Every year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) devotes the third week in October to National Fire Prevention Week. The theme for this year is “Prevent Kitchen Fires,” with fire departments throughout the country holding local community events designed to educate the public on preventing fires in that busy area of the house. Here are some valuable tips they will be sharing:
Tag Archive for: home security
Enjoying the season of giving is what the winter holidays are all about. However, because thieves know that homes during the holidays are filled with gifts, it should also be a time of vigilance. Take these precautions to ensure that your home is protected from a holiday break-in this winter.
Lock Up
Always close and lock the doors and windows of your home if you’re leaving, even if just for a short trip. The garage door is also a popular entrance point for thieves, so keep it closed even when you’re home. Don’t forget to lock the door to the garage in the event that thieves gain access to the garage. Be sure to never leave a spare key outside the house—thieves know where to find them.
Always Make it Look Like Someone is Home
Automate your lights in and around your home and put them on a schedule (using your mobile App) to come on at certain times, for example at sunset. This will serve as an excellent deterrent whether you are away from home for a brief period of time or out of town on vacation. If you leave town, have the mail and newspaper picked up by a neighbor or request to have it stopped. You may even want to hire a house sitter for extra protection.
Store Valuables in a Safe
Jewelry and other small objects of great value should be kept inside of a safe. If you don’t want to have a safe inside of the home, use your bank’s safety deposit box to keep items you don’t regularly need.
Invest in a Quality Home Security System
Nothing will deter a thief like a cutting-edge, professionally installed home security system. A high-quality system should include motion detection triggers, video surveillance, and central monitoring features.
Depending on your point of view, moving can be either quite exciting or quite a hassle. To the burglar, however, your move is an opportunity. Burglars are opportunists and predators. And what do predators do? They look for the weakest links and pounce on it. During a move, you are busy, distracted, and probably a lot more relaxed in your approach to security.
On average, burglars take between 6 to 10 minutes to net $2,000 worth of your belongings. And that is on a normal day. When you factor in the common mistakes people make while moving, such as leaving boxes outside between trips or leaving the home wide open, the job can be a lot quicker and much more lucrative for the burglar.
Keeping your property safe needs to be at the forefront of your mind, even during a move. It is far better to be proactive and safe with simple steps than to neglect them and leave room for the potential for crime. These simple steps can help keep your belongings safe while you move.
Keep Your Security System
Keep your security system and security practices in place even as you move. A move draws a lot of attention and some of that attention could be from a potential burglar who is hanging around and evaluating the opportunity. Use your security cameras to keep an eye on the home and let others know you’ve got a steady eye on the situation.
Never Leave Your Belongings Out and Unattended
Even if it is a 15-minute trip, never leave the property until all of your belongings are either inside locked up or secure on a moving truck. It may seem like you are saving yourself a bit of time by moving the next load outside and close to transportation but you are actually making it a lot easier for a burglar to breeze by and grab your stuff.
Use Alternate Methods of Marking Boxes
Of course, it is important to know what is packed in each of the boxes, but if you list the items or label them you are also publicizing it to any potential criminal, making it easy to know which boxes to take. Even once you are at the new location, throwing away boxes with lists tells the burglar exactly what is in the house and where to look. Instead, try color coding or some other method of labeling.
Install Home a Home Security System in the New Home Before You Move In
Before you move into your new home, have a new security system in place. Include features such as home security cameras, smart locks, a video doorbell, and motion sensors to deter any criminal thinking a new resident is an easy target. Having security cameras in place is also an advantage if you are making multiple trips to move your household belongings because you can check in on the home between trips.
Founded in 2001, Brinton Security Services is dedicated to providing residential and commercial security and serving clients in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
- Stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking on the stovetop. If you are frying, grilling, broiling or boiling food, you must be in the room to make sure your food doesn’t burn. The safety concern is not only for burned food, but for smoke in the air and the pan catching fire.
- Stay in the home when you’re cooking in the oven. If you are baking, roasting or braising food in the oven, you don’t necessarily need to be in the kitchen, but you do need to be in the home – and you definitely need to use a timer to prevent any fire risks.
- Keep your smoke alarm on while cooking. Some people are tempted to remove their smoke alarm batteries when cooking certain dishes. But whether you are baking cookies or frying up bacon, your smoke alarm should stay on. Disabling it could put your family at risk of harmful smoke inhalation.
- Keep your kids and pets safe while cooking. Young children have been known to burn themselves on front burner pots and pans. Teaching them not to touch is good, but putting things on the back burner to remove the risk is better. Pets should also be kept at least three feet from the stove.
- Keep flammable items away from the stove. Avoid cooking with loose-fitting sleeves. Hanging sleeves can easily catch fire. As for necessary items like potholders and kitchen towels, they should be safely to the side on the counter – not the stove.
These are just some of the tips that fire departments want citizens to know when it comes to preventing kitchen fires. If there is a National Fire Prevention Week event going on in your community, we encourage you to attend. Search #NationalFirePreventionWeek on Twitter to find an event near you!
ABOUT BRINTON SECURITY
Founded in 2001, Brinton Security Services has been dedicated to providing protection for both residential and commercial settings. Although specializing in home security, we also install/service/monitor fire, gate, camera, and personal emergency response systems as well as whole house audio, home theater, home automation, and phone systems. We are proud to serve Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Our aim is to “Protect What Matters!”
If you are like most people, when you think of home automation you think of all the cool conveniences it provides, such as being able to have your home climate controlled or having the ability to lock doors remotely. But this has led to an important question: Is home automation a convenience, luxury, or necessity? We believe that it has increasingly become a necessity. Here are 5 important reasons why.
Times Are Changing
Times change and things that were once considered luxuries are now absolute necessities. For example, in 1995, only 10% of homes had the internet. Now, a short time later, nearly not only does nearly every home have it, our society depends on it for just about every function. While home automation was convenient, the services it provides makes it increasingly indispensable to running a household.
Resources Management is Increasingly Important
Not only is it true that as a society we have become more conscious about conserving our resources, we also understand that it is increasingly important to do so because of the political and economic climate we live in. Home automation provides one of the best tools available for conserving our resources.
Time Management is Important
As we move to a more information drive society, how we spend our time is more important. Home automation provides the tools we need to increase productivity and to do more, more effectively. It also allows us to multi-task much more effectively than ever before.
It Allows Us to Improve Our Caregiving
Today, it is not uncommon to have both small children and aged adults in the home requiring some special oversight. Home automation allows you to provide that without compromising a loved one’s dignity but allowing you to check in remotely and receive custom alerts for activity that might indicate trouble. Home automation also allows you to provide care to those living outside the home, too. With the ability to check in via security camera or keep track of activity through sensors, you can call for help the minute you suspect a problem.
Home Automation Creates A More Hospitable Environment
As we learn more about ourselves and how the mind works we learn how our environment effects things like mood and productivity. Creating a hospitable environment is also important for homes with occupants with sensory issues. Home automation can control those elements that create a disturbance, such as glaring lights or noise.
As time changes, tools such as home automation move quickly from being a convenience to an indispensable tool. If you have any questions about home automation, please give Brinton Security a call.
In many cases, DIY is a great, affordable option. It is easy to see why it is an attractive consideration even in home security. But do DIY home security systems measure up to consumer expectations? In most cases, the answer is a resounding, no. In home security, the stakes are high and the system’s capability and functionality matter. While many tout the ease of installation in DYI systems, most consumers do not realize these systems lack the very features that make home security alarm systems desirable.
Here are some important ways DIY products do not measure up:
1. Installation is not as Easy as You Think
The installation of DIY systems may seem simple, and that fact alone may be a red flag. High-quality home security systems have many components that need expert placement. A system that is too simple may not provide the type of security coverage necessary to protect your family. A complex system requires expert installation of the components is crucial so that you do not leave gaps in your security. Improper installation can lead to a system failure which can place your family or property at risk.
2. Proper Placement
Setting up a DIY security system might seem like a slam dunk, but underestimating the importance of expert placement is a disservice to your security. Home security systems are highly technical systems that require professional knowledge to gain the most advantage from them. Not only can improper placement make components less effective, it can make the system nearly useless!
3. DIY Systems Cost More Than You Expect
Contrary to popular belief, DIY home systems are not the most economical choice in home security. Most DIY home security systems come with a few components, such as window sensors, with the expectation you WILL need more. Those expensive components add up quickly.
4. Incompatibility Issues
The technologies used to support home security systems are constantly changing and needing product support. With professional systems, these updates are never a problem to the end user, the consumer. With DIY systems, a simple computer system upgrade can make the entire system incompatible. Further, should technology advances make the system outmoded, the manufacturer of the DYI system may no longer provide any updates or support if they ever provided these at all.
5. No Connection to Police
Your home alarm system is your lifeline. At least that is what most people intend and expect. One of the most important components of any home security system is the connection to emergency services such as fire or police, something DIY systems do not offer.
6. A DYI System is not the Same as Professional Systems
While a DIY security system can provide some of the same features of a professional system, it is important to realize that it is not a comparable substitute. DIY systems meet a few needs specific to the widest number of people possible. A professional system is designed to meet the very specific needs of your family and the home structure. The technologies used are often different and the capabilities of the systems vary dramatically.
About Brinton Security
Our company is proud to offer affordable home security options and a dynamic pricing model, so you can customize your security investment to fit your budget. We are here to answer your questions with unparalleled 24/7 customer support. Call Brinton Security today for a more secure tomorrow.
With over a million views on Youtube, videos on the 6-second garage door break-in cause more than a little concern. The videos show how thieves can break in through a commonly used automatic garage door in 6 short seconds, using nothing more than a wire hanger.
Garage entrance is not just common; it is one of the criminal’s favorite ways to gain entrance into a home. Why? Someone entering a garage does not throw up the same red flags as someone breaking glass or climbing through a window. Not only do most people overlook a stranger near a garage, once the door is open, the thief quickly slips in, closes the door, and breaks into the home (or prepares to steal from the garage itself) while under complete cover.
Here are some important ways you can secure your garage:
- Replace your garage opening system to a modern “rolling code system” that hinders duplication.
- Keep the garage doors in good repair.
- Use a plastic zip tie to secure the emergency latch and prevent hanger entry.
- Cover windows so thieves cannot see garage contents or if you have an entry to the inside of the home.
- Make sure windows have locks.
- Reinforce side door locks with metal reinforcements.
- Install motion detection lighting.
- Install an alarm or video surveillance system.
- Do not leave automatic door openers in your car.
- Keep the door from the garage into the house locked.
Thieves count on residents neglecting to secure the garage door. Take time today to learn more about home security systems and how to prevent break-ins by calling Brinton Security today.
There is an old saying that moms have eyes on the back of their heads, suggesting they see just about everything that goes on. The truth is that moms really do wish they had extra eyes so they never missed any potential danger. Keeping children safe is a parent’s number one priority. It is a difficult job and every parent feels the weight of it. The good news is that today’s parents have an added advantage in high-tech home security tools to help them keep the kids safe and out of harm’s way.
Home surveillance cameras do more than deter crime, they act as an extra set of eyes that keep parents fully informed. Here are some practical ways to use your system to help monitor your children.
Seeing Them Home from School
Providing age appropriate freedom means that the kids may get home before you do and let themselves into the home. As much as you know they are capable, you also know that there are real dangers in the world for which there is no way to prepare. When you have home security, you can get an alert and see that your kids made it home safely.
Checking in on them When They Are Home Alone
Kids need to exercise a bit of independence and stay home alone sometimes. While they are learning to maneuver the world, you can always stay close at hand by viewing the live video feed from your smartphone or tablet.
Make Sure Chores are Done
When your teen calls you at work and asks if they can go to a friend’s house to hang out, your one request is that the chores are done first. Instead of waiting to come home to find them not done, you can check first via live video feed.
Solving Whodunit
Whenever there is a problem or dispute it is difficult to know what actually happened. By checking the recorded video, you can definitively solve the mystery and settle the arguments.
Monitoring Backyard Play
The kids are playing nicely outside but you know that it does not take much for cooperative activity to take a nasty turn and turn into the war to end all wars. By tapping in to live feed on your security cameras, you can monitor the progression of play and intervene before things get off track.
Middle of the Night Tech Busts
Your kids are having a difficult time getting up in the morning and spend the whole day dragging. They seem to go to bed at a decent hour, but are they actually sleeping? With a little video surveillance sleuthing you find that they have their phones out and are spending almost all night on social media. Problem solved.
Founded in 2001, Brinton Security Services has been dedicated to providing protection for both residential can commercial settings throughout Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
When you think of parenting, a million things come to your mind. Home automation may not be the first on that list, but perhaps it should be. Home automation offers a wealth of parental help and once you know, you will wonder what you ever did without it.
Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs we will ever have, but also one of the most serious and monumental. That’s why experienced parents will recommend using all of the tools available to help navigate the various stages of parenting—and one of the most effective of those tools is home automation. Here’s why.
Home Automation Helps During Infancy
Bringing home a baby is one of the most joyous times of our lives. It can also be the most terrifying. Suddenly your life is filled with a million new concerns that must be managed while completely sleep deprived. The baby has a need for comfort and consistency while the parent has the overwhelming need to know their child is okay. These needs are easily met with home automation. By using smart technologies, you can keep the room at the perfect temperature and lighting just right to ensure the comfort of the baby. Parents, too, can rest easy with the ability to check the security camera from their phone or knowing they will receive immediate alerts if the door, wind, or motion sensors are tripped.
Keeping Toddlers Safe
Home automation is like a parental superpower when it comes to raising a toddler. Toddlers have an unending curiosity and are unaware of danger. While a parent never wants to quench that curiosity and desire to discover, they do want to keep their child safe. Home automation helps keep the little ones safe by sending alerts if door or motion sensors are tripped. Now, there is no chance of secret backyard excursions or early morning escapes.
Home Automation During the School Years
The school years are a whirlwind of activity that can have you going and coming several times a day. In the midst of all the activities, it is easy to forget to do things lick lock the doors, arm the security system, or turn off the appliances. Fortunately, home automation can take care of all that and prevent a small thing from becoming a catastrophic event. Home automation can also help gently guide kids through the day with cues, such as lights on means you need to get up, and music playing means you need to have your shoes on and be ready to leave.
Inspiring Independence in the Teen and Nearly Adult Years
Teens want and need a new level of independence but also need a new level of oversight. Home automation helps bridge the gap by giving parents much needed insights without sacrificing their teen’s independence or dignity. Alerts can let parents know when the kids get home or provide access control to off limit areas.
Parents want to give their children the best life possible and home automation is one of the best tools to help make that happen. If you would like more information about home automation, give Brinton Security Services a call today.
The internet is part of our everyday lives and offers a lot of benefits, but it can also be incredibly dangerous. While your children are online doing homework or using social media, there are criminals lurking to steal personal information—or worse. If you have children that use the internet, the rules you establish for going online not only positively impact their online experience, it positively impacts their safety and that of the family. Talk to your family about these internet safety tips.
For Parents
Keeping your family safe online means being proactive. Take an active role in how the computer and other devices with online access are used in your home. Establish family guidelines about internet safety and make it a regular part of family conversation. Here are some important tips for parents.
- Always install and use internet filters and permission programs to make inappropriate sites off-limits.
- Use parental alerts.
- Install file sharing programs correctly and activate setting so nothing private is shared.
- Have them use the computer and other internet devices in communal parts of the home, instead of in their room with the door shut.
- Take all incidents of bullying seriously.
- Always report suspicious activity, or online threats of self-harm.
- Check browser history.
Establish family guidelines about internet safety and make it a regular part of family conversation.
For Children and Teens
Having an established set of rules helps keep everyone safe. Here are some important tips to discuss with your family.
- Never use personal information such as name or birthdate to create screen names.
- Use generic names instead of ones that identify whether you are male or female.
- Always choose complex passwords and never share them.
- Do not use secret online email or social media accounts.
- Never give personal information such as your name, address, or name of your school or places you frequent.
- Never agree to send photos to someone you met online.
- Do not send pictures of friends, family members, or pictures where the background can help someone locate you.
- Never agree to meet anyone in person whom you have met online. Ever.
- If something does not feel right, tell your parents.
- Always tell your parents immediately if someone sends an inappropriate, explicit, or threatening message.
- Never reply to text, email, or pop-up messages asking for personal or financial information and do not follow links in those messages.
- Be cautious about opening attachments, regardless of who sent them.
- Talk to your parents before P2P file sharing.
- Check with your parents before installing any “free” games or software.
- Never download anything without parental consent.
- Never buy anything online without permission.
- Never send messages that will make someone feel sad, scared, threatened, or could be considered mean spirited.
- Never argue with someone over the internet.
- Tell your parents immediately about any incidents of bullying.
About Brinton Security
From an initial consultation and installation to ongoing monitoring and service, Brinton Security is dedicated to the safety of you, your family, and your home.
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