Posts Tagged ‘safety tips’

Three Times to Arm Your System

Ever have that dream where you need help and try to scream but no one can hear you? It’s a frightening dream to have, but it can be a reality. You have an alarm system to do the notification for you during emergencies. If you fail to arm your system regularly, you’re not fully protecting yourself.

There are three times that you should be sure to arm your alarm system:

  • In the morning before you leave for the day. You should arm your alarm system in “away mode” whenever you leave your house. If you stay home during the day, be sure your alarm system is in “stay mode” in the morning.
  • When you return home. Just after you come in the door, arm it.
  • Before bed. Your alarm system should already be alarmed in “stay mode,” but why not take the opportunity to be sure that the system is armed?

If you follow a routine, you can be sure that you are getting the most protection from us and your alarm system. Monitronics cares about your safety. To talk to one of us about getting an alarm system for your home, call 800-290-0709.

Swim Safely

Our greatest protection from tragedy, while playing in the surf, is prevention. We could all benefit from adopting and practicing as many safety steps as possible. Here are a few tips to begin now for anytime you decide to splash around.

 
 Stay close, be alert, and watch. 
  • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings 
  •  Always watch your children and never leave them unattended
  •  Have a phone close by at all times
  • If a child is missing, check the pool first

 Learn and Practice Water Safety Skills

  • Learn to swim
  • Know how to perform CPR on children and adults

Have the Appropriate Equipment

  • Install a fence around the perimeter of the pool and spa of at least four feet in height
  • Use self-closing and self-latching gates
  • Ensure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers
  • Install a door alarm from the house to the pool area
  • Maintain pool and spa covers in working order
  • Have life-saving equipment such as life rings or reaching poles available for use           

A Word About Summer Alarm Scams

This summer, beware of door-to-door home security scams. Alarm system salespeople may visit your home, offering to replace or upgrade your alarm system for free. Don’t do it! We’ve seen customers deceived by these pitches.

The offers are not legitimate and you might end up with some unpleasant consequences: double bills, a broken security system, and a real headache. Never change your security provider without calling Monitronics first.

Look for the signs of a scam:

1. Offering free upgrades or equipment
If it sounds too good to be true, it is! These systems are anything but free—they could cost you time, money, and peace of mind.

2. Claiming that Monitronics is out of business.
Monitronics provides the award-winning protection you trust, 24/7.

3. Using high pressure sales talk, trying to make you switch security companies.
Red flag: honest salespeople don’t need to be pushy.

Report suspicious activity right away to Monitronics. These salespeople are often friendly, neatly dressed, and college-aged. They’re usually unassuming and perceived as helpful and informative.

If a security salesperson show up at your door, get his or her name and company and call Monitronics at 800.396.9815. Your safety is our first priority.

Saving Lives and Property: Angel Flores

Angel Flores

On an unseasonably cold and windy morning in Maryland, Monitronics customer Vivian M. woke up early and started her daily chores. Suddenly, after bending over, she began to feel faint and her stomach was starting to feel upset. Vivian thought about it a second and decided she better get some help. She then remembered all she needed to do was press her medical pendant and help would come. With all her strength, she pressed down on her pendant and began to wait

 
Back at Monitronics, Emergency Dispatch Operator Angel Flores was just starting her day when she received the medical alarm. She immediately accessed the alarm and was calling the home in seconds. After four telephone rings, someone picked up the phone but it instantly dropped to the floor. Angel repeated over and over, “Hello, do you need assistance?” There was no response. Angel called back but the line was busy. Immediately she called the medical authorities and an ambulance was rolling in no time.

The paramedics arrived at the home and called Monitronics back when they found the house all locked up. Another call was made to the home and this time Vivian answered and said, “I’m on the floor in the back bedroom.” Immediately, the paramedics forced their way in and found her just as she was losing consciousness. She was evaluated and rushed to the nearest hospital.

A few days later, we spoke to Vivian’s friend who said, “She is still in the hospital and will be there for a few more days. At this time she’s doing fine.” She said Vivian wanted Monitronics to know that she’s very pleased with the medical response. The ambulance arrived in five minutes and the agent that handled the alarm did an excellent job.

Great job and congratulations Angel! You’re one in a long line of agents in our award-winning Central Station that inspire us daily with your work ethic, quality and excellent service. Angel Flores has been with Monitronics since July, 2000.

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!”