The ABCs of Fire Extinguishers

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

The ABCs of Fire ExtinguishersThe fact is that a monitored home fire alarm system is the best defense in the event of a fire. However, having portable fire extinguishers in your home can also help save lives and property by enabling you to put out a small fire or at least contain it until the fire department arrives.

It’s important to remember, though, that because fires grow and spread so rapidly, the number one priority is for you and your family to get out of the house safely.

Fire experts recommend installing fire extinguishers on every level of your home including the kitchen, basement and garage. Fire extinguishers come in various sizes so you should select the size that’s right for you based on your family situation and who you think is most likely to be using it.

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Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Thanksgiving Fire Safety TipsThanksgiving is the day when people across America gather with family and friends to celebrate, cook, share good food and conversation. Thanksgiving is also the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

In addition to the fire hazards posed by cluttered stovetops and crowded kitchens, turkey fryers and using candles also contribute to the increased risk of fire on this November holiday.

“Sadly, during the holidays we see a spike in cooking fires and injuries,” according to Massachusetts State Fire Marshall Stephen Coan.

A monitored home fire alarm system is the best defense against protecting your family in the event of a fire but here are some additional tips from Coan and the NFPA to help your loved ones have a happy, healthy and safe holiday.

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Arrest Numbers Up for West Hartford Police, Who Say Crime is “Cyclical”

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Arrest Numbers Up for West Hartford Police, Who Say Crime is “Cyclical” West Hartford police have been busy according to the Courant. Since June 2014, they’ve arrested 21 burglars, many responsible for more than one property crime. Police Chief Tracy Groves credits a hard-working police force but says “the biggest component of this is the residents of West Hartford keeping an eye out,” which covers everything from walking in on crimes in progress to installing home security systems.

He also warns, however, that “crime is cyclical” — is it possible for New England homeowners to get out of the circle?

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7 Tips to Reduce Home Security System False Alarms

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

7 Tips to Reduce Home Security System False AlarmsHaving a home security system helps you ensure the safety and security of your family and your property. Knowing that your security company is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, gives you much-needed peace of mind.

However, repeated false alarms that lead to nuisance emergency dispatches are not only irritating, they drain public safety resources and erode the confidence police and fire officials have in a security company.

False alarms can also cost you big bucks. Most municipalities – such as Paxton, Mass. – will fine citizens hundreds of dollars to “encourage alarm users to maintain the operational reliability of their alarm systems to reduce and eliminate false alarm dispatch requests made by installed alarm systems.”

Here are seven tips to help prevent false alarms so you can save law enforcement resources as well as your money:

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Battery Crimes? Video Surveillance Captures Criminal

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Battery Crimes? Video Surveillance Captures CriminalIt was a beautiful August day in New Haven, sunny and breezy, with walkers and cyclists out enjoying the weather. In one neighborhood a man was looking for more than good exercise — after checking to see if anyone is watching, he pedaled onto the front yard of a home and started to poke around.

According to WFSB, he was after car batteries, hot items on the scrap metal that sell at 40 cents a pound or more thanks to the precious metals inside.

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Boston Mayor Pushes for New Crime-Fighting Technology

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Boston Mayor Pushes for New Crime-Fighting Technology Over the last 10 years, Boston has amassed an inventory of 336 unsolved murders. Now, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, and high-ranking members of the Boston police department are promising change: what’s in store to make the city safer?

According to the Boston Herald, one initiative is the creation of a community advisory group which will partner community leaders with police to help address crime in specific neighborhoods. Taking this idea a step further is the privately-operated StreetSafe Boston which looks for ways to assist troubled youth at risk of becoming repeat offenders in adulthood.

There’s a clear mandate here to create a more community-minded Boston, one that focuses on neighborhoods rallying together behind disenfranchised youth to take back control of their streets and help limit crime through accountability and understanding — but that’s just the beginning.

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Up In Smoke: New England Arsonists Get Bolder

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

It was a quiet June day on Dexter Street in Providence, Rhode Island when arsonist Shantey Nared approached a vacant house and set it ablaze. The home next door was also damaged as Shantey fled the scene — thanks to video surveillance, he was later caught and now faces a charge of first-degree arson, according to NBC 10 News.

For New England business and homeowners, however, this kind of daylight arson presents significant risk: how do your protect your property from the unexpected (and often random) crime of arson?

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False Alarms: What Unnecessary Responses Really Cost

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

False Alarms: What Unnecessary Responses Really CostOn July 25 at 7:06 a.m., police officers in Georgetown, MA, responded to a home burglar alarm system on Seale Street; upon arrival, they discovered it was a false alarm. At 9:46, another alarm went off on Baldpate Road; and again upon arrival, police found the building secure.

According to Georgetown Wicked Local’s Police Incident Log — each day, officers deal with an average of two false alarms, eating up valuable time and resources. But what’s the real cost of this unnecessary response?

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Electrical Safety Tips for Homeowners

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Electrical Safety Tips for HomeownersWhen it comes to the damage done by electrical fires every year, the numbers are staggering.

Each year, U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated 25,900 home electrical fires. These fires cause an estimated 280 deaths, 1,125 injuries, and $1.1 billion in property loss.

In fact, homeowners lose more money every year as a result of electrical fires than nonelectrical fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. You can even lose your entire home – or worse – because of a bad electrical fire.

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5 Security Tips for New Homeowners

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

5 Security Tips for New HomeownersYou’ve just moved into your dream home and you can’t believe how much work you have to do. There’s unpacking, rearranging furniture, putting up curtains, cleaning, grocery shopping – the list is endless.

It can be so overwhelming that you might forget all about ensuring your family and your new home are safe and secure. Burglars are paying attention and they’re well aware how distracted new homeowners can be right after move-in day.

Here are five tips to keep the burglars at bay and your home and your loved ones safe and sound.

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