Savvy Senior: How to keep tabs on an elderly parent | Richmond Times-Dispatch
If you're interested, check out ADS's eCare service!
Yes. I work for Alarm Detection Systems, Inc.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Basic Fire Preparedness: You should create an escape plan
Being prepared for an emergency is very important. It may mean the difference between life or death. However, according to a National Fire Protection Association survey only one in four Americans have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan!
You can be better prepared for a fire at your home by creating an escape plan! Here are some tips:
1. Draw a home escape plan and discuss it with everyone in your home.
2. Designate at least two ways out of every room, including windows and doors.
3. Chose an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet.
4. Practice the plan at night and during the day, at least twice per year. Bring everyone together and walk through the plan, highlighting all possible exits and escape routes.
5. Make sure that all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
6. Practice using different ways out.
7. Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them.
If the alarm sounds,
1. Get out and stay out.
2. If you have to escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your way out.
3. Feel the door and doorknob for heat before opening a door.
4. Close doors behind you as you leave.
5. Call the fire department from outside of your home. (Even if you have a monitored fire alarm system, an extra phone call to the fire department is still a good idea.).
By putting a plan in place, practicing the basics, and understanding what do during an actual emergency, you put your family in a much better position to survive a fire at your home. Going through these recommendations does not take much time and can actually be fun, especially for kids. Good luck and be safe!
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Public Education Division, www.nfpa.org/education.
You can be better prepared for a fire at your home by creating an escape plan! Here are some tips:
1. Draw a home escape plan and discuss it with everyone in your home.
2. Designate at least two ways out of every room, including windows and doors.
3. Chose an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet.
4. Practice the plan at night and during the day, at least twice per year. Bring everyone together and walk through the plan, highlighting all possible exits and escape routes.
5. Make sure that all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
6. Practice using different ways out.
7. Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them.
If the alarm sounds,
1. Get out and stay out.
2. If you have to escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your way out.
3. Feel the door and doorknob for heat before opening a door.
4. Close doors behind you as you leave.
5. Call the fire department from outside of your home. (Even if you have a monitored fire alarm system, an extra phone call to the fire department is still a good idea.).
By putting a plan in place, practicing the basics, and understanding what do during an actual emergency, you put your family in a much better position to survive a fire at your home. Going through these recommendations does not take much time and can actually be fun, especially for kids. Good luck and be safe!
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Public Education Division, www.nfpa.org/education.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Don't leave it to Fido for your safety
Here's an interesting story about a family in Dekalb, Illinois courtesy of the Daily Chronicle. According to the article, the family dog acted up and barked due to smoke, which alerted a resident and caused him to call 911. Fortunately, the fire department was able to get to the home before the fire destroyed the home.
It's a nice story. And, the homeowners/family were lucky for their dog and that someone was home during the incident. Otherwise, things could have been a lot worse.
My recommendation to others is that you take the pressure of your dog to alert you to fires. An alarm system is a better option.
Here's an example of how an ADS monitored alarm could have worked in this situation: A monitored smoke detector would have sensed the smoke, triggered an alarm (alerting the family), and summoned emergency responders almost instantly. This would have happened regardless of whether someone was home. Also, it would have worked with or without a fire-alerting dog like in the Daily Chronicle story.
It's a nice story. And, the homeowners/family were lucky for their dog and that someone was home during the incident. Otherwise, things could have been a lot worse.
My recommendation to others is that you take the pressure of your dog to alert you to fires. An alarm system is a better option.
Here's an example of how an ADS monitored alarm could have worked in this situation: A monitored smoke detector would have sensed the smoke, triggered an alarm (alerting the family), and summoned emergency responders almost instantly. This would have happened regardless of whether someone was home. Also, it would have worked with or without a fire-alerting dog like in the Daily Chronicle story.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Way to go St. Charles!
Take a look at the Kane County Chronicle online. http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2010/04/26/66667617/index.xml
For those who are unaware, St. Charles, IL (an Alarm Detection community) has been the subject of recent residential burglaries. Specifically, the burglaries had been taking place in Eastern St. Charles in the area of Steeple Chase Road, Persimmon Woods, and Fox Chase subdivision.
Fortunately, the police now have a suspect in custody. And, it sounds like a beautiful joint-effort between the St. Charles Police Department and the community is responsible.
It appears that the community has been vigilant and helpful by taking note of suspicious activities and providing tips to the police department. The St. Charles Police has been conducting interviews, surveying the area, and exercising search warrants.
It's interesting to see some of the detail about the crimes. According to the Kane County Chronicle, "[the suspect] would ring doorbells late at night. Police suspected he would determine if the home was occupied and would later target the home."
It's classic casing of a neighborhood.
How can we at ADS help you minimize the risk that your home will be targeted by a burglary.
First, we have Alarm Detection System yard signs and stickers that you can display on the exterior of your house. These displays are an effective deterrent to individuals casing a location. You're house will look a lot less attractive if it appears that you have a monitored burglar alarm. (These stickers are free to ADS customers).
Second, we have monitored alarm systems. The yard signs and stickers only get you so far. Burglars that case neighborhoods have methods that can identify people who truly have alarms vs. those who don't. They may observe from a distance. they may get information from people (e.g., contractors) who have been in your home in the past. Heck, they may have been in your home at some point.
Furthermore, a burglar alarm will give you piece-of-mind knowing that you have a blanket of protection over your home and family. You'll have push button access to emergency responders if you're ever scared. The fact that your burglar alarm also monitors for fire is icing on the cake.
Third, we have security cameras. Security cameras are more affordable and higher quality than ever.
Fourth, we provide door locks and keys. We have a full-service lockshop at ADS. A good idea is to rekey your locks and regain key control where you're confident that nobody outside of your control has a working key to your house.
The value of being a good neighbor and having responsive police officers cannot be overstated. Often, however, neighbors and the PD gets involved after a crime. ADS can supplement your security and provide additional protection, both before and after a crime occurs. An alarm system or other ADS service may deter crimes before they happen. If one does occur, our services are positioned to minimize the danger to you, your family and property.
For those who are unaware, St. Charles, IL (an Alarm Detection community) has been the subject of recent residential burglaries. Specifically, the burglaries had been taking place in Eastern St. Charles in the area of Steeple Chase Road, Persimmon Woods, and Fox Chase subdivision.
Fortunately, the police now have a suspect in custody. And, it sounds like a beautiful joint-effort between the St. Charles Police Department and the community is responsible.
It appears that the community has been vigilant and helpful by taking note of suspicious activities and providing tips to the police department. The St. Charles Police has been conducting interviews, surveying the area, and exercising search warrants.
It's interesting to see some of the detail about the crimes. According to the Kane County Chronicle, "[the suspect] would ring doorbells late at night. Police suspected he would determine if the home was occupied and would later target the home."
It's classic casing of a neighborhood.
How can we at ADS help you minimize the risk that your home will be targeted by a burglary.
First, we have Alarm Detection System yard signs and stickers that you can display on the exterior of your house. These displays are an effective deterrent to individuals casing a location. You're house will look a lot less attractive if it appears that you have a monitored burglar alarm. (These stickers are free to ADS customers).
Second, we have monitored alarm systems. The yard signs and stickers only get you so far. Burglars that case neighborhoods have methods that can identify people who truly have alarms vs. those who don't. They may observe from a distance. they may get information from people (e.g., contractors) who have been in your home in the past. Heck, they may have been in your home at some point.
Furthermore, a burglar alarm will give you piece-of-mind knowing that you have a blanket of protection over your home and family. You'll have push button access to emergency responders if you're ever scared. The fact that your burglar alarm also monitors for fire is icing on the cake.
Third, we have security cameras. Security cameras are more affordable and higher quality than ever.
Fourth, we provide door locks and keys. We have a full-service lockshop at ADS. A good idea is to rekey your locks and regain key control where you're confident that nobody outside of your control has a working key to your house.
The value of being a good neighbor and having responsive police officers cannot be overstated. Often, however, neighbors and the PD gets involved after a crime. ADS can supplement your security and provide additional protection, both before and after a crime occurs. An alarm system or other ADS service may deter crimes before they happen. If one does occur, our services are positioned to minimize the danger to you, your family and property.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
