Good Safety Habits & Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

Safety doesn’t take a lot of time, but it does take thought and planning.  To build maximum protection for your home, you need to consider two levels of threat. The kind you, your family or guests can create accidentally and the kind that burglars or vandals can create deliberately.  To address the first kind of threat, make a commitment to safety by reviewing the suggestions below and selecting a few to launch your personal home safety campaign

Protecting Your Home from Internal Threats

FIRE SAFETY

19 GOOD SAFETY HABITS

Protecting Your Home from External Threats

A state-of-the-art security system is always the best protection for your home, and the extensive range of available systems, at varied prices, makes looking into this solution well worth your time and effort.  But it also makes sense, whether you’re home or away on vacation, to take a few simple safety precautions on your own:

When you’re away from home for extended periods, be sure to take the following steps:

Your home is the place where you need to feel safe—a little forethought and planning can help keep you and your family secure in your home…whatever its size and location!

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HOME INVASION

Home Invasions, when criminals force their way into an occupied home, apartment or hotel room to commit a robbery or other crimes, are increasing at an alarming rate.  This is one of the most frightening and potentially dangerous crimes that can occur to a family because it violates our private space, the place that we think of as our sanctuary.

Thieves are getting bolder and more violent.  Their attacks are planned in the belief that their intended victims will be caught unaware and surprised.  Since an invader knows you are not expecting what he has planned for you, surprise is his best weapon.  Police departments are constantly telling people NOT TO open the door to an unannounced delivery or supposed repairman.  Yet it seems this caution is largely ignored.  Here are some of the tricks invaders like to use to fool you into letting them in:

• GAS LEAK INSPECTION:  A person dressed in a hard hat and possibly a forged ID tag will come to your door and say he has been called because of a gas leak in the neighborhood.  Do not let him in your house.  In reality, gas companies don’t check for gas leaks in your home unless you’ve called them.  Their duties only are to inspect and repair the gas lines in the ground throughout your area, not in your home.  Stop and think about it.  If there were a gas leak in your home, you would smell it.  Gas companies put special ingredients into the gas so to make sure you will smell any gas leak.
• FLOWER or SMALL PACKAGE DELIVERY: Flowers and gifts are hard to resist.  If someone tries to deliver flowers or a small package do not let them in.  They do not have to come into your house to deliver a small package.  You will know about any large package to be delivered and brought into your home since large deliveries are always planned. If the person is insistent for you to open your door, especially if there is no special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary, etc. this should give you cause for concern.  Call the police immediately.
• ELECTRIC COMPANY REPAIRMAN: There in no reason for an electric company repairman to ask to come into your home.  Their responsibility is only to work on the power lines outside of your home.  If you had a problem in your home and you have called a licensed electrician, you should know the electrician you called and ask for his identification when he arrives.  If there is a question as to who he really is do not call the phone number he gives you.  Look up the company’s number in the phone book to confirm his identity.  All electricians have to be licensed and carry the proper identification with them.
• ALARM REPAIRMAN: Most people who have an alarm system have a sign posted in front of their home.  This is a warning to a would-be criminal that you are protected by a security system.  An invader might see this sign and pose as an alarm repairman here to do preventive maintenance on your system or to check its operation.  Do not believe this claim.  These calls are usually planned ahead of time and every alarm repairman is required to be licensed by his state.  They ALL have to carry a picture ID and have passed a security check by his company and state licensing commission.   Do not confirm his identity by using the number he gives you.
• Have all emergency numbers posted somewhere in your home with easy access.  Have your doctor, alarm company, spouse’s work numbers, cell phones, gas, water and electric companies’ numbers VISIBLY listed.

Home Invasion Methods

Home invasion robbers often work at night and on weekends when homes are more likely to be occupied.  The home invader will sometimes target the resident as well as the dwelling.  The selection process may include a woman living alone, a wealthy senior citizen or a handicapped person, for example.  It is not unheard of for a robber to follow you home based on the value of the car you are driving or the jewelry you are wearing.  Some home invaders might have been in your home before as a delivery person, installer or repair vendor. Home robbers rarely work alone and rely on an overwhelming physical confrontation to gain initial control and instill fear in you.  The greatest violence usually occurs during the initial sixty seconds of the confrontation and home invaders often come prepared with handcuffs, rope, duct tape, and firearms.  Some in-home robbers appear to enjoy the intimidation, domination, and violence they cause—they thrive on the power they exert over their victims.

Home invaders know that they won’t have to overcome alarm systems when the home is occupied or be worried about video cameras and silent alarms.  Unlike when they rob a retail store, home invaders expect privacy once inside your home and won’t have to deal with the police suddenly driving up or customers walking in.  Once the offenders take control of a residence they can force the occupants to open safes, locate hidden valuables, supply keys to the family car, and PIN numbers to their ATM cards.  Home invaders will try to increase their escape time by disabling the phones and sometimes will leave their victims bound or incapacitated.  It is not unheard of for robbers to load up the victim’s car with valuables and drive away without anyone in the neighborhood taking notice.

Prevention Steps

If you can delay a home invader at the point of entry then you have a chance of deterring them or have time to call the police.  A solid core door, strong locks with reinforced strike plates, and reinforced window devices will stop most forced entries.  Some homeowners build safe rooms inside their home to allow them to retreat or escape violence while giving them valuable time to call the police.

The weakest home security link is the home occupant who fails to lock doors or windows or who will open the door without question at the sound of a knock.  The best defense against home invasion is education and planning.  Parents should hold a family meeting to discuss how to answer the door when someone knocks.  Another important topic is how to act should your home or family be invaded.  Once you know how home robbers work, you can effectively prevent most occurrences.

Remember these important security steps:

• Never open the door to strangers or solicitors
• Install solid core doors, heavy duty locks, and window security devices
• Lock all doors, windows, and garages at all times
• Use four three-inch screws to secure heavy duty lock strike plates in the door frame
• Use the door peephole BEFORE opening the door
• Use your porch light to help you to see clearly outside
• Never rely on a chain-latch as a barrier to partially open the door
• Call the police if the stranger acts suspicious
• Alert your neighbors to suspicious solicitors
• Hold a family meeting to discuss home security plans
• Set the home perimeter alarm at night, if you have one

Your own alertness and vigilant behavior are your best safeguards against damage

For more information on other ways to protect your home such as getting a Free Home Alarm System , check out NightWatch today!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME BURGLAR PROOF

Each year in the U.S. there are more than five million home burglaries and a surprising nine out of ten of these crimes are preventable!  You can cut your risk of being burglarized vastly by taking simple steps to make your home more difficult to enter and less enticing to would-be burglars.
Here are 10 mistakes that burglars WANT you to make—check this list to avoid making them:

1. Leave your doors unlocked.
2. Leave your windows unlocked.
3. Leave your tool shed unlocked.
4. Build a high fence/private yard. Private secluded yards allow burglars to operate in secrecy!
5. Don’t install outdoor lighting.
6. Don’t have a home security system.
7. Leave your keys in the car in the driveway/garage.
8. Use a webcam as “home surveillance system.”  This will be no help when the thief is wearing a mask—and who is available to constantly check the constant feed and from where?
9. Don‘t bolt down your safes.  There’s nothing keeping an able-bodied thief from just carrying your safe—and all its precious contents– away with him.
10. Trust in “hidden keys.”  Your hiding places aren’t going to fool burglars for a minute—after all, they steal from strangers for a living!

THREE GREAT WEAPONS IN THE FIGHT TO PREVENT BURGLARIES: LIGHT, TIME AND NOISE

Light

• Mount exterior lights out of reach where burglars can’t easily unscrew bulbs.

• Purchase and install motion-sensitive lights, now available at relatively low prices.

• Use a variable light timer to activate lights inside your home.

• Trim trees and shrubs near doors and windows so burglars can’t hide in the shadows

Time

Make it time-consuming for a burglar to break into your home:

• Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.

• Install double-key locks in doors which contain glass.  This will keep a burglar from being able to open the door simply by breaking the glass and reaching through.  (Note: Be sure to keep the key in designated place, for escape in case of fire).

• Place additional locks on all windows and patio doors.

Noise

• Get a dog.  You don’t need a large attack dog; even a small dog creates a disturbance that burglars would prefer to avoid.

• Whenever possible, have someone care for your dogs in your home while you’re away, instead of boarding them.

• If you can afford it, install an alarm system that will alert neighbors of a burglar’s presence.  Most systems can even summon local police directly.  Don’t forget to check the Alarm Code.

Other tips to prevent break-ins:

• Think like a burglar.  “Case” your home the way a burglar would and look for easy ways to get in.

• Be sure valuables like electronic devices and artwork are not visible from the street.

• Be sure to lock up ladders and tools which could be used to break in.

• Work together with your neighbors.  Organize a Neighborhood Watch and let your neighbors know when you will be away for an extended period.

• While on vacation, have someone pick up your newspapers and mail, so that you don’t advertise your absence.

• Display your house number conspicuously and have it well illuminated.  This will help police and emergency personnel find your home quickly.

Just in Case…

Sometimes, all your efforts won’t stop a determined burglar.  It’s wise to take some precautions that will help you get your property back should a criminal successfully break into your home:

• Make a list of your belongings, being sure to keep receipts, and periodically update this list.

• Keep copies of your inventory list and receipts in a safe deposit box or with a friend.

• You may choose to photograph and/or videotape your possessions to create a record of what you own.

• Engrave your valuables with an identification or mark to deter burglary and to prove ownership should the article be stolen and recovered by the police.

• Be sure you have the right insurance coverage.  You may need to purchase additional coverage to protect special items like expensive jewelry or rare antiques.

• If you don’t own your home, consider buying a renter’s policy.  Your landlord will generally not be responsible for your possessions.

Follow simple burglar-proofing precautions consistently for your safety and peace of mind.

Check out more Home Safety articles from NightWatch Protection today!

Fire Safety 101

Did you know that nationwide, every three hours a civilian dies from a house fire? It is very important to be well educated and prepared on how you can help to prevent fires from starting in the first place, and what to do if you encounter a fire.

Most Common Types of Fires:

Heating Fires – Heating fires are the second leading cause of house fires in America. Heating fires can be caused by a number of appliances; from central heating, wood or coal heaters and portable heaters. It is very important to ensure that you properly clean and filter all of your heating devices according to the manuals instructions. With portable heaters, make sure that they stand clear of any objects and that they have enough room for ventilation. If possible, try to only purchase models that offer safety features such as automatic shut off.

Smoking Fires – Most smoking fires are a result of a cigarette being abandoned or forgotten about. If you are going to smoke, it is important to be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Some ways to help prevent smoking fires is to never smoke in bed, don’t smoke if you are tired, and don’t smoke around furniture. Smoking fires can easily be prevented.

Electric Fires – Electric fires are mainly caused due to overloaded circuits or faulty wiring. In order to help prevent electrical fires from starting in the first place, be sure to check your electrical appliances and wiring often. Keep electrical appliances as far away from wet areas as possible; especially the bathroom.

Cooking Fires – Cooking fires can be caused by a number of situations such as forgetting something on the stove, or faulty kitchen equipment. It is important to stay focused when you are cooking so that you don’t forget about something you put in the oven. An easy way to help you in doing this is to set a kitchen timer. If a grease fire emerges, do not throw water on it because the water will splatter the flames. Instead, try to cover the fire so put out the flames.

Helpful Tips:

Invest in a smoke detector – Make sure that your smoke detector is on at all times. Be sure to routinely check your smoke detector to make sure that it is working properly.

Create a Fire Escape Plan – Plan out and practice a fire escape plan with your family and loved ones. Be sure to have an alternative plan.

Make exiting a priority – The second you realize there is a fire, try to escape right away. Don’t waste your time trying to gather your belongings. Make escaping your focus, to help protect your safety.

Feel the Door – When exiting the room you are in, feel the door with the back of your hand as high up as you can reach as a sign if there is a fire on the other side. If it is hot, seek an alternative route. If it is cold, open it a crack to check if the fire is on the other side.

Call 911 – Try to call 911 as soon as you are safe. Ask a neighbor if you can use their phone to call local authorities.

While we all hope to never encounter a dangerous fire situation, it is important to be well aware of what can cause fires, how to help prevent them from starting, and what to do in the event of a fire.

Prevention is the Key to Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes.  Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned.  Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances.  Even more die from CO produced by idling cars.  It is important to know the symptoms of CO poisoning:
At moderate levels you can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated or faint.  Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, mild headaches and may have longer-term effects on your health.  Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of flu, food poisoning or other ailments, you may not think that CO poisoning is the cause.

What To Do If You Think You Have Symptoms Of Co Poisoning:

1. GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and LEAVE THE HOUSE.
2. GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM and tell the physician you suspect CO poisoning. If CO poisoning has occurred, it can often be diagnosed by a blood test done soon after exposure.
3. BE PREPARED to answer the following questions for the doctor:

• Do your symptoms occur only in the house? Do they disappear or decrease when you leave home and reappear when you return?
• Is anyone else in your household complaining of similar symptoms? Did everyone’s symptoms appear about the same time?
• Are you using any fuel-burning appliances in the home?
• Has anyone inspected your appliances lately? Are you certain they are working properly?
• Do you have an installed, properly-functioning CO detector in your house?

Important Steps You Should Take to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Danger:
ALWAYS:

• Always have your fuel-burning appliances — including oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves — inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season.  Make certain that the flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition, and not blocked.
• Always choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible, have them properly installed, and maintain them according to manufacturers’ instructions.  If you cannot avoid using an unvented gas or kerosene space heater, carefully follow the cautions that come with the device.  Use the proper fuel and keep doors to the rest of the house open.  Crack a window to make sure you have enough air for ventilation and proper fuel-burning.
• Avoid doing anything that increases your risk of CO poisoning:

NEVER:

• Never idle the car in a garage — even if the garage door to the outside is open.  Fumes can build up very quickly.
• Never use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
• Never use a charcoal grill indoors — even in a fireplace.
• Never sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
• Never use any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow-blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces.
• Never ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them.  You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing.

How to Choose and Use a Carbon Monoxide Detector:
Carbon Monoxide Detectors are widely available in stores and you should consider buying one as a back-up –BUT NOT AS A REPLACEMENT– for proper use and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances. However, the technology of CO detectors is still developing and they are not generally considered to be as reliable as smoke detectors.  Some CO detectors have been laboratory-tested and their performance varied.  When a smoke detector goes off, you can easily confirm the cause of the alarm, but CO is invisible and odorless, so it’s harder to tell if an alarm is false or warns of a real emergency.  CO Detector Guidelines:

• Don’t let buying a CO detector lull you into a false sense of security.  Preventing CO from becoming a problem in your home is better than relying on an alarm.
• Research CO detector features instead of selecting solely by cost.  Non-governmental organizations such as Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports), the American Gas Association and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) can help you make an informed decision. Look for UL certification on any detector you purchase.
• Carefully follow manufacturers’ instructions for its placement, use and maintenance.

What to Do If the CO detector alarm goes off:

• Make sure it is your CO detector and not your smoke detector.
• Check to see if any member of the household is experiencing symptoms of poisoning.
• If they are, get them out of the house immediately and seek medical attention. Tell the doctor that you suspect CO poisoning.
• Even if no one is feeling symptoms, ventilate the home with fresh air, turn off all potential sources of CO — your oil or gas furnace, gas water heater, gas range and oven, gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater and any vehicle or small engine.

For more information on how to reduce your risks from CO, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772 or see www.cpsc.gov . Another way to help keep your family safe in your home is to have a FREE Home Security Evaluation done by Nightwatch Protection, Inc.

Hazzards in Your Household

We all want to help keep our families safe, but sometimes that may be a challenge when some of the most dangerous chemicals can be found right in our everyday household supplies. It is important to know the basic information about hazardous materials to help keep your loved ones safe around the house.

Mercury – One drop alone of mercury can contaminate over one million gallons of water. Mercury evaporates into the air, turning into a colorless and odorless vapor, which means that you can also get mercury poisoning through inhalation. So what everyday products in your household contain this deadly toxic metal you ask? Mercury is in a number of household supplies such as Mercury Thermometers, Thermostats with Mercury, Standard Fluorescent Lamps, and much more. One way to avoid Mercury exposure is to only purchase products with mercury when it is absolutely necessary. Try swapping out your mercury products with substitute products such as a digital or spirit-filled thermometer instead of a mercury thermometer. Be sure to properly dispose of any mercury containing devices. Most states offer a household hazardous waste collection program so call your local city hall to find out more.

CFL Blubs – Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs were initially intended to help fight global warming and to help save energy costs, but with further research, scientists are finding that CFL’s can be just as harmful to the environment as they are helpful. While these bulbs were intended to help the environment, researchers are finding that when these bulbs break, they contaminate the air with small amounts of mercury. The main issue with these bulbs is that when consumers throw them out, they break before reaching the landfill, therefore polluting the air and soil with mercury. The most important thing to know about owning a CFL bulb is how to properly dispose of it. The only retailer at the moment that will properly recycle these bulbs for consumers is IKEA. If you own a CFL blub and it breaks, read the article below for help on how to clean up the area:  http://www.epa.gov/hg/spills/#cleaningup

Batteries – We use batteries in virtually everything in our home; from our remote controls, to our children’s toys, the list is endless. Batteries are dangerous for a number of reasons. Batteries are composed of a variety of dangerous heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and nickel. When batteries leak or are broken, this dangerous concoction of chemicals can cause severe burns or injury to the skin or eyes. Rechargeable batteries are found in several everyday household gadgets such as laptops, cell phones, cameras and ride on toy vehicles and may pose a fire hazard if they overheat. Batteries also pose choking hazards for small children, which could result in internal injuries. Not only are batteries dangerous for humans, but they are also dangerous to the environment. The poisonous chemicals found in batteries can pollute lakes and streams, planting soil, and can even endanger wildlife. The best way to help cut down on battery dangers is to properly dispose of them. Many local consumer electronic chains provide a recycling kiosk of some kind to properly dispose of batteries.

Amongst keeping an eye out for the dangerous chemicals in this article, it is also important to assess other products in your home that may contain dangerous chemicals such as pool chemicals, cleaning products, lighter fluid, etc. With knowledge of these dangerous chemicals, along with properly disposing of them, you are one step closer to keeping your family safer and helping to cut back on polluting.

Preparing for the Unexpected: How to Build Home Emergency Kits

Don’t worry about all the frightening and dangerous crises that can assault you and your family – instead, get ready to withstand them by having plans and preparations in place.
Here are some important guidelines:

1. EVERY FAMILY MEMBER SHOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO in all types of emergencies.  Have practice drills with everyone.  Designate a meeting place outside your home so where everyone knows to go in an emergency.  All family members should know where utility cut-offs are located and how to shut them off.  If tools are needed, everyone should know where they are kept and how to use them.  Keep emergency numbers such as fire, police, doctors and poison control posted in a highly visible location.
2. PURCHASE SELF POWERED FLASHLIGHTS AND SELF POWERED RADIOS. In the event of a disaster, power will be out and batteries are likely to be unavailable.  Some self-powered radios have the Weatherband/Emergency Band and will also charge your cell phone.
3. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF OFFICIALS. Stay tuned for emergency instructions.
4. STAY HYDRATED. Water is the most essential life-sustaining resource.  Keeping water (in clean plastic bottles) in your home, car trunk and workplace will keep you hydrated when you’re under stress.  Plan for one gallon per person for three days use.  You may need more water for children, nursing mothers and the elderly or if you live in a warm climate.  It is also a good idea to add electrolyte-replacement drinks like Gatorade to replace valuable minerals.
5. OBTAIN A WATERPROOF BOX. This does not have to be expensive, just a large waterproof box with a lid. These are available in the storage sections of most discount stores.  It should be small enough so that in an emergency, you can roll it into your car, yard or home in just a few minutes.  Look for something with wheels and/or handles.  Consider placing kits in your home, car and workplace since you never know where you’ll be when an emergency strikes. Use backpacks or plastic tool boxes for jump-and-run bags.  Keep everything sorted with clear zip sandwich, quart or gallon bags.  For worker/s in large urban areas keep a back pack under your desk which contains water, energy bars, flashlight, spare socks and good walking shoes in case public transportation is disrupted
6. WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR EMERGENCY KIT. The U. S. Department of Homeland Security has prepared an emergency supply list. Here are some of their suggestions:

* A list of doctors and family contacts in your kit, along with your personal information. If something happens to you, who should we call? Do you have allergies? Who are you and where do you live?
* Water, at least one gallon for each person for at least three days.
* Food, at least a three day supply of non-perishable food.
* Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a NOAA Weather radio with extra batteries.
* Flashlights with extra batteries; hand-powered flashlights…
* First Aid Kit and instructions on first aid.
* Whistle or some other signaling device.
* Collapsible tents if available, but also plastic sheeting with duct tape to form a “shelter-in-place”.
* Moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties.
* Can opener for canned goods.
* Local maps.
* Prescription medications and eyeglasses.
* Infant formula and diapers.
* Pet food and water.
* Important papers in a waterproof container, i.e.: insurance documents, bank account information, deeds, titles or other official certificate
* Cash, travelers’ checks and change.
* Sleeping bags for each person packed with extra blankets and a change of clothes
* Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant.  Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water.  Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
* Fire extinguisher
*Sewing kit with scissors and thread
* Matches in a water proof container or lighters.
* Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
* Mess kits including paper cups, plates, towels and utensils
* Computer with wireless connection, paper and pencils, books, games, puzzles or other activity items.

Have your family review and discuss what’s in your kit and what else they feel should be included.  There may be some unique items needed for your family.

7. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING.  Students may be given a kit that can be used as a starter for your personal disaster kit.

MAKE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS A FAMILY PRIORITY…everyone can help!

Swimming Pool Summer Safety Tips

Sitting by the pool with a cold glass of iced tea and soaking up the sun’s rays…sounds like the life right?  Did you know that about 140,000 people die from drowning each year nationally? Before you sit back and relax this summer, below are a few steps and precautions that can help keep your loved ones safe around the pool this summer.

1. Fencing – According to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, “There is an 83% reduction in the risk of childhood drowning with a four-sided isolation pool fence, compared to three-sided property-line fencing.” It is important to keep your pool area well secured this summer in order to keep young children from entering the pool area un-supervised.
2. Supervise – According to the Center for Disease Control, “Fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years.” Make sure that children are always supervised by a qualified adult. Make sure that the adult knows how to swim in case of an emergency. Also, try to never swim alone even if you are a great swimmer.
3. Educate Yourself and Others on Safety- It is important to be well educated on pool safety so that you can relay the information to your loved ones, and people visiting your pool. A good idea for doing this is to make a list of swimming pool rules and hang it where others can visibly see it. Be sure to go over the rules with everyone before they use the pool, ensuring that they understand all of the rules.
4. Limit Alcohol consumption – If possible, completely avoid drinking alcohol in or around the pool area. Alcohol affects reasoning, inhibitions, cautions, balance and reaction times. Combining drinking alcohol with the pool is a recipe for disaster. Since alcohol affects so many areas of the human brain, it will be hard for the person to act cautious in an emergency situation. A person consuming alcohol is more likely to fall around the pool area, because of slippery surfaces. If you are drinking around the pool, try to make sure that there are sober people around to supervise.
5. Construction and Maintenance – Before having your pool installed or worked on, be sure that the company you are dealing with is legitimate. Make sure that they have the correct certifications and are well qualified. Ask around to your friends and family to get recommendations of companies that they have used in the past and were happy with. Be sure to constantly inspect your pool for safety concerns such as leaks, cracks, etc., as they may become harmful.
6. Safety Devices – Try to always have life jackets or floatation devices available to your family and guests. Always check the age and weight ranges included on your safety devices to ensure that they will to the job they are intended to do. Chances are some of your guests will be too embarrassed to admit that they don’t know how to swim, so having these devices on hand will help in protecting everyone.

Hopefully these helpful steps and precautions can help in guiding your family and loved ones to a safer and more fun summer.

Keeping Intruders at Bay While You’re On Vacation

Each year, there are more than 2.15 million burglaries with the majority of home invasions occurring in the peak vacation months of July and August. Going on vacation can be one of the most relaxing things in the world, but before you depart, here are a few  ideas to help keep intruders at bay while you’re on vacation.

Keep Your Home Well Lit – Place light timers inside your house to light up your house when it is dark out. Burglars tend to not flock to homes that are well lit and where they will be visible.

Trustworthy Neighbor- Ask a trustworthy neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your house while you’re away. Be sure to tell them if you are expecting any visitors over the course of your trip so that they can be aware.

Stop Delivery of Your Newspapers or Mail – Either put a hold on your mail and newspaper service, or have a neighbor collect them for you daily. A build up of mail or newspapers is a good indicator to burglars that you are on vacation. Another way to hide your mail is by getting a larger sized locked mailbox. This will ensure that your mail is not visible intruders.

Examine Your House Before You Leave- Make a checklist of all possible entrance paths for intruders and ensure that they are well locked and secured.

Hide All Valuables – Be sure to hide all of your valuables so that they are not visible from the windows. This way, intruders won’t have more of a reason to break in.

Security System – Homes without a monitored security alarm system are three times more likely to be burglarized or robbed than those with a monitored home security system. Nightwatch Protection is now offering a FREE home security system that will help keep your home protected even when you’re not on vacation.

Window Decals – Security system decals located on your front door is a great way to help scare off burglars.

Cameras – Weather it is a real camera, or a fake camera, if intruders think they will get caught, they will be less likely to break in.

Home Telephone – Don’t ever leave a voice mail message saying “We’re not home right now” or “We’re on vacation and won’t be back for a week.” This assures intruders that you won’t be home. Also, turn the ringer down on your house phone, or change it to 1 ring. If they can hear that no one is answering the phone, they will assume you are not home.

By following these helpful hints, you are on your way to a better protected home. These tips will help keep your stress levels down, so that you can fully enjoy your vacation.

Top 10 Vulnerabilities to Home Invasion

Every homeowner knows that there is a probability for a home invasion to occur in their homes, but how do they know exactly what attracts a burglar to a home in the first place? Anyone thinking about purchasing or who already owns a home needs to be clued in on the signs that criminals look for when it comes to targeting a prospective home invasion site. Take notes and see if your house is sending signals that deter or invite unwelcome guests. It may take more than just a home alarm system to keep them away.

The following lists some key vulnerabilities that criminals look out for when determining a good potential burglary site.

1. Uncollected mail in mailbox
2. Lights off for an extended period of time
3. Closed curtains
4. Open or unlocked windows or doors
5. Boxes of high-priced items
6. Valuables placed near windows and visible to outsiders
7. No fences or gates enclosing property
8. No sign advertising a home security alarm system is on the property
9.  Low, adjustable security lights
10. Hedges or trees surround your property

There are a few reasons that these items make it to the list. The first reason is that some of these items may signal you are not home, whether it be that you are away on a long vacation or that you are busy and running in and out of your house throughout the day. Next, some of these items signal that there are valuable possessions inside the house that would be worth stealing, validating the burglar’s suspicions of targeting your house. Finally, other items on the list may send the message that a home security alarm system is absent or can be easily compromised.

To avoid sending any of these signals to a criminal:

• Make arrangements with a friend or family member whenever you are away from your home for an extended period of time to keep up with household duties and to spend some time in the house each day to make it look as if the house is occupied.

• Do your best to keep valuables inside your home away from any windows, so no one can see inside and take inventory of your possessions and cut down all boxes of high-end items before placing them outside.

• Invest in or reinforce your house security system and install high positioned lights and high fences and gates around your property. Also make sure that a sign branding the alarm system you own is displayed outside your home. If you have bushes or trees surrounding your home, consider replacing them with a fence or wall instead, as the natural barrier provides coverage for burglars entering and exiting your home.

• Secure all windows and doors at night and whenever you leave your house, leaving no easy points of access for intruders.

It can seem easy enough to install a security system in your home and think you are done with home protection , but the truth is that it isn’t that easy. Make sure that your home doesn’t exemplify any of the indicators of faulty home security that were listed to help lower the probability of your house being a potential break in site. And of course, don’t forget to share these tips with your neighbors to try to have an all-around more secure neighborhood.