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Month: October 2020
Don’t Miss These Essential Home Safety Items
Be prepared for any emergency with these must-have items in your home.
Smart-lock
Replace the ordinary deadbolt on your door with a smart lock to access your home using its app to lock, unlock, and create other settings.
Portable first-aid kit
Portable so it’s easy to carry around the house.
Fire safety ladder
Store the ladder in an accessible location, preferably near a window, so you or your family members will be able to quickly and safely escape the house in the event of fire.
Motion activated lights
Smart-lights activate when motion is detected, deterring those who would rather do their bad deeds in the dark. Couple with security cameras for even greater effect.
Fire-proof safe
A safe can keep these possessions from being stolen in the event of a break-in. Keep a portable safe well hidden.
Fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is must-have safety essential could save your life. Place it in an easily accessible area so you can quickly and effectively put out a fire.
Fire and Carbon monoxide detectors
Keep your family safe with monitored smoke detectors and CO detectors. Add a monitored smoke detector to your security system for no extra monthly cost with EMC Security.
Security system or cameras
Homes without a security system are 3 times as likely to get broken into. Most burglars surveyed said they’d pass by a home with a visible security camera as well. Security systems are very affordable from just $179 – check out EMC Security’s options here.
8 Ways You May be Inviting Intruders Into Your Home
According to the FBI, the average financial loss from a burglary is more than $2,000
Despite taking every precaution, some homeowners unwittingly attract burglars to their property. Here’s how.
Your home is dark
Criminals steer clear of a well-illuminated house. Leave on porch lights to discourage burglars from approaching entry doors, and install bright motion-detector lights around your home’s perimeter to dissuade them from searching for an open window.
No cars in driveway
Criminals prefer breaking into vacant houses, so empty driveways are an open invitation for a robbery. Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway when you go on vacation—especially if you’ll be gone for more than a few days.
Unlocked windows
After checking the front door, thieves often check for unlocked windows, which serve as an easy entry point. Before you leave the house and before you go to bed, close and lock all windows on the ground floor as well as second-floor windows that could be relatively easily accessed. Also, close the drapes so would-be intruders can’t scope out the contents of your interior, as any expensive object in plain sight may tempt them.
Unkempt Yard
An overgrown lawn and poorly maintained landscaping indicate that residents may be away on an extended vacation. Additionally, overgrown bushes can offer protective cover for intruders as they break into your home.
Oversharing
Criminals scour social media for future targets. Posting your travel plans on Facebook or Instagram is akin to putting a big sign in your front yard announcing that you’ll be gone.
Stuffing the mail box
Ask a neighbor or friend to stop by your home daily to pick up mail, newspapers and packages. This type of clutter is a dead giveaway that you’re gone.
Leaving the garage door open
In addition to risking your belongings being taken from your garage, chances of the door to the house being unlocked are pretty good.
No visible security system or cameras
Homes without a security system are 3 times as likely to get broken into. Most burglars surveyed said they’d pass by a home with a visible security camera as well. Security systems are very affordable from just $179 – check out EMC Security’s options here.
EMC Security Saved Our Home From Fire
Most Common Causes of Home Fires
In 2019, fire departments in the U.S. responded to an estimated 361,500 home fires. These fires caused roughly 2,870 deaths and 12,700 reported injuries. Property damage was estimated at $7.9 billion.
Smoking – #1 cause of deaths
Most smoking-related fires start inside the home, often originating from upholstered furniture, bedding, or mattresses. Always smoke outside, thoroughly extinguishing cigarettes in an ashtray when finished.
Cooking equipment – #1 cause of fire injuries.
If you leave the kitchen—even for a brief period of time—turn off the stove. Wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Always keep children away from active cooking areas.
Fireplace
To prevent an accident, install a spark screen or glass door in front of the firebox to protect the surrounding area from stray sparks and rolled logs. Check chimneys annually to ensure that creosote hasn’t built up, and never leave a fire unattended.
Portable space heaters
Portable space heaters, which cause more fires annually than central heating. Use space heaters only in well-ventilated spaces, and keep them at least three feet away from furniture, fabrics, draperies, and other combustible objects.
Candles
Never position a lit candle near flammable items like bedsheets and books, which may become engulfed in flame if they come in contact with the tiny fire. As a safer alternative, homeowners can purchase flameless, battery-powered candles with LEDs.
Worn and damaged cords
Replace all worn or damaged cords right away, never overload extension cords or wall sockets, and don’t position cords under furniture or rugs.
Grill
Position your grill or fire pit several feet from your house, safely away from trees, deck railings, and other structures. Routinely clean the grill, investigate signs of rust and corrosion, and check the gas connections.
Propane and gasoline
Gasoline, kerosene, and propane should be stored outside in their original containers. Kerosene and propane heaters, which have a constant open flame, should be kept in an isolated, well-ventilated area and used only with the proper type of fuel.
Source: 2020 National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)
View the video below featuring EMC Security customers that are thankful they installed monitored smoke detectors in their home. A few months ago, their home was quickly overcome with smoke and fire while they were just a few yards away, in the backyard. If it wasn’t for EMC Security, the damage and loss would’ve been much greater.
Adding smoke or heat detectors to your home security system may very well be the best decision you make when it comes to the safety and security of your loved ones.
And, your monthly monitoring cost doesn’t change when you add fire monitoring to your security system.
Smoking – #1 cause of deaths
Fireplace
Portable space heaters
Candles
Worn and damaged cords
Grill
Propane and gasoline