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Month: April 2020
Spring Cleaning Tips With Safety In Mind
It’s that time of year again.
Most of us are “social distancing” at home and have some time on our hands. So we don’t really have many excuses not to spring clean, do we?
The fact is, taking the time to thoroughly clean and inspect your home – especially with these 6 pointers – you’ll have a shiny, fresh, and SAFE place to enjoy during Georgia’s beautiful spring and summer seasons.
1. Be aware of your security system when you’re redecorating.
Does your spring to-do list include a new big-screen TV or furniture purchase? Re-arranging or changing furniture and appliances may cause a change in the efficiency of your security system. Make sure that when you re-decorate, your security cameras are not blocked and your motion detector sensors are clear.
2. Check your window locks.
Spring is a good time to clean the interior and exterior glass—it’s safer when you can see more clearly! It’s also the perfect time to open and close every window and make sure the locks and seals are properly securing the window. If any of the locks seem loose, tighten or replace them. It’s also a good time to install inexpensive window pins. They’re available at any home improvement store, and are easy to operate—just pull the pin out to unlock and open the window.
The next 4 tips are to prevent a fire in the home. EMC Security will monitor for fire for no additional monthly cost. You will have to install smoke detectors specific for monitoring but it’s well worth the small investment.
3. Check batteries on smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
If you read this tip a lot when you’re scanning articles about home security and maintenance, it’s for a good reason. These detectors could mean the difference between life and death. According to the Consumer Products Safety Division, two-thirds of all home fires occurred in residences without working smoke detectors. It’s also a good time to test your smoke alarms.
4. Clean your light fixtures.
Not only will your home look brighter, but you’ll also see better—and that’s a big safety plus! Dust those hard-to-reach chandeliers and ceiling fans thoroughly. An accumulation of dust and dirt can cause operating issues, which could lead to big trouble if there’s a short-circuit in the wiring. One spark could start a fire!
5. Clean out your fireplace.
If you’ve got a wood-burning fireplace in your home, it’s time to call in a chimney expert to make sure the flue is clear and there’s no creosote buildup. Discard any ash, clean the grate and surrounding areas, and close the flue. A clean fireplace will freshen the air in your home.
6. Clean around your refrigerator and washer-dryer.
Spring is a great time to pull your fridge out from the wall and give the floor behind it and around it a good cleaning. Sweep, wipe and mop as much as you can. Take a brush/duster specifically designed to clean the coils in major appliances and give it a good deep-cleaning. The amount of dust that gets into the bottom of a refrigerator is astounding. And when you’re doing the same to your washer-dryer combo, use that brush to clean out the dryer vent. Make sure you’re in the habit of cleaning your lint screen after every time you run your dryer. Remember, anywhere you’ve got dust and major electrical equipment, you’ve got the potential for a fire.
Dog vs Security System
One of the reasons why people think they don’t need or want a security system is because they have a dog.
It’s hard to defend against a beloved dog, especially one that looks like the one in the photo above. But there are many benefits to a security system that you just don’t get with a dog.
Dogs have amazing senses, with their sharp ears and superior scents-ability. Much like a security system, a dog can alert you right away to an intruder on your property. The downside of this is, to your dog, many everyday visitors count as intruders.
A smart home security system does it better. Like a dog, it’s proactive when an intruder is detected—but it’s far better at discerning a genuine intruder from a harmless everyday event, thanks to its use of intelligence from all around the home. Equally important, if there’s a break-in, a security system can alert a 24-7 monitoring station for professional help.
Burglars avoid homes with security systems. In fact, 60% will go elsewhere if they see one. Add a smart security camera and you have a formidable deterrent.
Of course, most burglars don’t want to meet your dog, either. Should they spot dog toys in the yard or hear muffled barking, many will move along.
Deterrence aside, though, there are some things a dog can’t help with. For example, 1/3 of all burglaries are cases of unlawful entry—a burglar entering through an unlocked door or window. With proactive reminders and remote locking, security system powered with home automation can save the day when you’re in a rush and forget to secure the house.
It’s not unknown for a burglar to arrive with food to distract a dog, for example. While a specially trained dog may hold his ground, most dogs will scamper off down the basement stairs after their prize.
Meanwhile, a lawbreaker will need more than a steak to defeat a smart home security system. Even if they take a hammer to your security panel, your security technology can still alert your home’s 24-7 monitoring station.
Want to improve your canine-based home security by installing a smart home security system?
Contact EMC Security today at 770-963-0305 or visit our website.
Lawn Care Safety
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In the warm weather months, many Saturday mornings in Atlanta are heralded with the drone of the lawnmower. How many of these lawnmower owners have taken the time to make sure their machine has been stored safely? And how many know the fire hazards surrounding lawnmower storage and repair?
Be informed! Here’s what you need to know about storage, handling the gasoline, and operating your lawnmower safely this spring.
Before the first mow:
- If you don’t do maintenance yourself, take your lawnmower to a shop for tune-ups and repairs.
- Make sure the blades are sharp and not damaged.
- Make sure the blade guards are in place
- Make sure your lawn is dry before mowing. Damp grass can damage the mower.
- Check the gas and oil. If there is gasoline left over from last summer and you didn’t use a fuel stabilizer, it will need to be changed.
- Make sure the emergency shut off valve is working and not damaged.
- Check the wheels and make sure they roll easily and aren’t loose enough to come off while you’re mowing.
- Replace the fuel line at least every other year to prevent the hazard caused by rotten fuel lines leaking or sending rubber bits into the carburetor.
While you mow:
- If the blade or grasses chute needs to be cleaned, stop the mower engine. Never
adjust, clear obstructions, or place any part of your body under a running lawn mower. - Disconnect the spark plug before reaching under the mower or before turning it up to look under it.
- Don’t use the trick of taping the
shut off handle down so you can run the mower without holding it. You’ll lose control of your mower. - Cut across hills and slopes, not up and down.
- If you need to add gas in the middle of a mow, stop the lawnmower and let it cool for at least 20 minutes—longer is preferable. A hot engine can ignite the gas fumes or any gasoline that spills.
- Empty the grass catcher device often so the mower won’t tip over—with you!
- Watch your oil level. If the level of your gas tank drops while the engine is at rest or you see the level of your engine oil has risen, or if you smell gas on your dipstick, do not use the machine until it can be repaired.
- If your engine spews liquid out of the muffler at
startup, or begins to falter or smoke when running, your carburetor may have failed and needs to be inspected or repaired. If the gas has mixed with the oil, you may think it is just oil leaking, but it can be the oil and gas has mixed. Do not use until you’ve’ identified and corrected the problem.
Cleanup:
- Allow the mower to cool for at least 20 minutes. Take this time to rake or clean up the yard.
- After disconnecting the spark plug wire, clean off any buildup of dirt or grass from the mower. It only gets harder to do that later.
- Once the mower is cooled, fill the oil and gas levels to the recommended marks.
- Make sure you close the lid tightly on the gas can before you put it away.
Safe Storage between uses, and in the off-season:
- Don’t store gas or other flammables in a storage shed that’s connected to your house.
- Remove old fuel from the gas tank.
- Drain the carburetor fuel bowl.
- Disconnect the battery.
- Change the oil.
- Read the owner’s manual for your brand’s exact recommendations.
- Add fuel stabilizer to your gas can at each fill up at the gas station. It prevents water from forming in the gasoline.
- Smell for fresh gasoline. If you smell fresh gas on your machine or storage area, roll the machine outside. Empty the gas, or call a pro for service.
- If you suspect any problems with your lawnmower, or you smell gas after using it, do not store it indoors. Call an expert for help.
- Call EMC Security to make sure your home is protected with fire detection devices.
The EMC Security Difference
The number 1 question people ask is: What makes EMC Security different than other companies?
1. No Contracts!
It should be no surprise that the biggest difference is that we don’t require a monthly service contract. You can cancel anytime for any reason.
You can’t purchase another professionally installed security system without agreeing to at least a 36-month contract. This practice has been the standard for years so the providers can offer low up-front installation and equipment fees. The problem with this is once the equipment costs would be paid off, the high monthly fee (absorbing the equipment costs) does not reduce.
Since our inception in 1998, EMC Security has offered no-contract monitoring service. You pay for your equipment upfront with monitoring and communication charges paid on a month to month basis, with the option to cancel any time. If you need to finance the equipment, we have an interest-free option for that as well.
2. Security Technology
EMC Security sells a variety of security equipment . All the equipment is non-proprietary which means that other companies can reprogram it for their monitoring system. Some well-known, national companies do not sell this type of technology, preferring instead to use their own proprietary equipment, blocking other companies from monitoring the systems. This trend is unfortunately one that locks customers in as well, because the system is worthless if you are not happy with the monitoring service.
3. Takeovers
We can also takeover and monitor pre-existing systems. So, if you have a system in your home, we should be able to reprogramme it, provide any updates or upgrades needed, and start monitoring. This service can save a customer alot of money.
4. Alarm Monitoring
EMC Security’s monitoring cost of $16.95 per month and has not changed since 1999. We believe everyone should be able to afford to be safe at home, so we keep costs low. Most notably though is our Secure Path Technology. No matter what extra features a home security system offers, the bottom line is whether someone is monitoring your home 24/7 and can get help to you fast when you need it most.
EMC Security pioneered a monitoring architecture that sends a signal simultaneously to two, separately staffed, UL listed, CSAA Five-Diamond Certified command centers, which means a highly trained operator will always be available to answer the call. With an average response time of 14 seconds, homeowners have the added peace of mind that comes with rapid response.
Most security providers utilize a single command center that requires rerouting in the event the first center is busy or otherwise disabled, wasting time and creating unnecessary risk.
Additionally, security technology is built with an “alarm signal delay” of at least 45 seconds. EMC Security overrides this delay so the signal is transferred to our monitoring centers immediately. A lot can happen in 45 seconds and we don’t want to take that chance when lives are at stake.
5. Customer Service
Finally, what separates EMC Security from the rest is our ownership and values. Because we are owned by three of the largest non-profit power companies in Georgia, we are able to keep costs down and focus on service.
Like our parent companies, we put customer satisfaction above everything else because we know that happy customers are key to maintaining a successful business. By endorsing highly ethical business practices, both within our organization and across our customer and potential customer base, we send our message as a standard, not as a fallback.
This is very important when the lives of our customers are at stake.