LEHI, UT--(Marketwire - Mar 8, 2012) - Most homeowners rely on security panels just to warn them of break-ins. However, last weekend, over 14,000 customers with 2GIG Technologies' Go!Control and Alarm.com's interactive service received real-time severe weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service about tornado activity. The warnings were delivered directly to the Go!Control panel, giving customers additional time to seek protection from dangerous weather conditions. This new capability extends beyond traditional home break-in protection to alert people of external events that could put their families and belongings at risk. Many people are caught off-guard in severe weather situations because they are not listening to the radio or watching TV when a weather warning is issued. Nocturnal tornadoes are especially dangerous, because it is nearly impossible to see them approaching and many residents are asleep. Alarm.com's Severe Weather Alerts ensure that if a person is inside their home or business he or she will be forewarned when a tornado, severe weather, or fire is headed their way.
Alarm.com introduced the Severe Weather Alerts service in June of 2011 and it was quickly implemented by 2GIG Technologies, the Lehi, UT-based developer of home security and home automation systems. "It's impossible to say during last weekend's severe weather precisely how many homeowners benefited from our early warnings of impending storms," noted Lance Dean, co-founder of 2GIG Technologies, "However, we know our panels equipped with this service helped save lives and property. Every minute counts in a fast-moving weather emergency, so these alerts give families precious time to get everyone to the safest places within their homes or to a local emergency shelter."
In 2011, 1,894 tornadoes were reported, the second most in U.S. history. These resulted in 550 confirmed fatalities and $28.7 billion in property damage. So far in 2012, the U.S. is experiencing many more tornadoes and severe storms than average. At highest risk are portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Also at high risk are areas of these same states, plus parts of New Mexico, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan. The peak season does not typically happen until April or May for much of the Plains, Midwest, and Southeast. "With our extensive national dealer network," says Dean, "2GIG can help homeowners get systems in place and hopefully help to save lives through this vital monitoring and alerting service."
About 2GIG: Formed in 2007, 2GIG Technologies designs and manufactures the most technologically advanced residential security and home management solutions in the industry. 2GIG created the Go!Control -- the first self-contained, all-in-one security and home management system. 2GIG Technologies is a Principal Member of the Z-Wave Alliance™, which enables 2GIG to provide customers with home automation features in addition to home security. 2GIG Technologies is committed to providing consumers with the flexibility and cost-effective technology necessary to manage their home automation and security functions from the panel's LCD touch-screen display, the Internet, or their favorite mobile phone or tablet.
For more information about 2GIG Technologies, or to find a dealer in your area, please visit www.2gig.com or call 1-866-670-1591.
Z-Wave® is a registered trademark of Sigma Designs and its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
About Alarm.com. Founded in 2000, Alarm.com is the industry leading technology provider of interactive security solutions. Through advanced wireless monitoring, mobile and web-based services, and a proven hosted services platform, Alarm.com helps protect hundreds of thousands of residential and commercial customers throughout the United States and Canada. Alarm.com's products and services are offered exclusively through a network of over 2,000 licensed and authorized Security Dealers. Alarm.com's headquarters is located in Vienna, VA. For more information, visit www.alarm.com.
©2GIG Technologies, Inc. 2012
Contact Information:
Press Contact:
Veronica Dean
Director of Marketing
2GIG Technologies
866-670-1591