A funny thing happens when we open up our windows in the spring. The oxygen which we have been deprived of through the stuffy winter months goes straight to our brain, and for a few weeks we feel like we are on top of the world! We become motivated to do all sort of crazy stuff, like clean the entire house. If spring cleaning fever has already hit you, follow these safety tips.
Any animal lover will tell you that one of the best parts of winter is watching your beloved pet play out in the snow. Of course, there are also pets that want nothing to do with the cold weather and would prefer to be curled up by the fire all day. Whether your pet loves or hates this season, it’s important to protect them from the elements! Follow these four winter safety tips to help keep your pet safe and healthy this winter. Read more →
It’s happened to us all. You think you may have forgotten to turn off the light or TV before you left home. Maybe you forgot to lock your car door when going into work. Maybe it was another door you forgot. Have you ever spent the day worrying that you forgot to close your garage door? When we leave the house we all go through a mental check list of what needs to be turned off or locked. Even though the garage door (either man door or overhead) is a security concern for home owners, police officers point out that the door most commonly left unlocked is the outside entry door to your garage.
If you have ever hosted a Thanksgiving meal, you know how pricey it can be. Between buying food and decorating your home, the bill can add up quickly. So this Thanksgiving, don’t spend more money than you have to on your energy bill. Follow these five tips to make your Thanksgiving both fun and frugal!
At first, a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) security system can seem like an efficient and inexpensive way to protect your home. Customers considering home security are intrigued by promises of easy installation and low or no monthly-monitoring fees.
However, after making their purchase, many have found DIY to be more difficult than they expected. While many consumers have technical skills, few have in-depth data networking expertise, knowledge in optics and lighting, or familiarity with local building and fire codes, as examples. Further, the unexpected time required to troubleshoot can be frustrating, thereby causing the project to be put on hold, sometimes indefinitely, leaving you and your family unprotected. There are times when you simply need a professional to “get it done.” Remote telephone or chat-room support has its place. But even at its best, it can’t compare to a licensed seasoned professional onsite to help you.
There is an interesting paradox playing out in the security systems technician field both locally and across the country. At a time when the industry is growing and new technologies are driving the market, fewer people are seeking jobs in the field.
In Massachusetts, for example, over the past 15 years the number of people holding Systems Technicians licenses (low voltage C & D) has decreased by 21%. The big question is why?
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:
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.
It 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.
There are two types of people: those who enjoy watching lightning, and those who hide under their bed until the storm has passed. Whichever type you are, it is important to take precautions before the storm to keep you and your property safe.
For those of us that consider ourselves occasional users of social media, we are usually pretty cautious about what we post. Even “checking-in” for a movie on Friday night, or “hash-tagging” at a summer concert, can provide a window of opportunity for a burglar. Most break-ins and robberies are committed by people the home owner knows. This means that someone looking to steal from you could easily be connected with you on social media.
