If you made a New Year’s resolution list, you might want to consider putting a home security system on it. But even if you’ve got a home security system that has all the bells and whistles, there are other things you can do that will not only make your home safer, but also help you get the New Year off to a great start.

Beyond a home security system, here are some ideas for your list of resolutions.

• Make your home as safe as possible. If you don’t have one already, maybe it’s time to consider installing a carbon monoxide detector. Also check for radon gas, and if necessary test for lead paint and asbestos flooring. It’s also a good time to pay attention to hazards you may not always consider, such as lint buildup in vents and ducts behind the dryer, or poor ventilation that fosters mold. Looking out for these simple details can help keep your home safe and your family healthy.
• If you have an older house, have the wiring checked. Each year, home electrical problems result in thousands of home fires, hundreds of deaths and millions of dollars in property loss. Taking a proactive step to have your wiring inspected can make your home safer, protecting your family and finances from calamity.
• Be mindful of safety hazards in your home. Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to throw out the Christmas tree before it gets too dry and becomes a fire hazard. Make simple repairs before they become more complicated or dangerous. Use good security habits, like installing security lights, bolstering door locks and reinforcing windows. By resolving to be mindful of your home, you’ll be protecting your home, your belongings and your family.
• Are your finances healthy? Some resolutions for your home should involve your monetary health. Resolve to cut costs by making your home more energy efficient and you’ll be surprised at how much money you save. Resolve to pay extra on your mortgage each month, and you’ll pay it off years sooner than projected.  A home security system can often do more than just protect your family and your property; it can also be a boon to your budget. Check with your insurance company to see if discounts are available for homeowners with a security system.

If you don’t already have a home security system, look no further than One-Stop Communications. With the very latest technology in home security, we offer home security systems that are right for virtually any household, from the simplest system to the most high-tech.  Some even offer the latest in home automation, including remote security monitoring. 

Sources: 
http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/clean-and-organize/5-new-years-resolutions-for-your-home
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/6-new-years-resolutions-homeowners-2.aspx
https://www.statefarm.com/insurance/home-and-property/homeowners/discounts/home-monitoring-offer
http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/holidays/christmas-tree-fires
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/home-diy/safety/10-ways-to-secure-your-home.htm

Exede t​ops FCC ranking for delivering advertised speeds, and ViaSat-1 Guinness World Records title​ ​make Exede attractive choice for area residents  

December 19, 2014 – Central Pennsylvania residents now have access to Exede® by ViaSat, a high-speed satellite Internet service earning awards and recognition nationwide. The 12 Mbps baseline download speed offered by Exede Internet is eight times faster than previous generation satellite services – and often significantly faster than average DSL service.

Powered by ViaSat-1 – officially recognized as the World’s Highest Capacity Communications Satellite with a Guinness World Records title – Exede service has moved into the mainstream of Internet options. A February 2013 FCC study based on performance tests reported that Exede Internet outperforms all other ISPs in delivering promised speeds to subscribers, with 90 percent of Exede subscribers receiving 140 percent or better of the advertised 12 Mbps download speed during peak periods. Popular Science also named the innovative satellite system and Exede Internet as a Best of What’s New award winner for 2012.   

One-Stop Communications provides the award-winning service for Central Pennsylvania. “As a local dealer serving this community for many years, I’m pleased to provide super-fast Internet to households that have never been able to get speeds like this in the past,”said Michael Buffington, President, of One-Stop Communications. “My customers are very pleased with the speed and reliability of Exede Internet, and we look forward to providing service to many more customers here in Central Pennsylvania.”

The consistently fast performance of the Exede satellite Internet service has helped ViaSat reach more than 285,000 subscribers on ViaSat-1 in its first year of operation. The total subscriber count across all ViaSat satellites has surpassed 500,000 for the first time. Subscribers also enjoy 100 percent U.S.-based customer support. Approximately 40 percent of new Exede Internet subscribers are choosing the satellite service over other alternatives available to them, such as DSL, cable, and mobile wireless for fixed home use – a major shift from the previous generations of satellite Internet service, often considered a “last resort” for those with no other alternative.

About Exede (www.exede.com)
Exede® Internet by ViaSat, Inc. delivers high-speed Internet to more than 285,000 subscribers across the U.S. Powered by ViaSat-1, the world’s highest-capacity satellite uses spot-beam technology to cover approximately 80 percent of the U.S. population. With download speeds up to 12 Mbps, Exede has transformed satellite Internet for households that previously had slow, inadequate Internet service. It is also proving to be a popular, competitive alternative to residential DSL and wireless Internet. In the FCC’s annual benchmarking report, Measuring Broadband America 2013, Exede led all Internet service providers in surpassing advertised speeds. ViaSat-1 earned a Guinness World Records® achievement as the highest-capacity communications satellite in the world at the time of its launch in October 2011. Popular Science also named the innovative satellite system and Exede Internet as a Best of What’s New Award Winner for 2012.

About ViaSat (www.viasat.com)
ViaSat delivers fast, secure communications, Internet, and network access to virtually any location for consumers, governments, enterprise, and the military. The company offers fixed and mobile satellite network services including Exede® by ViaSat, which features ViaSat-1, the world’s highest capacity satellite; service to more than 1,750 mobile platforms, including Yonder® Ku-band mobile Internet; satellite broadband networking systems; and network-centric military communication systems and cybersecurity products for the U.S. and allied governments. ViaSat also offers communication system design and a number of complementary products and technologies. Based in Carlsbad, California, ViaSat employs over 2,500 people in a number of locations worldwide for technology development, customer service, and network operations.

DISH First Major US Pay-TV Provider to Integrate Netflix

• App available today on second-generation Hopper® Whole-Home HD DVR
• Integration streamlines customers’ video entertainment experience

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– DISH today became the first major pay-TV provider in the U.S. to integrate the Netflix app into its set-top box. Available on DISH’s second-generation Hopper, the app gives customers the ability to instantly stream Netflix movies and TV shows, including “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black,” from the same platform used to access their linear television channels. The Netflix app will rollout to DISH customers throughout the day.

“Pairing Netflix with Hopper represents the consolidation of two incredible video experiences,” said Vivek Khemka, DISH senior vice president of product management. “This app integration eliminates the need to switch television inputs to access content on varying devices. It gives our customers easy access to their favorite shows and movies, on both DISH and Netflix, without ever having to leave their Hopper.”

“As the first major pay-TV provider in the U.S. to add the Netflix app to its set-top box, DISH strengthens an already robust video entertainment experience for its customers,” said Bill Holmes, global head of business development at Netflix. “Many households subscribe to both Netflix and a traditional pay-TV service. Our vast library of TV shows and movies, combined with DISH’s lineup of live television content, gives customers easy access to a wide variety of complementary programming.”

Hopper customers will find the same Netflix user interface found on most other platforms. The app is easily accessible from any channel by clicking the blue button on the DISH remote and selecting the Netflix icon, or from the Netflix icon on the Hopper main menu. Those new to Netflix can create an account in the app or by visiting www.netflix.com/dish.

The Netflix app is currently available on all broadband-connected second-generation Hopper set-top boxes. In the coming months, DISH expects the app to rollout to Joey, Super Joey and Wireless Joey clients. Additionally, in the future, titles available on Netflix could be integrated into the search functionality across live, recorded and Video On Demand programs for both the Hopper as well as DISH’s forthcoming OTT service.

In keeping your family safe, you’ll do whatever it takes, from installing home security to insisting on seat belts and bike helmets. At Christmas time, there are plenty of opportunities for joyous get-togethers, festive decorations and overall merrymaking. Unfortunately, all that festivity can also lead to an increase in danger. Here are some tips on keeping your family safe and protected over the holidays.

• A Christmas tree or Menorah may be the center of your holiday décor, but both can also be the central danger zone for your holidays. Trees, both real and artificial, can pose as fire hazards if handled irresponsibly. If you’re buying an artificial tree, choose one that’s flame retardant. If it’s a real tree, the needles should be green and should stay on the tree, even when it’s shaken or touched. Keep your tree away from heating vents and fireplaces, and never use lit candles as decorations. A Menorah can also pose as a fire threat if left unattended for long periods of time or if it’s placed near drapes or curtains.
• Keep your holidays merry and bright- and safe. Choose the proper lights – there’s a difference between indoor and outdoor lights – and always choose strands that have been tested for safety by a recognized laboratory. Check your sets of lights for broken sockets, frayed wires and loose connections, and never plug in more than three strings in one extension cord. No matter how festive they may be, always turn off your holiday lights before you go to bed.
• A roaring fire in the fireplace can be festive, as long as it’s tended with care. Don’t burn wrapping paper, as it can burn too quickly and cause a flash fire. Never leave a fire unattended, always ensure that ashes have stopped smoldering before you go to bed, make sure your smoke alarms are functional, and keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of an accident.
• Make sure toys are fun, not dangerous. Buy age-appropriate toys, and always read the instructions before allowing your child to play with them. If you have small children, take care to choose toys with no small parts on which to choke, or long strings, that can be a strangling hazard. For older children with electronic toys, choose toys with batteries over those that plug into the wall.
• Know what’s going on in your house, even if you’re celebrating elsewhere. Holiday travel takes us all over the country, reuniting us with friends and family we might not see throughout the year. With the right home security system, you can keep track of what’s going on in your house, and even receive alerts if something seems amiss.

During the holidays, as throughout the year, keeping your family safe is your priority. One-Stop Communications can help, offering home security in configurations perfect for every family, with home monitoring options to help you keep an eye on things, even when you can’t be there. For more information about home security systems, visit our website..

Sources:
http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/holidays/christmas-tree-fires/christmas-tree-safety-tips
http://www.rd.com/home/christmas-safety-checklist/
http://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/safety/12-tips-for-holiday-home-safety/
http://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/safety/
https://ntsi.com/quick-links/safety-articles/christmas-safety/

A fire in the home can create a level of panic that is unmatched by virtually any other event. Unfortunately, what starts out as a very small fire can quickly become an inferno that can cause serious injury and death. It’s important to understand that trying to fight a small fire on your own could actually make the problem worse if it’s not done correctly. We want to help you be safe by explaining how to put out different types of fires.

Before we get to firefighting techniques, remember that it’s never wise to put yourself in danger just to put out a fire. Your home and possessions can be replaced; you cannot. If a fire in your home causes you to feel threatened – whether or not you can fight the fire by yourself – protect yourself by calling 911.

Cooking Fires:
Next to fires caused by careless smoking, cooking fires are the second most common in the United States. These kinds of fires can occur in the oven or on top of the stove. Here’s what you need to know:

• Grease Fires – Since grease and water do not mix, grease fires will only be made worse by throwing water on them. Instead, turn off the oven or burner and smother the flames with something such as baking soda or salt. You can also attempt to cover the first with a lid to smother its source of oxygen. Never attempt to move a pan or pot with grease in it.
• Oven Fires – Fires inside the oven usually occur when food ignites or grease drips onto the heating elements. Turn the oven off and then smother the flames with baking soda or salt. Immediately close the oven door to cut off the air supply.

The best way to avoid cooking fires is to make sure you keep your oven and stovetop clean. Wipe down all surfaces and heating elements with a degreaser after every use. When cooking in the oven, use a drip pan underneath meats with excess fat. It is always a good idea to have a small Type B dry chemical fire extinguisher in the kitchen as well.

Electrical Fires:
Electrical fires can be caused by overloaded sockets, frayed wires, or equipment malfunction. As with grease fires, do not attempt to put out an electrical fire using water. Water conducts electricity, exposing you to the risk of electrical shock.

To put out an electrical fire, unplug the device if possible. Then smother the flames using a blanket or piece of heavy clothing. If you have a fire extinguisher in the house, it offers you another option.

As with kitchen fires, it’s easier to stop electrical fires before they get started. Routinely check cords for fraying or breaks. Also, avoid using extension cords for anything other than temporary power.

Storage Area Fires:
A fire in a storage area can be caused by any number of things. For example, oil soaked rags can easily combust if exposed to even the smallest of sparks. Other causes can include improperly stored gasoline, charcoal lighter fluid, and household solvents.

Type B fire extinguishers are your best bet for putting out fires related to petroleum products and solvents. Type A fire extinguishers work well for paper and similar items. In the absence of a fire extinguisher, smother the flames with a blanket or a heavy piece of clothing.

Natural Gas Fires:
The most dangerous source of a house fire is natural gas. Turn off the gas supply and call the fire department immediately. If you cannot get to the shutoff, try to smother the flames with a heavy carpet or blanket. Even if you are successful in putting out the flames however, exit the home immediately. Leaking gas always poses a risk of explosion.

Chimney Fires:
Any home with a fireplace or wood-burning stove can be susceptible to chimney fires caused by creosote buildup. Once a fire erupts in the chimney, it is already too late to fight it on your own. Get out of the house and call 911. Do not attempt to go up on your roof and douse the flames with a garden hose. Chimney fires can grow very quickly to engulf the entire structure.

A fire in your home is likely to be a major crisis, but you can reduce the chances of injury and property loss by installing a home security system with fire monitoring from One-Stop Communications. We would welcome the chance to tell you more about how to make your home safer in the event of a fire.

Source:

1. Buffalo Grove: http://www.vbg.org/531/Different-Ways-To-Extinguish-Different-F

Home security has matured significantly over the years. Today’s home security systems are capable of monitoring not only for burglary, but also for fire, carbon monoxide, flood, and medical emergencies. In fact, modern equipment and software now make it possible to add home automation features to any home security system. With the installation of this additional equipment, homeowners can save money by making their homes more efficient.

According to data collected by Monitronics and published in a recent infographic, more than 12 million home automation systems will be installed throughout the U.S. by 2016. The home automation market in this country will exceed $5.5 billion during that same period. Furthermore, more than 44 percent of U.S. adults say they are open to the idea of utilizing home automation equipment themselves.

So why all of the interest in home automation? It comes down to efficiency. Our busy schedules make it more difficult than ever to properly manage lighting and thermostats for maximum savings. Home automation changes the game by giving homeowners the tools needed to control lighting as well as heating and cooling systems at any time of day.

Manage Your Lighting
When you were growing up, did your parents constantly remind you to turn off lights when leaving a room? You might even have to remind your own children of the same thing. However, what about managing lighting when no one is home? That’s where home automation comes in.

Home automation allows you to turn lights off and on at various times throughout the day. For example, set up a schedule so that the lights in the entrance turn on just about the time you are scheduled to return from work. If you are going to be late one night, just access your system using a smart phone or tablet to make the necessary adjustments.

Managing lighting also allows you to turn lights on and off for security purposes when you are away for extended periods. The obvious benefit is not leaving lights on 24 hours a day. Turn them on remotely for a few hours at night in several rooms within your house. It not only looks like someone is home, but it also saves electricity.

Manage Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling are among the most costly parts of owning a home. You can purchase a programmable thermostat that lets you set the temperature of your home on a seven-day cycle, but a programmable thermostat only works well if you have a fairly simple schedule. A more complex schedule requires something different.

Home automation lets you set your thermostat according to your normal routine, but it also allows you to change your settings on-the-fly. For example, let us say you are taking an extended vacation to get out of the winter weather for two weeks. With a programmable thermostat, you would have to change your existing program or set the thermostat to hold a specific temperature. With home automation, it is a lot easier.

Home automation lets you set a specific temperature to hold as you leave the house. When you are within an hour of returning, just access your system with your smart phone and resume your established program. You will save money while you’re away without coming home to a cold house.

Save with Home AutomationUsing a home automation system to control lighting and thermostats can reduce your energy bills by as much as 15 percent each year. For the average American household, that amounts to nearly $200. When you combine home automation with home security and 24-hour monitoring, it is an incredible value that is well worth the investment.

One-Stop Communications offers this functionality by way of HomeTouch home automation. Please contact us for all of the details regarding equipment, pricing, and installation.

Don’t let snow and ice stop you from watching your favorite TV shows. 

The low voltage HotShot dish heater kit will keep your satellite dish clear of ice and snow. It has a built-in sensor that turns on the heater in freezing conditions by a self adhesive heating element and will help prevent service outages due to signal loss caused by the buildup of snow or ice on the dish. It can also reduce rain fade by up to 75 percent. By simply attaching the self-adhesive vinyl pad to the satellite antenna.

For more information call 717-248-4996.

A special greeting to express to you our sincere appreciation for your business, your confidence and loyalty.

We are deeply thankful and extend to you our best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Day.

The world’s futurists have always painted fanciful pictures of what they imagined the future would be 25, 50, or even 100 years down the road. And since the 1970s, our media-saturated culture has been exposed to images of all sorts of future inventions ranging from flying cars to high-tech clothing. The fun thing is to see how much of what the futurists predicted decades ago actually comes true over time. For example, consider remote home automation.

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.

Home security has come a long way in recent years. What were once alarm systems operating via a landline connection have now become wireless systems capable of fully fortifying your home with CCTV, motion-sensing technology, lighting and heating control, and round-the-clock monitoring.

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.