Great Honeywell video about using the Honeywell Lynx Plus system.
Author Archive
31
Aug
2010
Posted by Leah
Tuesday tips: Keeping Latchkey Kids Safe After School
Back to school time is a fun and exciting time of every year. In today’s economy, however, many stay at home parents have had to return to jobs outside of the house and their kids will, for the first time this fall, be on their own for a few hours after school.
If you find yourself in this situation, take heart. With a little thought and preparation you can insure that your child is comfortable and secure until you make it home from work. Follow the tips below to help create a smooth transition to this new way of life for you and your child:
Have Your Child Check In When Arriving Home – If you know how long it takes your child to get to and from school, you should have a pretty good idea of when to expect him or her to check in. A short phone call in which your child can hear your voice can supply the reassurance and moral support until you get home.
Establish an After School Routine – A brief list of after-school chores or, at least, an established order in which things should be done, will provide your child with structure and keep him or her from aimless moments, which can lead to mischief. For example, you may set a rule that prohibits watching television or playing video games until the dog has been fed and homework has been done.
Set Rules for Opening the Door and Answering the Phone - Set a strict policy about never opening the door of the house to strangers – even ones dressed in official capacities, such as firemen, policemen, or utility workers. Have your child phone you or a trusted, adult neighbor who’s at home if there is any question about opening the door.
If your child answers the phone while you’re at work, make sure that they never tell the caller you’re not there. Instead, instruct them to say that you’re busy at the moment or unable to come to the phone.
Prepare After School Snacks Ahead of Time – Most kids like to take a few minutes to unwind and have a snack when they get home from school. As kids get older – or just more precocious – they may try to prepare snacks themselves. Without the proper supervision, these culinary exploits could result in your child injuring himself or accidentally starting a fire.
Take a moment to set out your children’s after school snacks at the beginning of the week. If they require any sort of heating up or cooking (such as, microwave popcorn), make sure your child knows exactly which buttons to push on the microwave oven.
Also, occasionally unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather, bad traffic problems, or some unanticipated work issue might prevent you from making it home at your regular dinner time. Purchase some frozen dinners or set aside emergency pizza delivery money (for older children) so that they won’t have to resort to their own culinary devices to feed themselves.
Prepare a List of Emergency Phone Numbers – Provide your children with a list of phone numbers of people they can contact if you’re not available. Ideally, this list would consist of trusted friends, neighbors, and relatives who are nearby and can be reached during an emergency. Contact these people when you make the list to get an idea of their availability and willingness to serve as an emergency “lifeline” for your child.
You can also ad emergency and other frequently used numbers to the list, such as the Utility Company (in case of a power interruption) or your favorite pizza delivery service. Once the list is complete, place it in a prominent place in the house where your child can easily find it. If your child has a cell phone, you can also program the numbers directly into it.
If you already have an emergency phone number list, the beginning of the school year is the perfect time to update it and to touch base with your friends who are on it to see if they are still willing and available to be an emergency contact.
By following these simple suggestions, you can defuse a potentially stressful situation and help your child make the change to this new after school arrangement.
If you would like to take further steps to insure even more peace of mind, consider one of our Monitronics home security alarms. We can customize our home security systems to meet your specific needs, such as providing you with remote video access to your house or texting you as soon as your child walks in the door. Contact us today for more information: 800-447-9239.
24
Aug
2010
Posted by Leah
Tuesday tip: Back to School Safety Tips for Kids Walking to School
As school starts up again around the country, morning and afternoon sidewalks are full of kids walking to and from school or to the bus stop. Even in the safest of neighborhoods, however, these short journeys can present potential dangers and disasters that can easily be avoided by following a few simple rules.
If you have a child who walks to school, follow the suggestions listed below to insure a pleasant, stress-free experience for both you and your child.
Choose a safe route for your child to walk. Avoid shortcuts through alleys, dimly lit streets, or areas that pass by abandoned houses or buildings. Once this route is established, make an agreement with your children that this is the only route they will take to school.
Walk the route with your child. Make sure your child knows the traffic rules, such as which side of the street to walk on, where to cross the street, and how to look out for traffic before crossing. Also, try to anticipate any dangers. Is there a creepy house or troublesome dog that might make them alter their route and do something unsafe? If there is, address this concern and come up with an alternative plan.
Lastly, time the route. This way you’ll know how long it should take them to walk it, and when to expect them home in the afternoons.
Find safe zones along the route. Should your child become sick, injured or threatened along the way, where can he or she go to seek refuge? Do you know people who live along the route? Is there a friendly store or business along the way? Will someone be around during the times that kids are walking to school?
Many communities have programs where stay-at-home moms, retired couples, or trusted people who are home during the day volunteer to provide a safe haven for kids should they have any trouble on the way to or from school. These volunteers often mark their houses with a sign in the front window or in the yard. See if there’s such a program in your community. If not, consider starting one.
Make sure that your child walks with a friend or group of friends. There is safety in numbers. If one of your child’s walking buddies acts up or starts behaving dangerously along the route, make sure that your child feels comfortable telling you so that you can address the situation.
Establish a “No Rides from Strangers” Rule. Make sure your child knows who he can accept rides from. Child predators can be quite conniving and may try to lure kids with candy, a story about a lost pet, a lie that they know you and that you sent them, or there might even be another child in the car. Make sure that your child knows absolutely, under no circumstances, to accept rides from strangers.
Should someone try to force them into a car, your child should scream as loudly as possible and run back up the road in the opposite direction to the nearest safe zone that you established earlier.
Have your child check-in before leaving and after getting home. Having your child check in when leaving and returning home will give both of you peace of mind and can be accomplished with a simple text or phone call. Of course, our Monitronics home security alarms can also be configured to do that for you. Contact us today if you’d like more information on this feature or any of our home security systems.
Walking to school provides children with memories that will last a life time. By following the rules and suggestions mentioned above, you can help insure that those memories will be safe and happy ones!
20
Aug
2010
Posted by Leah
Dealer spotlight: Safe and Sound
Monitronics Authorized Dealers are the engine behind our business. They are the ones who sell and service our monitored alarm systems across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. As part of this blog, we will start spotlighting certain dealers that catch our eye. The first is Safe and Sound Security in Pleasant Hill, California.
Why Safe and Sound? Because excellence is the cornerstone of their business, and it shows. They are currently ranked #1, among all dealers, for the quality of the accounts they bring to Monitronics. Owners Patrick Chown and Jason Wagner say this is because of their business strategy: focus on high-quality accounts and bring in good customers who will stick around for years.
Safe and Sound became Authorized Monitronics Dealers in March 2009 and have a company of about 40 people. They picked our program because of the business processes and their experience with Monitronics dealers in the field.
“We were with another monitoring company before and never felt completely confident in them. We knew the process at Monitronics and wanted to be a part of the team,” said Patrick.
As they look to the future, Patrick and Jason say they are focused on “organic growth.”
“There are a ton of dealers in California and we are dealing with a lot of competition, so we have found a way to do things a little differently than the other guys,” Patrick said. “This ‘organic growth’ is about creating an environment that manifests growth, but does not outgrow itself. Because we have a balance of quality and quantity, we can continue to grow at a steady pace.”
“We’re looking for people who have an inherent interest in protecting their homes and families,” said Patrick.
You can learn more about Safe and Sound at their website, www.getsafeandsound.com, or by calling 925-234-4483.
26
Jul
2010
Posted by Leah
Storm season can mean false alarms
Summer storm season is here and so are our efforts to prevent false alarms based on those storms.
Every summer, we field numerous preventable false alarm calls during storms. Be sure to check all batteries in your system to keep your alarm from tripping during a thunderstorm. Another tip: make sure all doors and windows close and lock securely so that they don’t blow open in high winds. Finally, pick up tarps and trash if you have outside motion detectors.
Help us meet our goal of lowering false alarms this summer. If you have questions, call Monitronics at 800-447-9239.
15
Jul
2010
Posted by Leah
Customer feedback: Kudos Monitronics
We heart our customers! And we really love it when they give us constructive feedback. Our customer Roy Spencer sent in this description of his recent experience.
“I want to express my deep appreciation for your wonderful services as an alarm company. I have to admit that when I signed up with Monitronics, I was leery; however, when a heating company was sawing an opening for a cold air return on my wall, the sawdust made the fire alarm go off. Because Monitronics couldn’t get through to my cell phone, they called my brother and a fire truck was there in minutes.
“An unfortunate but very real emergency occurred Thursday, July 8, 2010, after 11 p.m. when three men were attempting to break into my home because they thought I was not there. Thanks to my panic button on my remote, the alarm scared them off! I called 911 on my own, but Monitronics was on the ball.
“Thanks for being such an outstanding alarm company, giving us not only fantastic service, but also providing a vast amount of security for a reasonable cost during these difficult economic times. I have been telling my friends and acquaintances about your wonderful company. It is a pleasure to be part of the Monitronics family. Thank you once again.”
14
Jul
2010
Posted by Leah
Monitronics says ‘fork it over’ to Salvation Army
About 20 Monitronics Monitoring Center employees made a trip to the Carr P. Collins Social Service Center in Dallas to serve food and make an important donation: about 500 pieces of knives, forks, and spoons. The donation was the result of a month-long drive at Moni and served a vital need at the Center.
“I’ve heard the phrase ‘fork it over’ before, but this gave it a whole new meaning,” said Nancy Kerley, Volunteer Coordinator, (who also happens to be a Monitronics customer!). “This is one of the best and most practical donations we have ever received–it sure makes eating soup easier!”
Director Mary Jensby explained that the Monitoring Center visited the Salvation Army in February and noticed the shortage of silverware.
“We had to wash forks before we could serve the next group of people–we recognized the shortage,” she said. “Wanting to follow our goal to give back to the community, the Central Station employees and other departments at Monitronics came through for this big donation.”
For more photos from the day, click “read more” to the right.
07
Jul
2010
Posted by Leah
Secure your home office and play it safe
Many people work at home these days and it has its advantages. There are a few special safety concerns that small, home-based businesses need to consider. This is especially imperative if you’ve got kids coming in and out of the space.
- Obtain adequate liability insurance if customers, suppliers, or employees visit your home office and learn about your responsibilities to them.
- If your office gets its own room, put in a deadbolt and use it.
- If it’s sharp, pointy, or pinchy, keep it out of reach of children. This includes scissors, letter openers, paper shredders (unplug them), thumb tacks, paper cutters, and electric pencil sharpeners.
- Install a monitored smoke alarm as part of your home security system and keep fire extinguishers handy.
- Protect your home office and entire house with a monitored security system from Monitronics.
- Check out the OSHA safety and health topics for specific workplace hazards.
29
Jun
2010
Posted by Leah
Central Station lead saves employee’s life
We applaud the critical work of our Central Station every day, especially when one of our employees becomes a hero and saves a life. We had reason to celebrate again recently when second shift Lead Jorge Rodriguez reacted quickly and prevented a fellow employee from choking to death. The incident was in the monitoring center itself on June 25.
Around 10:15 p.m., Jorge was working alongside third-shift Emergency Dispatch Operator Debra Harold when he noticed that she was struggling to breathe. He asked if she was OK and although she indicated “yes,” Jorge sensed that something was wrong. He asked again, and she didn’t say anything, then gagged when she took a drink of her beverage.
When Jorge asked, “Are you choking?” she gave him a hand signal as if to say “yes” and could not stand up from her chair. He quickly moved behind her and gave her the Heimlich maneuver, knowing that this was a matter of life and death—choking because of an obstructed airway is a leading cause of accidental death.
After a few compressions, a pill popped out of Debra’s mouth, but she was still choking and gagging, even though she was breathing easier. A team member called an ambulance and an EMT said she was out of danger.
In the days since, Jorge has had some time to reflect.
“Everything was happening so fast and all I was thinking is, ‘This lady needs help and there’s no time to waste!’” he said. “After the fact, when the adrenaline rush had faded, I started to get nervous and realized what had just had happened. I’m so glad I took the CPR and Heimlich classes in high school!”
22
Jun
2010
Posted by Leah
Tuesday tips: safety first for DIY work
It may be blazing hot in Texas, but that hasn’t stopped me from venturing outside for a little yard work and landscaping. Unfortunately, hedge-trimming and a momentary lapse in concentration meant I sliced my finger open; I’m lucky I didn’t cut it to the bone. I forgot two big safety rules: two hands on the power tools and take your time. It got me to thinking about what else I am forgetting as I go about with home improvements and DIY projects. Check out these basic tips and keep all your fingers and stay safe as you renovate.
DIY with safety in mind
- Take your time. Rushing things can lead to careless mistakes. Like hammering your hand or cutting yourself with tools.
- Get a first aid kit. If you do have an accident, this is essential. Check out the American Red Cross recommendations.
- Get smart with power tools. This is a big one: Never leave it unattended. Store tools away from kids and pets. Follow instructions and read the owner’s manual. Make sure the tool is off before you plug it in. Inspect it for frayed cords or damage. Finally, look for UL mark on your tool; that means it’s been tested for fire, electric shock and other safety hazards.
- Know your surroundings. What’s around you? People? Pets? Power lines? Be in-the-know.
- Dork out. Disregard how you look and get on those safety glasses, earplugs, or hard hats. Take off jewelry that could catch in moving parts and roll up long sleeves.
- Stay a beginner at heart. Even if you’ve done it a hundred times, maintain the caution and care you exercised the first time you did a DIY project. Too much confidence has led to more than one accident.
- Know when to say when. Don’t let your pride keep you from calling in the professionals when a job is too big. Know your limits to stay comfortable and safe.
16
Jun
2010
Posted by Leah
Monitronics Greg Hurst wins CSAA Manager of the Year
Monitronics Monitoring Center Manager Greg Hurst today won Manager of the Year from the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA). This prestigious award recognizes Hurst as an outstanding manager who performs in the highest professional manner and makes significant contributions to the betterment of the alarm industry and the alarm profession. It also notes his exceptional service to his customers and community.
“Greg’s passion for excellence and his involvement and implementations are remarkable and make him a great leader worthy of this award,” said Mary Jensby, Director of the Monitronics Central Station. “In particular, we nominated him for his efforts to reduce false alarms, save operator time, increase response time, and build a close-knit team.”
Hurst, who received honorable mention for this same award in 2009, was acknowledged today at the CSAA Central Station Excellence Awards Breakfast Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
“Team Monitronics actually won this award. My name may be on the trophy, but it was what we did that helped us stand out,” said Hurst. “I appreciate everyone allowing me to be a part of this team. We did great!”
These awards are sponsored by SDM Magazine.
11
Jun
2010
Posted by Leah
Fork it over for charity
Monitronics has a strong history of community involvement and giving to those in need. Our Central Station, in particular, has been leading the way with volunteerism with Cell Phones for Soldiers, help during a toy drive, sorting donations for the nonprofit Metrocrest, serving food at the Salvation Army, and more.
That department has started another campaign this month to help the Salvation Army again: a fork drive.
“When we were serving food, we noticed that they didn’t have enough for everyone and lunch had to be paused several times to wash them. People were waiting and we realized they needed more,” said Mary Jensby, Director of the Monitronics Central Station. “Our employees have such a history of generosity and many have extra silverware sitting at home. It seemed like a great idea.”
Each floor of the Monitronics main tower and auxiliary building has a box for forks and the drive runs through early July.
09
Jun
2010
Posted by Leah
How to keep up with safety recalls
I recently started reading the Consumer Reports website for some high-tech recommendations when their safety blog caught my eye. Whoa. Recalls galore! And on products that I use!
This got me to thinking about how I can stay better informed of recalls. It appears that the Internet is my source. There’s not really a one-stop shop, but there are several great resources.
For updates on recalls on products like toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals, check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission‘s website; you can find info on over 4,500 product recalls on their site.
Another site I dig is Recalls.gov, where six federal agencies with vastly different jurisdictions have joined together to create a “one stop shop” for U.S. government recalls. You can join e-mail lists and get recall info delivered to you inbox on everything from food and boats to medicine and cosmetics.
Other groups:
Safe Kids
Consumer Watch
SafeCar.gov
Part of staying safe is staying informed and these sites can help. Let us know about your recall experience in the comments section. Would love to hear about it.
03
Jun
2010
Posted by Leah
Monitronics collects cell phones for soldiers
Central Station employees recently dropped off the Monitronics donation of 61 cell phones for the Cell Phones for Soldiers program.The charity helps our soldiers overseas call home and employees here
“Because this program was extended their program to Farmers Branch, the home of Monitronics, we wanted to be part of the effort to support our armed forces,” said Mary Jensby, Central Station Director. “Our employees have such a generous spirit that I knew they would want to participate.”
Anyone still wanting to give a cell phone for this cause can click on this link to find a donation center in the United States.
25
May
2010
Posted by Leah
Tuesday Tips: Camping safety
Ahh, the great outdoors! Fresh air and bubbling brooks and beautiful trees. What could be better than a camping trip solo or with the fam?
Well, there are a few hassles: biting and stinging insects; a blazing sun; impure water; campfire dangers; wild animals…So play it safe and keep these tips in mind.
* Bugs are more than a nuisance; they carry diseases and can even cause an allergic reaction. Keep bugs away by wearing insect repellent and carry necessary medical supplies. You might consider citronella candles or commercial bug repellent for your campsite.
* Keep your distance from wild animals, even the cute ones. Sure, that raccoon looks adorable and that deer is beautiful, but all wild animals have “wild” in their name for a reason: they are not domestic and don’t take well to humans approaching them; unpredictable behavior, even aggressive and violent, can follow.Most problems happen when we decide to feed them. So bring binoculars and enjoy the wildlife from afar.
* Beware all that slithers and crawls. For obvious reasons, you want to keep an eye out for snakes and spiders. Before sitting down on a rock, check where your fanny is landing and poke around in piles of leaves or sticks nearby before settling in for a rest. If you find yourself in a close encounter with a snake, back away slowly.
* Take care in the sun. Nothing ruins a holiday like a painful sunburn. Wear sunblock and reapply often. Hats and sunglasses are also a must.
* Don’t hike alone. If you are hurt, someone needs to be with you and be able to help–you should even tell others where you and your partner are going. Carry plenty of water and food. And a GPS never hurt!
* Keep your kids in sight. Curiosity can lead them to stray, so give them a whistle to wear so they can make loud noise if lost. Also, have a family meeting beforehand to set our safety rules and agree on a place to meet if you are separated.
* Be safe around fire. Keep it in a fire ring, don’t pour propellants on it, and don’t leave it unattended.