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Social media has become a huge part of everyday life. People are constantly sharing photos, statuses, and other updates letting their followers know where they are and what they’re doing. Unfortunately, this can put people at risk, with burglars using social media to target certain homes and individuals.

Most applications use location services, often telling people where we are without our knowledge. This gives burglars an upper hand. Below are a few ways that burglars are using social media to their advantage, as well as some tips for preventing them.

Casual Facebook Friends

Many of us have Facebook friends who we have grown apart from or didn’t know very well to begin with. . Remove these people as your friends, as well as any unknown followers on other social media networks.

Additionally, make sure that your social profiles are private. That way, prying eyes will not have access to your personal information and whereabouts.

Facebook Check-ins

When traveling, people often “check in” at airports, hotels, or their destination on Facebook. Checking in at the airport or at a location in a different city lets a burglar know exactly where you are, and also indicates you’ll be gone for some time. Burglars then have plenty of time to commit a robbery.

The Location Feature

Many social media applications share your location whenever you post. Facebook includes your location automatically, while other applications let you choose whether or not to add your location. Fortunately, you can go to your personal settings and turn the location feature off.

Google Street View

Google Street View gives burglars a panoramic view of the area around your home. While there isn’t much to prevent burglars from using this feature, you should still be aware that Google Street View is a potential casing tactic.

Vacation Photos

We often want to show off the beautiful places we’re visiting while on vacation, updating Instagram and Facebook with photos of our trip. Our tip? Wait to upload your vacation photos until after you’ve returned home. That way, a potential burglar cannot take advantage of your being away from home.  

Social media is a great way to communicate and connect with people all over the world, but it’s important to be cautious of the potential dangers of social media. Use these tips to protect your home while you’re away.

Interested in extra protection against burglars? Contact Sonitrol to learn about our comprehensive home security solutions.

Moving into a new home can be fun and exciting, but it can also be stressful. From logistical issues to decorating, a lot of effort goes into moving. With all the commotion, it can be easy to fall behind on certain aspects of your move. But knowing how to secure a new home is an important part of the moving process.

Here are some steps on how to make your new home safe:

Check your locks & doors

Roughly 33% of burglars enter through the front door. That means securing exterior doors should be the first step when moving into a new home. Make sure your deadbolts are working correctly and that your door frames are secure.

Buy a security system

Home security systems offer the most protection for your home, not to mention peace of mind. There are many different levels of security systems, but carbon monoxide and smoke detectors should be your first priority.

Lock your windows

It’s easy to forget to lock your windows, especially when you’ve first moved. Maybe you opened some windows to air out a freshly-painted room, or you just want some fresh air in the house. Just remember to close and lock any open windows before you leave.

Install outdoor lights

You want to be able to see outside when it’s dark, especially around the perimeter of your home. And better yet, install light detectors that only go off when they sense movement. Motion-sensing lights will alert you to any suspicious activity going on around your home.

Meet your neighbors

You want to create some nearby friends in case of an incident where you are out of the house or need a helping hand. Not only can they give you helpful advice about the safety of the neighborhood, but neighbors can also act as an extra set of eyes looking out for you and your home.

It’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of a new house. While the steps above may seem like a hassle, they can save you time, money, and potential loss in the long run. Interested in learning more about securing your home? Contact Sonitrol today and learn how we can help!

You should always keep your most valuable possessions in a safe, secure spot. Safety deposit boxes are a great place to store valuables, but there are also safe places to store your valuables in your home. At-home safes can give you peace of mind that your valuables are well protected.

If a safety deposit box or home safe is not an option for you, don’t worry. Here are some places around the house where burglars are less likely to look in the event of a home invasion:

The Kitchen

Besides your appliances, burglars often don’t expect to find valuables in your kitchen. Many kitchen cabinets and cabinets go completely unnoticed to burglars once they enter your house. Consider placing things under the kitchen sink or in the cupboards, hidden behind household materials that are of no use to burglars.

Take an extra step and hide your valuables in fake packaging, like an old cereal box. Just don’t forget your valuables are stored there and accidentally throw the box out!

The Freezer

In addition to kitchen cabinets, burglars almost never open the refrigerator. The freezer is a great place to store valuables. Just make sure the items you store there are not sensitive to cold. Wrap them in aluminum foil or plastic wrap so they blend in with the rest of the items in the freezer.

Laundry Bins

Most burglars aren’t in pursuit of your dirty laundry. Keep your valuables safe by hiding them underneath the lining of the laundry bag. You can set them in small containers or slim boxes.

Innocuous Boxes

There are always boxes in your house that hold random items that you probably only use once a year. Label these boxes with something burglars would likely find useless, like “Christmas Decorations.” Place valuables in these boxes, towards the bottom.

These unexpected places to hide your valuables will throw burglars off, and more than likely keep them from finding your most valuable possessions. Keep your home and important items safe with security solutions from Sonitrol. Call today to see how we can protect your home!

There are many ways to prevent a fire from breaking out in your home. From keeping an eye out for unexpected fire hazards to installing smoke alarms, there are many precautions to take that will keep your home and loved ones safe. But unfortunately, fires do still break out. That’s why it’s important that you and your family know how to stay safe during a fire.

In 2016, U.S fire departments responded to 352,000 home fires. If a fire breaks out in your home, here are some tips on how to stay safe:

React

If you hear the smoke alarm, MOVE. Do not grab belongings or personal items. Try your best to exit the premises. It’s important to react quickly, but try to stay calm. Panicking will only make the situation worse.

Find a Safe Exit

To make sure the door is safe to exit through, look for smoke under the door. If you don’t see smoke then place your hands on the back of the door, if it is cool then it is safe to exit. If the door is hot, then DO NOT exit from this door! Try to escape from a window.

Stay Low

Smoke inhalation is a dangerous side effect of fires we don’t often think about. Smoke inhalation can make people disoriented or cause a person to become unconscious. It can also cause significant damage to your lungs.

To protect yourself from smoke inhalation, get low by crawling or crouching, and cover your mouth and nose with some sort of cloth.

Stop, Drop & Roll

If your clothes catch fire, immediately stop, drop, and roll. This is the quickest way to smother the fire. Cover your face with your hands while rolling to protect yourself.

Ward Off Smoke

If you can’t escape, then go into a safe room and ward off the smoke while you wait for help. Close the door, then cover all cracks in the doors and vents with a wet cloth. From there, you can figure out how to get help.

Get Away From the Structure

When you’ve made it out of the house, get as far away from the structure as possible. Even when you make it outside of the house, a structural fire is very dangerous.

Take a Head Count

Once outside, take a head count to ensure everyone has made it outside. Also take a moment to do an injury assessment, and do what you can to address any injuries.

Call 911

If no safety vehicles have arrived by this point call 911. If you weren’t able to grab your cellphone, go to a neighbor’s house and call from there.

To prevent accidents or injuries, create a fire safety & escape plan with your family in case an emergency incident occurs. You should also test your smoke alarms every month, and when necessary, replace batteries immediately.

Following these steps and understanding how to stay safe during a fire will increase your chances of survival in the event a fire breaks out. But taking preventative measures will decrease the chances of a fire occurring at all. Learn how Sonitrol security systems can keep your home and family safe from fires or home invasions.

With the school year starting back up, your kids may be returning home from school before you have finished working. Once children reach a certain age or level of maturity, it is normal for them to return home to an empty house. As a parent, it’s natural for you to worry about your kids staying home alone.

Luckily, there are ways to ensure your children are ready to be at home by themselves. Below are some tips on how to prepare your children for being home alone.

Start Small

Rather than throwing your child into long afternoons home alone, begin with short periods of time alone in the house. Let them stay home while you run a quick errand before letting them stay home alone for a whole afternoon. This will act as a sort of test-drive to let you know if they’re ready.

Create a Daily Routine

Once you’re comfortable with your kids staying home alone, it’s important they follow a schedule. They should take the same route home from school everyday, whether they are walking, riding the bus or carpooling. You want to make sure your child knows exactly how to get home.

Once they are home, they should settle into a routine to follow everyday. This may include locking the doors, resetting the security system and settling into their afternoon tasks like homework or chores.

Create an Emergency Plan

Before leaving your child at home by themselves for the first time, explain to them what to do in case of an emergency. Emergencies to prepare for include a fire, an approaching stranger, an injury or a severe weather storm.

Create Rules for the Phone

Whether your child has a personal phone or a house phone, set rules for when and when not to answer the phone. Explain the use of caller ID and keep a list of emergency phone numbers readily available. Remind them never to let anyone on the phone know they are home alone.

Explain Stranger Danger

Teach your children the importance of not speaking to strangers on the way home from school and to never open the door to strangers at home. Remind them to always check to see who is at the door before opening it.

Teach First-Aid

Show your children exactly where your first-aid kit is and what to use in case of various scenarios.

Staying home alone comes with risks. That’s why it’s important to make sure your children are fully prepared, and following these tips will ensure their safety. As your kids become accustomed to staying home they will become more responsible and trustworthy.

Want to add an extra level of protection for your children staying home alone? Contact Sonitrol today and learn about our verified home security systems.

Keeping your home up and running can feel like a full-time job. In between laundry, cooking, cleaning, and keeping up with life in general, keeping up with the smoke detector can fall pretty low on the list. But if an emergency, you’ll wish you had known how to perform a home safety check-up.

Remembering to do a few safety check-ups can easily slip your mind, so consider this your reminder on how and what to check up on in your home. You should be checking up on these things once a month or so. That may seem like a lot, but it can save you time and money in the long run.

Follow these steps and you’ll know how to perform a home safety check-up in no time:

Test Smoke Detectors

First of all, test both your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You want to make sure that there’s nothing wrong with them and that the batteries are still alive. A few minutes out of your day could protect you and your loved ones from fires and poisoning.

Check Flashlights and Batteries

In the emergency kit you (hopefully) have for your home, there should be a flashlight or two. Take a few minutes to make sure that the flashlights and extra batteries you packed are still working. It’s not a bad time to make sure that the rest of your kit is holding up, too!

Inspect Fire Extinguishers

Make sure you can easily access your fire extinguisher, and that the locking pin is intact and the tamper seal has not been broken. Check out the extinguisher itself for signs of corrosion or leakage. Lastly, take a look at the pressure gauge to make sure that it is still in the operable position.

Check Switches and Outlets

If your switches or outlets are not working, it could be bad news for your home. Faulty wiring is a big fire hazard, and not working is just one of the signs of wiring gone wrong. If the switch or outlet is warm, discolored, or noisy, then there’s probably something wrong with your electric system. Have a professional come check it out and make any necessary repairs.

Replace Frayed Cords

Lastly, take a look at your electric cords and make sure that they are all still looking good. Frayed cords are a major fire hazard, especially depending on their location. When cords are smushed underneath furniture or behind the curtains are dangerous. Look around about once a month to make sure that’s not the case for your wires. If cords have frayed, replace them as quickly as possible.

Knowing how to perform a home safety check-up could make all the difference in preventing hazards from occurring in your home. Keep your home, family, and possessions safe by performing a comprehensive home safety check-up once a month. Want to learn more about protecting your home and family? Contact our Sonitrol security specialists today.

You can’t put a price on safety for you and your loved ones, but we can’t deny that saving money is a big factor in daily life. That’s why we want to share a few simple ways to secure your home and protect your loved ones and valuables without breaking the bank.

Security doesn’t need to be expensive; you can make a few simple changes that will protect you and your family for years.

Get New Screws

When it comes to simple ways to secure your home, changing door screws is easy and affordable. Most door screws provided are typically a measly 1/2 inch long. So when a burglar pays you a visit, these screws aren’t going to stop them from kicking down your door. For just a few dollars at any hardware store, you can buy longer screws and use those instead of the tiny ones provided.

Deadbolt High Up

Kids seem to love to try to escape, which is never a good thing, especially for a parent who might be busy in the kitchen while their little one is roaming around. Keep kids in arm’s reach by installing a deadbolt high off the ground. That way, even if they manage to reach the door handle, they can’t open the door fully and run off.

Lock Sliding Glass Doors

Most sliding glass doors can simply be lifted off their hinges, making it an easy way for burglars to enter and exit unnoticed. Instead of just putting a stick in the track, which won’t stop them from being lifted anyways, get a lock that can prevent your glass door from being removed from its tracks.

Pay a Visit to the Locksmith

Depending on how old your lock is, it could leave your home susceptible. If it’s five years or older, it definitely cannot stand up to lock bumping. So, take your locks to a locksmith to have anti-bump pins installed, or replace them with bump resistant locks.

While these simple ways to secure your home will offer extra protection, they are not foolproof. But the best way to protect your home and loved ones is with a comprehensive security system. If you have any questions or want to talk to us about securing your home even further with our alarm systems, don’t hesitate to contact Sonitrol today.

Emergencies can strike at any time, whether you’re ready or not. That’s why it’s so important to have an emergency kit ready at all times, and to understand what to keep in your emergency kit.

Here’s a list of items you should keep in your emergency kit:

Non-Perishable Food

If you can’t access the grocery store, your refrigerator goes out, or if some other unforeseen event takes place, you should have enough food to last you a few days.

Can Opener

Make sure you have a manual can opener to open up all of your non-perishable goods.

Water

The general rule of thumb is to have one gallon of water per person per day. So, make sure that you have enough to prevent everyone in your household from becoming dehydrated, which could take things from bad to worse very quickly.

Radio

Keep up with the news and alerts of whatever disaster has just struck with a battery-powered or hand-spun radio.

Flashlight and/or Candles

If the electricity is out, you’ll need to see what’s going on.

Extra Batteries

Depending on how long you’re in an emergency, your radio and flashlight will probably die. Keep enough extra batteries in your emergency kit to keep them going as long as you’ll need.

Wrench/Pliers

You never know exactly what sort of situation you’ll be in, so it’s best to have some sort of tool on you.

Medication

If any of your family members are on medication they absolutely need to take, try to get an extra prescription to keep on hand in case of an emergency.

First Aid Kit

Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, and antiseptic wipes are just a few things that need to be in your first-aid kit. The Red Cross has an extensive list of supplies you should keep in your first-aid kit.

Whistle

If you’re in a dangerous situation, you might need to alert someone to where you are, or call for help. Keep a whistle in your kit, just in case.

Dust Mask

Keep dust masks in case damage occurs to your home or whatever building you’re stuck in. Make sure that you have enough dust masks for your entire family to prevent breathing in any harmful chemicals and excessive dust particles.

Maps

Keep a few maps of the local area in case you’re in the car and have a dead phone. It’s a good idea to have a backup in the case your electronic navigation system isn’t working.

Battery/Solar Phone Charger

Keep your phone alive with a battery-powered or a solar phone charger. This one is important in case you need to call for help, or for directions to the nearest hotel or family member.

Toiletries

Having toiletries like toilet paper, toothbrushes, and toothpaste on hand can help keep everyone calm in an emergency.

Pet Food/Water/Supplies

If you have pets, look out for them and keep food and water on hand for them. A few toys and bones can help keep them busy and out of your hair in a stressful situation.

With these items in your emergency kit, you’ll be ready for it if an emergency strikes– no matter what. Make sure to keep your kit in something easy to carry, like a backpack or a waterproof container, and somewhere cool, dry and easily accessible, like a closet.

These are just the basics when it comes to what to keep in your emergency kit. You may want to add more items depending on you and your family’s specific needs. While it’s impossible to be completely prepared for an emergency situation, having these items on hand will help reduce stress and worry.

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.