Snowstorm damage to power lines in a residential neighborhood, possibly resulting in a power outage

Winter Home Preparation, Part 2: Long-Term Power Outages

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

In the winter of 2020, winter storms left over 90,000 people without power, some for several days. A prolonged power outage may cause disruptions in communication systems, water, and transportation. These service interruptions could impact your cooking facilities, essential medical devices, and the security and environmental systems within your home. 

Whether you’re at home during a power outage or away on vacation, these simple steps will keep you safe and give you peace of mind in the event of a long-term power outage.

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Ice dams in gutter, suggesting the importance of winter home preparation

Winter Home Preparation, Part 1: Low Temperatures

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Almost 20% of homeowners experience some form of damage to their homes each year due to winter weather. The more prepared the home is for low temperatures and harsh weather, the less likely it is that the home will experience damage. Your physical health is better protected when your home is winterized. Therefore, it is essential for you to consider ways you can fortify your home against the extreme cold as part of your winter home preparation. Let’s take a look at a few key ways to do this.

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A house decorated with lights during the holiday season

Four Safety Tips for Decorators During the Holidays

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Decorating is a fun way to begin getting into the holiday spirit, but between unstable ladders, questionable string lights, and wobbly Christmas trees, there is a lot that could go wrong. Holiday decorating safety is an important part of the season.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of 200 decorating-related injuries occur each day during the holiday season. On top of that, Christmas tree and candle-related fires result in approximately $50 million worth of property damage each year in just November and December. 

While decorating for the holidays does come with some risks, you can reduce them significantly by taking simple precautions and using common sense. Keep the following holiday decorating safety tips in mind as you adorn your home this season.

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Packages left on front porch, a reminder of holiday shopping security topics

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Holiday Shopping Security Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Packages left on front porch, a reminder of holiday security topicsBlack Friday and Cyber Monday both bring opportunities for great deals—and the potential for theft. As more shoppers switch from in-person to online shopping, the opportunities for package theft and fraud increase. In addition, more shopping activity means more possibility of credit card fraud or identity theft. To stay protected from theft of all kinds, follow these tips for holiday shopping security.

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Thanksgiving dinner being served to happy family, a safe and healthy Thanksgiving scene to remind people of Thanksgiving cooking safety tips

Thanksgiving Cooking Fire Safety Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Thanksgiving dinner being served to happy family, a safe and healthy Thanksgiving scene to remind people of Thanksgiving cooking safety tipsThere are 2.3 times more residential fires reported on Thanksgiving Day than on any other day in the United States. These fires account for over $26 million in property loss each year and are predominantly caused by cooking. Around 1,400 home cooking fires are reported to U.S. fire departments each year on Thanksgiving, which is more than triple the daily average of cooking-related fires. 

To have a safe and enjoyable holiday this year, consider the following cooking safety tips.

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Two people discussing a business security CCTV project. Video security equipment and blueprint on a table.

The Importance of a Commercial Security Needs Analysis

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Two people discussing a business security CCTV project. Video security equipment and blueprint on a table.There are an average of over 400,000 commercial burglaries each year. For some business owners, this information is enough to convince them it’s time to install a commercial surveillance system on their property to boost their business security.

However, according to David Oles, Integrated Systems Consultant for American Alarm, a surveillance system all on its own won’t bring business owners the security they’re after. “[Business owners] think they need to install cameras for security to catch people when they break in, but that’s not [always] the right solution.”

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A home security technician at work, someone with a career in the security industry

Four Reasons New Englanders Should Consider a Career in the Home or Business Security Industry

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Security—cyber or otherwise—remains a top concern for New Englanders in 2021. Feelings of safety and security for residents has dropped 2% in the last two years, down to 40%. For most residents, this concern is in relation to fraud, package theft and property crimes. Businesses, on the other hand, continue to worry about employee theft and various cybersecurity threats.

With such a focus on security by both homeowners and business owners, it is easy to see how the home and business security industry offers consistent, reliable work. For those looking into a career in business and residential security, consider the following four benefits.

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A front door to a house with Halloween decorations, a reminder of Halloween home security

Three Halloween Home Security Risks for 2021

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A front door to a house with Halloween decorations, a reminder of Halloween home securityHalloween, the holiday of candy, costumes, and…crime? Halloween home security should be an autumn priority.

Unfortunately Halloween sits well above the national daily average in terms of residential insurance claims for both property damage (17% higher) and theft (60% higher). Add to that an increase in violent crime of 50% on Halloween night, and it’s safe to say that this holiday truly earns its spooky reputation. 

While there may be risks associated with this fun-but-frightening holiday, there are also ways to stay safe. You just have to know what to prepare for. Keep the following Halloween home security risks in mind to ensure that the only thing you need to be scared of this October 31st is the latest creature feature on TV.

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Flammable materials, workplace fire safety

Workplace Fire Safety: 6 Common Hazards and How to Avoid Them

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An average of 52 fires occur every day in the workplace. 2019 alone produced nearly 19,000 workplace fires, resulting in $744 million in property damage. While it may not be possible to eliminate every potential fire hazard, there are still plenty of workplace fire safety practices you can implement to protect your workers, your office, and the financial health of your company.

Let’s tackle some of the most common workplace fire culprits and how to avoid them in your business.

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Fire extinguisher and smoke alarm, fire safety

Fire Safety Week: Home Fire Safety Checklist

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Fire extinguisher and smoke alarm, fire safetyOctober 3rd through October 9th is Fire Safety Week. To celebrate, we’ve created a handy list you can use to fire-proof your home. These actionable fire safety tips may save your home from becoming one of the nearly 500,000 structures that catch fire in America each year.

Print this list and keep it on your fridge or in another convenient location to remind you of what to do to protect your home from a harmful fire.

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