Black 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.
There 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.
Halloween, 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.
October 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.
It’s been shown that the presence of a security camera or alarm system on your property will deter up to 60% of burglars. If you want to install a security system, you have the option of going the DIY home security route or hiring a professional security company to install your system for you.
There are upsides and downsides to each strategy—the important thing is to choose the option that best aligns with your safety goals. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of each option.
2020 brought 873,080 car thefts—the highest number in a decade. The previous few years leading up to 2020 actually saw a decrease in car thefts before this 9.2% upward jump. The reason? Keyless entry systems and push-button ignitions.
These technological advancements have at once made our lives more convenient and our cars more at risk for theft. This is due to a combination of readily-available technology found on popular online shopping mega-sites and our very own key fobs, which provide for easy access and quick getaways.
Gone are the days of slow, manual hotwiring practices. Now, all a car thief has to do is spot a spare key fob in your cup holder to gain instant access to your car. This is because most keyless entry systems won’t completely lock if your key fob is still in your vehicle. That means anyone can walk up, open the door, and drive away.
When it comes to home security, it’s important to take action based on facts. While the movies may have taught us all about how burglars operate, the truth is quite different. Let’s debunk some popular home security myths to ensure that you are prepared for the real security risks that exist in the world today.
The middle of the night might seem like the most opportune time for a home invasion. However, the truth is that 51% of robbers break into homes between 10am and 3pm. This is because burglars want to enter homes they’re sure will be empty. In order to avoid a daytime break in, install a quality home security system with accompanying video surveillance and backup communications.
It used to be that your WIFI was your own unless you specified otherwise. Yet, with the entry of mesh networks, users can’t always be sure that their internet connection is private. Smart doorbells, virtual AI assistants and other smart home devices are increasingly connected via communal WIFI rather than independent routers. These mesh networks are especially growing in popularity with big tech companies who wish to integrate large numbers of smart home devices into one massive network that they say will increase connectivity and reliability.
If you’re concerned about mesh networks, what they are, how they work, and if they’re right for you, read on to learn more.
Fraud continues to impact people of every age, yet those over the age of 60 report more financial loss than any other portion of the population. Elders between the ages of 60-65 report an average loss of $500 per successful fraud attempt. That number increases right along with age. Those 80 and older lose an average of $1500 per fraudulent attack.
If you are a member of our elderly population—or if you have a loved one who is—be aware of the following common scams. Each one affects seniors 60+ at a higher rate than any other age group. Once you know how the scam works, you’ll be far less likely to fall victim to it.
Our elderly loved ones have been through it this past year. Not only are they at the highest risk for COVID, but they are also among the most likely population to end up in the hospital due to an injury from a fall. They also consistently visit the ER due to complications from overexertion and environmental encounters such as insect stings. Lastly, they are commonly treated for accidental poisoning by way of misused prescription medications.
They may not admit it, but they need protection.
A Medical Alert System is a powerful tool to ensure your parents can get the help they need in case of an accident. It gives them an immediate source of help no matter where they are. It also gives you peace of mind. In New England, support for family caregivers is among the lowest in the nation. It is imperative that you do all you can to keep your loved ones healthy so that all of you can enjoy as much freedom and autonomy as possible.
