Holiday Toy Safety Tips

Check out these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to make sure your little ones’ toys are safe this season.

1. Make sure you read the age recommendations listed on toys. Toys that are too advanced could be a hazard to younger children.
2. Read the instructions. Always read the instructions on a toy before giving it to a child.
3. Unplug. To guard against burns and electrical shocks, don’t give children under 10 toys that plug into an outlet. Battery operated toys are best for younger children.
4. Batteries and magnets. Keep batteries and magnets away from small children as they can experience severe intestinal problems (including death) from swallowing them. Powerful small magnets are often found in building toy sets. Button batteries are often found in musical greeting cards, remote controls and hearing aids.
5. No strings attached. Be on the lookout for pull toys with 12 inch strings or more as these are a strangulation hazard for infants.

Read more safety tips from the AAP here. 

Santa Magic

This season, the elves at Alarm Engineering and Alarm.com can provide you a real snapshot of Santa’s visit, captured easily by your smart home security camera. Make sure that your kids get in on the fun this year, click here to learn more.

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.

‘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.

Stay Safe & Healthy In the Cold

Be Prepared

Prepare for emergencies in the cold, including power outages:

1. Stock food items that don’t need to be refrigerated or cooked.
2. Stock water.
3. Make sure your emergency kit includes first aid kit with any essential medications, battery operated radio and flashlight/lamps, baby items if needed, and cat litter or sand for icy walkways.
4. Winterize your home. Install weather stripping where necessary and insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
5. Protect your family against carbon monoxide: keep generators and camp stoves out of the home, basement and garage. Locate generators at least 20 feet from the house. Monitor your home for CO.
6. If you do not have working smoke detectors, we can add them outside sleeping areas. Test them often; the CDC recommends monthly.
7. Watch out for frozen pipes.
8. Always keep your vehicle gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.

Outdoor Safety

1. Dress warmly in layers of light, warm clothing including gloves, hats, scarves and waterproof boots.
2. Sprinkle sand or cat litter on icy patches.
3. Carry your cell phone and make sure it’s charged.
4. Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you’ll be outside for recreation or work.
5. Work slowly when doing outside chores.

Winter Travel Safety

1. Check the foretasted weather before you leave, and avoid traveling during weather advisories. 
2. Keep an emergency kit in your car in case you get trapped in the snow. Include blankets, food and water, jumper cables, flashlights, and a first-aid-kit. 
3. Make sure your car is prepared. Have it serviced and check that antifreeze levels are maintained. Check your tire tread or even change to snow tires.
4. Make sure your neighbors and family know your travel plans, and check in on those you know are traveling. 
5. Avoid non-essential travel when the National Weather service has issued advisories.

Find more cold weather tips from the CDC including travel planning and home preparation.

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.