adjust the lighting throughout your home or in just one or two rooms. It is fast, easy and effective.
• Door Locks – Being able to lock and unlock doors remotely is one of the newest elements of remote home management. This feature lets you unlock doors to let your kids in at the end of the day, and lock the doors behind them once they are in the house. It is also a great feature for letting out-of-town guests in without having to leave the key outside. And of course, leaving home and forgetting to lock your house is not a problem either.
• Shades and Blinds – today’s homeowner may want to adjust shades or blinds in the home depending on the time of day. For example, opening the blinds on a west-facing window during the dead of winter can help warm up a room nicely in the hours before you return from work.

You can do many important things with remote home management. From a security standpoint, you can arm or disarm your system, or check remote cameras while you are away on vacation.

How Home Automation Works:
Remote home automation and management relies on three important components: wireless communications, the Internet, and new hardware and software. All of them work together to provide management features that are expanding every day.

Wireless communication makes it possible to install and maintain a complete security and remote home management system without having to tap into your existing electrical or phone system. Not only does this help you avoid a lot of unnecessary repair work, it also means your system will continue working even if the power is out. The multiple components in your system communicate wirelessly while the main control panel communicates with the monitoring center via cellular signals.

The system also allows access from anywhere in the world through an account from your service provider that you can access online. Their servers and computer systems have access to your home management equipment through cellular signals. By logging on to your account via the Internet, your home becomes immediately accessible.

None this would be possible without the modern equipment being manufactured today. Between the state-of-the-art hardware and advanced software, designers and developers are putting the power of technology into the hands of consumers who wish to manage their homes from remote locations.

Remote home automation and management is available from One-Stop Communications, with competitive prices on equipment and services. If you would like more information, please contact us so we can schedule one of our representatives to come to your home. We would be happy to design a system uniquely customized for your needs and budget.

If you’ve ever worried about your home when your are away, whether you’re at the office or out of the country; or if you’ve ever wondered if your kids got home safely from school; if you’ve forgotten to lock the door on your way out – there is new type of home security system designed to provide total peace of mind.

Home automation is home security for the smartphone generation, created to allow homeowners full control over their home and lifestyle. Covering every aspect of home management and leaving no stone unturned as a security solution, this technology is fast becoming commonplace in homes across the United States.

If this is the first time you are hearing of home automation, let this infographic serve as an introduction.

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Halloween is a favorite holiday for many children, which is why it would be a particularly terrible time for an accident to occur. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when accidents and injuries are more likely to occur than on a regular evening. The combination of overexcited children hyped up on sugar, people who might not have their best interest at heart, and the inherent risk of being out after dark can lead to unfortunate consequences.

Fortunately, the stories of poisoned candy handed out by sinister people on Halloween are, for the most part, the stuff of urban legend. On the other hand, there are some very real dangers of which parents and children should be aware.

• Even if they’re not handing out tainted treats, some people are a threat to kids. Before yours venture out on Halloween, take a look at your local or state website that pinpoints the location of sex offenders, so that you can avoid those houses. Then head out with your children, enabling your home security system before you go, rather than letting them roam the neighborhood alone. If your children are older, and you feel it’s safe for them to go out on their own, be sure to send a cell phone along with them, so they can keep in touch and let you know if they need help. Additionally, know the route they’ll take before they leave.
• Watch for traffic. Especially with people returning from Halloween parties, the streets can be dangerous after dark. Following basic safety rules can help protect your children from danger. If you have teens out driving to parties and other revelry, admonish them to take extra care for their own safety and the safety of others, and make sure they have enough gas in the tank to get where they’re going. Set reasonable curfews to make sure your kids are home before it gets to be too late.
• Don’t assume some places are safe. Even if you take your kids to a church or community sponsored Halloween event, it’s important to keep an eye on them at all times. While these places may be perfectly safe, crowds of strangers make it easy for predators to blend in.
• Keep costumes safe. Make sure they’re visible in the dark and that kids can see through the eyeholes of any mask. If any props are used, be careful to ensure they don’t have sharp edges that could injure your child in a fall.
• Remember to keep your pets safe, too. Some malicious people are cruel to animals on Halloween, especially black cats. No matter what color or species, pets are better off staying inside on this holiday.
• If you’re staying home, check your outdoor lights to be sure that they’re functional. A big part of home security is keeping your outdoor areas well lit. Be careful, too, to pick up any toys or other items in your yard that might trip a child on the way to your porch.

On Halloween, and throughout the year, keeping your family safe is a top priority. At One-Stop Communications, we offer a home security system perfect for every family and every unique situation. For more information about purchasing a home security system from One-Stop Communications, visit our website.

Sources:
http://www.halloween-safety.com/, http://www.snopes.com/horrors/poison/halloween.asp,   
http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx

• Be aware that earlier nightfall means decreased visibility at rush hour. Drivers and pedestrians have to readjust to the darkness and that can mean an increase in accidents. In fact, a study by Carnegie Mellon University indicates that the risk of traffic fatality jumps 186% for pedestrians between October and November. If you’re driving, make an extra effort to stay alert. If you’re walking, be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid fatigue, which can contribute to accidents. The time change can throw off our internal clocks, and lowered visibility can make us sleepy. You can counteract this problem by making sure you don’t have a sleep deficit before the time changes, and by being aware that you may be sluggish and less alert for a few days.
• Remember, dangers in the fall aren’t all related to longer nights. Fire, weather changes and even falling leaves can all be considered seasonal hazards. This is a great time to have your furnace serviced to make sure it’s in good working order and to review safety measures for using space heaters. Remember to keep space heaters away from anything flammable, like furniture or window treatments, and read manufacturers’ instructions to make sure you’re using them safely. There’s not much you can do about the weather, but be aware that it can change quickly in the fall, often causing dangerous conditions like wet roads or ice patches. As to falling leaves, they’re lovely to see, but can cause slips and falls if they’re left on the ground. If you’re a homeowner, make sure you rake leaves up promptly to keep your property safe.
• Use the time change as a reminder to follow through on some safety measures. Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, recharge your fire extinguishers and create a winter emergency kit for your car. Depending on where you live, this kit should include things like warm clothes, a blanket, bottled water and non-perishable snacks, a flashlight and extra batteries, a shovel, flares, jumper cables, cat litter or sand for traction, and hats and gloves.

Of course, one of the best ways to keep your home and family safe is to have the right security system installed. At One-Stop Communications, there are home security systems to meet the unique needs of many types of families. For more information about Home Security, visit www.onestopsecurity.com or call 717-248-4996.

Sources: 
http://safetytoolboxtopics.com/Seasonal/end-of-daylight-saving-time-can-be-deadly.html
http://www.takeonestep.org/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=254
http://safety.lovetoknow.com/Fall_Season_Safety_Tips

One-Stop Communications has been working with Mid-Atlantic ProTel to transition the AT&T dealership to the new location for many months.  Existing and new AT&T customers in Mifflin County will be directed to the new store location for sales and service of AT&T products.  One- Stop Communications will still remain in operation at its current location servicing all the other products it currently offers.

One-Stop Communications is pleased to see the new store open in Lewistown. “After 18 years in the wireless phone business, it is exciting to see the opening of a store dedicated exclusively to AT&T products and services,” said Michael Buffington, President of One-Stop Communications. “Mid-Atlantic ProTel was perfect fit for this area with their focus on customer service, and I am happy to have the opportunity to focus on the other parts of our business.”

The majority of the AT&T trained staff from One-Stop Communications will be transitioning to the new store to continue providing service to the customers of Mifflin County.  Mid-Atlantic ProTel was honored earlier this year by AT&T for Outstanding Customer Service and was named Regional MVP by the AT&T Northeast Region Management. 

Mid-Atlantic ProTel has taken their mission to heart. “Smartphones aren’t just a luxury anymore. They’ve become a necessity for both school and work,” said Patrick Gaidrich, Director of Retail Operations at Mid-Atlantic ProTel. “We’re going to continue to do what we do best – connect people to the devices they love.”

Mid-Atlantic ProTel currently operates 17 stores in MD, PA, VA & WV, with two more locations planned for 2014 and another six stores in 2015.

For more information on ProTel’s growth and future locations, visit their website at www.MyProTel.com.

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