FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Security

When you’re trying to find a security system to protect your home and family, there are lots of options, and it’s pretty easy to get overwhelmed.  Check out the home alarm systems FAQ below and get to the heart of what you need to know about home security.

1. What sets LifeShield apart from other national security companies like ADT?

Some alarm system companies like ADT will try to sell you a hardwired home monitoring system, even though these systems are quickly becoming outdated. They require professional installation with wires through your walls, and they rely on a connection from the central in-home console to your landline phone. The biggest problem is that phone lines are outside and completely vulnerable; if the outside wires are cut or the console is ripped right out of the wall, your entire home security system goes down.
Burglars know that these hard-wired home security alarm systems can be easily disarmed. All it takes is a pair of cheap wire cutters, and within seconds, they can have your whole security system dismantled. The worst part is that you won’t even know.

• Value. LifeShield brings you protection for the 21st Century. The LifeShield home security system actually has four layers of back-up and is almost impossible for any burglar to defeat. Plus, LifeShield was one of the first companies to offer customer system control via smart phone apps for iPhone, Android or Blackberry devices or through our proprietary, state-of-the-art secure web portal, LifeView™.

• Flexibility. As your family’s needs and circumstances change, LifeShield makes it easy for you to expand your home monitoring system as well.  In fact, it’s easy and inexpensive to add and install additional sensors for your home, vacation home, or a new addition to your house. Or maybe you want to setup a home security camera. Wired home alarm systems can be expanded, but it isn’t something you can do yourself. That means you’ve got to call your security company, set up an appointment, and then wait for the technician to show up and install what you want.

• Price. With many other security companies like ADT, you’ll have to pay for system installation, portable system access, not to mention  your hardware.  Anytime you want to expand your system with new sensors or hardware, you’ll pay for the hardware and it’ll have to be professionally installed. With LifeShield, you can expand your system whenever you want. There’s no installation cost (you can set up the alarm system yourself), and there’s no additional cost for fire, carbon monoxide, and medical monitoring.

• Speed.  As soon as your home’s security is breached, an alert goes out to the monitoring center via internet or cellular connection. That transmission speed is even faster than a phone signal. In fact, the LifeShield Monitoring Center response time is the fastest in the industry.

• Reliability.  Cellular signals have been shown to be more reliable than wired signals, resulting in fewer false alarms. Wired systems are installed in your walls and your baseboard. If you run into any problems with the system, it can be costly and hard to trouble-shoot. Actually, you’ll probably have to schedule an appointment to have one of the company’s technicians to come to your home. If a component needs to be replaced, you’ll pay for it, and you may even have to pay extra for the service call.

• Ease. Wireless systems are really easy to set up and configure, and any problems can typically be identified by one of our LifeShield trained technicians. If you can use a TV remote, you’ve got all the skill you need to install, program and use LifeShield. In the unlikely event that you’re not completely satisfied with your LifeShield system, you have 30 days to return it; we’ll even pay for the return shipping.

In the unlikely event that you’re not completely satisfied with your LifeShield home security system, you have 30 days to return it; we’ll even pay for the return shipping.

2. I saw a do it yourself home security system in the store that costs less than LifeShield. Why shouldn’t I get that?

While retail self-install home security alarm systems may seem like a bargain, there are definite security and convenience advantages with LifeShield.  LifeShield is simply your best home security option. First, most of the do-it-yourself options you purchase from big-box stores are simply loud alarms that sound if a door or window is opened.  With LifeShield, you do get a high-decibel alarm, but more importantly, you will have security monitoring—ensuring you that if your alarm is activated, a signal will go out immediately to our round-the-clock Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center, which then relays the information to the police.

Unlike many off-the-shelf wireless home security options, the LifeShield alarm system is fully integrated, so if one area of your home is breached, your entire system is immediately on alert.

LifeShield also offers much more than just home security.  Thanks to LifeShield’s portability, it can be used as a baby monitor. You can check the main console each morning for the week’s weather or for any severe weather alerts in your area. Set personal notifications, so you’re reminded about upcoming birthdays and anniversaries; you can even set the system to let you know when it’s time to schedule routine home maintenance.

Plus, now, thanks to LifeView™, a proprietary system offered only by LifeShield, you can remotely monitor and control your home’s system from anywhere in the world with your Blackberry, iPhone or Android smart phone or via secure internet portal.

3. Do I need special tools to install LifeShield?

No tools are needed to install the LifeShield security system in your home or apartment.  When you open the LifeShield box, you’ll have everything you need to install your system. Plus, with no complicated wires or components and no mounting brackets or drilling, it’s easy to install LifeShield.  In fact, you can have your whole house protected in about 90 minutes. That means you don’t need a technician coming into your home, disrupting your family’s schedule and getting a first-hand look at just how your home security system has been configured.

You’re in complete control of your security system, and only you will know how your system is set up.

4. Can I get help with the installation if I need it?

Installation is easy! Your LifeShield wireless security system comes complete with an instructional DVD that will walk you—step-by-step— through the simple installation process, which you can do even if you’re not especially handy. Of course, in the unlikely event that you do get stuck, you can always call one of our LifeShield Trained Security Consultants based in our home office in Pennsylvania.

LifeShield tech support is offered free.

5. Once I’ve installed my system, how will I know it’s actually working?

When your LifeShield home alarm system is set up, the console will show you that all the components of your system are operating and that the system itself is connected to the Monitoring Center. You can get the same information via internet, smart phone or portable device.

Since all the sensors are interconnected, if one is misaligned, the rest of the system registers as non-operational. As further confirmation, just go to the LifeShield website and sign up for your free proprietary LifeView™ portal. Through this secure internet site, you can see your entire home security system layout.  LifeView™ will also keep track of any changes in configuration or codes. You can even make those changes yourself via your smart phone app or through your online connection with LifeView™.

6. I live in an apartment; can I still use LifeShield?

Because LifeShield is a wireless system, it’s really easy for you to install the system, without harming or even changing your apartment. In fact, LifeShield works well in a variety of settings—apartments, vacation homes, even dorm rooms.

7. My husband is in the military, and our family moves a lot. Would LifeShield be a good system for us?

Actually, LifeShield is an ideal home security alarm system for you.  All the LifeShield components are portable and can easily be set up and configured in your new place. If your new home happens to be larger than your current home, you can just order more sensors or cameras to make sure you’re protected.

If you have a wired home monitoring system and have to move, you’re out of luck—even if you’re in the middle of a contract. You can’t move that system, and you’ll still be responsible for making your monthly payments until the term of the contract has been satisfied.

8. Does LifeShield have a way to deter burglars even before the police show up?

A loud siren is built into the main console, and just as soon as it’s determined that your home’s security is breached, the alarm sounds. It’s 100 decibels— loud enough to scare away any intruders and alert neighbors.

9. What makes LifeShield home alarm systems almost impossible to defeat?

Older analog systems are controlled through a single master panel, which is usually easy to find and quickly disable.  In addition, in those systems, the signal goes through the landline phone. Lines for the phone are outside the home and can easily be cut.

LifeShield uses digital, encrypted wireless technology between multiple sensors and devices throughout the home. While LifeShield does have a console, it can be disabled without affecting your wireless home security protection. If one alert system is disabled, LifeShield reverts to a different system. LifeShield actually has 4 layers of backup*:

• Phone

• High speed internet

• Cellular system (GSM)

• Battery

10. Can LifeShield be installed outside?

You can place your LifeShield sensors in a detached garage or shed but not where it will be exposed to the elements.

11. Can I expand my LifeShield system once I’ve set it up?

One of the advantages LifeShield has over competing home security systems  is that it’s flexible, so you can add to it any time, either as part of your initial order or after you’ve already installed the system.  All of these monitors are easy to install, so there’s no need for a technician to come to your home. With traditional, hard-wired systems, you have the inconvenience of scheduling an appointment to have these components installed, plus, you might pay extra monthly fees for each one.

Since the LifeShield sensors are reasonably priced, you can add them whenever you need more protection: if you add a terrace and sliding glass door to the back of your home; if you have a new baby; if a parent comes to live with you all you have to do add more sensors.

Here are some of the ways you can increase your home’s security coverage with LifeShield state-of-the-art components:

• Additional door or window sensors. You may want to add more sensors for any of your unsecured windows or doors. You might want to also consider sensors on your home’s medicine, liquor or gun cabinets, so you’re always aware any time of them is opened.  We’ve kept the cost low for sensors, making it possible for you to have as many sensors as you need. The LifeShield system will support up to 60.

• Flood, fire, temperature or carbon monoxide sensors. These work with your home’s existing monitors to alert you and the LifeShield Monitoring Center if there are any problems.

• Motion detectors.  If there’s any movement sensed in protected areas, a signal is sent out to the Monitoring Center and you’re sent instant notification via email or through a smart phone app.

• Security cameras. These inconspicuous cameras make it easy for you to see what’s going on in any room of your home in real time.  See video or still shots and even store video on your computer for viewing at a later time. You can include a camera with your initial order or add it to your system at any time.

• Glass break sensor. If you have a sliding glass door or a big picture window in your home, the glass break sensor can alert you if there’s any breakage or violation.

• Yard signs and window stickers.  With these, you can make sure that any potential burglars know your home is being protected, before they even try to break into your home. These notices alone are sufficient to deter most criminals.

12. If I decide to get additional sensors or components, will I pay more in monthly fees?

Another thing that sets the LifeShield home security alarm system apart from competitors is that with LifeShield, your monthly monitoring fee will stay the same no matter how many sensors or system add-ons you have. That means you can have monitoring for all your doors and windows, plus monitoring for fire, smoke, flooding, freezing or carbon monoxide all for the same low monthly price.

Other security companies may offer these additional features and monitoring services, but chances are you’ll pay dearly for each one you add.  If your basic security system is hard-wired, you may also have to pay for installation costs every single time you change your system.

13. Do the wireless cameras pan or move?

No. They’re stationary once the LifeShield s home security cameras are installed.

14. Do I have to use a LifeShield camera, or can I use my own videocam?

Because the LifeShield cameras are dedicated with the camera, you can’t use your own camera.

15. What are the underlying technologies that make LifeShield unique?

LifeShield is a professional-grade wireless home security system. It uses many advanced and reliable technologies such as:

• Grid networking—used by the military and large building owners to construct reliable communication networks in a harsh environment. It’s used by LifeShield to automatically set-up redundant communications in a home or small office.

• Two-way wireless sensors—reliable design ensures that all messages are transmitted securely, quickly and accurately.

• Digital encryption—used to protect all communications between devices, so burglars can’t intercept messages or hack the system.

16. Why doesn’t LifeShield rely on motion detectors like other security companies?

Because wiring all the windows and doors in a home can be prohibitively expensive and would push the cost of the home alarm system beyond the budget of many consumer, LifeShield has developed inexpensive two-day wireless sensors that are affordable, easy to install and have a two-year battery life. The average home can now have full perimeter protection without being dependent on motion detectors for protection.

The full perimeter protection you get with your LifeShield home monitoring system immediately alerts the monitoring service at the time one of your security monitors is tripped, rather than after an intruder has already entered the home (which is what motion detectors do).

LifeShield does offer [hot link] wireless motion detectors should the consumer want “double verification” of a break-in.

17. I have pets. Are they going to be constantly tripping the system and triggering false alarms?

The LifeShield home security system is pretty pet-safe. Our standard motion detector included in our kits will be triggered by pets up to 40 lbs. We also have another motion detector available by request that is immune to pets up to 80 lbs.

18. Does LifeShield have any mobile apps? If so, are they free?

Great news!  LifeShield has free mobile apps for iPhone, Android and Blackberry systems. Your apps allow you to fully control your system:

• Arm and disarm your system

• Change security codes

• See which doors or windows have been opened and at what times

• Even see video or still shots from your home security camera

19. What are the installation requirements for LifeShield?

You’ll need to have a high-speed internet and an internet connection to install one of our LifeShield wireless home security systems. LifeShield supports VOIP, DSL, cable and Fios.

A phone line is not required for LifeShield to operate correctly; the phone line can be used as a back-up connection to the LifeShield monitoring center.

20. What is non-essential monitoring?

In addition to monitoring your home for criminal activities, you can set your LifeShield home security system to also notify you whenever anyone comes or goes. You’ll know exactly what time the dog walker, the gardener or the cleaning person shows up. You can also disable those people’s access or change their security codes from anywhere.

21. Do I have to purchase monthly service with my LifeShield kit?

Yes, you do. LifeShield can’t operate without a monitoring center.

22. Is LifeShield a licensed security company?

Yes. The LifeShield Monitoring Center has a UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory) certification and is one of only a few centers to earn a Central Station Alarm Association Five Diamond 100% Operator Certification. That means the center is recognized for its ongoing operating training, random UL inspections, excellent customer service and minimal false alarms and dispatches.

LifeShield also has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau. Check it out!

23. Does LifeShield hold any industry patents?

LifeShield has 20 U.S. patents—more than most of the other home alarm companies.

24. If I get LifeShield, will I get any breaks on my insurance?

Insurance policies vary, but many offer annual discounts of up to 20% for homes that have home security systems. You could also be entitled to another insurance discount if you’ve environmental sensors, like the LifeShield fire, freezing or CO monitoring. That monitoring will add nothing to the cost of your monthly home security monitoring fee.

25. Does LifeShield offer any guarantees?

We have two – our satisfaction guarantee and our price match guarantee:

• Customer satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with your LifeShield home security system, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund. We’ll even pay for the shipping.

• Price match guarantee. If you find another security system with comparable features at a lower price, LifeShield will match it. That’s guaranteed.

Still want to learn more? Call 877-622-3723 to speak to one of our Security Advisors. They are available anytime and are happy to help you choose a security system that fits your specific needs.