Fire Safety Over the Thanksgiving Holiday
Tips that Go Beyond the Kitchen Thanksgiving is a delicious time of year in which we give special attention to the many things that we are thankful for. It’s also a time in which we must be extra vigilant about fire risks and safety so that those people and things that we love are protected. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to ensure that your home is safe during this chaotic and joyful time without adding too much to an already very long to-do list. These are also measures that can protect you, your family, and your home year round. Protect Yourself Against Fire, Flood & CO Every Day! But First, A Look at Some Numbers Before we get into the tips, it’s good to get a solid understanding of why you need to make extra sure that you prevent a Thanksgiving fire, which will help you prevent a fire at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration published a report on Thanksgiving fires in residential buildings from 2014 to 2016 and this is what they found: For every year (2014, 2015, and 2016), there were approximately 2,400 residential fires reported to U.S. fire departments on Thanksgiving day, which caused $19 million in property loss in addition to the 25 injuries and 5 deaths. There are 1.8 Thanksgiving Day fires per 1,000 fires compare to 5.8 non-Thanksgiving Day fires per 1,000 fires. There are 11 injuries per 1,000 Thanksgiving fires compared to 25.7 injuries per 1,000 non-Thanksgiving fires. $7,800 is the average loss per fire compared to $17,560 for non-Thanksgiving Day fires. Multifamily dwellings account for 32.1% of Thanksgiving Day fires. One- and two-family dwellings account for 62.6% of Thanksgiving Day fires, while the remaining 5.3% is reserved for other types of homes. Thanksgiving fire alarm numbers begin to increase at 7:00 a.m. and peak from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 77% of Thanksgiving fires are limited to the object of origin, which means it is contained where it begins. However, this doesn’t minimize the extent of injury. Cooking is responsible for 76.5% of Thanksgiving fires. You can see here that the pattern of Thanksgiving fires is different from a random fire that happens any other time of the year. Knowing the profile of what makes a Thanksgiving fire different can help you with prevention. Just don’t let the fact that there are fewer deaths or injuries per 1,000 fires get your guard down because Thanksgiving is one day a year and nearly 3,000 fires on one day is a lot. Fire Safety Tips to Keep You Safe on Thanksgiving Now it’s time for some quick tips. For instance, HAVE A WORKING SMOKE ALARM. This is key in fire containment and overall safety. Security alarms have built-in smoke detectors that can detect smoke or fire anywhere in the house all year round. Second, make sure you have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen close to the stove and oven. Before you start cooking, make sure your fire extinguisher is safe to use. Third, don’t cook with long, loose sleeves since loose clothing can catch fire. Some other tips: Don’t leave cooking food unattended. Yes, it is tempting to make that quick trip to the grocery store, but either have another adult watch the kitchen or send them on an errand. Kids and the cooking of a huge meal aren’t compatible. It’s best that the little ones stay away from all of the sharp objects and hot things. Face pot and pan handles toward the back of the stove so they aren’t over any burners. Be mindful of towel placement so they don’t touch a burner and catch fire. If a fire occurs, your 24/7 monitored security system can alert the authorities. Don’t yet have a system? Call 911 immediately. If the fire is a grease or oil fire, don’t throw the contents outside. Instead, place a lid over the flames to snuff them out and turn off the heat. The lid shouldn’t be removed until the pan cools. You can also put out an oven fire by keeping the door closed and turning off the heat so it smothers. Opening the door simply gives the fire oxygen to thrive. Baking soda is also another good thing to have to put out a food fire. You don’t want to use flour or water because the reaction could be a violent one that causes the fire to spread. Contact An Expert Rochester Fire Alarm Company By keeping the above fire safety tips in mind, you should have a much safer Thanksgiving. If you don’t have an alarm system that can detect smoke or fire anywhere in your home, SPS Fire & Security has some great options that will help you protect your family and your home. Call us for more information at 585-770-0348. Happy Thanksgiving!
7 Christmas Home Security Tips: Beat the Burglars
Top 7 Tips to Protect Your Home This Christmas Black Friday is over and that means there are gifts in homes waiting to be revealed on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, burglars expect this. They expect that a majority of people did a great deal of shopping on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Here are 7 Christmas home security tips to help beat the burglars. What’s the first thing a burglar looks for? A home without a security system. What’s the second thing they look for? The occupants to not be home so they can get inside and see what’s under that tree. The closer you get to Christmas, the higher the odds of becoming the victim of a burglar become, especially on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is when you leave your home to celebrate with family, which means gifts are left under the tree unattended for a long time. Fortunately, you can protect your home and purchases. Home Security Tips for the Christmas Season Motion sensors, flood lights, video surveillance, or a home security system throughout your entire home can make all the difference in the world. When a burglar sees cameras or evidence that a home security system is in place, they move on. Don’t feed extension cords through windows because that leaves them partially open Ensure doors and windows are secure when leaving. Install dead-bolts if you don’t have any. Keep blinds, curtains, or drapes closed, especially when the tree and the presents underneath it are visible. Valuables should always be out of sight of windows. Don’t hide keys under door mats, in flower pots, or under stones. Burglars know this trick very well. If you are going to be gone for an extended period, have a neighbor park their car in your driveway or arrange for gifts to be stored with someone you trust. You may want to keep receipts until after the holidays, so lock them away in a safe, file cabinet, or fireproof box. Burglars have been known to dig through the trash. If you must throw away receipts, shred them. Rochester, Syracuse & Buffalo Residents – Protect Your Home All Year Round! At SPS Fire & Security, we can help you protect your home at Christmas, New Year’s, and all year round. While burglaries climb during the Christmas season, they can happen anytime. It’s good to always be prepared. Call 585-770-0348 to find out how you can affordably protect your home.
Who Knew Home Security Could Reduce Household Hazards?
Home Security Systems Increase Safety To answer the question the title asks, we knew. We know how home security systems can reduce personal injuries and their complications and environmental issues in addition to break-ins. Once upon a time, the home security system was installed to keep burglars from breaking into homes and only for that reason, but systems have evolved into something much more. These systems detect carbon monoxide, smoke when there’s fire, and you can even contact emergency services at the push of a button. This makes the home security system a pretty amazing thing to have! SPS Fire and Security can install these systems so that you can make your home a much safer place than it is now. Reducing Personal Injuries It’s unfortunate that there are times when a minor accident can result in a serious injury. This is especially true for the elderly. The CDC says that one in five elderly people experience serious injuries like broken hips and other broken bones from simple falls. Children are also at high risk for accidents in the home. They are curious and get into everything. Here are some ways to minimize personal injury risks in the home: Invest in a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS). This is a bracelet that can contact emergency services at the touch of a button. This allows elderly people to have more independence in their homes. Add more security in high-risk areas. This is where we come in because we can add additional video surveillance in pool areas, around gates, in garages, and in areas where accidents could happen around the home. An alarm system can sound if certain doors are triggered. If you want the pool gate to trigger an alarm so you know if your child infiltrated the area, you can have that. Reduce Environmental Issues As mentioned before, home security systems can detect smoke when there’s fire and that invisible poison called carbon monoxide. Both can be deadly. Being notified in plenty enough time can save your life and the lives of the rest of your family. To reduce these environmental matters that could be life-threatening, you can do the following: Turn to a security provider that you trust and who will answer your questions when you have them. Make sure your security system is always up-to-date. Having the latest technology is a big deal. SPS Fire & Security will ensure your system is a great system. You can also keep your software up-to-date when prompted so that you don’t risk a security breach and so you can keep track of your home’s environment. Combat Break-Ins Of course, home security is aimed at eliminating break-ins so that everything you’ve worked hard for stays exactly where it is supposed to be. Your security system can be as simple as sensors on doors and windows or can be as involved as cameras placed around the property. You can also remotely access your system via your smartphone so that you know what’s going on at home when you’re away. Simply having the system can thwart break-ins, as you will most likely have a sign in your yard and a sticker on your door that says your home is protected. If a thief still gets brazen and they break into the home, the alarm will sound and the 24/7 monitoring service will be notified so authorities can be sent to the address. If you make video surveillance as a part of your system, you can catch the burglar’s face on video and it can be used as evidence. When they’re caught, it is hard to tell how many potential victims you saved. Contact Your Rochester, NY Home Security Company Protect your home and your life with a quality and technologically up-to-date home security system that will help reduce hazards and complications stemming from personal injury, from the environment, and from thieves that want to take what’s yours. To learn more, call SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 or complete the contact form below and we will get back to you ASAP.
Safety During Power Outages
What to do When the Power Is Out Every year, Rochester, New York sees some of the craziest wind. In some places, it has been known to reach speeds over 80 MPH which is considered hurricane force wind. One storm in 2017 had hurricane force winds that left many in the dark for a little over a day. Others had no electricity for more than a week. RG&E stated that on Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 2:30 PM there were an estimated of 31,000 customers in Monroe County without power and that number grow over the course of the day. Many businesses even closed early, and school events were canceled and rescheduled. The next day, Thursday, many schools closed. As of Sunday, March 12, 2017 there are 9,314 customers without power. During weather-related power outages like Rochester, New York faced, there are many residential and commercial security factors that should be kept in mind. Power Outage Safety Tips Keep in mind that if you lose power that you should contact a neighbor to see if they have also lost power. Sometimes it might just be a blown transformer or fuse from the power lines. If your neighbor tells you that they don’t have power, then go head and contact your local electrical company to report an outage. They will be able to look into the outage and send an employee out to assess the situation. If possible, check the local weather on the internet or a battery powered radio. To prevent overloading outlets, unplug any unnecessary appliances such as microwaves, coffee makers, and refrigerators and electronic devices such as computers, TVs, etc. Once you have unplugged the refrigerator and freezer, keep the doors closed as much as possible. If it is cold outside, think about getting a cooler or two and filling them with ice for the items that you might have to take out of the fridge. Food will last no more than 24 hours if you minimize the door being opened. If the outage is due to windy weather, don’t use outside grills or go outside for any reason because it could become dangerous with falling trees, falling power lines, and airborne debris. In the event that you ever experience an outage contact your local electrical company (RG&E 1-800-743-1701 or NYSEG 1-800-572-1131). Contact Your Rochester Alarm Company Today! Alarm systems have backup battery power that can last up to a specific amount of time. Know your battery life. If you want to keep your home secure during a power outage, contact SPS Fire & Security today to learn about how an alarm system can still protect your home even while the power is out. Remember that most power outages last less than half a day, but power outages can also be a time when burglars become more active around places they know won’t be occupied. Call today at 585-770-0348.
Home Security and Home Automation for Seniors
Smart Homes Protect the Elderly Home security systems protect anyone of any age, but there are different features that, while they benefit all people, can especially benefit seniors. Most of all, a home security system, especially one with home automation, can put seniors more in charge of their own security. That also goes for those that may not be as tech savvy. A professional home security company installs the system and teaches the homeowner how to use the system using a smartphone. Yes, the elderly now carries smartphones, as they have become a way of life, and they use them well. Fortunately, security systems and automation apps are very easy to use. The learning curve is very small. Protecting the Elderly from Burglars The good news is that the violent crime rate is lower among seniors than younger people, but, unfortunately, burglars will target the elderly because they may be in search of pain medications or other medications they can use to satisfy a drug problem. They also believe that senior citizens have money stashed under their mattresses. This means that seniors tend to be the target of property crimes. One out of five burglary victims are over 65 years old, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. They are seen as easy targets, which is why it is important to lock down the home as much as possible. Dealing with Environmental Threats Burglary isn’t the only threat to the elderly. Floods, fires, leaks, carbon monoxide, and other events don’t care about how old someone is. Home security systems can have built-in fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors so the authorities can be notified as soon as possible. A panic button can also be used when there is an emergency and a phone can’t be accessed. There are different environmental protections put in place to make sure everyone inside the home is protected. Peace of Mind Through home automation, seniors can also have control of their home while on vacation. For those that travel a lot, they can have peace of mind that their home is safe through video surveillance that allows them to watch remotely. If there is ever fear that the doors haven’t been locked, they can be locked remotely. If certain lights need to be turned on each night, they can be. If pets are left at home alone, the thermostat can be controlled. The sky is the limit when it comes to giving the elderly more control over their homes and lives. Call A Qualified Rochester Home Security Company If you are ready to see how home automation and security can make life easier, call SPS Fire & Security today at 585-770-0348.
Age Guidelines for Staying Home Alone
When Are Kids Old Enough to Stay Home Alone? Age guidelines for staying home alone, is a very gray area for most people. Just because Macaulay Culkin who was eight years old at the time was able to stay home alone in the hit 1990 movie Home Alone, doesn’t mean that it is the right thing to do. Each state has their own laws about the appropriate ages to be left at home without supervision. The child’s age and their maturity also play a huge part in whether or not they can stay home solo. Basically, it comes down to discretion and the law. Home Alone with Home Security First, you want to have good home security in place to ensure your child has extra protection. If something goes wrong, the authorities can be alerted. This will give you added peace of mind. There are also many guidelines that you as a parent should follow if you are thinking about leaving your children at home by themselves: Age of the child Maturity level of the child The length of time the child will be home unsupervised Are other children being left home with your child The safety of the neighborhood Are there neighbors that can check in on the child Does the child feel safe staying home by themselves? Guidelines considering the age range for leaving a child home alone: 7 & Under: children that are seven years old and under should never be left alone at home for any length of time. This also includes never leaving them unattended in the car, at a playground, or the backyard. 8 to 10 years old: Children that are 8 to 10 years old can be left home only during daylight and early evening hours but only for no more then 1.5 hours. 11 to 12 years old: Children that are 11 to 12 years old can be left home for no more than 3 hours at a time and not overnight. 13 to 15 years old: Children that are 13 to 15 years old can be unsupervised for long periods of time but not overnight. 16 to 17 years old: Children that are 16 to 17 years old can be unsupervised and can stay home overnight up to two nights alone. Keep Your Family Secure Through a Rochester Home Security Company If you have children that are age appropriate and are ready to stay home alone consider contacting SPS Fire and Security at 585-770-0348 to learn about a security alarm that would be right for your home.
Airport Safety Tips & Personal Security
Stay Safe While Traveling After hearing about Rochester International Airport receiving suspicious bomb threats on Thursday December 29, 2016, people who travel by plane should take airport safety tips seriously. These tips will assist you in making sure that you have safe travels. Keep Yourself Safe at Home as Well! Many people were either coming to the airport or just getting ready to board or get off their flight. Report from the news says that many did not expect to come to the airport to see that the roads blocked off and hear that they would have to wait to even get in. Airport Safety Tips Listen to Authority: If this situation ever happens to you, first and foremost, listen to authority. The proper authority will be contacted and arrive in a timely fashion. Don’t move or open anything that might look suspicious: Like the incident that happened at the Rochester International Airport with the two unattended bags, if you see anything out of the ordinary, don’t do anything without proper instructions. Leave all suspicious items to the proper authority to inspect. Act calm and appropriately: If you and your family or friends get separated in any case, act calm, as you will be connected once the incident is over. Keep track of all your belongings during emergency situations: Keep a close eye on all your luggage, bags and any young children you happen to be traveling with. Just because one incident happened at a local airport doesn’t mean that it has to put a damper on your future travel plans. If you or a loved one are traveling in the near future just always be cautious about your surroundings and keep in mind the above safety tips. Ensure Personal Security Through a Security Alarm Company Don’t forget to contact your security company to give them a heads up that you and your family will be away from home so if anything goes wrong at home you can be contacted in a timely fashion. Call SPS Fire & Security today at 585-770-0348 for a free consultation.
Things to Keep in Your Automobile in Case of an Emergency
Keep Yourself Safe on the Road All Year Round The thought of getting stranded or running out of gas leaves a nervous feeling in many of us. It affects our sense of security. There are Multiple things that you can do to make sure that your automobile is well-maintained, but what’s inside your car plays a key role as well when preserving your sense of security. Below is a list of ten of the most popular items that you would want to have in your automobile in case of an emergency: 1. Fully Charged Mobile Phone With technology these days, having a fully charged cell phone on hand is the quickest way to get in contact with someone. Some cars don’t charge cell phones while they aren’t running so if you notice that your phone is low on battery, charge it while driving. 2. Jumper Cables You come out from work, put the key in the ignition and your car doesn’t start. What do you do next? The smartest thing that you can do when finding a parking place at work or at any store would be to park where another car can park in front of you. Never pull through because it makes it harder for any one to help you out. Plus, it blocks car drivers from backing out. 3. Flashlights Flashlights come in handy for when you need to check under the hood or if you get stranded when it is dark outside. Again, your sense of security is very important. 4. Roadside Flares Roadside flares are the best form of light signals to have when it is dark out and you are on a busy road or thruway. Many people won’t see you or your car right away if it is a dark color. Having the roadside flares will allow other drivers to see you and your car ahead of time and give them enough time to move over to another lane, if possible. Keeping jumper cables in your automobile in case of an emergency, may not only keep you safe but others as well. 5. Blankets You should have one blanket for every person that is in your family. Even though you are in the car where it might be slightly warmer than it is outside, you want to be sure that everyone in your car is warm, especially if you have little ones. 6. Bottles of Water Keep one or two bottle of water for every person that is in your family. You never know how long you are going to be stranded for. Water is better for you and lasts longer than juice or soda. Keeping water in your automobile in case of an emergency, not only can keep you safe, but you could also use it to help another person or animal. 7. Food Granola bars are always a good food to keep in your car. Like Water and Blankets, you should keep one to two per person in your family in the car. 8. First Aid Kit Whether it is cleaning up a head wound from scattered glass or cleaning a boo boo for your three-year-old, a good stocked first aid kit always comes in handy. The first aid kit should have bandages, white tape, gauze, cotton balls, medical gloves, Neosporin, and anything else that you would think would be helpful during a medical emergency when on the road. Having a first aid kit in your automobile in case of an emergency, could keep someone safe until more help arrived. 9. Ice Scraper It is 5am and you are outside in the cold scraping your car windshield with a credit card. That is not always a good idea. Having a least two scrapers in your car would benefit you just in case one of them breaks. 10. Gloves (both work and winter) Both work and winter gloves are key essentials to your car kit. Winter gloves are not going to be safe if you need to check under the hood of your car. Buy safety work gloves in case you or someone in the car with you knows what it is that can be fixed under the hood. No matter what season (winter, summer, spring or fall) it is, always revamp your car kit based on the season. Sometimes you might not need the winter gloves or ice scrapers anyway, but you need extra water bottles because it is 90 degrees outside and there is always the possibility you’ll break down. When taking things out of the car kit, make sure that you have a bin to place all your off-season car items so you know exactly what it is that you took out. This keeps you equipped and organized. Contact Your Rochester Security Experts All in all, having a car safety kit is one of the most important things you can do for you and your family. You never know what is going to happen on your daily routine. Keep your insurance information and a good reliable towing service number handy in case of any emergency. To extend safety measures to your home, SPS Fire & Security can help you. Call us at 585-770-0348 to learn more.