Man is repairing radiator battery in the room. Maintenance repair works renovation in the flat. Heating restoration. Wrench in hands.

Home Heating Safety Tips

Man is repairing radiator battery in the room. Maintenance repair works renovation in the flat. Heating restoration. Wrench in hands.There are close to 400,000 home fires in the US every year. One of the leading causes of these fires – second only to cooking – is heating equipment. 

It is important to know how to heat your home safely to avoid a costly, dangerous residential fire, especially during the winter months when heating-related fires are more likely. Follow these home heating safety tips to keep yourself protected while staying warm and cozy this winter.

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Happy couple is wearing Santa Claus hat and sitting in car trunk while enjoying their beautiful moments of Christmas tree adventure. It is a cold and sunny day outside.

Holiday Season Safety Tips

Happy couple is wearing Santa Claus hat and sitting in car trunk while enjoying their beautiful moments of Christmas tree adventure. It is a cold and sunny day outside.This time of year brings with it much joy and festivity, but also a higher risk for injury. The ER sees thousands of patients over the course of the winter months for holiday-related injuries. The numbers spike during Christmas and New Year’s. Everything from cooking to hanging tree lights can be hazardous if not handled with care. 

With a little extra attention paid to certain objects and activities, you can avoid any and all holiday mishaps. Let’s take a look at several ways you can enjoy a merry and bright holiday season while staying safe and healthy.

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Shot of a young man using a laptop and credit card at home

Online Christmas Shopping Security for Safer Holiday Gifting

Shot of a young man using a laptop and credit card at homeMany of us will be gifting from afar this year by purchasing and shipping our gifts online. The uptick in online shopping thanks to the pandemic means that there are more opportunities for fraud, ID theft, phishing, and other harmful scams. 

With holiday fraud attempts already growing each year, it’s important to know how to keep yourself safe. Avoid these bad actors by employing some key online shopping security tips this year.

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Turkey being placed into a deep fryer

Thanksgiving Safety Tips for a Happy Holiday

Turkey being placed into a deep fryerThanksgiving is a time for food, family…and fires. The holiday boasts more home cooking fires than any other day of the year. Turkey fryers alone account for more than 900 destroyed homes and over $15 million in property damages annually.

Fires aren’t the only cause for concern during Thanksgiving weekend. Break-ins are just as likely during this time as any other season. Keep your family protected by following a few simple safety procedures. These tips will ensure that your family can enjoy a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

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Internet network. Nice serious male programmer looking at the laptop screen and checking the work of Internet servers while standing in the middle of the data center

Benefits of Using a Quality Local Security Company

Internet network. Nice serious male programmer looking at the laptop screen and checking the work of Internet servers while standing in the middle of the data center

Security is about more than alarm systems and surveillance products. Many companies provide these resources. However, only quality security companies offer the high-level service and intangible benefits that create a true feeling of safety in your home or business.

Nationwide security companies may initially seem more reliable than smaller, local companies due to their name recognition, but don’t be fooled. The impersonal nature of these companies lowers the quality of service you will receive. They also tend to outsource their installations and service calls to local contractors who are not always the most reputable. A name doesn’t keep you safe.

Quality local companies must earn your trust through years of service and a commitment to excellence in their industry. They want to work harder for you. This is to your benefit, as you can always count on them to show up for you – no matter what. 

Let’s take a look at some of the other key reasons why a quality security company is a better option than a large enterprise security company.
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Man taking notes and looking at laptop, at home office, portrait.

Increase Work from Home Productivity with Smart Home Technology

Man taking notes and looking at laptop, at home office, portrait.The uptick in work-from-home positions due to the pandemic (from 7% to 62%) has caused many to question how they can make their workday more productive. Kids at home, pets, endless chores, and sometimes a considerable lack of space can inhibit work productivity and create unnecessary stress. These distractions have a lingering effect. Studies show that it takes almost a full half hour to refocus after a distraction at work. 

Smart home technology has become an answer for many who are seeking an end to remote work distraction and a more streamlined, healthier, and happier at-home working experience. Smart home technology allows your devices to communicate with each other and with you via a remote control, smartphone, tablet, or voice command. They save time, energy, and – usually – cost. These days, it seems like almost anything in your home can become “smart.” Refrigerators, coffee makers, speakers, alarm clocks, thermostats, smoke alarms…the list goes on. 

Here are some pieces of smart tech you can use to boost your on-the-job productivity from home.

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Snow storm in United States with residential home and dark sky in background

How to Prepare Your Home for the Winter Months

Snow storm in United States with residential home and dark sky in backgroundBurglaries are a threat all year, but studies show a spike in home invasions during wintertime. Beyond break-ins, the holidays bring the added risk of stolen packages. Roughly one third of Americans are victims of parcel theft each year, and that number spikes significantly during the holidays.

Combine harsh winter weather with an increase in theft, and you have two good reasons to secure your home this year. Let’s take a look at some important actions you can take to keep you, your family, and your home safe this winter season.

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Young girl is reading alone on her laptop late at night

Cyberbullying and Remote Learning | National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Young girl is reading alone on her laptop late at nightWhether they are the perpetrator, victim or witness, the majority of today’s schoolchildren will be involved in cyberbullying in some way. Now that most schools have moved online, instances of cyberbullying are likely to rise even higher. Access to the internet and their cell phone during remote learning hours will inevitably increase the risk for real-time cyberbullying. 

The negative effects of online bullying can be severe. Victims are far more likely to use and abuse substances, skip class, and receive failing grades than their non-bullied peers. They are also at a greater risk for serious mental health issues such as depression, chronic anxiety and suicide ideation. Parents and teachers need to take particular precautions during this season of online schooling to make sure their child’s health and wellbeing are protected.

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A depiction of a house fire, indoors. Smoke and light from a fire pour through a cracked room door, a person visible sleeping in their bed. Horizontal with copy space.

National Fire Prevention Month

A depiction of a house fire, indoors. Smoke and light from a fire pour through a cracked room door, a person visible sleeping in their bed. Horizontal with copy space.Wildfires and residential fires cause millions of dollars in damages every year. As the weather becomes drier, the risk of brush and home fires increase.

While fire deaths are lower than the national average in New England, there is still a need to practice certain precautions to keep you and your family safe.

Here are a few fire safety tips to reduce the chance of fire.

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A shot of a young man in a server room with hi-tech supercomputers on display, LED lights are surrounding the equipment he is using.

6 Ways Employees Might Compromise IT Security

6 Ways Employees Might Compromise IT Security

A shot of a young man in a server room with hi-tech supercomputers on display, LED lights are surrounding the equipment he is using.October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so what better time to bring up the topic? Company owners want to be able to trust their staff. Yet, 52% of employers have noted that employees pose the greatest risk to company security. Considering that nearly 68% of businesses admit that their security risks are growing year after year, it is imperative that employers be able to rely on their staff to uphold security measures – even when no one’s watching.

Consider these six common ways employees compromise IT security. Once you understand where your employees need more guidance, you can offer it to them in a way that makes them feel valued and supported – a win for them and your company. 

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