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10
Aug 2010
Posted by admin
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Local crime watch on guard against scams

We encourage community activism, especially in the area of crime prevention. Good neighbors make good security.

A member of the Firethorne Community Crime Watch Committee near Katy, Texas, recently contacted us after receiving a Monitronics postcard warning of door-to-door scammers. They thanked us for the head’s up and said they’re taking action. We appreciate the shout-out and want to share their community notification:

DON’T BECOME A SUMMER SECURITY SCAM VICTIM
Firethorne Community Crime Watch Committee Warns of Door-to-Door Scammers

At least one security alarm company is warning its customers to beware of door-to-door salespeople this summer in Firethorne. Monitronics, a Dallas-based alarm monitoring company, recently called many Katy-area customers to warn about possible con artists.

These scammers, shady representatives of other alarm security providers, often offer fraudulent “deals.” Victims that fall prey to these scams can end up with double bills, non-working systems, and the huge headache of trying to get out of the situation.

According to representatives at Monitronics, these double dealers will knock on your door and likely claim that your current security provider is out of business or that they have a better deal for you if you will switch providers. They use high-pressure sales tactics to get you to agree to a “free upgrade” or other system bells and whistles. These swindlers often urge you to do the “upgrade” the same day.

Monitronics has a dedicated Summer Alert Hotline further describing this scam at 800-396-9815. You can also visit http://www.monitronics.com/SecurityScam.

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Posted in: Home Security, What Is Security?

13
Jul 2010
Posted by Jason
1 comment

Tuesday tips: Beat the heat this summer

It’s sweltering across the U.S., which is pretty much on par for July. But as temperatures get over 90 degrees, heat-related illnesses soar. It’s no joke: about 400 Americans die annually from the heat. That more people than the combined deaths from floods, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms, and extreme cold from 1994 to 2003.

Elderly people, small children, those with weight or alcohol problems, people on certain medications or drugs need to practice extra precaution. Here are some tips for everyone to follow.

Stay cool in the heat

  • Drink up: Down lots of water–two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) each hour, whether you’re thirsty or not. And skip the booze; it dehydrates.
  • Replace salt and minerals: If you’re sweating up a storm, drink a sports beverage or some juice.
  • Wear a hat: Protect your face from sunburn and stay cooler overall with a wide-brim hat.
  • Dress for success: Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Slather on the sunscreen: There’s more than the “ouch” factor at play here: sunburn screws up your body’s cooling mechanisms and dehydrates you.
  • Slow down, buckaroo: Why don’t you reconsider that midday run or gardening until it cools off a few degrees? And pace yourself. If you’re gasping or feeling dizzy, get indoors and drink liquids right away.
  • Know when to get help: Learn the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and help others who might be confused because of their condition.
  • Use common sense: Your brain is there for a reason–take care of yourself!

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Posted in: Tuesday tip

22
Jun 2010
Posted by Leah
1 comment

Tuesday tips: safety first for DIY work

Hammer and nailIt 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.

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Posted in: Home Security

15
Jun 2010
Posted by Jason
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Tuesday tips: summer juvenile crime

teen crime - kid in handcuffsSummer time means longer days, more time outdoors, and summer vacation for kids. But time off from school actually increases juvenile crime: too much free time, lack of parental supervision, and warmer temperatures seem to be to blame.  These don’t appear to be violent in nature, but rather acts of vandalism and property crimes, like smashed car windows and vehicle robberies, graffiti tagging, and underage drinking.

But some incidents are more serious. Police in Portland, Oregon, broke up two teenage theft rings during last summer that were responsible for $10,000 of stolen goods.

What can you do? First, if you’re a parent, set strong boundaries and rules for your kids. Keep a curfew and know who their friends are. You can help keep you kids from getting themselves into trouble.

Everyone can take basic precautions to protect themselves: keep an eye out and report suspicious crime to local police. Try to park your cars in a garage if possible. And always turn on your monitored alarm system when you are not home and at night. Stay safe and happy summer!

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Posted in: Tuesday tip

25
May 2010
Posted by Leah
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Tuesday Tips: Camping safety

camping 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.

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Posted in: Tuesday tip

11
Feb 2010
Posted by Leah
1 comment

What’s in your emergency kit?

Cold enough for you? Here in Dallas, we’re having 30-year record snows and lots of us are stuck inside. So it got me thinking about emergency preparedness kits–I might be using the candles in my kit tonight. Here’s what I’ve got in the guest bedroom in case of an emergency. What’s in yours?

    * Water filter: You need enough water on hand for one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. I figured this would be easier.
    * MREs: I’ve got a month’s supply of non-perishable food
    * Radio: Mine is a hand crank/NOAA weather radio with tone alert
    * Flashlight. Forgot the batteries. Woops.
    * Battery lantern
    * Wrench and pliers: to turn off utilities
    * Personal sanitation items: washrags, moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties
    * Candles and lighters: to start and keep a fire going. And for mood lighting during an emergency.
    * Firewood
    * Extra food for my dog: she can’t have my MREs.
    * Sleeping bag and warm blankets

Snow day

Turns out I forgot a few things. Glad I looked into this.

    * Dust mask
    * Plastic sheeting and duct tape
    * A few gallons of water to augment the water filters
    * Whistle to signal for help
    * Local maps
    * Extra batteries for the radio, flashlight, and lantern
    * First-aid kit
    * Copies of my important papers, like insurance, ID, and bank account records, sealed in a plastic baggie
    * Cash or traveler’s checks and change
    * Fire extinguisher
    * Matches in a plastic baggie

Check out Ready America for a full list of recommendations and let me know how your kit measures up. I’d like to know.

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Posted in: Home Security

04
Oct 2009
Posted by Leah
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All that sizzles is not safe in bedroom

It’s national Fire Prevention Week 2009 from October 4-10, a time to pay special attention to risks around our homes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, last year, fires caused more than $15.5 billion in directly property loss, with $8.6 billion of that being residential.

Many of those fires started in the bedroom, a place that’s designed for comfort and relaxation, but is no safe haven when it comes to home fires: Nearly 6,000 people die annually from bedroom fires, says the United States Fire Administration.

Sleep tight with these safety tips for the bedroom:

  • Replace mattresses made before 2007 that don’t meet the new flammability standard.
  • Never smoke in bed.
  • Make sure that electric blankets, bed warmers, and space heaters are lab tested and do not have frayed electric cords.
  • Operate space heaters at least three feet away from flammable objects, like curtains, clothes, bedspreads, sheets, and blankets.
  • Keep matches, lighters and candles out of the reach of children. When children play with these items, they often do so in their bedrooms.  This is especially critical during the holiday season when the number of house fires by children increases to a peak of 60 fires per day during mid-December.
  • Routinely check under beds, in closets, and furniture in children’s rooms for lighters, burnt matches, or other signs that they might be playing with fire.

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Posted in: Home Security

25
Sep 2009
Posted by Jason
4 comments

Carbon monoxide: the silent killer among us

It’s nicknamed the “silent killer.” It’s odorless, tasteless, invisible, present virtually everywhere, and it can kill you while you sleep. The symptoms of exposure often go undetected because they mimic those of other common ailments.

Every year, thousands of Americans are rushed to hospital emergency rooms for treatment and, worse, there’s new evidence that indicates that what were once considered safe levels of this common gas can irreversibly damage the brains of small children.

What is this deadly gas? It’s carbon monoxide, and as lethal as exposure to it can be, it can also be minimized by following a few simple tips.

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Posted in: Home Security