Important Holiday Home Security Tips 

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 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 automation system (interactive services) 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 exactly where you are.  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. 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. 

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

For many, selecting and decorating a live Christmas Tree is a treasured holiday tradition.  

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. Or use our smart plugs to turn the lights off right from your phone.
• If your tree dries out, dispose of it immediately – a dry tree is a fire hazard 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. Check out more holiday fire safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration here.

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. 

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.  Also, 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 when it comes to your family’s safety!

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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.