Posts Tagged ‘fire prevention’

Saving Lives and Property

At Monitronics, we take pride in knowing we can really make an impact in our customers’ lives. We regularly celebrate EDOs (Emergency Dispatch Operators) who intervene in actual emergencies and whose actions have made an impact for a customer. We do this in one of two ways:

  • Every week we recognize a Real Deal EDO–an operator who made a difference in the life of a customer.
  • Every month we recognize a Shining Star who went above and beyond to help save a customer or their property.

We want to start sharing these heroes’ stories with you for one week every month. So, all week, I’ll be sharing stories like the one below all week long. Be sure and check back regularly and help us celebrate our employees.

March 2011 Shining Star: Yessenia Martinez
Alarm Signal: Fire
Installing company: National Monitoring Corp. 
 

On a cold Saturday afternoon in Branford, Connecticut, Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. were trying to stay warm when they decided a fire in the living room fire place would be nice. Michael stacked the wood and the fire started easily. Soon, smoke began to back up in the chimney and flooded into the living room.

Back at Monitronics, Yessenia Martinez received the fire signal. She called the home and learned the family was in danger. Within seconds she had the Branford Fire Department on their way. Thanks to Yessenia’s and the Branford Fire Department’s quick response, the family was safe and experienced no damage to their home.

Yessenia Martinez

Yessenia (center) receiving Shining Star Award

AFTER THE EMERGENCY

A week after the incident, we were able to speak to Mr. S. and we learned that the chimney had a blockage. He said, “I’m very pleased with your service. Recently we had one of your competitors monitoring our home and they are in no way as efficient and effective as you are. I’m very impressed and very glad we have Monitronics. I’m telling all my friends and family. Thank you!”

Faces of Fire: Meredith Hawes

Public Fire and Life Safety Educator Meredith Hawes is working to teach consumers about the life-saving potential of home fire sprinklers. Some people believe common myths about sprinklers, she says, but change their minds once they learn the truth.

Holiday safety

‘Tis the season to be jolly . . . and safe. Don’t let an accident get in the way of your holiday happiness. Follow these tips and pay special attention this season to avoid tears throughout the New Year:

Trees

  • If you choose to display a live tree, choose a fresh one. The needles should be hard to pull back from the branches and if you shake the tree and needles fall off, it is not fresh. Trees that are not fresh dry out and become more of a fire-hazard.
  • If you choose an artificial tree, be sure that it is fire retardant.
  • Do not place your holiday tree near any heat source.
  • Your live tree should be disposed of by the second of January. The longer it is in your home, the drier it gets.

Lights

  • Before putting up your holiday lights, check for frays, bare spots, gaps in insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear.
  • Don’t link more than three strands—you could overload the outlet.
  • Turn off holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Decorations

  • Never put wrapping paper in the fireplace.
  • Do not use candles to decorate a tree.

Monitronics wants you to be safe during the holidays, so take precaution and enjoy yourself. And, don’t forget to leave cookies out for Santa.

Tuesday Tips: Thanksgiving safety


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Monitronics smoke monitoring prevents fire

FirefightersOne of the most gratifying parts of working at Monitronics is the stories of tragedies prevented. This week, we had just such an event that I want to share. Because of our monitored smoke protection, a near-fire was averted in a customer’s home, something that could have destroyed her home and killed her five beloved cats.

On Monday around 2 p.m., a fire alarm came into our Monitoring Station from the Shelly Kitchen residence in Fresno, California. Our second-shift operator Francisco Galicia responded by calling the Kitchen residence, but got no response. He dispatched the Fresno County Fire Department immediately.  They arrived and found the dishwasher was the cause; a plastic part had fallen on the the heating element, which was smoldering and would have caught on fire.

Later on Monday, Mrs. Kitchen called our Customer Service department in tears to thank us for saving her home and her cats. She had cancelled her service at one point, but came back to Monitronics to ensure that her pets would be safe when she traveled.

“It’s so important for me to have control over my house and the monitored protection gives that to me,” she said. “I’m so happy with Monitronics. I want to express my gratitude for saving our home and our cats with such fast response Monday.”