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01
Feb 2011
Posted by Jason
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Tuesday Tip: Don’t Get Burned!

Tomorrow’s Groundhog Day. I don’t know about Punxsutawney Phil, but I’m predicting that this chilly weather isn’t going away anytime soon. So, I thought it was time for a refresher on how to heat your home safely. First, the rules for staying warm:

    Rule #1 Stoves are for cookingIt is unsafe to use your stove or oven for heating your home. Two big potential threats for this are carbon monoxide leakage and FIRE.

    Rule #2 Space heaters need a sitter

    Be sure and turn off space heaters when unattended.

    Rule #3 Three feet

    Keep material like newspaper, clothing, and carpet at least three feet away from heaters and fireplaces.

    Now that you know the rules of how to prevent fire when heating your home, here are some tips to optimize your efforts:

    Tip #1 If you don’t need it, don’t use it

    Close off any vents and radiators in rooms you don’t use. Think closets and spare bedrooms.

    Tip #2 Ceiling fans for heat?

    Set your ceiling fans to blow the warm air down. I have found this extremely helpful in my home with vaulted ceilings.

    Tip #3 Don’t block the vents

    If your sofa blocks your vents, the sofa will be pretty warm but you won’t. This could also be a fire hazard so just keep furniture away from vents.

Stay warm and be safe the rest of this season . . . no matter how long it lasts.

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Posted in: Home Security, Tuesday tip

28
Dec 2010
Posted by Jason
2 comments

Tuesday Tips: Countdown to Safety this New Year’s

New Year’s is a big celebration in any neighborhood. We want you to be safe no matter how you are celebrating. So, here are some tips for making it safely into the New Year.

Plan how to get home safely if you plan to drink

Drinking and driving is never ok. On New Year’s Eve . . . and any night, actually . . . be prepared for back-up if you plan to drink. You have options like:

  • Designated drivers
  • Cabs
  • Staying put—spend the night at the party host’s home
  • Family—someone you trust who could drop you off and pick you up
  • Party bus

Careful with your food

Proper food handling will keep you from getting sick so you can ring in a healthy New Year.

  • Wash your hands often
  • Cook your food thoroughly
  • Clean your cooking tools after cutting meat and before using them again
  • Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold

Mind your wallet

  • Consider gift cards while out
  • Do not leave wallets or purses unattended

Fire safety

  • Use battery operated candles instead of real candles
  • Keep flames under control in fireplaces and fire pits
  • Fireworks—be sure that the person setting off the fireworks is sober

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Posted in: Home Security, Industry Happenings, Tuesday tip

23
Nov 2010
Posted by Lesley
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Tuesday Tips: Thanksgiving safety


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Posted in: Home Security

09
Nov 2010
Posted by Lesley
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Tuesday tips: Stay safe in your hotel room

As a child, a hotel or motel stay was a treat. I even remember jumping on a few beds in my day – which wasn’t allowed at home. My little girl has that same enjoyment of spending the night away from home. But, while she indulges in childhood, my job is to pay attention and check out our security.

Nothing beats home but preparedness at home and away is equally important. When choosing where to stay for the night, I look for:

    • Solid doors – doors should be strong enough to keep uninvited guests out of your room
    • Deadbolt locks – locks should be supported by the strong door that you have already checked for
    • Electronic card access – these card-keys can, and should, be reprogrammed for each new guest
    • Peephole
    • Night latches
    • Smoke detectors

Once I am checked in, I check out our escape route in case of fire. Where are the closest exits? Do the windows open? If so, am I close enough to the ground floor to escape safely? I familiarize myself with the layout of the hotel so I can confidently handle a fire emergency.

And, when I leave my room for a period, I make it look like someone is still there by:

    • Using the do-not-disturb door hanger
    • Leaving the TV on loud enough to be heard through the door
    • Leaving a light on

Monitronics cares about your safety everywhere, including a home-away-from-home. Take care this holiday season as you travel!

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Posted in: Home Security, Tuesday tip

03
Oct 2010
Posted by Jason
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Fire Prevention Week starts today

Fire is a risk all year-round, but cold weather brings special risks from heaters and seasonal accessories, like candles and Christmas lights. To that end, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored National Fire Prevention Week for nearly 90 years during the beginning of the cold season.

This year’s theme is “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!” for Fire Prevention Week, October 3-9. Why focus on smoke alarms when most homes already have at least one? Because so many homes have alarms that aren’t working or maintained properly. Two-thirds of home fire deaths per year result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms at all or no working smoke alarms. That’s a startling statistic!

NFPA and Monitronics reminds families that we recommend installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside all sleeping areas, and on every level of your home, including the basement.

Did you know that smoke alarms can cut the chance of dying in a fire in half? But they must be working properly to do so. Major culprit? Missing, disconnected or dead batteries. Interconnected smoke alarms, like the kind you can get with a Monitronics monitored alarm system, offer the best protection. When one goes off, they all do. That can mean valuable seconds to get yourself and your family out of a burning structure.

Here are some tips from NFPA to help you make sure that your smoke alarms are maintained and working properly:

  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.
  • If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
  • Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they’re 10 years old (or sooner) if they do not respond properly when tested.

Visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more information.

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Posted in: Business Security, Home Security