Facts

 

40 Safety Tips from the U.S. Department of Justice

   

Outside
  1. Prune lower limbs from trees near the house.
  2. Trim bushes so windows are visible to neighbors.
  3. High fences shield burglars from sight.
  4. Lock up your ladders and tools.
  5. Trellises help a burglar climb to a second story.
  6. Porches and entrances should be well lit.
  7. Your street number should be clearly visible for police and firemen.

Doors and Windows

  1. Entry doors should be solid core wood that is at least 1-3/4" thick, or metal.
  2. Doors should fit tightly. 1/8" clearance maximum.
  3. Doors with glass panels should have a break-resistant plastic panel or metal grill.
  4. Sliding doors need special locks or a wooden strip in the track to block the door from opening.
  5. Don't install door hinges outside where they can be easily unscrewed.
  6. Use a dead-bolt door lock with a strike plate attached by 3" screws.
  7. A rim mounted lock with bolt affords good protection. Attaches to door with long screws.
  8. Use police locks on rear and basement doors.
  9. Padlocks must be sturdily constructed. Hasp must be bolted, not screwed.
  10. Use special locks for double hung windows.
  11. Use metal grills on vulnerable windows.

Vacation Check

  1. Advise police that you will be away.
  2. Have your neighbor pick up packages.
  3. Have a friend pick up mail and newspapers daily.
  4. Use timers to turn on lights automatically.
  5. Hide garbage cans in garage or basement.
  6. Double check locks on all windows and doors.
  7. Leave your shades and blinds in their normal position.
  8. Turn the bell on your telephone low so a burglar will not hear it ringing.
  9. Stop deliveries of papers and magazines.

Keys

  1. Never carry identification tags on your keys.
  2. Don't hide keys outside.
  3. Have locks re-keyed or changed when moving.
  4. Keep daily routines confidential.
  5. Don't put valuables where they are visible.
  6. Don't let strangers into your home to use the phone.
  7. Be aware that wrong numbers or telephone surveys may be used by burglars to "case" your home.
  8. Avoid listing your name or address in newspaper advertisements.
  9. On the day of a funeral, you should always have a sitter in your home.
  10. A security system entitles you to a discount on your homeowner's policy. For more information, contact you local insurer.
  11. Mark a special identification number (from the police department) on all valuable possessions. Use an electric engraving pen. Place Operation Identification stickers on your windows.
  12. In case your home or apartment appears to have been broken into, don't go inside. Call the police.

Security Systems

  1. Carefully consider installing an electronic security system if your home contains valuables, is in an isolated area, or if you want more protection for your family.

Fire Safety - Ten important Steps

 

When it comes to surviving a fire, there are ten safety rules that should be followed.  Teach them to your children, they could save their lives!

Rule Number One:   Have a smoke alarm on every floor, by the stairwell, and near every bedroom.

Rule Number Two:   Have an escape plan in case of an emergency. Every major room should have two ways to exit.

Rule Number Three:   Close your bedroom door. In the case of a fire, a closed door will keep the smoke and fire out for up to twenty minutes. Try to remember to sleep with the door closed.

Rule Number Four:   Roll out of bed if you hear a smoke alarm ringing. The hottest air and thickest smoke rises. Crawl under the smoke and out of the room to safety.

Rule Number Five:   Know the safest ways out of your room if there's a fire. If your door is hot (feel it with the back of your hand), DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. Use an alternate route. If you are on the second floor, yell out the window and wave your pillowcase or blanket to get attention.

Rule Number Six:   Never hide, even if you are very frightened. Don't try to get away from the fire by hiding.

Rule Number Seven:   Feel your door with the back of your hand. If it feels hot, do not open the door. If it isn't hot, open it very slowly and peek out of the door before crawling to safety.

Rule Number Eight:   Plan a safe meeting place outside of the house. Gather there and count heads.

Rule Number Nine:  After everyone is safe and accounted for, call the fire department by dialing 9-1-1.

Rule Number Ten:   Every month practice your escape route, and meet in the safe meeting place.

  
 

Vacation Tips

Before you leave
  • Keep shades and blinds in their normal position
  • Stop mail and newspapers, or have them picked up
  • Put several lights on timers, turning on and off at different times
  • Arrange to have the grass mowed (or snow shoveled) while you are away
  • Make sure all your doors and windows are locked
  • Set your security alarm (if you have one)

Packing your bags

  • Clean out your wallet or purse - take only the credit cards you'll need
  • Use credit cards and traveler's checks whenever possible
  • Carry your wallet in an inside front pocket
  • Carry your purse close to your body or use a fanny pack
  • Pack lightly, too many bags will slow you down and make you a target
  • Keep a record of what you've packed
  • Put medicines and jewelry in a carry-on bag, and keep it with you

Out and about

  • Don't display jewelry, cameras, bags, or other items that draw attention from potential thiefs
  • Check maps before you leave, plan your route ahead of time
  • Stay on well-lit, well-traveled roads
  • Lock your car when you leave it
  • Keep maps and tourbooks out of sight, not on the seat or dashboard
  • Know where your children are at ALL times
  • Set a meeting place - just in case you're separated
  • Make sure the children know where to call in an emergency
  • Remind children to NEVER accept favors or rides from strangers

 

  

 

Would it make sense to have tens of thousands of dollars of inventory but no way to protect it from theft or vandalism? Or to risk the invaluable customer data or personal property that modern criminals crave?  Protection Associates can prevent the havoc and disruption caused by theft and break-ins.

 

Why Should I Protect My Home?

Why should you protect your home, family, and business with a monitored security system? Because, if something happens, you'll probably need help from the police, firefighters or emergency personnel. And with a monitored system from Protection Associates, we can alert the proper authorities in just minutes.

What do burglar alarm systems do?

A burglar alarm system helps detect unauthorized entry onto your company's premises. When tripped, the system sends a signal to a central monitoring center. These monitoring centers provide 24/7 service and will alert local police to dispatch authorities to the scene.

       

Burglar alarm systems misconceptions

You may be asking yourself a ton of questions about burglar alarm systems. Are they for me? Can I afford one? Are they difficult to use and install? Let's run through the myths of burglar alarm systems and try to put your concerns to rest:

Myth #1: They're too expensive. These days, a burglar alarm system for businesses are quite affordable - a small business can get a basic system for a few hundred dollars. Protection Associates can provide the equipment and installation for a modest fee and charge a low monthly monitoring rate.

Myth #2: There's no value to my bottom line. You may never need it, but the small total cost will pale in comparison to the losses you could realize without protection - your equipment, merchandise, customer information, operation uptime, and even employee confidence that you run a safe work environment.

Myth #3: They're too hard to use. Operating a burglar alarm system can be as simple as memorizing a few numbers that make up your passcode.

Myth #4: I don't have time to train employees. It typically takes under an hour to explain and demonstrate how burglar alarm systems work.

Myth #5: The system won't work if my phone lines are cut or I lose power. Most burglar alarm systems are equipped with sophisticated battery and/or cellular backup systems that kick in right away should your power or phone connection fail.

Myth #6: False alarms will have us "crying wolf." Many burglar alarm systems allow you to cancel alarms yourself. There are also audible delay features to give authorized personnel time to prove to the monitoring station that they belong there.

Myth #7: They take too long to install. A burglar alarm system for a small-to-medium sized business can be installed in 4-8 hours. A provider can have your alarm up and running and your staff trained within a single workday.

Myth #8: I don't need one; I have insurance. Insurance exists to replace lost, stolen, or damaged property. But it can't replace the losses your company experiences due to downtime. What happens if an intruder rips up your phone system or smashes your servers? How about if they steal confidential information about your customers or partners? Insurance won't reimburse you for business lost or the fear your customers experience from having their identity tampered with.

With a monitored burglar alarm system installed, your business or home benefits are two-fold - you prevent people from breaking in and stealing or damaging your merchandise, equipment and information, and you also maintain your ability to keep your business and home running as usual.

Let Protection Associates assist you in making the the right security decisions!

(815) 933-4814

E-mail: protectionassoc@yahoo.com