Dial One Security

October Is Fire Prevention Month: A Good Time to Check Your Home’s Fire Safety

October is here, and along with cooler weather and fall activities, it brings an important reminder: Fire Prevention Month. NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week takes place October 4–10, 2026, making this a good time to check your smoke detectors, look for potential fire hazards, and make sure everyone in your household knows what to do if an alarm sounds.
These tasks are easy to put off, especially when everything seems to be working fine. But knowing when you last checked your equipment and practiced your escape plan is better than assuming you’re prepared.

Start with Your Smoke Detectors

When was the last time you tested your smoke detectors? If you can’t remember, start there. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing and maintenance, and make sure everyone in your home recognizes the sound of the alarm.
Check the age of your detectors, too. Home smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested. Look for the manufacture date on the unit, and remember that replacing a battery does not extend the alarm’s service life. While you’re checking your smoke alarms, give your carbon monoxide detectors some attention as well, following their manufacturer’s replacement guidance.
If your detectors are connected to a monitored alarm system, contact your alarm company before testing so they can explain the proper procedure and confirm any maintenance or replacement needs.

Make Safe Charging Part of Your Routine

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower,” focuses on lithium-ion batteries in everyday devices such as phones, laptops, and power tools. Use the charger supplied with your device or one approved by the manufacturer, charge on a hard surface instead of a bed or couch, and unplug devices once they are fully charged. These simple habits can help reduce the risk of a battery fire.
Talk Through Your Escape Plan
Having an escape plan is helpful only if everyone knows it. Take time this month to walk through your home with your family and discuss how you would get outside in a fire. Consider whether furniture, storage boxes, or other items could block your path, and make sure doors and windows along escape routes can be opened.
Choose a meeting place outside where everyone can gather, and discuss who will help young children or anyone who needs assistance. Practice the plan together so it feels familiar. In an emergency, you don’t want anyone wondering where to go or waiting inside for someone else.
Once you’re out, stay out and call 911 from a safe location.

Look Around for Everyday Fire Hazards

Fire safety also means paying attention to everyday habits. A crowded stovetop, a damaged electrical cord, or a candle left burning in an empty room can be easy to overlook.
Take a walk through your home and address anything that needs attention. Keep items that can burn away from cooking surfaces and heating equipment. Replace damaged cords, avoid overloading outlets, and keep candles away from curtains and decorations. As temperatures drop and heaters come back into use, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe placement and operation.
Check that fire extinguishers are easy to reach and maintained according to their instructions. An extinguisher tucked behind boxes or buried in a cabinet won’t be readily available when someone needs it.

Include Your Business in the Check

For business owners, October is also a useful time to review fire safety with employees. Make sure exits and walkways are clear, evacuation procedures are understood, and required inspections and maintenance are up to date.
If your layout or staffing has changed, revisit your plan. New employees may not know where to meet outside, and equipment or storage added over the past year may affect an exit route.

Questions About Your Fire Protection?

At Dial One Security, we help homeowners and businesses throughout Greater Cincinnati with fire detection and monitoring. Fire Prevention Month is a good opportunity to ask questions about your current system, address maintenance concerns, or discuss adding fire protection.
If you’re unsure where to start, call our office. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you understand the fire detection and monitoring options available for your home or business.

When Security Cameras Become Evidence: A Recent Cincinnati-Area Case

Security cameras are often thought of as a way to check on your home or business while you are away. But when a crime occurs, recorded video can serve another important purpose by giving law enforcement a clearer picture of what happened.

A recent case in the Cincinnati area is a reminder of how valuable that footage can be.

Security Footage Used in a Sharonville Investigation

In May, police responded to a serious home invasion in Sharonville. According to Local 12, investigators said security camera footage showed the suspect entering the home. That footage became part of the evidence used in the investigation, along with other evidence recovered by police.

Every situation is different, but cases like this highlight an important benefit of a properly installed video surveillance system. Cameras can create a record of activity around your property, including moments you may not have been there to see yourself.

Having a Camera Is Only the First Step

Of course, simply having cameras installed does not necessarily mean they will provide useful footage when you need it.

Earlier this year, Clermont County detectives shared home security advice with Greater Cincinnati residents and emphasized the importance of making sure security cameras are actually recording. Investigators sometimes arrive at a property that has cameras, only to find out later that no usable footage was saved.

That is why it is worth checking your camera system periodically. Homeowners and business owners should make sure:

* Cameras are positioned to clearly capture entrances and other important areas.
* Recording features are working properly.
* Camera lenses are clean and views are not blocked by landscaping or other objects.
* Nighttime footage is clear enough to be useful.
* Recorded video can be easily accessed when needed.
* Notifications and other connected security features are functioning correctly.

Dial One Security's HealthCheck service can add another layer of reassurance. HealthCheck monitors the status of compatible cameras and recorders and can send an email or text alert if equipment goes offline. A camera can stop communicating for a number of reasons, and knowing there is a problem before an incident occurs gives you the opportunity to address it.

Cameras Work Best as Part of a Complete Security System

Video surveillance can provide valuable information, but cameras are most effective when they are part of a larger security system.

A complete system can combine video surveillance with door and window protection, motion detection, professional monitoring and remote access. Rather than depending on one device, these layers work together to help detect suspicious activity and provide a better understanding of what is happening at your property.

Professional installation can also make a difference. Camera placement should be based on the areas that actually need coverage, not simply where a camera is easiest to mount. The angle, lighting, field of view and surrounding environment can all affect whether footage is useful later.

For properties that need an additional level of protection, Dial One Security also offers fully monitored camera systems. When video analytics detect unusual activity, a live operator can review the cameras and assess what is happening. This type of monitoring can be especially useful for equipment yards, outdoor storage areas, parking lots and other locations where suspicious activity may occur after hours.

Is Your Security System Ready When You Need It?

You should not have to wait until after an incident to discover that a camera was not recording, an important area was outside its field of view or part of your security equipment was no longer working properly.

Taking a few minutes to review your system now can help make sure it is ready if you ever need it.

Dial One Security has protected homes and businesses throughout Greater Cincinnati since 1979. Whether you are considering security cameras, professional monitoring or an upgrade to an existing system, our team can help you find a security solution that makes sense for your property.

Call or text Dial One Security at 513-527-4400 to learn more.

A recent attempted burglary in West Chester, in the Beckett Ridge area, is a reminder that break-ins today are often planned, not random. Police say the suspects were part of a group targeting higher-end homes and were watching routines, waiting for the right time to strike when no one was home. In this case, a neighbor noticed suspicious activity and called it in, and officers were able to respond before the burglary was carried out.

Situations like this are becoming more common across the Cincinnati area. These are not quick, impulsive crimes. They involve surveillance, timing, and coordination, which means homeowners need to be thinking a step ahead.

At Dial One Security, this is exactly why we focus on prevention, not just response. A professionally monitored system, visible cameras, and real-time alerts can make a home a much harder target and can stop something before it even starts. Even something as simple as a visible system or motion alert can be enough to make someone move on.

We are proud to be a Cincinnati-based company serving our local communities. When you work with Dial One, you are not dealing with a national chain. You are working with a local team that understands what is happening in neighborhoods like West Chester and is committed to helping protect the people who live here.

If you have been thinking about upgrading your home security or want to make sure your current system is actually protecting you the way it should, give us a call at (513) 527-4400 and we will help you find the right solution for your home.

Dial One Security Featured on WLWT: What Homeowners Can Learn from the Nancy Guthrie Case

Dial One Security was recently featured on WLWT in coverage surrounding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, where local experts discussed the importance of making sure home security systems are not just installed, but fully functional.
During the segment, John Lindberg, owner and president of Dial One Security, addressed a growing issue many homeowners overlook: cameras that appear active but are no longer recording.
As Lindberg explained in the interview:
“I think it's very common for equipment to be hung up on someone's house … and then a year later … they just don’t think about it and it falls off the network or falls off the Wi-Fi and it's nonfunctional.”
He also noted:
“People assume it’s working because it’s there. But if it’s not connected or recording, there may be nothing to go back and review.”
That false sense of security can have serious consequences.
Organized Burglary Trends in Cincinnati
In addition to concerns about inactive camera systems, the segment also touched on organized burglary crews that have operated in the Cincinnati area.
Lindberg explained patterns that law enforcement has observed:
“There's a lot of things that these groups did in Cincinnati that were the same mode of operation — house after house after house,” Lindberg said.
This type of activity highlights how organized crews often move systematically through neighborhoods, looking for vulnerabilities. Homes without active monitoring, reliable recording, or properly maintained systems can become easier targets.
Why Professional Monitoring Matters
The coverage reinforces an important point: security equipment alone is not enough. Systems must be connected, maintained, and monitored.
Dial One Security focuses on:
Professional installation
Ongoing system health checks
Integrated alarm and camera systems
Reliable monitoring support
When systems are professionally maintained, homeowners can feel confident that their protection is active, not just visible.
A Reminder for Homeowners
The Nancy Guthrie case is tragic. But it also serves as a powerful reminder for families across Cincinnati and surrounding communities: your security system must be operational at all times.
If you currently have cameras installed, now is the time to confirm they are:
Recording properly
Connected to your network
Backed up
Actively monitored
Dial One Security remains committed to helping protect homes and businesses throughout the region with dependable, professionally supported security solutions.
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Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie highlights concerns over home security cameras The abduction of Nancy Guthrie has raised concerns about personal safety at home and highlighted issues with security cameras that are often ineffective due to user-related problems.

Why Small Changes to Your Home Wi-Fi Can Cause Your Security Devices to Go Offline
(And How Dial One Security Keeps You Protected)
Home Wi-Fi networks change more often than most people realize. A new router from your provider, a password update, moving equipment to another room, or even a temporary outage can quietly knock your security devices offline. Unfortunately, most homeowners only discover the issue after they need their system the most.
Here’s why it happens—and how Dial One Security makes sure you stay protected.

1. Your Security Devices Depend on a Constant, Stable Connection
Wi-Fi cameras, smart alarms, environmental sensors, and mobile app features all rely on your home network to communicate.
If the network name or password changes—even slightly—they lose their trusted connection and stop reporting activity.
Common triggers include:
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Changing your Wi-Fi password
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Updating the network name (SSID)
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Switching internet providers
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Receiving a new router or mesh system
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Relocating your router or access points
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Band steering changes (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz)
Competitors highlight this issue, but rarely explain why it matters. Dial One takes the extra step to help customers understand and prevent it.

2. Offline Devices = Gaps in Your Security Layer
When a device falls offline, it may not be able send alerts, record video, or notify emergency services.
This could lead to:
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Inability to access your system remotely
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Slower alarm notifications
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Incomplete video footage
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and in rare cases cause signals to be missed

3. Wi-Fi Changes Aren’t Always Obvious to Homeowners
One of the biggest problems is that customers often don’t realize something changed.
For example:
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Internet providers frequently push automatic router updates
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Password resets can apply to all devices silently
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Smart home hubs may switch bands
Competitors usually frame this as a “customer error.” Dial One frames it as a normal issue with a simple solution.

4. What to Do If Your Wi-Fi Changes
If you recently updated your Wi-Fi or switched internet providers, here’s what to do:
1
Check your security system app—look for offline notifications
2
Power-cycle the affected device
3
Confirm the 2.4 GHz network still exists (many devices require it)
4
Call Dial One Security to assist in getting devices back on line
We’re available to help every step of the way.

Each October, Fire Prevention Month reminds us of the importance of protecting what matters most — our families, homes, and businesses. At Dial One Security, we’re proud to support this national initiative by providing advanced fire detection, alert, and monitoring solutions designed to respond the moment danger arises.

Now is the perfect time to:

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Inspect fire extinguishers and replace expired equipment.

Review and practice your household or workplace evacuation plan.

Schedule a professional inspection to ensure your fire systems are up to code.

With over 50 years of experience serving the Greater Cincinnati community, Dial One Security remains committed to helping you stay proactive, prepared, and protected — every day of the year.

Fall Prep Made Easy: Secure Your Home This Season with Dial One Security

As the evenings get darker and the weather starts to change, fall is the perfect time to think about more than just football games and raking leaves. It’s also the right season to make sure your home is ready — not just for cooler weather, but for the added security challenges that come with it. At Dial One Security, we’ve been helping Cincinnati families prepare for decades, and here are a few simple steps to keep in mind this fall.

Check Your Outdoor Lighting

With the sun setting earlier, good lighting goes a long way. A well-lit home is less inviting to anyone looking for an easy target. Motion-activated lights or smart security cameras can make sure your property stays visible, even when you’re away for the evening.

Refresh Your Alarm Codes

Fall is a natural time for a reset. Just like changing the batteries in your smoke detectors, it’s smart to update your alarm and access codes. A quick checkup from our team can give you the peace of mind that your system is working exactly the way it should.

Keep an Eye on Deliveries

We all know package deliveries start to pile up once fall rolls around. Unfortunately, so do porch thefts. A video doorbell or front porch camera lets you see what’s going on in real time and helps make sure your packages are still there when you get home.

Don’t Forget Seasonal Hazards

Security is about more than doors and windows. Autumn storms, clogged gutters, or even the first freeze can bring risks like water damage or frozen pipes. Today’s systems can alert you to smoke, fire, or flooding before it becomes a bigger problem.

Be Ready for Busier Schedules

Between school events, sports, and weekend trips, fall can keep you on the go. That’s where 24/7 monitoring makes the difference — knowing your home is protected no matter how busy life gets.

Final Thought

Getting your home ready for fall doesn’t have to be complicated. A few smart updates and a reliable security system go a long way toward keeping your family safe and your property protected. Dial One Security has been serving Cincinnati homes for over 50 years. Let us help you make this season a safe and comfortable one.

Call us today to schedule a fall security checkup.

Remembering 9/11 — 24 years ago today.
We honor the lives lost, the courage of first responders, and the resilience of a nation.

September 5, 1971 — The Day Smoke Alarms Stepped Into the Real World

On September 5, 1971, fire safety pioneer David A. Lucht led the Alton Road Tests in central Ohio, the first large-scale trial of smoke alarms in actual homes. Until that point, smoke detectors were rare, expensive, and mostly confined to commercial spaces. The Alton Road Tests proved something critical: early detection in residential settings saves lives.

The impact was immediate. By showing that smoke alarms could provide valuable minutes of warning, these trials shifted the purpose of alarm systems from protecting property to protecting people. Within a decade, smoke alarms became a standard requirement in homes across the United States, transforming residential fire safety forever.

David Lucht later described the home smoke alarm as “the most important technological breakthrough in fire safety of the 20th century.” His statement underscores how one moment in 1971 changed the trajectory of alarm systems globally.

At Dial One, this history is more than just a milestone—it is the foundation of our work. The lessons of the Alton Road Tests remind us that alarm systems must be dependable, clear, and designed with lives in mind. Today, Dial One builds on that legacy by providing modern alarm solutions that integrate fire detection, burglary protection, video monitoring, and professional response into a single, reliable system.

As technology has evolved from those early battery-operated alarms to fully connected systems, the mission has remained the same: ensuring safety through early detection and trusted response. Dial One is proud to continue that mission, carrying forward more than fifty years of progress in alarm innovation and reliability.

Hidden Cameras & Organized Burglary Rings: A Rising Threat Nationwide

Recent arrests in Los Angeles highlight a disturbing reality: burglary crews are becoming increasingly organized and technology-driven. Police uncovered a gang-linked burglary ring that used advanced tactics — including surveillance equipment — to monitor homes and plan break-ins. These were not foreign ‘tourists’ but local LA criminal gangs.

While this case made headlines in California, the methods behind it are not limited to one region. Across the country, organized groups are using hidden cameras, GPS trackers, and other covert tools to scout properties, track homeowners’ routines, and strike when the timing is right. What was once a crime of opportunity is now, more often, a well-planned operation.

For homeowners, this shift means it’s more important than ever to stay one step ahead. Protecting your property requires more than a lock on the door — it calls for layered security that addresses modern threats:

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Beware that hidden or unauthorized devices are being used by criminals
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Professional alarm and monitoring systems that respond quickly
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Visible deterrents like cameras, lighting, and signage to make your home a harder target
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Consider adding jammer detection to your security system

At Dial One Security, we’re dedicated to keeping families safe in this new landscape. By combining proactive technology with local expertise, we help ensure that even the most sophisticated burglary tactics don’t succeed.