Fourth of July Travel Safety Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

It’s easy to get complacent about safety, especially when you’re on vacation and focused on fun and relaxation. Given that the Fourth of July weekend is statistically the most dangerous weekend of the year, it’s essential to take precautions to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe over the holiday. Traffic accidents, fire- and fireworks-related injuries, and swimming-related accidents are the top reasons individuals find themselves in the Emergency Room over the Fourth.

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Man Installing Smoke Or Carbon Monoxide Detector

Everything You Need to Know About Carbon Monoxide Detectors

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Man Installing Smoke Or Carbon Monoxide DetectorCarbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal if inhaled in high concentrations. It is produced by burning fuel, and can come from common items like furnaces, barbecues, gas ranges, vehicle engines, and burning wood. Carbon monoxide will not affect you with proper ventilation, but when the gas is produced inside an enclosed space, it is hazardous, and can even be lethal.

According to CDC data, over 400 people in the United States die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning each year, and thousands of individuals seek medical treatment for CO poisoning. Fortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable.

Keep yourself and your family safe from CO poisoning by ensuring you have a functional carbon monoxide detector in your home.

Carbon monoxide detectors work just like a smoke detector by sounding an alarm if they sense the presence of carbon monoxide.

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Home Safety Tips for Active Seniors

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

If you’re one of 76% of older adults who wish to live independently as you age, you may face pushback from your loved ones, especially if your daily activities include objectively dangerous tasks. You may feel perfectly comfortable getting up on a ladder, operating power tools, or working long hours in your garden, but it’s natural for your family to worry. After all, if you live alone, who will come to your assistance in the event of an accident?

Ease their worries and keep yourself safe by keeping these simple home safety tips in mind as you go about your day.

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Most Common Causes of Property Damage & How to Prevent Them

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the primary losses on homeowners insurance in 2019 were due to environmental damage from wind and rain, water damage and freezing, and fire and lightning. You may not be able to control the environment, but you can take steps to prepare your home ahead of extreme weather conditions. Here’s a closer look at the most common causes of property damage and some tips for protecting your house against them.

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Door Knocking Scams: How to Spot and Avoid

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Door-to-door sales, charity, and survey solicitations are surprisingly common, even in the digital age. While most individuals who come to your home requesting donations or selling services are genuine, there are scam artists who take advantage of this practice to solicit personal information and money from homeowners. Here’s what to know about door-knock scams and how you can protect yourself from unwanted or fraudulent solicitors. Read more →

Senior woman sitting on stair lift at home, part of an age-in-place setup

Five Impactful Age-in-Place Modifications You Can Make to Your Elderly Relative’s Home

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A 2018 AARP survey found that 76% of adults over 50 would prefer to remain in their homes as they age—to “age in place.” An additional survey in 2020 revealed that 79% of respondents anticipate needing to make modifications to their homes to make aging in place possible.

Between the familiarity and sentimental value of their long-term home and the connections they’ve established within their community, it’s easy to understand why your elderly family members would be inclined to stay put. For those caring for them, the prospect of a loved one living alone as they age could be alarming.

While 50 is far from elderly, it’s always wise to plan ahead. Here are five age-in-place modifications that will help your loved one stay safe and comfortable in their home as they grow older.

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An image of someone shoveling snow, part of snow and ice removal

Preventing False Injury Claims with Video Monitoring

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An image of someone shoveling snow, part of snow and ice removalNortheast winters bring snow and ice and with it many hazards. According to Massachusetts law, residential and commercial property owners may be held liable for injuries related to snow and ice on their property. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to lower the likelihood of winter-related accidents. To prevent false injury claims, couple these actions with a video surveillance system so you can verify that the appropriate steps were taken.  Read more →

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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