‘Tis The Season…For Holiday Security & Safety Tips

Make sure all your holiday memories are good ones with these security & safety tips:

• A beautifully decorated tree is the centerpiece of so many front-facing windows this time of year. The downside is, showcasing all the presents under that tree may be tempting to a burglar. 
• New electronics are exciting – for family and burglars alike! Large empty boxes for that new big screen or computer left on your curb are inadvertent advertisements for the goodies inside your home.
• Light up your home, inside and out: burglars hate well-lit areas.  
• Remember that many would-be burglars are opportunists; don’t leave any tools or ladders outside that could be easily stolen or re-purposed to aid a burglar break into your home.

Traveling during the holidays?

• An investment in affordable smart home system can easily make your empty home look lived in with automatic lighting schedules as well as live remote access to your TV and stereo systems for ambient sound.
• Snow covered driveways are beautiful but after several days they also serve as a red flag that you’re not home.  Ask a neighbor to occasionally pull into your driveway to leave those precious tire marks behind and easily increase your home security.
• Social Media is a great way to let friends and extended family know how you are celebrating.  Unfortunately, burglars use this information as well.  Be thoughtful about broadcasting when your home is vacant. 
• Of course, always arm your system before you leave.
• Update your vacation call list with us before you leave at by calling our office at 410-546-2210 or complete our online form here. Be sure to let us know the exact dates and times the temporary call list should be in effect.

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

For many of us, picking up and decorating a live Christmas Tree is a treasured holiday tradition. 

Use these tips and be fire smart:

• Only choose a tree with fresh, green needles that don’t fall off easily
• Be sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source including fireplaces, radiators, heat vents or lights
• Add water to your tree stand initially and water daily
• Check your lights!  Only use lights that have a label from an independent testing laboratory. Also, check whether are they specifically designed for indoor or outdoor use only.
• Replace any string of lights with worn/broken cords or loose bulbs and connect no more than three strands of mini string sets (double-check manufacturer’s instructions for LED strands)
• Always turn off Christmas Tree lights before leaving home or going to bed
• If  your tree dries out, dispose of it immediately – it is a danger and should not be left in your home or garage

See the flammability of a dry Christmas Tree vs. a properly watered Christmas Tree in this side by side video brought to you by the NFPA. 

Hanukkah Safety Tips

• Light the Menorah on a fire-resistant surface unreachable by pets and children. Never leave the candles burning unattended. Opt for electric candles to place in the window.
• When cooking with hot oil to fry potato latkes and sufganiyot, use splatter guards and oven mitts to protect your skin from oil burns. 
• In the event of an oil fire, turn off the heat and cover the pan with a lid. NEVER add water to an oil fire as water mixing with hot oil creates a dangerous hot steam. 
• Read more Hanukkah Safety Tips here. 

Kwanzaa Safety Tips

• Keep the Kinara on a flat, fire-resistant surface away from children and pets.
• When placing the Kwanzaa items on the table, make sure the flammable items are kept at a safe distance from the Mishumaa Saba, especially when lighting.
• Opt for flame less candles, such as electric candles.

Turkey Fryer Safety

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and for many of us that means turkey! Deep fried turkey is a popular choice because it promises fantastic culinary results in a fraction of the cooking time but it is dangerous – even for the informed user. 

I’m sure it’s a warning you have heard before, but let’s talk about the details. 

Why is it so dangerous? 

• To start, it’s difficult to tell whether the bird is completely thawed – and even a little bit of ice meeting hot oil can produce a dangerous outcome. 
• Failing to monitor oil temperature and overfilling the oil are common mistakes. 
• You must fry the turkey outside! 
• Lastly, keep the fryer away from any combustible materials and never, under any circumstances, leave it unattended.

Under the best of conditions, the turkey fryer is a dangerous option, that’s why Underwriters Laboratories does not certify any fryer with their trusted UL mark and other safety organizations warn against their use. Consider other, oil free turkey cooking appliances available for outdoor cooking – the less hot oil the better.

If you are planning on using a turkey fryer this year or know someone who may, watch this brief video on the dos and don’ts of turkey fryers and worst case scenarios, brought to you by State Farm and Si and Jase from Duck Dynasty. 

Holiday Security Tips for your Business

Holiday Security Tips aren’t just for homeowners.  Make sure you follow these holiday security tips to keep your business running smoothly during the holidays so you can relax.

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.

Vacation Safety & Security Tips

Keep vacation time stress-free with these safety and security tips.

For Home

• Be careful what you post on social media about your vacation. Don’t advertise that you’re away!
• Have mail and packages picked up, forwarded or held by the post office.
• Arrange to have your lawn mowed in summer and your walk and driveway shoveled in winter.
• Stop newspaper deliveries and ask a friend to pick-up “throw-away” circulars.
• Let us know if there are temporary changes to your call list while you’re away at 410-546-2210 or complete our online form.
• Set up security system interactive light schedules to automatically turn lights on and off so it looks like someone is home.
• Tell dependable neighbors when you plan to be away and when you plan to return.
• Make sure trusted neighbors or family members are aware of your security system passcode and create custom user codes for them to disarm your system. Don’t worry, you can always delete or change your user codes. (Don’t have these features yet? Check out our Customer Loyalty Rewards program)
• Join with your neighbors to keep a close watch on what’s happening in your community. Being a good neighbor and working closely with them is a good way to prevent crime.

For You and Your Family

• At the airport, keep a close eye on your luggage at all times. When going through security, put your laptop on the X-Ray conveyor belt last, so you have time to get through the metal detector and be waiting for it on the other side.
• Lost or stolen wallets often lead to identity theft. Carry only the cards and cash you plan on using during your trip.
• Do not carry your passport with you when out and about. Make a few photocopies and leave your original in the hotel safe. Leave a copy of your passport with a trusted friend at home, just in case. 
• Travel like a local. Avoid obvious actions that will make you stand out as a tourist. Dress in a similar style and know your surroundings. Plan your route in advance, so you have an idea where you are going and you don’t need to look at a map while walking through a busy area. 
• Check out more travel safety tips from Travelers Insurance. 

Have a safe vacation! If you’ve made temporary changes to your call list, make sure you tell us when you’re back home.

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.

Make sure all your holiday memories are good ones with these security tips:

• A beautifully decorated tree is the centerpiece of so many front-facing windows, but showcasing all the presents under that tree is tempting to burglars.  
• New electronics are exciting – for family and burglars alike; large empty boxes for that new big screen or computer left on your curb are inadvertent advertisements for the goodies inside your home.
• Light up your home, inside and out – burglars hate well-lit areas.  
• Remember that many would-be burglars are opportunists; don’t leave any tools or ladders outside that could be easily stolen or re-purposed to aid a burglar break into your home.
• An undisturbed snow covered driveway lasting more than a day is an easy giveaway that you are away from home. Team up with neighbors and ask them to leave tire tracks while you’re away.

Traveling during the holidays?

• Security systems with integrated home automation can make your empty home look lived in occupied with automatic lighting schedules as well as live remote access to your TV and stereo systems for ambient sound.
• Social Media is a great way to let friends and extended family know exactly where you are. Unfortunately, burglars use this information as well.  Be thoughtful about broadcasting when your home is vacant.
• Of course, arm your alarm system before you leave.
• Update your vacation call list with us before you leave at by calling our office at 410-546-2210. Now you can also update your call list using a secure form on our website. Be sure to let us know the exact dates and times you would like temporary changes to be in effect. Click here to change your notifications.

Candle Safety Reminders

Candles are pretty and popular during the holidays but they are a leading cause of home fires – and home fire deaths. U.S. fire departments recently responded to an estimated 11,640 home structure fires started by candles.

Remember, a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn.

• Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.
• Think about using flameless candles in your home. They look and smell like real candles.

Read the full list of candle safety tips from the NFPA.

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.