FEATURE/GE SmartSecurity System Provides Peace of Mind as Families Head Back to School.

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FEATURE...Back-to-School II

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CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2003

Whether they have school age children still at home or a son or daughter heading off to college, the GE (NYSE:GE) SmartSecurity(TM) wireless security system provides peace of mind as families head back to school.

The SmartSecurity system is a self-monitored security system and lighting control center that consumers can easily install themselves. The keypad, control unit and sounder are built into one compact device that requires no wiring. The system retails for less than $200, and there are no monthly fees. The basic starter kit includes a control panel, installation accessories and two door/window sensors.

GE SmartSecurity System Provides Family-Friendly Capabilities

According to a 2000 report by the U.S. Census Bureau, almost half of all kids ages 12 to 14 spends just under 7 hours a week home alone and roughly one of every 10 elementary school children spends 4-1/2 hours a week at home unsupervised by an adult.

Now, with the GE SmartSecurity system's self-monitoring feature, the system can alert parents with a phone message to let them know if their children don't arrive home by a specific time. Parents simply follow a voice-prompted menu - also listed inside the control panel - and program a particular time of day. They then activate the alert feature simply by pressing the motion sensor button twice. If the motion sensor has not been de-activated by the selected time, the system calls the phone number programmed by the parents to alert them that their child is not home.

Self-Monitoring Capabilities Enable Flexibility and Control

If a problem is identified by one of the system's sensors, it calls up to two phone numbers, alerting the homeowner with a voice message that explains the problem. The homeowner can then decide whether to call a friend, neighbor, or someone else to address the situation. The user can even disarm and control the system over the phone line or with a wireless remote.

Security For Off-Campus Apartment Living

For many college students, an off-campus apartment is an important step toward independence. Even as their kids move out on their own, parents can preserve their own peace of mind by sending their college student off with a GE SmartSecurity system.

As part of this security and lifestyle system, college students can also monitor their off-campus premises with user-friendly motion, door/window, smoke/fire, water, and freeze sensors. The system is as simple to install as an answering machine. They can control the system from the control panel or with a small keychain remote or have full remote control with a small touchpad near their bedside. Up to 24 sensors can be added to the system.

GE's SmartHome(TM) products are available at Circuit City, Wal-Mart and Ace on a national or regional basis. For more information regarding GE SmartSecurity products call 1-800-443-4124.

General Electric (NYSE: GE) brings imagination to work, selling products under the Monogram(R), Profile(TM), GE(R), Hotpoint(R), SmartWater(TM), Reveal(R) and SmartHome(TM) brands. For more information about GE Consumer Products, consumers can visit the company's web site at www.GEConsumerProducts.com

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