5 Cybersecurity Tips for Online Holiday Shopping

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Stealing a credit card through a laptop concept for computer hacker, network security and electronic banking security

As you rush to finish all your online holiday shopping, you could become a victim of cyber crime

In fact, one out of four holiday shoppers has been a victim of an online hack in the past 12 months, according to a recent CNET survey.

Here are five ways to protect yourself while shopping online so you can keep your bank accounts and credit cards safe.

    1. Update your device’s mobile operating system – Be sure you’re running the latest version of the operating system on your phone, tablet and computer because it’s more likely that the older versions are not as secure. You should also confirm that your anti-virus/anti-spyware software is running and being updated automatically.

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Merry and Bright: Holiday Electrical Safety Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

One of the best things to do around the holidays is to drive around and see all of the beautiful lights. While large scale light displays are impressive, it is important to take precautions and know what you’re doing.

We’ve compiled a list of safety tips to help you keep the lights on:

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Preventing Retail Chaos and Organized Crime on Black Friday

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

In episode 2 of our Loss Prevention Podcast Series, National Retail Federation’s Vice President of Loss Prevention, Bob Moraca, speaks about his take on organized retail crime, loss prevention strategies and how retailers can prepare themselves for the chaos and potential hazards of the upcoming Black Friday shopping mania.

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Food Safety Tips for a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Traditional Holiday Stuffed Turkey DinnerThis year instead of traveling over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house, you’ve invited family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving at your home.

You’re looking forward to enjoying awesome food and drink, great conversation and maybe even a football game or two. You’re hoping that your guests will leave with great memories. The last thing you want is for everyone to remember a holiday filled with tummy aches – or worse.

Thankfully, there are some very steps you can take to prevent a foodborne illness from hitting your Thanksgiving guests. Read more →

Fire Safety for Religious Properties

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Candles in churchReligious institutions are not just used for Sunday services. They often house daycare centers, preschools, bible study groups and community gatherings.

From 2007 to 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 1,780 structure fires in religious and funeral properties each year, according to a 2013 report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Most of those fires, however, involved religious properties, with just four percent taking place in funeral parlors. On average, those fires resulted in two civilian deaths, 19 civilian injuries, and $111 million in property damage per year, the NFPA noted. Read more →

Home Safety Seasonal Checklist

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

BlogPostImage-Seasonal Checklist (source TheStocks.im - free to use)

Whether springing forward or falling back, Daylight Saving Time is the perfect opportunity for a home safety seasonal checkup. Here’s a quick checklist.

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5 Tips to a Scary Safe Halloween

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Group of children and their parents playing trick or treat on Halloween.

New England has a lot of spooky fun to offer up during Halloween. From haunted hayrides to witch tours through Salem, there are lots of ways to get your scare on. Whatever fun you’re brewing up this year, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Here are five safety tips to abide by this Halloween.

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Fall Fire Safety Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Couple by bonfireAs the colder weather approaches and the leaves turn radiant shades of red, yellow, orange and gold, this is the perfect time to refresh your memory about fire safety – inside and outside your home.

Don’t forget, when you turn your clocks back on November 6 to signal the end of daylight savings time, remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and your carbon monoxide detectors if they are not hardwired.

You should also replace CO alarms every five years and smoke alarms every 10 years so be sure to check their expiration dates when you change the batteries.

Here are some other fall fire safety tips that you should keep in mind:
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5 Tips to Protect Yourself Online

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Computer security or safety concept. Laptop keyboard with lock aWe’re concerned about helping you protect your family and your home from the bad guys. One way to do that, of course, is with a state-of-the-art home security system.

Another way is to safeguard your online identity. Whenever you connect to the Internet you are at risk of falling victim to a hacker who can steal your credit card numbers, passwords, tax information or even completely disable your device.

Follow these five tips to help you protect yourself online:
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September Is College Campus Fire Safety Month

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

As college students move in to new apartments this week, now is a good time for them to check and make sure they have working fire alarms.

We all were tragically reminded of the importance of this early Wednesday morning, when a four-alarm fire destroyed an apartment building on Myrick Street in Allston, Mass., a community popular with college students. After it took about five-and-a-half hours to put the blaze out 11 college students and young professionals who lived in the building were displaced .

Fire investigators said it could have been much worse because the two-and-a-half story house had inadequate smoke detectors and sprinkler protection, according to Boston Fire Commissioner Joe Finn. Damage to the building was estimated at around $1 million.

“We’re very fortunate last night that we didn’t have a loss of life,” Finn told WBZ NewsRadio 1030. “I think the fact that the tenants who were on that third floor weren’t home is probably the reason why, because I think if they were home, they never would have made it out.”

Fire inspectors think the fire started in a rear bathroom, but they were still trying determine the cause. The fire commissioner said investigators found several issues with the house.

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