Best Security Products blog

The National Fire Protection Association recognizes the need for extra precautions during the winter months. Whether you are taking the chill off your office or your home, there are important considerations to keep in mind. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a real threat and claims lives each year.

Watch the full video below for recommendations the Jim Pauley, NFPA President, or keep reading for highlights from the video on how to prevent Carbon Monoxide from entering or building up in your home.

From the video:

Carbon Monoxide, which is created when fuel burns incompletely, is often called the invisible killer because it is a poisonous gas that you can’t see or smell. That is why you need to make sure your heating systems are functioning properly and why having a carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home is so important.
Guidelines to Follow:

1. Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in.
2. Clear all debris from dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace vents.
3. During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow buildup.
4. A generator should be used outdoors. Use in a well ventilated location away from windows, doors and vent openings.
5. Open the damper when using a fireplace for adequate ventilation.
6. Never use your oven or stove to heat your home.

You can find additional tips from the following website: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/winter

Don’t take chances with your loved ones. Because Carbon Monoxide is odorless and colorless, you may not know it is present. Here are some symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning:

• Headache
• Mood fluctuations
• Flu-like symptoms
• Food poisoning like symptoms
• Physical weak feelings
• Difficulty focusing
• Feeling light headed
• Difficulty breathing

Unsure if your home is protected against Carbon Monoxide? At Best Security Products, we can help you find out and help you stay safe this winter. Give us a call at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com

United States fire departments responded to an average of 210 Christmas tree related home fires per year between 2009 – 2013. Tragically, 7 people died in these fires and 19 people were injured.1

With the holidays quickly approaching, keep yourself and your family safe by being informed about fire safety. We have assembled several tips for you. Read through the following information and watch the short videos. Make this a safe holiday season for you and yours!

This NFPA video shows the difference between a dry and a watered tree in the event of a fire: 

The NFPA also offers help for making this Christmas a safe one for you and your family. Click the video to watch Lisa Braxton, or read the tips below:

• A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly.
• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2 inches from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source, such as fire places, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Use lights that have label of an independent testing laboratory.
• Some lights are for only indoor or outdoor use.
• Dispose of a tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried out trees are a fire hazard. 

In addition, here are a few more holiday safety tips from professional fire fighters IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters): 

• Always light candles away from Christmas trees, wreaths, curtains or anything flammable
• Blow out all candles when you leave a room
• Never leave children alone with lit candles
• Artificial Christmas trees should be fire retardant and read trees should be watered daily

Wishing you a safe holiday season from Best Security Products. 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com

Do you wonder how safe you are in your home? Our homes should be the place we feel safest. However, the truth is that the United States has the more burglaries of any country in the world. One burglary occurs about every 15 seconds.

Knowledge is power though. Being informed can empower you to take steps to protect yourself and your family from potential break-ins.

Here are a few interesting statistics from Safewise:

1. 30% of burglars gained entry to homes by way of an unlocked door, window or other opening without having to use force.

The takeaway? Make it a habit to lock your doors and windows if you are not home. If you are home, constrain the open windows or unlocked doors to only those rooms that are occupied. Consider using a home alarm system to protect all windows and doors in your home, so that you can be alerted if someone attempts to enter.

Take a walk around your home to identify any other openings which someone could use to enter you house. Places to check are basement windows, crawlspaces and attic windows.

2. Most burglars will avoid homes that have security systems. And if an alarm sounds during a break-in, they will flee immediately.

The takeaway here is to install a professional security system if you do not already have one. Burglars know that a security system means sirens will sound, cameras may be watching and that the police will soon arrive, due to the monitoring service being notified.

When you have a system installed, ask for yard signs and window stickers that alert visitors that a security system is present. Also install cameras (indoor and outdoor) that are in plain sight, so the burglars realize they are being watched. Each of these measures may scare the burglar away before he does damage to your property.

At Best Security Products, we are experts in Home Security Systems. Please call or email for a consultation: 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com

Source: http://www.safewise.com/blog/8-surprising-home-burglary-statistics/