Month: June 2017

Our workplaces often feel like a second home. Or at least it’s where we spend the majority of our time. That’s why practicing the following workplace safety tips is so important. Keeping your office safe keeps you safe, which is our main priority at Sonitrol.

While we have alarms and security systems that watch for outside threats, there are dangers in the workplace that you may not realize affect you from day to day. While we keep an eye out for intruders, here are a few easy ways that you can protect yourself in the workplace:

Practice proper posture

Whether you work at a desk or out in the field, your spine is being put to use throughout the day. Keep your vertebrae happy by sitting with your shoulders over your hips. Have heavy lifting to do on the job? Use the correct form when lifting or moving heavy items to ensure that you don’t hurt yourself.

Take regular breaks

Taking regular breaks throughout the day helps you stay alert, both mentally and physically. Take a walk around the office or do a few stretches to keep the blood flowing, and if you’re working at a computer, make sure you spend a few minutes each hour not staring at a screen.

Use machines properly

Make sure to utilize machinery properly. Whether it’s a forklift or a laptop, there’s a risk in using machines day-to-day. If you work at a desk, make sure that your computer’s exhaust isn’t blocked, or it could potentially cause a fire. In the case of heavy machinery, make sure to read the manuals for each one to make sure that you are using and maintaining it properly.

Keep exits accessible

One of the biggest dangers of the workplace is a blocked fire exit. This happens far too often, as most people forget or get lazy about blocking a path in case of an emergency. Go throughout the office every month or so and make sure that all of the emergency exits are easily accessible. You should also keep a fire plan in place, making sure that everyone knows where they should go in case of a fire.

Utilize the right equipment

Make sure that you’re properly protected for whatever job you may be tackling. If you’re dealing with toxic chemicals, wear a breathing mask at all times, and if you’re on a slippery surface, put on your non-skid shoes. Whatever occasion arises, make sure that you can handle it with the proper equipment.

Avoid and treat stress

Your mental health is just as important as your physical well-being, which is why it’s so important to keep your stress levels in check. Stress-related outbursts are threatening in a workplace. So, if you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed at any point, it may be a good idea to take a short break from your desk, or use a sick day to rest and recover. If issues with stress persist, discuss things with your boss or a Human Resources representative.

With how much time we spend at our office or workplace, it’s important that we are doing everything possible to protect ourselves- both physically and mentally. Use these tips to help protect yourself at work, and Sonitrol will take care of the rest.

Don’t leave the kitchen when you’re cooking and blow out candles when you go to bed. These are the day-to-day fire prevention measures we know so well. But there are actually unexpected fire hazards in your home that you may be overlooking, and to your detriment.

From the kitchen to the bedroom, there are opportunities for a fire to break out. In fact, 352,000 home fires occurred in 2016. Luckily, there are easy preventative measures you can take to keep that from happening. Make sure that you keep your home safe and sound by keeping an eye on these unexpected fire hazards:

Crumbs in the Toaster

You’re in a hurry in the morning and can’t clean out the toaster, which doesn’t seem like a big deal. Too many days like this, though, and those little crumbs can turn into a problem. A buildup of crumbs in your toaster can actually set off your fire alarm, and even spark into a kitchen fire.

Fairy Lights

Those fairy lights are pretty, but they can pose a threat to your home. Just make sure that they’re unplugged when not in use, and turn them off before you go to sleep to prevent a fire breaking out when you’re not aware.

Dust

Next time you clean up around the house, make sure that you don’t skip dusting. If dust builds up around electrical sockets or heaters, it can start a fire. It might seem like just another thing on your to-do list, but in the long run, it’s definitely better than having to clean up the ashes from a fire!

Glassware

The windowsill may seem like the perfect place to display your favorite glass vase or an ornament or two, but beware. If your window gets a lot of sun, the glass could act as a magnifier. If the rays become concentrated on the rug or curtain, a fire could start. So, it might be smart to move the glassware from the window to somewhere the light doesn’t strike it quite so much.

Laptop

If you own a laptop, you know how quickly it can heat up. That’s why it’s so important to keep it well-ventilated. If the cooling vents are blocked, then enough heat could be produced to start a fire. Try to avoid soft surfaces, like a cushion or a blanket, that could prevent the air from flowing and use your laptop on a desk or another flat surface.

Dryer Lint

Make sure you take out the lint in your dryer before you start another load! Too much lint buildup can clog your dryer, and adding that to the heat used to dry your clothes is a bad combination.

Frayed Electrical Cords

Take inventory of your electrical cords; if they’re frayed and showing the wires, it might be time to invest in new ones. Frayed electrical cords are a big fire hazard, and if you continue to use them, the risk only increases. Prevent your cords from fraying by taking care of them. Don’t put them underneath the carpet where they can be tread on and keep them untangled.

Taking preventative measures against these unexpected fire hazards can prevent significant damage to your home and belongings. While it may seem like a lot of work, it will save you time, money, and heartache in the long run. So keep your home safe by keeping an eye out for these unexpected fire hazards in your home.

Living near the coast is amazing, until hurricane season hits. Suddenly, threatening storms are the norm, and it can go from a day at the beach to a flooded drive home in an instant. The 2017 hurricane season is calling for at least fourteen named storms, including six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

It’s important to make sure that you have everything in place to protect your home during these storms. Here are a few tips to protect your home during hurricane season:

Brace the building

Protect your home’s structure by making sure you reinforce its weakest points. Garage doors are one of the most vulnerable parts of your house, so securing it should be a main priority. Garage door braces are easy to find and install, and they can help keep your home safe in the midst of a big storm.

Try to board your windows and doors to prevent wind and rain from coming in. You can also keep your roof in place with hurricane straps.

Trim your trees

Prevent stray branches from wreaking havoc on your (or your neighbor’s!) home by trimming your trees before a hurricane arrives. Trim dead branches and any limbs that are hanging over your house. It may seem like a hassle now, but it’s considerably cheaper than having to fix a hole in your roof or hauling off a fallen tree!

Secure the porch

Outdoor furniture can become a missile in the middle of a storm. Try to find a new home for your porch furnishings before a hurricane comes, or secure furniture to ensure it won’t crash into your house. Stray lawn toys and bird feeders should be put away or secured, too.

Seal up holes

Rain damage can seep in through the tiniest of cracks, so make sure that all the little holes in your house are closed up before a hurricane hits. Cable and other electrical wires are common culprits of leaving holes behind, so be sure to check those first.

Clear rain gutters

Let the rain gutters do their job and clear them out before a storm comes. If your gutters aren’t clear, then the buildup of rainwater can quickly cause damage to your gutters and even your roof. Plus, checking the gutters over before a storm gives you time to see if there are any problems that need to be fixed!

At Sonitrol SC, we want to make sure our coastal neighbors know how to properly protect their homes, from hurricanes or burglars. Have more questions about home security and protection? Contact Sonitrol today to see how we can help you.