Tragedy can strike any time, from even the most mundane sources as the recent Merrimack Valley gas disaster demonstrates. According to WHDH News in Boston, excess pressure in natural gas pipelines caused explosions and fires in 80 homes in three communities. Dozens of houses were destroyed completely, and a young man was killed.
As a Providence Journal editorial on the disaster notes,: “The explosions are a stark and unwelcome reminder of the fragility of America’s critical infrastructure network, which includes the electrical grid, the banking system, telecommunications, the food supply system, the water system and public health networks.” Given New England’s aging infrastructure, such threats will likely continue, but homeowners can empower themselves to respond as proactively as possible and reduce potential threats to their properties, families and communities. Read more →
Don’t Let Package Thieves Steal Your Holiday Cheer
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamRoughly 30 percent of Americans are victims of package theft according to ABC. With Cyber Monday sales estimated to have hit a whopping $8 billion, the opportunities for grab-and-go package thefts are just going to get worse. Ultimately, the threat of such thieves could put a dent into e-commerce itself, says an Inc. article. Read more →
Carbon Monoxide: Winter’s Silent Killer
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamThis colorless and odorless gas escapes from faulty furnaces, as well as portable generators, stoves, lanterns, gas ranges and other sources. When the fumes enter an area lacking adequate ventilation, they become lethally dangerous. In fact, it’s the biggest cause of poisoning in the U.S. according to Mass.gov .
50,000 victims of carbon monoxide poisoning head to the emergency room annually, and out of those 430 never make it home. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control notes that carbon monoxide poisonings spike in December and January — due in part to power outages caused by winter weather, which lead homeowners to use alternative power sources. Read more →
Stay Merry this Thanksgiving by Taking Fire Precautions
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamThe only thing worse than a burnt turkey on Thanksgiving is being forced to evacuate your home because of a fire. Thanksgiving Day is the most common day for kitchen fires in New England and across the nation, as pointed out by NECN, and cooking accidents are the leading cause (77 percent) of Thanksgiving house fires nationally, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
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Protecting the New England Holiday Retail Industry
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamAs the holiday retail season approaches, retailers and supermarket owners of all sizes in New England must defend themselves against theft. As a retailer, there are many steps you can take, including adding electronic surveillance systems throughout your store.
While the holiday season provides 34 percent of annual retail sales, it also accounts for 37 percent of yearly shrinkage, as a Forbes article notes. The biggest contributors to shrinkage are shoplifting and employee theft. Read more →
Halloween: Spooky Security Facts for Homeowners
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamHalloween crept up quicker than you can say “boo!” and you should be aware of the night’s spooky security facts. About 175 million Americans will be observing the holiday in some form, says CNN. With all those parties, costumes and related activity in New England and beyond, it should be no surprise Halloween can be a scary day for homeowners.
In fact, the holiday sees a 17 percent spike in home claims for vandalism, theft and other crimes, as compared to the 364 other days a year, notes a recent CNBC article. The most common vandalism acts include kicked-in doors, broken windows and mailboxes knocked down. Also, in-house theft claims jump by 60 percent, says a USA Today article. Read more →
Never Let Hurricane Season Catch You Unprepared
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamSeptember marks the peak of hurricane season, a time when New England property is at risk, even without a direct hit. Unfortunately, as this past season demonstrated, despite all the computers, instruments and software models, it’s impossible to make exact storm strike predictions.
Just last month, the tail end of Hurricane Florence was still strong enough to pummel New England — particularly coastal Massachusetts — as noted by a Boston Globe article. Florence brought a “deluge” of rain that flooded sections of the state, causing road closures and power outages. It hit the town of Saugus especially hard — hammering the area with winds exceeding 70 miles per hour and leaving a “mile-long path of destruction.” Read more →
Protecting Seasonal Homes and Businesses
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamColumbus Day came and went, and winter is coming soon. Seasonal businesses are closing, and part-time residents will be returning to their winter homes. Everyone hopes to return next May to find their work or living quarters in the same conditions as they left them.
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Fire Prevention Week: Fire Facts
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamNational Fire Prevention Week has arrived, providing an opportunity to stop and review home fire facts. This observation commemorates the Great Chicago fire of 1871, which killed 260, left 100,000 homeless, and destroyed 17,400-plus structures. This year’s theme is: “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are some grim statistics we should be aware of:
Fortunately, there are a variety of steps you can take to protect yourself this National Fire Prevention Week. Read more →
Merrimack Valley Gas Disaster: Proactive Vigilance Is Essential
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamTragedy can strike any time, from even the most mundane sources as the recent Merrimack Valley gas disaster demonstrates. According to WHDH News in Boston, excess pressure in natural gas pipelines caused explosions and fires in 80 homes in three communities. Dozens of houses were destroyed completely, and a young man was killed.
As a Providence Journal editorial on the disaster notes,: “The explosions are a stark and unwelcome reminder of the fragility of America’s critical infrastructure network, which includes the electrical grid, the banking system, telecommunications, the food supply system, the water system and public health networks.” Given New England’s aging infrastructure, such threats will likely continue, but homeowners can empower themselves to respond as proactively as possible and reduce potential threats to their properties, families and communities. Read more →
Saving Money on DIY Security Cameras Means Taking Major Risks
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamIn recent years we have seen technology improvement leaps and cost reductions in do-it-yourself (DIY) cameras and security systems. This has contributed to the rising popularity of residential alarms and monitoring. An Angie’s List essay says half of home owners surveyed claimed they want to install a monitored security system.
Some property owners hope to save money with low-cost alarm/monitoring solutions and services. These buyers are going to relatively cheap providers (as opposed to the more traditional national or regional companies) as a Forbes article notes. Other owners are even winging it alone with self-monitored systems.
Both of these groups of consumers may be making a huge mistake. Read more →