Best Security Products blog

According to the National Fire Protection Association, “an ‘electrical fire’ is a fire involving some type of electrical failure or malfunction.  Any equipment powered by electricity can have such a failure.”  In addition, in 2011 an estimated 47,700 home structure fires ad 16,400 non-home structure fires “reported to U.S. fire departments involved some type of electrical failure or malfunction as a factor contributing to ignition.”¹

Based on these startling statistics on electrical fires both in homes and in non-residential buildings, it is clear that understanding how to prevent electrical fires is important.

Following are some tips to reduce the risk of electrical fires:

1.  When possible, choose florescent lights over both halogen lights and incandescent lights.  This is because the risk of fire is higher for incandescent and even higher for halogen.²

2.  Pay attention to your light switches and outlets.  The Electrical Safety Foundation International notes if you notice some that heat up, have brown stains or make buzzing sounds, this could mean that the wiring is unsafe and needs to be checked out by a professional electrician. See the following video by the Electrical Safety Foundation International for more information:

3.  FEMA has another tip for preventing electrical fires.  Never use an extension cord with appliances.  Instead, plug them directly into the wall.  Click the video to see more:

4.  Did you know that your lamps and light sockets list a maximum wattage that is safe for that appliance?  To prevent electrical fire, FEMA points out that it is important to match the recommended wattage and not exceed it.

5.  Don’t over load your electrical outlets.  According to Tipmont REMC, you should “never plug more than two appliances into an outlet at once or “piggyback” extra appliances on extension cords or wall outlets. Use only outlets designed to handle multiple plugs.”³

6.  Finally, make sure you have a professional fire detection and alarm system installed in your home or business.  This system will detect and warn you as soon as possible that a fire has ignited.

At Best Security Products, we can help you with all commercial and home fire security and safety needs. Give us a call at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com

^{1 http://www.nfpa.org/research/reports-and-statistics/fire-causes/electrical
2 ibid.
3 http://www.tipmont.org/community/safety/dont-overload-your-homes-outlets}

Outdoor perimeter protection is a smart solution for protecting your business against crime.  The sooner you can detect a trespasser on your property, the more likely he will be apprehended or frightened away before he can do much damage.

What is Outdoor Perimeter Protection?

Outdoor perimeter protection means that you have set up smart technology to detect an intruder before he breaks into your business.  These systems are called ‘perimeter’ as a way of indicating that they can protect the entire perimeter of your property, but they can also simply be used to protect specific areas around your building, parking lot, and entrance.

What are my Options for Outdoor Perimeter Protection?

You have many choices for setting up outdoor perimeter protection at your business.  Following are some components to consider for optimal protection:

Fences:  A physical barrier to your business a great way to lower your risk of burglary.  While this isn’t practical for all businesses, if you are in a location that allows it, a tall, sturdy fence can discourage criminals from even attempting a break in.

You can smarten up your fence by equipping it with sensors which detect suspicious activity.

Video Surveillance:  Using security cameras with remote viewing gives you an opportunity to keep an eye on the exterior of your business from anywhere in the world.  These cameras can be wireless and motion-activated, alerting you and your monitoring service when an intruder approaches.

Installing high-quality cameras can provide you with clear images of the intruder, making it easy for law enforcement and the community to identify the criminal. Consider using LED illuminator to improve the recording quality even more.

Motion Detectors: Motion detectors which trigger sirens and security lights when activated can frighten off a burglar before he vandalizes your business. 

Don’t neglect the perimeter or exterior of your business.  Let us help you set up an outdoor perimeter protection system that brings you peace of mind and protects your business.  Give us a call or email us at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com.

According to the Fire Prevention Bureau, arson is the leading cause of workplace fires.¹  This means if you own or manage a business, you are at risk for being the victim of arson.

What is arson?

Wikipedia defines arson as “the crime of intentionally and maliciously setting fire to buildings, wildland areas, dumpsters, vehicles or other property with the intent to cause damage.”²

Because arson is the main cause of fires in the workplace, setting up precautions against arson should be a high priority in protecting not only the building itself, but also employees, customers and tenants.

How to protect your business from arson

Protecting your business from arson involves two strategy stages:

1.  Early detection of the arsonist
Your first line of defense against arson is to detect the arsonist as soon as he nears your building.  This can be done with outdoor perimeter protection.  Smart technology can alert you of the arsonist’s presence.  Motion detectors, video cameras, security fences equipped with vibration sensors and glass break sensors will let you know that someone is threatening the premises.

Once you are aware of the criminal’s presence, you or your monitoring service can alert local authorities and help can be sent immediately.

You also have the option of alerting the arsonist that his presence has been detected.  Using automatic security lights, sirens and even voice recordings to let the arsonist know he has triggered an intelligent security system might scare him off before he can do damage to your building.

2.  Rapid detection of the fire

If the arsonist does start a fire at your business, you need to know as soon as possible. And this is true whether a fire starts from arson or from another cause. The sooner you know that a fire has started, the sooner the fire can be contained with as little damage to your property as possible.

Make sure your business has top-quality smoke detectors, heat detectors and an addressable fire system.  And addressable system ensures that once a fire starts, your system can tell you exactly where the fire is located so it can be contained quickly and efficiently.

At Best Security Products, we specialize in Honeywell fire systems and can help you protect yourself against arson. Give us a call or email us at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com.  

^{1 http://www.poudre-fire.org/home/showdocument?id=86
2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arson}