There is something about a power outage that brings the family together. When the lights go out, it forces the family to put down their electronics and break-out the board games. While a break from technology can be nice, a long-term power outage can threaten your security.
Here are some safety tips for you to follow in case of a power outage.
Invest in a generator:
Over the past decade, much of New England has experienced more frequent and longer lasting power outages due to intensified weather. A long-term power outage can be deadly in the winter when temperatures drop below freezing. To protect your family, look into purchasing a generator.
Before you buy, research how much power you will need. Inspect labels on lightning and appliances that you will want to run. This is important because if your generator doesn’t produce adequate power, you could blow a fuse and damage your appliances.
Use your generator properly:
- Never use a portable generator indoors, including the garage, basement, or attic. They emit deadly levels of carbon monoxide, which will build up even in a ventilated area.
- If possible, install battery operated CO detectors through your home. They will warn you of dangerous CO levels.
- To avoid electrocution, keep the generator in a dry area (under a tarp, for instance).
- Always turn off the generator and let it cool down before refueling.
- Plug appliances directly into the generator, or use a heavy-duty extension cord.
- Never plug the generator directly into a wall outlet. This can pose a deadly electrocution risk to workers trying to restore power, or neighbors using the same transformer.
Properly store food/ water:
Food can spoil quickly in a power outage. Even if you avoid opening your refrigerator, the food will only stay fresh for 4 hours. Keep coolers and ice on-hand to store your food in. If you avoid opening your freezer, the food will stay safe for 24-48 hours. Stock-up on non-perishable items if you believe you may lose power.
During a power outage, your water purification system may not work. Check with local authorities if your water is safe to drink. If unsure, try to only use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. You can also boil tap water to eliminate most harmful bacteria.
Invest in batteries/ battery operated electronics:
Some important battery operated devices to have on hand includes a flashlight, radio, and phone charger. Avoid using candles as a source of light.
Keep an eye on your security system:
You will need to silence your alarm after the power goes out. In most cases, your back up battery will last 10-15 hours. Your alarm may begin to omit a beeping noise, signaling low-battery. This beeping may become more frequent as the battery gets lower. Make sure that someone is nearby to silence the alarm. For your protection, do not power down your system.
In the event of a power-outage, the most important thing is to stay calm. Keep in mind that emergency personnel are out and working hard to restore power. If you have questions, call your local non-emergency hotline.
How to Stay Safe in a Parking Garage
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamAccording to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 1 in 10 property crimes occur in parking lots or garages. Anyone who walks alone can be a potential target.
You don’t have to be a victim if you remain aware of your surroundings. Keep these four safety tips in mind if you leave your car in a parking garage.
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Small Town Pills, Big City Problems?
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamRead more →
In the Dark: New Study Says Lack of Light Doesn’t Encourage Crime
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamHow do you prevent crime? While the ability to peer into criminals’ thoughts and predict bad behavior isn’t a reality just yet, there are a number of tried-and-true methods to deter theft and robbery. Among the most popular are placing valuables out of sight and ensuring your home or business always looks occupied, even when you’re away. Monitored alarm systems are also critical, and it’s common sense to make sure there’s always a source of light. But a new study from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in partnership with UCL has discovered that more light may not mean increased safety.
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Power Outage: Be Prepared for When the Lights Go Out
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamThere is something about a power outage that brings the family together. When the lights go out, it forces the family to put down their electronics and break-out the board games. While a break from technology can be nice, a long-term power outage can threaten your security.
Here are some safety tips for you to follow in case of a power outage.
Invest in a generator:
Over the past decade, much of New England has experienced more frequent and longer lasting power outages due to intensified weather. A long-term power outage can be deadly in the winter when temperatures drop below freezing. To protect your family, look into purchasing a generator.
Before you buy, research how much power you will need. Inspect labels on lightning and appliances that you will want to run. This is important because if your generator doesn’t produce adequate power, you could blow a fuse and damage your appliances.
Use your generator properly:
Properly store food/ water:
Food can spoil quickly in a power outage. Even if you avoid opening your refrigerator, the food will only stay fresh for 4 hours. Keep coolers and ice on-hand to store your food in. If you avoid opening your freezer, the food will stay safe for 24-48 hours. Stock-up on non-perishable items if you believe you may lose power.
During a power outage, your water purification system may not work. Check with local authorities if your water is safe to drink. If unsure, try to only use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. You can also boil tap water to eliminate most harmful bacteria.
Invest in batteries/ battery operated electronics:
Some important battery operated devices to have on hand includes a flashlight, radio, and phone charger. Avoid using candles as a source of light.
Keep an eye on your security system:
You will need to silence your alarm after the power goes out. In most cases, your back up battery will last 10-15 hours. Your alarm may begin to omit a beeping noise, signaling low-battery. This beeping may become more frequent as the battery gets lower. Make sure that someone is nearby to silence the alarm. For your protection, do not power down your system.
In the event of a power-outage, the most important thing is to stay calm. Keep in mind that emergency personnel are out and working hard to restore power. If you have questions, call your local non-emergency hotline.
Home Safety and Security Tips for First-Time Parents
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamYou’re a little overwhelmed—that’s understandable. You were so hoping the hospital would send you home with an instruction manual chock full of tips and information on the baby’s first year. You need answers and fast. Now you’ll have to order that manual on Amazon and wait for it to arrive.
Nevertheless, you’re relieved that such a book even exists because you need all the help you can get.
However, until that book arrives, we’d like to offer some tips to help ensure that your home is as safe as it can be for your little one:
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American Alarm Video System Helps Police Crack Down on Texting While Driving
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamIt was a clear July morning and two Rutland, Massachusetts police officers were walking across Main Street in a marked crosswalk. The approaching Ford Explorer had plenty of time to stop for the pedestrians. Instead, it was almost a tragedy.
The alert police officers jumped away from the oncoming vehicle just in time, or else they would have been run down. The distracted driver was texting.
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5 Back to School Safety Tips
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamHere are 5 back to school tips to help keep your child safe, when you’re not there to protect them.
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Campus Safety Tips for College Students
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamAccording to the Boston University Police Department (BUPD), there’s a spike in crime on university campuses during the first two months of the school year. The most common crime on campus is theft, particularly of items students left unattended, says Scott Paré, deputy director of public safety and BUPD deputy chief. However, more serious offenses also occur.
From January 2015 to August 25, 2015, BU police received reports of 17 simple assaults, four aggravated assaults, three indecent assaults, one rape, seven burglaries, one robbery, and 209 larcenies, including 13 car break-ins and 39 bike thefts, Paré notes, adding that the crime rate at BU is very low.
If you’re a college student, worrying about being the victim of a crime is probably not keeping you awake at night. However, you should still be prepared just in case.
Here are four tips to help you stay safe on campus:
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Cyber-bullying: How to Protect Your Child
/by American Alarm Blogging Team“Kids need to learn to stick up for themselves”.
“People are too sensitive these days”.
These are some of the common excuses that people make for bullying. What most people don’t realize is that bullying, like everything else, has evolved with technology. Twenty years ago, bullying primarily took place at school. Kids could escape at home, and find other groups of friends outside of school. Today, this escape no longer exists. Bullies can harass their victims 24/7 through the internet.
As adults, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and our children about the severity of online bullying. We have created a guide to help you protect your children from being victims or perpetrators of cyber-bullying. Read more →
Sleeping-bags, S’mores, and Securing Your Campsite
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamWhen well prepared, you will be surprised how fun and comfortable the great outdoors can be. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or you don’t know a tarp from a tent, follow these tips to make your trip a safe and memorable experience. Read more →