Back To School Safety Tips For Kids

Now that school is back in session, many working parents are concerned about the safety of their children. We’ve created a list of some of the best things you can do to keep your kids safe before and after school.

Traveling To School

If your child walks or rides a bike to school, tell them to:

• Always wear a bicycle helmet.
• Never wear loose clothing that can get caught in the bike’s pedals or spokes.
• Never walk alone or talk to strangers.
• Always follow the traffic lights and street signs.
• Look both ways before crossing the street.

If your child rides the school bus, tell them to:

• Stand on the sidewalk while waiting for the bus.
• Carry all their belongings in their backpack and never go behind or underneath the bus to get anything that has rolled under it.
• Wait for the bus driver to signal to them when it’s okay to cross the street.

If you drive your child to school, make sure:

• Your child wears their seatbelt.
• Your child rides in the back seat if they are 12 years old or younger.
• Child safety locks are functioning.
• You drive the speed limit and drive safely.

If your teen drives to school, be sure to tell them:

• Most accidents occur near the home, while driving to school.
• Limit the number of teen passengers in the vehicle.
• Not to use cellular phones while driving.
• Avoid eating, drinking and playing with the radio.

Returning Home From School

Many state laws require supervision at all times for children under the age of 12. If your child is 12 or older and gets home before you, be sure they:

• Never enter the house if the door is open. Go to neighbor’s for help.
• Lock the doors when they get home.
• Call your cell phone or work phone for emergencies.
• Never answer the door for strangers.
• Know where the fire extinguisher and first-aid kit are located.
• Follow the house rules: homework, chores, phone and computer use.
• Never invite friends over, while you’re away.

As the parent, it is your responsibility to:

• Call your child to make sure they safely arrived home.
• Create an emergency plan, so your child knows what to do during an emergency.
• Tell your child when you will be arriving home. Be sure to tell them of any schedule changes.
• Teach your child how to answer the phone when you’re away: “Dad is not available.” … “Mom is busy and can’t talk right now.”
• Treat your child as a responsible young adult, once they know the rules.

Following these tips will help keep your child safe throughout the school year. It’s always important to regularly talk to your child about safety throughout the school year.

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Make Your New House Safe With These Home Security Tips

When you first move into a new house, it’s important that you take steps to make it secure as soon as possible. The longer you wait, there more chance there is of someone breaking in and stealing you belongings.

We’ve compiled this helpful list of things to do when moving into a new house:

• Change The Locks – It’s always a good idea to change the locks (and garage code if you have one) upon moving in to a new home. You never know who was given keys in the past and it’s better safe than sorry.

• Invest In Quality Locks – Since you’re buying new locks anyways, you might as well get good ones. Check with a qualified locksmith to determine the best locks for you.

• Get Extra Security For Your Doors - Use additional deadbolt locks, door strikes, secure door hinges, and sturdy doors to add extra protection to all entrances to your home.

• Install Impact Resistant Glass – A common way for burglars to enter your home is by breaking the glass near a door and reaching their hand in to unlock the door. By using impact resistant glass you can prevent this from happening.

• Reinforce Your Garage – Install locks on the garage door or use only automatic garage door openers so that thieves can’t simply pull the door open.

• Get Your Home Security System Running – A good home security system is a vital part of keeping you safe from burglars. If there is not already a system installed and operating, contact a home alarm system near you to set one up right away.

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How To Protect Your Home While You’re Away

A burglar’s first priority when casing a new home to burglarize is finding a place where no one is around. They know that if they enter a house that is occupied, there’s a good chance that they will be discovered and reported to the police. Rather than risk it, most have simply learned to spot the signs that no one is home and only go after those houses.

That’s why home burglaries are most likely to occur while you’re on vacation and no one is looking after your house. It’s during these times that newspapers and fliers pile up, nobody checks the mail, and lights never seem to turn on. This serves as a beacon to burglars looking for an easy target.

If you are planning to go on vacation or be away for any other reason, here are some easy steps you can take to make your home more secure:

Tell a Trusted Neighbor – Even if you don’t need anything done, let a neighbor you can trust know you’ll be gone. That way, if they see anything odd around your house they will know to call the police.

Have Mail And Newspapers Picked Up – Pausing your mail or newspaper can be a sure sign to burglars that you’re gone. Instead, have a close friend or trusted neighbor pick them up each day and hold on to them for you until you get back. If you’ll be gone during garbage/recycle pick up, ask them to take your bin to and from the curb also.

Have Your Calls Forwarded – Some crafty burglars will call your home number to check if you’re home. If you can have calls forwarded to your cell, you will make them think you’re home just by picking up the phone.

Get Your Lawn Maintained – People who are gone for long periods of time often forget how quickly their lawn can grow. Have a friend or lawn maintenance company keep your lawn looking good while you’re away.

Keep Your Alarm System Running – Don’t forget that a good home alarm system is your best line of defense against burglars. Before you leave on your trip, make sure that your home security system is in good working order and that you arm it as you leave.

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Home Security Solutions To Prevent Burglary

According to the FBI, someone’s house, apartment, or condo is burglarized every 15 seconds, in the United States.

It’s for that exact reason that so many people choose to purchase a home security system to keep their home and family safe.

However, a security system isn’t the only way to prevent burglary. By combining your home security system with the measures listed here, you’ll increase your chances of stopping burglars from entering your home.

The average criminal is looking for four things when they case a house. Those things are:

Valuable stuff to steal (TVs, Appliances, Jewelry, Etc.).

1. An easy way to enter and exit the house without being seen.
2. Nobody at the home.
3. No active security system.

If they can establish those four things, they will feel comfortable that they can steal your stuff and get away without being caught.

With that in mind, it’s not difficult to set up your home so that it’s not in a criminal’s best interest to target you.

• Make your home look occupied at all times. You can do this by:

• Using automatic timers on lights and radios so they are visible and audible throughout the day while you’re away.

• Make sure your home phone cannot be heard from outside.

• Always park in the garage and leave the garage door closed. This way criminals can’t spot a pattern and figure out when you’re away.

• Leave your valuable belongings out of view and keep windows closed.

• Install motion detector lights and good lighting all around your house.

• Remove or keep all hedges and shrubs well trimmed around your house. This way there will be no place for a burglar to hide.

• Keep your security system active and well maintained at all times.

Don’t forget to consult your home burglar security alarm systems provider for more information.

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How Landscaping Can Protect Your Home From Burglary

Home security systems and alarm monitoring are great ways to protect your home from burglary. But did you know that landscaping should be included in your home security prevention plan?

An overgrown lawn with untrimmed hedges cries “easy opportunity” to burglars. A freshly cut lawn, trimmed bushes and flowers give the impression that someone is home. A little landscaping could be the difference maker in providing a little extra protection to your home while you’re gone.

If you’re going on vacation for a few weeks, follow these tips to make sure your landscaping is up to par.

• Cut your grass, be sure to rake and sweep trimmings
• Trim tree branches near home and rake dead leaves
• Water your followers and set any sprinkler systems if available
• If you have any fruit trees, pick up fallen fruit
• Be sure perimeter lighting is working
• In winter, be sure driveways are plowed by a service or neighbor

Besides landscaping, be sure to cancel newspaper and mail delivery while you’re gone. Also, store bicycles, mowers, grills and other valuable outdoor items in a secure place such as a garage or basement.

Most importantly, don’t wait until the last minute to do this. Who really wants to do yard work right before vacation? We suggest cutting your grass and trimming bushes a few days before you leave. Then on the day before your vacation, you can focus on a few last-minute things such as fallen fruit and watering.

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Business Security For Your Home Office

As more and more people work from home – either through telecommuting or because they run their own small business – the concept of business home security is becoming more and more important.

After all, if you’re at home, but also at your business, which type of protection do you really need?

The answer is you need a little of both. Since you are in a private residence, you’ll technically need a home security system rather than business security solutions. However, since you are also in a place of business, you’ll want to take some additional security measures that most homes do not need.

You’ll want to make sure that in addition to a well-maintained security alarm, you have deadbolts on all doors and also that you keep windows and other possible entry points locked. Also be careful to not leave the spare key under the doormat or in a vase where anyone can find it.

Pay extra attention to whom you give a key to. Providing keys to multiple employees can be potentially dangerous, and so you will want to be sure you can really trust someone before they get a key.

Finally, natural surveillance is helpful for deterring would-be thieves. By keeping your home office well lit, clearing away shrubs or areas where someone can hide, and taking steps to show that it will be difficult to break-in without being seen, you significantly decrease your risk of break-ins.

Be sure to mention your home office to a security professional for additional ways to stay protected.

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Do Security Alarm Systems Fail During Blackouts and Power Outages?

We get a lot of questions from people worried about the effects a blackout or power outage will have on their home security system. What we’ve learned is that many people are under the assumption that if their power goes out, so does their alarm system.

Fortunately for us, this isn’t the case. The engineers of alarm systems were quick to realize that a system that died when power was shut off didn’t really offer much security.

That’s why modern systems are all equipped with battery packs that come pre-installed. If the system is shut down for any reason, the battery immediately kicks in and allows uninterrupted protection and alarm monitoring.

Obviously batteries don’t last forever, but they will last until your power is back on. That way, you don’t have to worry about someone cutting your power, a storm destroying power lines, or any other problems that might occur.

If you’re still worried, ask your security company if your system has a battery installed. Chances are that it does but this may help you feel a little safer. Also make sure that you have regular maintenance on your system and that the battery is changed if it starts to run low.

During the next power outage in your area, don’t worry! You’re still protected.

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Outlining Your Security Goals

Before selecting an alarm system to protect your home or business, it’s always a good idea to carefully consider what your exact goals are for your security. Not everyone has the same needs when it comes to security and there is no one-size fits all response.

While a good security technician will help you walk through these goals more precisely, understanding them yourself can go a long way to getting the system you want. Ultimately, the time you take to consider your goals today can save you a lot of money in the long run while keeping your family or business safe and protected.

Before buying any home security system or business security system, ask yourself these questions:

How much protection do I really want?

While the top-of-the-line alarm system promises to give you a very high level of protection, it’s not for everybody. These higher end systems cost a lot more and can be overkill for many people.

If you are buying from a reputable security alarm company, any of the systems they offer you will be reliable and capable of protecting your home of business. It’s up to you whether you want to spring for the extra bells and whistles of the higher end systems.

How important is ease of use?

Not all security systems are equal when it comes to being easy to use. More complicated systems, which are still quite easy to use for adults, can cause problems if children will be using the alarm.

A system may be more complicated because of the additional features it offers, but if you have kids or anyone who might not be able to use a more complicated system, it’s a good idea to find an easy system that anyone can learn.

Can I trust my security company?

The most important step when it comes to setting up a reliable security system is selecting the best company to install, maintain, and monitor your system.

Selecting the right company can make the difference between keeping your family safe and having a break-in. Professionals know all of the security tricks and will help you choose the exact right system for you. You can also trust that the best company will install your system correctly and provide excellent monitoring services.

Before making your decision, research the company and talk to other customers to get their opinions. Make sure that the company has a long history of success, and that they guarantee their work against problems. If a company is willing to put their money where their mouth is, that’s a good sign that they are true professionals.

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iPhone Apps to Keep You Safe

The iPhone is one of the most popular cellular phones available on the market. One of the features of an iPhone is its ability to run a variety of different applications for entertainment and utility. This feature can turn the iPhone into a great safety tool. We’ve put together a handful of useful apps that you can use to help keep yourself and your family safe.

Crime Reports iPhone App – CrimeReports.com is quickly becoming one of the internet’s best places to get information about crimes in your area and it is now available on iPhone. This app includes several interactive ways to stay up-to-date on crime in your area.

Some of the features of the app are:

• Filter crimes by location or type. You can also apply a date range to your search.
• View crime data in a map or a list view.
• View national sex offender data on a map of your area.
• Sign up for free, automated emails to alert you of crime in your area.
• Request the participation of your local law enforcement.

The Crime Reports iPhone app is available for free from the iPhone app store.

iDistress iPhone App – The iDistress iPhone application offers users a variety of ways to stay safe. The app works by tracking your location via the GPS in your iPhone. Once the emergency signal is triggered, an email or text message is sent to three contacts of your choice plus dialing 911. The messages sent to your contacts will include a map of your location, to make it easy for you to be located.

Some of uses of this application are:

• Safety while walking alone.
• If you are in a car accident. The application is especially handy for situations where you might not be able to speak.
• You are injured or involved in a violent crime.
• You are in an emergency situation where you are unable to speak.

The iDistress iPhone app is available in the iPhone app store for $2.99.

Pocket First Aid – This app was recently credited with saving the life of a film maker during the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. You just never know when you might need first aid – from something as simple as a bee sting or as complicated as a compound fracture. The Pocket First Aid app for iPhone can walk you through first aid for a variety of situations.

The Pocket First Aid iPhone app is available for $3.99 and is sold in the iPhone app store.

Offender Locator – This app is one of the top paid iPhone apps sold in the US. You can use this app to track sex offenders in several ways:

• Search for offenders near your current location.
• Enter a street address for information about offenders nearby.
• Enter the address of any of your stored contacts for information in their area.
• Enter the name of a sex offender to get information about them.

Offender Locator has been featured by several media outlets, including CNN, Fox & Friends, and ABC Today. This application is available on the iPhone app store for $1.99.

Auto Accident Safety Application – Although we hope you are never in an auto accident, the fact is that they do happen.  RediVideos, a division of RediMedic, has developed an iPhone application to help you know what to do in case of an auto accident.

The Auto Accident Safety Application contains information on what to in the event of an auto accident with simple to understand instructions on legal and safety procedures. You can use this application to obtain information on:

• Procedures for injuries
• Warning devices
• Needed documents
• What to sign and what to have others sign
• Witness statements

You can purchase the Auto Accident Safety Application for $.99 on the iPhone app store.

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Learn About Crime in Your Neighborhood

Whether you just bought your house or are a long-time resident, when is the last time you checked the crime in your neighborhood?  Most people don’t think about crime in their neighborhood. They are too busy worrying about their day-to-day lives to consider who their neighbors are. However, you may want to start keeping track of the people and happenings in your neighborhood. Being armed with this knowledge can help keep you and your family safe.

Find Out About Your Neighbors

The majority of your neighbors are probably good people. However, you should be aware if there are registered sex-offenders in your neighborhood, especially if you have children. You can find information about sex-offenders in your neighborhood through the U.S. Sex Offender’s Registry provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. On their website, you can find information about sex offenders in your area, links to other public registries, and education and prevention information. Being informed about sex offenders in your area can help keep you and your family safe from harm.

Crime in Your Neighborhood

Another excellent resource for finding out about crime in your neighborhood can be found by visiting CrimeReports.com. CrimeReports.com provides a variety of tools to help you find out about crime in your neighborhood. You can use their interactive map to check your area or simply provide a location in their search box.  Each search that you do will provide you with a map of your neighborhood with a listing of recent crimes, including their location and type. You can also check an analytics report of crime in your area and sign up for alerts about crime in your neighborhood.

No matter where you live, your family’s safety is always a top concern. Help keep your family safe by being aware of crime in your neighborhood.

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