Creating Your Family Fire Safety Plan

No one wants to think about the possibility of a house fire. Taking the time to put together a family fire escape plan can significantly decrease your chance of injury in the event that you experience a house fire.

Your life safety system including monitored smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors are a first important step in protecting your family from fire. If you aren’t fully protected or aren’t sure how old your hardware is, our team is happy to come onsite and provide a free life safety estimate.

Create Your Plan:

• During a house fire, smoke and heat develop quickly and smoke inhalation is the most common cause of death. This smoke is toxic, deadly and very disorienting. Know in advance how your family can escape each room of your home and designate a meeting area outside at a safe distance.
• In the event of a fire, press your hand against closed doors to detect whether it is safe to exit. If you feel it is safe, stay low and crawl to the nearest exit. Time is of the essence so never attempt to take any belongings with you. The top priority is to exit safely.
• For all windows on the second floor, collapsible ladders can be purchased at local hardware stores and can be kept in each room.
• Also consider an automated fire escape plan. In addition to alerting our Central Station, who can dispatch the fire department, it will turn off your HVAC system so that air flow will not fuel the fire.

Once your plan is created, practice it at least once a year with everyone in the family. Start creating your plan with resources from the NFPA here.

About Alarm Engineering

Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.

Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.

For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.

Time to Test Smoke Detectors

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, a properly installed and maintained smoke detector is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you’re awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke.

The National Fire Protection Association states almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke detectors. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire. 

Professionally Monitored 24/7

Unlike smoke detectors from your electrician or the hardware store, our monitored smoke detectors protect your home and family even if you’re not there to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself. Your smoke detectors are continuously monitoring your home 24/7 whether your security system is armed or not, so they’re always working for you.

Test your System

The National Fire Protection Association recommends testing your smoke detectors at least twice a year, around Daylight Savings time. If you didn’t test your system then, make sure to do it now! If your smoke detectors are professionally monitored by Alarm Engineering, your system will alert you if there is a low battery. However, we always recommend testing your system on a regular basis. Before you test, just call our office at 410-546-2210 to let us know you will be testing your system.

• Test smoke alarms often
• Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond
• Replace all smoke detectors when they are 10 years old
• Replace the smoke detector immediately if it doesn’t respond properly when tested
• Smoke detectors with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, a warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away
• For smoke detectors with any other type of battery, replace batteries at least once a year. If the alarm chirps, replace only the battery

Smoke Detector Maintenance

Smoke detectors must be maintained! Your smoke detector only works when it is properly installed and maintained. Depend on your expert team here at Alarm Engineering to professionally install and service your smoke detector, then follow these general maintenance tips:

• Keep your detectors clean. Dirt, grease and debris will prevent the detector from receiving a free flow of air and thus an accurate reading.

• Do not paint your detector. Anything that blocks airflow defeats the unit’s purpose.

Never Disable a Smoke Alarm while Cooking

A smoke alarm is just doing its job when it sounds while you’re cooking or taking a shower with lots of steam. If a smoke alarm sounds while you’re cooking or taking a shower with lots of steam, do not remove the battery. You should:

• Open a window or door and press the “hush” button, if you have one
• Wave a towel at the alarm to clear the air

Disabling a smoke alarm or removing the battery can be a deadly mistake.

Get Started Now

Keep your home and family safe with a comprehensive security and safety solution from Alarm Engineering. We offer free, no-obligation onsite security and life safety surveys. Tell us a little about you and use Promo Code FIRSTMONTHFREE for additional savings.

About Alarm Engineering

Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.

Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.

For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.

Keeping the Good Guys Safe

Home security is far more than intrusion and smoke alarms, it’s an integrated approach that keeps the bad guys out AND the good guys safe. You protect your house and valuables; be sure you are protecting what makes your house a home: family.

Video and remote control of your home may sound like too much, but consider these scenarios:

1. Your children are old enough to come home from school by themselves before you get home. But do you really know when they arrived, who they are bringing home with them or whether homework is getting done? Interactive Services allows you to receive video clips via text or email – so you can have a snapshot video of your children arriving safely home. Or, peek in on them real-time from work and see whether they are doing homework or playing video games.
2. Monitor doors to the medicine, gun, and liquor cabinet and see valuable video clips triggered by motion. Children are curious and they may not admit that they try to enter adult-only areas of your home when you’re not there. Provide yourself with the peace of mind that comes with knowing.
3. Need to check in on your elderly parent who is still living independently but recently had a health scare or a fall? Of course we offer personal emergency solutions- but with video clips and real time video, you can do more than alert medical personnel when there is an emergency, you empower yourself to check in on Mom or Dad whenever you want, just to be sure.
4. Is your pet safe to roam around the house while you’re gone? Just want to check in, or adjust the temperature remotely if there is a severe temperature change to make sure they are comfortable? No problem – smarter home solutions are here.

Get Started Now

If you don’t have Alarm.com integrated into your security system yet, just let us know. See how much you could save using your Customer Loyalty Rewards.

If you’re with another alarm company today or want to learn more about Alarm Engineering, tell us a bit about you and we’ll provide a no-charge security assessment. Remember to use FIRSTMONTHFREE promo code for extra savings.

About Alarm Engineering

Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.

Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.

For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.