Senior man putting up or taking down outdoor Christmas lights from the gutter of a suburban house

Tips for Taking Down Holiday Decorations

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Senior man putting up or taking down outdoor Christmas lights from the gutter of a suburban houseTaking down holiday decorations is simply not as fun as putting them up and enjoying them all throughout the season. It is also more dangerous. Your home’s pathways may be covered in snow, ice, or rain water, making climbing a ladder hazardous. Your tree may have turned from lush and green to dry and brittle, creating a more serious fire hazard. You may wonder if it’s okay not to take your usual care in organizing and cleaning your decorations this year.

Upwards of 17,000 people are treated in hospital rooms each year for holiday decoration related injuries. This means that it is exceptionally important to take care when removing and/or disposing of your decorations. To ensure that you are kept safe throughout the process, observe the following safety measures. It may take some extra time, energy, and concentration, but it will be well worth it when you are enjoying a nice evening in your decoration-free living room rather than in an emergency room.

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carbon monoxide detector

Tips to Stay Safe from Carbon Monoxide in the Winter

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

carbon monoxide detectorWintertime brings the highest risk for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, which is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the US. This “silent killer” poisons thousands of people per year, resulting in over 400 deaths on average. Those averages are higher between November and February, with peak CO risk occurring in December.

In wintertime people spend more time indoors, with the heat up and the windows and doors closed. This lack of ventilation allows for a greater risk of CO poisoning, as the invisible, odorless gas can build up in your home over time. Here’s what you need to know to keep your home free of CO buildup throughout the winter and all year long.

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A line of cars slowly driving on a snowy, icy road. Entire image is monochrome blue-ish except the taillights, which are glowing red and yellow.

How to Stay Safe on the Road During Winter

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A line of cars slowly driving on a snowy, icy road. Entire image is monochrome blue-ish except the taillights, which are glowing red and yellow.Over 150,000 car accidents occur in the US every year thanks to icy road conditions. This leads to nearly 2,000 fatalities. For New Englanders, winter driving can be even more dangerous. Snow and ice on the roads are commonplace for those in the northeast, which means drivers need to take extra precautions to stay safe on the roads during the winter. 

Protect yourself during wintertime travel with these driving tips for cold-weather road conditions. A little proactive effort goes a long way to ensure you and your loved ones make it to your destination safely and with ease.

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man with santa hat decorating house outdoor carport with christmas string lights

5 Security Tips for the Holidays

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

man with santa hat decorating house outdoor carport with christmas string lightsThere are thousands of fires during the holiday season each year. These accidents are primarily caused by trees, candles, outdoor lights, and cooking. Yet, fires aren’t the only security risk during the holidays. Burglaries, package theft, and more happen at increased rates during this time of year. 

New England residents are less likely on average to be victimized by crime than the rest of the country. However, the rates are still high enough to warrant extra caution, especially during the holidays. Keep these five security tips in mind this year to enjoy a safe and happy holiday.

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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

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

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

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

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

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

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

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

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

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

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

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

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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