OCTOBER 2025
AMERICAN-ALARMS.COM
(515) 266-9888
Every day at American Alarms looks a little different. Some mornings, we’re on a construction site working on a new build. Other times, we’re out servicing existing systems or running compliance tests to make sure everything is up to code. On paper, it’s technical work. But in practice, it’s about people. A lot of our new clients come to us after a bad experience somewhere else. Sometimes, they’ve had systems installed and then never heard from the company again. For the first year or two, that might not matter much. But eventually, issues crop up and they’re left stranded without support. Some clients have been hit with hidden costs that no one explained upfront, like a $5,000 yearly licensing fee on a camera system. Or they face simple frustrations, like not getting a call back for weeks. Unfortunately, that’s all too common in this industry. People First, Systems Second SERVICE THAT SETS US APART
call when something goes wrong. We stay in touch, check in regularly, and look for problems before they get too far along. Everyone knows nothing on a job site ever goes exactly as planned, so we want to get ahead of issues and keep them from causing bigger delays. Once a system is installed, we make sure the people who will be using it every day understand how it works. That means walking through the basics, whether it’s running through a fire drill, silencing a beeping panel, pulling up video footage, or adding a new key fob to the access system. We will also come back when there is turnover. In the multifamily housing world, it is common for managers to change every couple of years. When that happens, we retrain the new staff at no charge to make sure they have passwords, access, and confidence in running the system. I never want a client staring at a panel and feeling helpless because they do not know what to do. This approach is part of why so many clients have stayed with us for 20 years or more. They know we will pick up the phone, send qualified technicians, and stay with the problem until it is fixed. Many have tried other companies, but they come back because of how we treat them. At the heart of all this are the values my father instilled when he started the business. We’re about doing the job
“We’re about doing the job right, treating people well, and following through on what we promise.”
We take a different approach. If you call our office, you’ll hear a live person on the other end, not a maze of prompts. If you leave a message, you’ll hear back from us within 24 hours. That’s our standard, and we stick to it. From there, it’s about asking the right questions so we can diagnose the issue and fix it quickly. We don’t expect clients to know all the technical details. That’s our job. We want them to know someone is listening and following through, and someone will be there until the job is done.
right, treating people well, and following through on what we promise. That has not changed since 1983, and it will not change going forward.
That kind of responsiveness matters even more on big construction projects that stretch out for a year or longer. We do not just wait for a
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NO MORE MANIC MONDAYS SUNDAY HABITS THAT SET YOU UP FOR THE WEEK
Plan Ahead Nothing will better prepare you for the week ahead than planning. Look through your work schedule and your kids’ calendars to make sure you’re aware of upcoming events, games, or practices. You could also consider meal prepping if the upcoming week looks busier than usual. To take it a step further, prepack your kids’
After a long week of work, many Americans relax, participate in their hobbies, and try to avoid increased responsibilities during the weekend. While this can be beneficial for your mental health, have you ever felt like your week was off to a rough start as soon as Monday rolled around? There’s nothing wrong with relaxing on the weekend, but putting aside your responsibilities for a few days can put you behind the eight ball.
lunches, lay out clothes for the workweek, and write down additional responsibilities you’ll have throughout the week.
You don’t need to set aside your Sunday to deep-clean the house from top to bottom, but adding beneficial habits to the final day of the weekend can ensure every week starts on the right foot.
Light Cleaning As stated earlier, you don’t need to deep-clean every week, but your home will look much better if you establish weekly light cleaning behaviors. Wipe down the surfaces in your kitchen, clean the windows, and give your floor some love by
Declutter Decluttering and clearing your space will
directly impact your mental state. This can be an overwhelming task at times, especially if you have a house full of kids, but you can make it manageable by keeping up with it every week. It might be easier once the kids go to bed, but take a few minutes every Sunday to walk through your house and pick up any items off the floor, on furniture, and anywhere else they may be lying.
mopping, vacuuming, or sweeping. If you have the time and energy, consider doing a load of laundry or two. These little tasks will add up, making your house consistently sparkle.
Safety Without the Stress WHY SYSTEM USABILITY MATTERS
One of the biggest frustrations I hear from property managers is that their life safety or security system is harder to use than it should be. Something as simple as logging in or silencing a panel can turn into a hassle. If the person in charge doesn’t have the correct password or can’t figure out the controls, the system becomes more of a burden than a benefit. I’ve seen it happen when a manager takes over a property and discovers no one has left them the necessary access. With certain systems, that means you are stuck until the installer comes back, even if the problem is minor. That wastes time and creates stress, especially when the fix should be simple. Another headache comes from systems that can only be managed on-site. In practice, that means dropping everything
and driving across town to make small changes. Today, we can check our emails, pay bills, and control our thermostats with our phone, so it makes no sense that a safety system would force you to stand in front of a panel to get anything done. It doesn’t have to be that way. Forgotten passwords should not lock you out, and routine changes should not require a technician. A well-designed system gives you flexibility, whether at the office or at home. And when managers turn over, transitions should be smooth instead of stressful. The right design keeps everyone moving forward without wasted hours or unnecessary costs. That is why I encourage clients to ask about usability before they sign off on a new system. Can you make changes remotely? Can you reset a password
easily? Does the interface make sense to the people who will use it every day? These questions save time, reduce headaches, and ensure the investment works for you, not against you. Safety is too important to be complicated. A system ought to work for the people using it, not the other way around. If it is simple to run and easy to trust, it will protect the way it’s meant to without adding stress to the job.
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Candy Gourd Haunting Leaves Libra Marigold Moon Opal Pumpkin Soup Teachers Touchdown
We’re starting to see some of the downsides of AI, like fake news articles and fake social media videos. I mean, I’d love to walk down the street and see dogs doing cartwheels, but I also understand gravity, physics, and dog anatomy enough to know that just ain’t real. But what if AI could be used for real, practical things that could make us all safer? Think about detection. What if it could help locate a repeat offender through facial recognition and send an alert to a business owner or even local police? What if it could read license plates, spot specific vehicles, and send automatic alerts to campus security or other authorities? AI is also being used for advanced gun-detection software that identifies weapons before they ever enter a school. These aren’t ideas for the future; they are tools already in use that help identify threats faster and give people more time to react. AI can also improve response. Imagine video, sound, and GPS data working together to verify events and guide first responders. Systems today can already share live video directly with police or fire personnel so that they have accurate information before they arrive on site. That means less guesswork and a faster, safer outcome. And then there’s integration. What if you could connect multiple systems simultaneously, such as cameras, access control, and alarms, to guide safety and business decisions? A school, for example, could use AI-linked video and access systems to secure doors in seconds. A property manager could use the same tools to track building use and reduce risks that drive up insurance costs. These tools are already being used all around us. However, like any technology, AI can be misused. When applied responsibly, AI can make our communities safer, buildings smarter, and responses faster. Once you understand how it works and how it can work for you, it starts to look even better than a dog doing a cartwheel. The Real Power of AI Smart Tools That Keep Us Safe
Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew
INGREDIENTS
• 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 cups green lentils, rinsed • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 bay leaves • 1/2 tsp turmeric • 1/4 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1/2 tsp salt • Fresh parsley
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil for about 3 minutes. 2. Add all other ingredients except for salt and parsley. 3. Turn the heat to high until it is boiling, then reduce it to low and simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through. 4. Remove pot from heat and stir in salt. Top with parsley and enjoy!
Inspired by EatYourselfSkinny.com
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Complete Fire Alarm Service In Iowa And The Midwest, By A Local Veteran-Owned Company American-Alarms.com (515) 266-9888
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1659 E Euclid Ave, Ste. B Des Moines, Iowa 50313
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. A People-Centered Approach to Service
2. Turn Lazy Sundays Into Your Productivity Power Hour 2. Keeping Safety Simple and Reliable
3. AI and the Future of Safety 3. Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew
4. Weekend Living Room Refresh Tips
Small Changes, Big Results A Living Room Refresh Made Simple Sometimes, your home needs more than a quick-fix cleaning. It needs a reset, and the living room is a good place to start because people gather, settle in, and spend time there with each other. But over the years, even a cozy, relaxing space can lose shape. Maybe you’ve had one too many attempts at rearranging your furniture or a mix of styles that never quite clicked. That doesn’t mean you need to tear the whole thing apart. With a solid plan and one weekend, you can bring new life to your space — no contractor required.
Start with what’s working. It could be a sofa worn just right or a wooden table with a storied past. Use those to ground the space. Then, clear the decks: Pull down the shelf clutter, trim back the pillow pile, and give your eyes space to rest. Once the room can breathe again, bring in new touches. Paint if you feel up to it. Even just one wall in a deeper tone can shift the whole feel. If that’s too much, bring in more texture. Think curtains that catch the light, a low-pile rug, or a few new cotton, linen, or velvet pillows. Light also does more than people think. Swapping a fixture or adding a lamp near the reading chair can shift the room’s ambiance. Pulling the furniture closer to the windows can also do the same. Rearranging things to make the most of natural light can brighten
the entire space and make it feel more open. And don’t forget about the other sensory elements. Simple things like a new scent or potted plants are an easy way to breathe fresh life into your living room. Once you get started, you’ll see it doesn’t take a complete overhaul to make a space feel better. A throw with some heft, a chair turned toward the light, and a clear table surface can bring back a sense of calm. You know it’s working when the room invites you in without trying too hard.
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