Energy costs have skyrocketed this year and for us consumers, we’re left out in the cold… Here are some tips to hopefully help ease that high price tag a bit:

Automatically save energy when you leave home

One of the biggest waste of energy is heating or cooling your home when you’re away. Forest’s Smart Thermostat prevents this by setting itself back when no one is home. It can do this because it works with your security system and a technology called Geo-Services that understands when you’re leaving and when you’re on your way home.

Geo-Services uses the Forest Security app on your phone as a trigger to automatically adjust your thermostat (and other security devices) based on your location and direction relative to your home. Your thermostat will use it to save energy whenever your family goes out, and it will dial the comfort back up as you arrive home again.

Automate your lights

Lighting has come a long way in terms of energy efficiency, but you can still cut down on waste by automating them.

Forest’s smart lights can turn on and off automatically according to the time of day, or when it gets dark, or whether you’re home. What makes them different is they are also connected to your security system so you can control them with customized Scenes, our quick, multi-device commands that make controlling your home easy.

Smart lights are a great crime deterrent too by scheduling them to turn on if motion is detected outside your home.

Take control of energy-wasting devices

A source of energy waste in your home that is truly hidden are your devices that still use energy when you think they’re turned off. This “standby waste” or “phantom load” could be responsible for up to 10 percent of your electricity bill. The worst offenders include TVs, game consoles, DVRs, cable boxes and coffee machines.

Alarm.com-powered smart plugs let you eliminate this waste by cutting the power supply to these devices when you don’t need them. You can control your smart plugs with your Forest app or a voice-activated Scene, or simply schedule them to turn off at night.

Nicor Gas customers – Check for Rebates

High-efficiency ENERGY STAR® certified products use less energy and can save you money. Rebates for energy efficiency upgrades may be available to current residential Nicor Gas customers, and participation is simple.  Have a Forest Smart  ENERGY STAR® certified thermostat installed and check here for rebates.

Want to save even more?

Our smart home security technology saves you worry, time and money in more ways than one.  The solution is to apply some energy-saving measures—which isn’t easy when your family is coming and going 24/7 and your kids have learned how to adjust the temperature. However, there’s a way to tackle the problem without becoming a security guard for your household thermostat.

Forest’s Smart thermostat makes it easy to save energy and money by automating your home’s heating and cooling.  See more about our ENERGY STAR® certified thermostat here.

Stop heating and cooling the neighborhood all year long

Another benefit of a thermostat that’s connected to your security system is that it knows if door or window is left open. When your kids forget to close the back door, letting summer heat inside, Forest’s smart thermostat can pause your AC automatically by setting back a couple of degrees. You can get an alert when this happens so that you can close the door yourself… or yell for your kids to do it. As soon as it’s closed, your AC returns to normal. No more cooling the neighborhood!

Looking for that unique gift that says I really care?

Nothing says I care more, than the gift of keeping your home and family secure all year long. New security technology is fun too and gives you so many convenience options:

#1 – New or Updated Home Security

Have you seen the newest Security System? It can be integrated with most existing systems or installed brand new. This system gives you ultimate security that no other can. It actually recognizes you! No password guessing, no fingerprints, just your most unique feature…Your face.  Learn More Here

#2 – Already have a great security system?

Think of adding Life Safety Devices to protect your family and pets. CO and Smoke Detectors Save Lives and ours are monitored 24/7, so you are protected whether you are at home or away. Learn More Here

#3 – Security starts at the front door

What, you don’t have a video doorbell yet? Your front door is the first line of defense for protecting your home. Ours includes Video Analytics so you will know when someone is at your door, even if they do not ring the bell. Not to mention protecting all those holiday packages you have been shopping for. You will know the instant they arrive! Learn More Here

#4 – Where are all the ornaments going?

Having a Forest video camera helps you know what is going on in your home when you are not there. We even have options that allow you to speak through the camera to maybe help stop them in their tracks… Learn More Here

#5 – Keep your climate controlled

Baby it’s cold outside…  A chill is in the air, but not in your house with a Forest Remote thermostat. Control the climate in your home with the touch of a button from where ever you are. It will also notify you if the temperature in your home gets too cold to protect pipes from freezing. Learn More Here

#6 – Need to secure a structure that is too far away from your house?

Have a She Shed out in back you want to protect but it is just too far away from your security panel to connect? Ask us about Flex-IO a new contact that has its own built in cellular connection so it can protect just about anywhere.  Learn More Here

#7 -What about your automobile?

Got one of those cars with the big bow on it as a gift this year? Yeah, Me neither… But protect the one you got with Forest’s Connected Car… It will notify you if the car is moved unexpectedly, even when the engine is off. It comes with GPS tracking so you will know where your car is at every moment. You will even know if your teen is driving a bit too fast! Learn More Here

#8 – Keeping it all under lock and key

Lock it all up! Keep everything in your home safe with a smart lock. It integrates with your security system and you can control it remotely. Never wonder if you forgot to lock the front door again. Have any of these locks installed and we will integrate it into your security system. Learn More Here

Carbon Monoxide is scary because you can’t see, smell or taste it, and it’s deadly, not just for humans, but for our pets too. It’s known as the silent killer for a reason. It effects pets much more than humans as they have a much lower tolerance to CO poisoning. On average, pets breathe about 2 breaths to our every one. So many times, pets have signs of CO poisoning weeks before we do.

What are the signs that my pet may have been exposed to carbon monoxide?

The first signs are from the impact on their physiology such as labored breathing, nausea, vomiting or if they show signs of a disturbed gait by walking in a peculiar way like they are drunk. These all may be signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

So where does CO leaks come from?

Anything in the home that is not powered by electricity such as a natural gas water heater, natural gas range, natural gas furnace, or anything that may be fueled by gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane or even a wood burning fireplace.

What is the best way to make sure your home is carbon monoxide free?

Always have working carbon monoxide detectors in your home. The ones you buy at your local home store are a good start. They will alert you if CO is detected, and some have a battery backup.

but what if you are not home and your pet is?

A better solution is with a Forest Monitored CO detector. It will alert you and everyone in the home to evacuate if CO is detected and if you are not home, we will contact the authorities who can help remove any pets that are in danger. They also are monitored to ensure they are working properly so you can be sure everyone is protected. They also have a monitored battery backup system so if you lose power, they will continue to work.

This is particularly Important because?

In many cases, if there is a power loss, people will turn to backup generators. Bringing a generator indoors is never an option! It is like having 100 idling cars inside your home…  Make sure your generator is located outdoor, far enough away from your home so no exhaust can get inside. Also never grill or use a hibachi in your garage, even with the door open. The CO gas can easily leak back into the residence.

A few other notes about Carbon Monoxide

• It is not heavier than air so it does not stay at floor level. CO gas weighs the same as air so it mixes with it. Anywhere air is, CO can be there too.
• CO gas can penetrate drywall so it can leak into a room even with the door closed

From a “Newday Northwest” interview with Sharon Cooksey/Fire Safety Educator – See the video below:

It’s true that given the choice, a burglar will target a home with no dog over one that has a dog, even a small one. Does that mean if you have a dog, you should skip the security system? Not exactly…

• Alert Reliability

Dogs are amazing. Their heightened sense of smell and hearing knows immediately if an intruder is on your property. However, to your dog, an intruder can be “Squirrel!!” “School Bus!!”” “Mail Man!!”” “”Rabbit!!”” All great excuses to warn you… with some barking and more barking.

A Forest Smart Security System also detects an intruder immediately but can determine if there is a genuine threat, or an everyday occurrence. You’ll know if someone pulls into your drive, or walks on your property with an outdoor camera with video analytics. You can see a clip and know immediately if a visitor has arrived, or if someone may be lurking outside. If someone is at your front door, our video doorbell can warn you, even if they don’t ring the bell.

Even more important, if these is a break-in, Forest’s central station will notify you and contact the authorities.

• Tamper Resistant

Fido may be a great early warning system but it has been known for an intruder to enter with doggy treats to distract Fido. Some highly trained dogs won’t fall for this but many certainly will.

On the other hand, a criminal will need more than a steak to defeat a Forest Security System. Our panel is designed to contact the authorities if tampered with so you will know you (and Fido) are always protected.

• Deterrence

Burglars avoid homes with security systems, even more so if video cameras are visible. They also avoid homes with dogs, but not always. Both security systems and dogs are definitely a deterrent in keeping your home safe.

However, there are some things our furry friends can’t do… They can’t text or call us if someone is trying to break in, but a Forest Security system can.  They can’t remind us to lock the front door or set the alarm system, but with notifications from a Forest System, you’ll get a text if you leave the house and forgot to lock up or set the alarm. They can’t take a photo or video of an intruder, but with a Forest Video System, you’ll have high-definition images of all suspicious activity in and around your home.

And most of all, they can’t call for help in the event of an emergency but a Forest System will and it is there to protect them too.

Contact Us 708-452-2000

Isn’t it time you make sure they are protected to with a Forest Security System? Call us today at 708-452-2000 or contact us below for your free security quote.

The 1980’s gave us films like Back to The Future where we got to see what some thought technology was headed. The fantasy of hoverboards, flying cars and the Cubs winning a world series were not too far off! While some of their predictions were spot on, they missed the mark on the huge impact home automation can make in our everyday lives. Let’s take a look at some of these advances and how they make our life not only easier, but also safer!

Remote Lighting

It sounds simple. Turn you lights on or off remotely or set them to turn on or off at specific times. No big deal, right?

Think about coming home from work a bit later than expected due to traffic. It’s dark and no lights are on outside or inside your home. Wouldn’t it be safer and more convenient to be able to turn on the front porch or garage light when you pull in and then turn on the house lights before you enter?

You are sleeping and some strange noise suddenly awakens you. Wouldn’t it be easier and safer to turn on all the house lights with one touch before stumbling around a dark house to investigate?

It gets even better from here: Integrate your lighting with your security system so if someone trips an outdoor motion, your lights turn on giving the impression you are home, even if you are not.

Remote lighting makes everyday life easier and much more secure. Especially when it is integrated into your security system.

Thermostat Control (Energy Management)

We definitely think of this as a convenience feature. After all, who likes to come home to a chilly house in the winter or an overly hot house in the summer? Being able to schedule your homes temperature and change it remotely, if necessary, certainly makes life more comfortable.

But, think about this. When your smart thermostat is connected to your security/home automation system, it can also be monitored. For example, it’s an extremely cold day and you are at work. Your system notices that even though your thermostat is set at 72, the temperature keeps dropping. You receive a notification and can have the system checked before it gets worse and can prevent pipes from freezing.

Doorbell Cameras

This home automation feature was more of a necessity this past year with all of our on-line shopping. Staying safe at home meant a lot of ordering out was done by many who never, or rarely, shopped on line before. Knowing when our packages were delivered kept them safe from porch pirates.

But this was not the main reason the security industry came up with doorbell cameras. Over 30% of burglars enter right through the front door. A doorbell camera shows any potential intruder that your home is protected and encourages them to move on.

Doorbell cameras, like remote lighting, also make the appearance that someone is home by being able to answer your doorbell remotely, from just about anywhere. Thieves prefer empty homes so why not make yours appear occupied at all times, and send intruders packing…

Smart Locks

Let’s face it, we have all locked our self out at one time or another. We have also gotten half way to our destination and wondered, did I lock the front door when I left?  Smart locks put an end to all that. It also makes it easier to come home with an arm full of groceries and unlock the door before you even get out of the car making it easier to safely get into your home.

Having the ability to remotely open your door also makes it safer when visitors arrive. You can visually see them with your doorbell camera and then unlock your door, even if you are not home to let them in. No more spare keys left in flower pots or under door mats makes your home so much safer.

So, what can make all this new technology even better?

Having it professionally installed by Forest Security. Not only will we make sure everything is set up and working properly, we will also show you how to use everything. If ever something goes wrong, we are a phone call away to assist. New technology can be confusing, Forest is here to help! Call us today for your free home automation quote 708-452-2000

October 3rd through October 9th is National Fire Prevention Week for 2021.  “Learn the sounds of Fire Safety” is this year’s theme. A great message and reminder that can save lives.

Having a Forest Security Alarm with life safety devices (smoke and CO Detectors) is the best way to protect your home and family. If the there ever is the threat of carbon monoxide or fire, not only will your detector give you warning, Forest will also be calling you to ensure you reach safety and notifying the authorities for dispatch. Having this life saving option with your Forest Security System provides complete peace of mind and saves lives! When it comes time for maintenance, Forest is there. Check out our support videos for step by step help here: Support Videos  or assist you over the phone by calling us at 708-452-2000.  If you are in need of further assistance, we can schedule a service call, small fee required, to ensure your system is working properly at all times.

If you have a separate smoke and carbon monoxide detector, please make sure you know what the beeping sounds mean, how to change your batteries, and when to replace your worn out detectors. At Forest, Your Safety Is Our Only Business!

Just What is Video Analytics?

Security cameras have been around for decades but it wasn’t until the late 90’s when we started using them in our homes for security purposes. In ‘92, the Nanny Cam was introduced to monitor our children and baby sitters. Now we have doorbell cameras, outdoor cameras, indoor cameras so we always know in an instant, what is going on in our homes.

With all those cameras, comes all those notifications.

It’s great knowing what is going on at home, sometimes, too great! If you are notified every time a car drives by your home, you are going to turn off all those annoying notifications… There are just too many. That’s where Analytics comes in.

Person, Animal, Vehicle… It knows the Difference.

Video Analytics allows you to get smarter video alerts on things that matters to you. It actively detects and distinguishes between people, animals and vehicles to reduce nuisance alerts. Combine that with virtual tripwires and fenced-in activity zones, you can enhance your perimeter security.

What Triggers an Alert?

Once a person, vehicle or animal is detected, customers receive an alert with a thumbnail image of what was caught on camera. You control what should trigger a video alert and what can be ignored.

For example, when a:

• Person enters their yard at night, but not animals
• Car pulls into your driveway, but not when it drives by
• Pet gets on the sofa, but not when it walks around the room
• Person loiters on their porch, but not when mail is delivered

More clips Increase Awareness

The Forest Pro Video with Analytics package includes 3,000 video clips per month. That’s three times more than other service plans so you are sure to get all the informative clips you will need.

Reduce False Alerts

Video Analytics helps reduce nuisance alerts and false notifications from shadows, rain and other non-actionable motion.

Automate Lights – Deter Crime

Deter unwanted intruders from approaching your property by having your lights turn on when a car, person or animal is detected by the camera giving the illusion that you are home, even if you are not. Most break-ins occur when no one is at home so, stop crime before it happens.

Call us at 708-452-2000 or contact us below for more information about Video Analytics for your home.

Cost Effective?

Is a DIY system really cost effective?  DIY kits make it look easy to set up and install but who do you contact for help if there is a problem? Are the contacts and detectors covering the most vulnerable access areas in your home? Are you sure it will work at the most critical time, when it is needed? Who is monitoring your system? If there is an emergency, who will call for help?

Don’t Lose Out On The Expertise!

As you can see, the main drawback to a DIY kit, is you lose out on the expertise and many services a professional security company, like Forest, offers. Forest systems are completely integrated. All devices work together for truly enhanced security. For instance, an outdoor camera that detects motion can also trigger the front porch or interior light to turn on to emulate someone being at home. If your heat or AC is running when a fire or carbon monoxide leak occurs, your system can pause your thermostat to stop toxic fumes from spreading.… and so much more.

Experienced Security Professional:

Consider the extensive experience a professional security installer, like Forest, brings to the table. We survey your home to see all the areas that may be vulnerable to intrusion. We know all the latest technologies to use that will protest these areas. We work with home and business owners every day to develop the best and most cost-effective way to protect you and your property.

Professional Monitoring:

Once your system is installed, we are still there every day, professionally monitoring your system. If ever the need arises, we are there to dispatch authorities and get the emergency help you need.

Easy, Affordable, Professional:

Protect Your Home, Your Family, Your Business with the Best… Forest Security/ Call or Contact us today for your Free Security Analysis:  (Contact Us Below)

Starting a Business…

Starting a business these days is tough enough, but starting one that has special security requirements is even tougher. That’s what friends and business partners found out when they decided to open a distillery and bar. One of the requirements to obtaining a distilled spirit plant permit in their location was providing proof of high security ensuring no endangering theft of product.

Unique Requirements:

Storing spirits on site prior to sale required a federally bonded warehouse and coupled with the high value of the equipment and security requirement of running a bar meant they needed a customized and diverse solution.

A Simple Solution:

They were looking for a system that would also simplify their lives being stressed enough starting a brand-new business. Their new security system would be a blend of intrusion detection, access control, and video surveillance.

System Integration:

Having all the systems integrated together resulted in a security system that’s more than the sum of its parts. Adding a new employee to the system only takes a moment, and the partners can easily check in on their business remotely.  Keypad locks allow employees and owners to come and go without worrying about keys and the partners know who access which lock and when it was accessed.

One App:

Having everything together in one single app has helped them run their business more efficiently. Their security system has helped them avoid some of the headaches associated with starting a business.

A World Off Your Shoulders…

Making an investment with a specialized security company, like Forest Security, that provides the knowledge and technology, definitely takes a load off. It’s a world off your shoulders to be able to be distant from your business…and still be there, without actually being there.”

Call Forest:

To get a complete security analysis and proposal for your business (or home) give us a call. There is no cost or obligation. See how secure, easy, and affordable a Forest Security system can be. Contact us Below: