At Forest, we are all about safety, after all, that is our only business… and it seems to be Apple’s too. Every year, more and more safety features are built in to their devices. These features won’t work unless we are prepared and know how to use them.

Emergency SOS

Did you know your iPhone could call 911 for you? No one wants to think they will ever be in a situation where they would be unable to make a phone call for help, but if ever you need to make a covert call, your iPhone can be ready.

How to make an Emergency SOS Call

• ⇒ On an iPhone 8, and later:

  Press and hold the side button and either volume button. Continue to hold the buttons when the Emergency SOS slider appears, drag the Emergency SOS slider.

• ⇒ On earlier iPhone models:

  Click the side or button or top Sleep/Wake button (depending on your model) five times, then drag the Emergency SOS slider.

Change your Emergency SOS settings

1. Go to Settings   > Emergency SOS.
2. Do any of the following:

• • ⇒ Turn Auto Call on or off:

    When Auto Call is on and you start Emergency SOS, iPhone plays a warning sound, starts a countdown, then calls the emergency services in your region.

• • ⇒ Turn the countdown sound on or off:

  • When Countdown Sound is on, iPhone plays a warning sound even in silent mode or when Do Not Disturb is turned on.

  • ⇒ Manage your emergency contacts:

    Tap Set Up Emergency Contacts in Health or Edit Emergency Contacts in Health. Create a Medical ID.

Medical ID

In case of emergency, use iPhone to quickly call for help. With Emergency SOS, you can quickly and easily call for help and alert your emergency contacts.

If you share your Medical ID, iPhone can send your medical information to emergency services when you call or text 911 or use Emergency SOS. Medical ID stores your critical medical information for easy access if you happen to become incapacitated. The same screen that displays Emergency SOS will also display your Medical ID. You can display such information as your date of birth, weight, and height.

Additionally, you can list more medically critical information such as your blood type, whether or not you’re an organ donor, and any medical conditions, allergies, or medications you might be taking.

You can set up Medical ID on your iPhone, and even have that information display on your Apple Watch.

Dial the emergency number when iPhone is locked

What if you find yourself in an emergency situation and don’t have your phone but there is someone else’s you could use, the of course, it is locked. You still can call emergency services:

1. On the Passcode screen, tap Emergency.
2. Dial the emergency number (for example, 911 in the U.S.), then tap

You want others to know where you are

You are heading into a situation that you would be more comfortable with if others know your location – Use Find My Friends – This app is built in and keeps others constantly informed of your location.

Share your location in Find My on iPhone

Before you can use the Find My app to share your location with friends, you need to set up location sharing.

Note: If you set up location sharing and others still can’t see your location, make sure Location Services is on in Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Find My. See Control the location information you share on iPhone.

Set up location sharing

1. In the Find My app, tap Me at the bottom of the screen, then turn on Share My Location.

The device sharing your location appears below My Location.

2. If your iPhone isn’t currently sharing your location, scroll to the bottom, then tap Use This iPhone as My Location.

Note: You can share your location from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. To share your location from another device, open Find My on the device and change your location to that device. If you share your location from an iPhone that’s paired with Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular models), your location is shared from your Apple Watch when you’re out of range of your iPhone and Apple Watch is on your wrist.

You can also change your location sharing settings in Settings  > [your name] > Find My.

Set a label for your location

You can set a label for your current location to make it more meaningful (like Home or Work). When you tap Me, you see the label in addition to your location.

1. Tap Me at the bottom of the screen, then tap Edit Location Name.
2. Select a label.

To add a new label, tap Add Custom Label, enter a name, then tap Done.

Share your location with a friend

⇒  Tap , then choose Share My Location.

⇒  In the To field, type the name of a friend you want to share your location with (or tap and select a contact).

⇒  Tap Send and choose how long you want to share your location.

You can also notify a friend or family member when your location changes.

If you’re a member of a Family Sharing group, see Share your location with family members.

Stop sharing your location

You can stop sharing your location with a specific friend or hide your location from everyone.

• Stop sharing with a friend: Tap People at the bottom of the screen, then tap the name of the person you don’t want to share your location with. Tap Stop Sharing My Location, then tap Stop Sharing Location.
• Hide your location from everyone: Tap Me at the bottom of the screen, then turn off Share My Location.

Respond to a location sharing request

1. Tap People at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap Share below the name of the friend who sent the request and choose how long you want to share your location.

If you don’t want to share your location, tap Cancel.

Stop receiving new location sharing requests

Tap Me at the bottom of the screen, then turn off Allow Friend Requests.

Low Battery?

You need help but have been unable to contact emergency services due to weather, a down cell tower, remote location, or for some other reason. Now your battery is running low. To let others know where you are located, change your voicemail greeting to let the caller know you need help and your location, so when they call you, they have all the information to get emergency assistance to you.  To do this, open your phone app, tap voicemail on the lower right corner and then Greeting on the upper left, change your setting to custom and record your new message.

Where Am I?

It’s beautiful day for a remote walk in the countryside or an invigorating hike. It’s easy to get caught up in the day. Then you notice you’re turned around and unsure of how to get back. You pull out your iPhone and there is no service where you are at so Maps is not working. It’s time to do it the old-fashioned way – Compass. The compass app has been included in IOS for years and you don’t have to be online for it to work. It uses a magnetometer chip to sense the Earth’s magnetic field to determine magnetic north. Granted it is more accurate when online so it can determine true north but if you were online, you could just open up Maps…

Hopefully you will never find yourself in any emergency situation but if ever you do, it’s best to be prepared.

Start Planning Now

Spring has just begun and summer is months away, but now is the time to get your vacation plans in order. No matter where you go or what you do to get away, the key is to “get away” from daily routines and have some fun, see new sights, and get some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Have a Worry Free Vacation

If you spend your entire time away worrying about what is going on at home is defeating the purpose. The time to make sure your home is secure is now. You want a working, professionally monitored security system in place. You want to have the time to use it, test it out, and feel comfortable with it before you go away.

Call Forest Today 708-452-2000

Start by calling a Forest Security consultant. We will go over all of the options available to best protect your home and property. We will ensure all areas that are vulnerable to break-in are protected with the most technologically advanced security devices available so that your home and property doesn’t fall victim to a potential intruder.

We’ll be there to help you learn how to use your new system

Once your system is installed, we will show you all of the features and how to use them. We want you to be completely comfortable using your system because it is not going to protect anything if you are not using it.

We’ll keep watch while you are away

When it is time for your getaway, just let us know. We can temporarily change your call list to a neighbor or nearby relative to assist authorities in the case of an emergency.

Check in on you home anytime from anywhere

While you are away, you can check in on your home from your mobile app. You can verify in your device history that all contacts are closed and undisturbed. You can view your video feeds (if video packaged was purchased) to visually verify all is safe and secure.

Enjoy!

Now it’s time for that fun getaway you have been planning. Don’t stress, Forest has it handled. Enjoy every moment of your vacation… After all, you deserve it!

Your front door says a lot about your home’s security

Your front door welcomes you home. It welcomes your guests when they stop by for a visit. It welcomes your delivery drivers when you order out. It also can either welcome or ward off a potential burglar.

Most burglars enter right through the front door. It seems like a bold move but when you think about it, it’s pretty normal to see a person standing on a front porch. So, let’s make sure your door does everything possible to protect everything inside.

Good Construction

Let’s start with your door’s construction. Exterior doors are constructed of usually wood, fiberglass or steel. Any of these make good options as long as the door is solid, closes securely and locks easily. Locks may need to be adjusted from time to time to ensure good working order. Thicker, heavier doors provide better protection as they are more difficult to kick in.

Many doors also have glass panels and they can be just as secure, even with large panels of glass. Just choose one with door glass protected by a polycarbonate glazing shield which makes it virtually unbreakable. Another good option is hurricane glass or bullet proof glass making it impossible to penetrate. Tempered or laminated glass doors may be inexpensive, but offers only minimal protection.

Now that your door is secure protect it even further with a Forest Security contact. When door contact is closed and your alarm is set, if anyone was able to penetrate your front door, your alarm would sound and Forest’s professional monitoring center is immediately notified. They take it from there to contact you and the authorities, if required.

Solid Locks

What about your door locks? Deadbolt locks are standard on entry/exit doors but have you looked at your doorjamb? Your lock inserts into strike plate. Most standard strike plates come with short screws for easy installation. Which also makes it easy to kick in. Replace those short screws with 3” and a box strike. The longer screws will pass the jamb and secure into the framing. The kick in resistance will improve dramatically.

Take it one step further and add security and convenience with Forest Smart lock – Always know when your door is closed and secure – remotely lock/unlock from anywhere – No need for keys – See what Smart locks can do for you here: Residential – Access Control | Forest Security

Your Doorbell

It wasn’t too long ago when a doorbell was just a doorbell. Now, it’s added security for your home. A video Doorbell will let you know immediately if someone is by your front door whether they ring the bell or not – It’s a great deterrent to any potential burglar that not only will they be seen, they will also be recorded. Plus, you have all the added conveniences that a Forest Video Doorbell offers – remote viewing – two-way talk with visitors – video analytics – and so much more – Check it out here: Video Doorbell | Forest Security

Request Your Free Security Quote Here: Request A Security Quote | Forest Security

No Worries with Wellcam

As much as I don’t like to admit it, when they talk about the senior generation, I must include myself in that group. But as independent as I am, I don’t want my kids to have to worry about me.

Staying in Touch

When they were little, we spent much of our time together in our family room where we’d play games, listen to records, eventually watch television, and have lots of fun together. I thought this was the perfect room where we could continue to stay in touch and spend time together, even though my children are grown and their own homes.

Drop in anytime

I installed a Wellness camera in the room where we spent so many years together. I don’t feel it’s an invasion of my privacy since I feel it was then, and continues to be “our family area”.  I still spend evenings there doing crafts and watching television, and I must say, my television has come a long way since those days… My kids can drop in on me anytime through the camera to see that I’m okay and we can have a conversation as if they were in the same room with me.

Peace Of Mind

The camera also has a button on it so in case I am ever in need, I can push it and it contacts them immediately. I know I can get help, if I ever need it. Talk about a win-win, The Wellness cam give us all peace of mind and keeps our family close too.

They think they are checking in to make sure I am safe, but actually, though our nightly visits on Wellcam, I have peace of mind knowing they are all okay too.

To learn more about Wellcam, click here.

Spring is right around the corner and dreaming of a new home is so exciting. It’s also the perfect time to make some smart home security decisions not only to protect your new home, but also to make it more convenient.

Start with the Locks

You are going to change the locks anyway, it’s time to install a new Smart Connected Lock. It will help keep movers and any workers you hired on task, and on schedule. You can lock up immediately after they have finished, whether you are there or not protects your home from intruders. Giving painters, plumbers, etc. their own code to come and go when they need to and you can check to make sure they arrived on time and locked up afterwards right from your phone.

You can also:

• Disarm your security system and unlock the front door from your smartphone.

• Allow easy keyless entry with access codes for workers or cleaners entering your house. Codes can easily be removed after their task is completed.

• Get immediate alerts if you forget to lock your front door or close the garage so you can react right away.

Keep an eye on everything

Keeping in touch with all that is going on in your new home when you’re not there is simple. Indoor and outdoor cameras give you a full view of people involved in your move and their overall progress.

• Video Analytics helps to notify you only when necessary. You want to know if a person is walking up to your home or a vehicle is pulling into your drive. You don’t need to know when your neighbor takes his dog out for a walk.

• Keep a close eye on your kids and pets inside your new home during the move with indoor cameras.

• Answer the front door safely with a video doorbell. It alerts you when someone arrives, and you can answer right from your app from anywhere.

Always come home to comfort

With all the comings and goings during a move, an energy-saving smart thermostat puts you in control of your home’s heating and cooling so everyone can be comfortable and save you money too.

•  Turn up the heat (or the AC) on-the-go right from your app.

• Connect your smart thermostat to your security system to automatically adjust temps for arrivals and departures.

• Explore intelligent energy-saving options to keep your bills lower.

Investing in a smarter home sooner rather than later can help save you time, money, and worry right away and down the road. A connected security system from Forest is the smarter way to protect your new home, along with everything (and everyone) important inside it.

Technology

Advancement in home security technology increases at an amazing pace. It seems every few months something newer and greater is released. And with every new advance, it makes your home and family a bit more safe and secure. But you have a home security system. It seems to work so if it’s not broke, why fix it?

There are so many reasons to upgrade and of course cost is at the top of the list. Many times, Forest can upgrade your system and offer you the same or even lower monthly costs. The newest technology Forest base system starts at only $39.95 a month an includes all the following:

Wireless Communications

Old security systems used telephone land lines to dial a central monitoring station in an emergency event. These old systems only tested monthly so if your telephone line was interrupted or cut you may not know for weeks or longer. Your security system would look like it is working fine, but it had no way to communicate, which is the perfect opportunity for burglars.

Security systems now use cellular radios and the best systems also use Wi-Fi backup for dual communication paths. These paths are continuously monitored so you will be alerted if there is a loss on either connection.

Remote Control

Is your system too old to connect remotely to your smartphone, tablet of computer? Forest’s system will allow you to control, view and monitor your home security from anywhere. And if you have old devices in place like door/window contacts, chances are they will work just fine with a new system. See more about the mobile app here

New Control Panel

Did you see what the newest control panels can do? Take a look here for and see what the most advanced security panel can do, like recognizing you and disarming, just by seeing your face. Yes, this panel is available as a Forest Security Upgrade or new install. See more about our newest control panel here

Let’s Make it Smart

Now you have the new panel, you also have the option to add all the Smart Home devices you desire. Smart Lights, Smart Locks, Remote Thermostats, Video Cameras, Video Doorbell, Garage Door Integration, and even Connected Car. There is so much you can control and keep secure with one mobile app. See more about Smart Options here

Forest’s Top Reasons to Upgrade

• Eliminate that landline connection and telecom expense – it is not secure
• Increase your security with cellular/Wi-Fi dual connectivity
• Control of your security system remotely with your smartphone, tablet or PC
• Remotely control your lights, door locks, thermostats and more
• Integrate Amazon Alexa or Google Home with your home security system
• Better manage your energy costs with Smart thermostats/Smart Lighting and “smart scenes”
• Affordable alarm monitoring saves you money month after month
• Adding video surveillance to your home so you know when kids arrive home, what pets are doing while home alone, watching over elder family members
• Expand current security coverage adding sensors
• Keep your family protected with the best security

Forest really does make it easy and affordable to upgrade your current security or install a brand-new system. Give us a call at 708-452-2000. You’ll be glad you did.

What can Smart Home Security do for you in 2022? It can also protect your car!

Your Forest Security app sends you notifications about your security system so you always know what is going on at your home or business. Now your same system can send you notifications about your automobile.

Keep A Watchful Eye

As parents we worry, especially when our teen gets their drivers license. Now you can keep a watchful eye, even when you are not in the car with them. Set up a notification to alert you of certain driving behaviors like sudden acceleration, hard braking, or excessive speeding.

City Parking

City living also comes with city parking. Many of us park in front of our homes on the street leaving our automobiles unprotected. Now you can be alerted if there is any unexpected movement while the engine is off including being broken into, crashed into, being towed or being stolen. With the GPS system, you will be able to see its exact location if it is towed or stolen.

Make Maintenance a Breeze

Keeping an eye on maintenance is also a breeze with Connected-Car. You can be notified about diagnostics such as your check engine light is on, you have a low battery or even low fuel level.

Add On or Stand Alone Feature

Connected Car from Forest can be added on to your home or business security system or used as a stand-alone service. Just another way Forest is working to keep you and your family safe and protected.

Call us at 708-452-2000 – Submit a quote request here – or Contact us below for more information

Ever Changing Technology

Technology is great in helping us to get more done, make things more convenient, and help remind us of things we may have forgotten, but it changes so quickly that we can easily be unaware of new features available to us.

Is your App up to date?

Step one is always to make sure your app is updated. To make sure you have all the features available to you, ensure you have the latest version of Forest’s mobile app from Alarm.com . If you have an Android Device, Get the most recent version from Google Play – Click Here

If you have an Apple Device, Get the most recent version from the Apple Store – Click Here

Tip- Apple Users: You can now rotate your phone and utilize landscape mode making the test larger, easier to navigate, and easier to read. This feature is already available for Android users.

Are you using Places?

Another feature that you may not be using is Geo-Services Places. It helps to remind us if we have forgotten to do things like close the garage door when we drove away, or arm our security system after leaving the house. Places also can turn your thermostat to a desired temperature or turn your light on when you are on your way home, making your home more comfortable and safe. To learn more about Geo-Services Places – click here

Do you know about sensor activity alerts?

Sensor Activity Alerts – Did you know you can add a contact as a notification device? It won’t set off your alarm but you will receive a notification if it is opened. Great for protecting a medicine cabinet, jewelry case, liquor cabinet or just about anything you want to be notified about if someone else is accessing. (Set up a sensor activity alert – click here)

Does your control panel have facial recognition?

Do you have the newest Forest E911 security panel? If so, have you set your face recognition yet? For the ultimate in security, disarm your system with something that is uniquely yours, your face. If you would like to upgrade to the newest security panel:

give us a call at 708-452-2000 or contact us below:

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