New Changes Mandated
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has made changes.  The February 28, 2008 edition of the Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarm standard now requires that all CO alarms produced after August 1, 2009 must have an “End of Life” signal.  This signal must activate once the detector reaches its projected end-of-life cycle.  This expected “End of Life” cycle depends on the design of the CO device and will vary from one model to another.

A CO alarm will have three (3) signals – alarm, trouble, and end-of-life. Activation for a CO alarm would be a series of four (4) rapid beeps followed by a five (5) second pause and then repeating. A trouble signal, indicating some type of fault or low battery, is a ½ second beep every 30 – 60 seconds – just like a low battery on a smoke alarm. The end-of-life signal may be a distinct signal or the same signal as a trouble alarm, providing that there is a visual indicator on the CO alarm to indicate that it is an end-of-life alarm.

Depending on the manufacturer, some end-of-life signals can be silenced for up to 30 days, others cannot. What is important is that when an end-of-life signal is sounded, the CO alarm must be replaced. This is true if the unit is a standalone CO alarm, or in a combination unit with a smoke alarm.

Many CO alarms now in service were made prior to the incorporation of the new requirements and will not have an end-of-life signal. As a result, many of these alarms may not function, now, as designed.

If your alarm does not have the end-of-life feature, was manufactured prior to August 2009, or you cannot find a manufactured date (located on the outside back of the alarm) consult any paperwork that came with the unit or research the company’s website for further information. If none can be found, then serious consideration should be given to replacing the CO alarm.

Remember, that monitored carbon monoxide detectors can save not only your life, but also the life of your family, friends and pets.

Other key findings included:

• One third (34 percent) of Americans feel that public safety is a not a priority in their community.

• Almost 4 out of 10 consider their city or town slightly to completely unprepared in the event of an emergency, including unexpected emergency risks such as natural disasters, terrorism and health pandemics.

“This survey speaks volumes to perceptions about the current state of public safety awareness and emergency preparedness and reminds us solutions must come from year-round, community-wide engagement and action,” noted Joe Wilson, president of Federal Signal’s Safety and Security Systems Group. “While two-thirds of Americans feel public safety is a priority in their communities, we can’t be satisfied until we have the entire population positively expressing this sentiment.”

Americans Feel Safest at Home, Not Work
Federal Signal’s research further unveiled that more than 4 in 10 Americans feel that public safety planning is not a priority to their employers.  When asked where they felt safest, only 4 percent of respondents said at work. However, respondents who live in a smaller city feel that their employers prioritize safety much higher (73 percent) than those who live in a rural area (48 percent).

Paying Attention to Disasters can Help Americans Prepare for Them
When citing recent natural disasters, for example the earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods that occurred in 2011, 52 percent of Americans indicated that attention to emergency preparedness has not increased. Of those respondents, an overwhelming 90 percent between the ages of 18 and 24 believe attention to emergency preparedness has not increased, and those who live in a city believe that attention has increased more than those who live in suburban or rural areas.

“Whether you’re considering 9/11 or the devastating natural disasters that occurred in 2011, the danger should never be completely removed from Americans’ minds,” said Wilson. “We need to collectively consider and actively discuss how we should prepare, respond and communicate in the event of an emergency scenario.”

Public Safety Requires a Proactive Approach
According to the survey, public safety awareness has not improved for almost half of Americans, with 46 percent reporting they maintain the same or a lesser level of awareness as compared to a year ago. Twenty-two percent claimed that nothing will make an effective impact to increasing public safety awareness.

“We need to remind Americans what individuals and families can and should do on their own,” Wilson added. “Federal Signal is committed to helping ensure that Americans are not only prepared for an emergency situation, but that they’re aware of what is being done to keep them safe in a disaster.”

Americans Make Use of Communication Channels
The study also examined how Americans choose to communicate during an emergency scenario, finding 57 percent of survey respondents would use multiple forms of communication, including text messaging, social media and email if no landline or cell phone voice communications were available in the event of an emergency.

“Threats of terrorist attack and natural disasters were deemed Americans’ greatest public safety concerns in our annual survey last December. This year’s research not only reaffirms these concerns, but reveals a greater need for more visible public safety awareness and emergency planning education,” Wilson said. “Federal Signal invites everyone to sign up for local community mass notification services and to take advantage of  other available online resources such as information about what to include in an emergency kit, how to practice evacuation drills, and remembering the importance of texting first and talking second for non-emergency communications during a disaster.”

Zogby International was commissioned by Federal Signal to conduct an online nationwide survey of 2,153 adults. All surveys were completed July 29 through August 1, 2011. A sampling of Zogby International’s online panel, which is representative of the adult population of the U.S., was invited to participate.

Home Burglary

You may already know that the most common threat to your home is burglary.  According to the FBI, a burglary occurs somewhere in the United States every 15.4 seconds.  Protecting your home and family from criminal intrusion should be one of your highest priorities.

The crime of burglary is defined as a non-confrontational property crime that usually occurs when you are not at home.  But, if you do become a burglary victim, it can leave your entire family feeling violated.  Understanding who commits burglaries will give us insight on how to better protect our homes.

The majority of residential burglaries will occur during the daytime when most of us are at work, shopping or school.  July and August are the months when the most burglaries occur and February will be the month with the fewest.  Young males under 25 years of age commit most burglaries.  They are looking for small, expensive items that can be quickly converted to cash. While 70% of all burglars use force in order to gain entry to a dwelling, their preference is to gain easy access through an open window or door.  Only 13% of all reported burglaries are cleared.

Since burglars do not pick a residence at random, it is important to understand what can be done in order to protect your home and your family.  Here are some tips that will greatly reduce the likelihood of you becoming another statistic.

Doors and Locks

The first step is to harden the target or make your home more difficult to enter. Remember, the burglar will simply bypass your home if it requires too much effort or requires more skill and tools than they possess. Most burglars enter via the front, back, or garage doors. Experienced burglars know that the garage door is usually the weakest point of entry followed by the back door. The garage and back doors also provide the most cover. Burglars know to look inside your car for keys and other valuables so keep it locked, even when parked inside your garage. Use high quality Grade-1 or Grade-2 locks on exterior doors to resist twisting, prying, and lock-picking attempts. A quality deadbolt lock will have a beveled casing to inhibit the use of channel-lock pliers used to shear off lock cylinder pins. A quality door knob-in-lock set will have a ‘dead latch’ mechanism to prevent slipping the lock with a shim or credit card.

The most common way used to force entry through a door with a wooden jamb is to simply kick it open. The weakest point is almost always the lock strike plate that holds the latch or lock bolt in place followed by a glass paneled door. The average door strike plate is secured only by the soft-wood doorjamb molding. These lightweight moldings are often tacked on to the door frame and can be torn away with a firm kick. Because of this construction flaw, it makes sense to upgrade to a four-screw, heavy-duty, high security strike plate. They are available in most quality hardware stores and home improvement centers and are definitely worth the extra expense. Install this heavy-duty strike plate using 3-inch wood screws to cut deep into the door frame stud. Use these longer screws in the knob lock strike plate as well and use at least one long screw in each door hinge. This one step alone will deter or prevent most through-the-door forced entries. You and your family will sleep safer in the future.

Sliding-Glass Patio Doors

Sliding glass doors are secured by latches not locks. They are vulnerable to being forced open from the outside because of these inherently defective latch mechanisms. This can be easily be prevented by inserting a wooden dowel or stick into the track thus preventing or limiting movement. Other blocking devices available are metal fold-down blocking devices called “charley bars” and various track-blockers that can be screwed down.

The blocking devices described above solve half the equation. Older sliding glass doors can be lifted up and off their track and thereby defeat the latch mechanism. To prevent lifting, you need to keep the door rollers in good condition and properly adjusted. You can also install anti-lift devices such as a pin that extends through both the sliding and fixed portion of the door. There are also numerous locking and blocking devices available in any good quality hardware store that will prevent a sliding door from being lifted or forced horizontally. Place highly visible decals on the glass door near the latch mechanism that indicates that an alarm system, a dog, or block watch/operation identification is in place. Burglars dislike alarm systems,  Use  highly visible alarm decals.

Windows

Windows are left unlocked and open at a much higher rate than doors. An open window, visible from the street or alley, may be the sole reason for your home to be selected by a burglar. Ground floor windows are more susceptible to break-ins for obvious reasons. Upper floor windows become attractive if they can be accessed from a stairway, tree, fence, or by climbing on balconies. Windows have latches, not locks and therefore should have secondary blocking devices to prevent sliding them open from the outside. Inexpensive wooden dowels and sticks work well for horizontal sliding windows and through-the-frame pins work well for vertical sliding windows. For ventilation, block the window open no more than six inches and make sure you can’t reach in from the outside and remove the blocking device or reach through and unlock the door.

Home Alarm System Is Your Best Deterrent

Even if you are convinced that nothing will occur in your residence, you should seriously consider investing in one of the many home alarm systems readily available. Home monitoring systems not only provide protection from thieves, but allow your and your family to get assistance during medical emergencies and fires.

Some intruders are even brave enough to go in someone’s home even though he or she is still there. That is why every person should have home monitoring systems in their homes.

A home monitoring system can potentially be a lifesaver, so buying one is going to be a worthwhile investment.  As with other investments, you should consult a licensed professional.  It could be one of the best investments you ever make.

Most of these thefts can be prevented just by giving things a second thought, rather than just “leaving them for a second.”

Home Security
When you are away from home, close and lock your doors and windows. If you want to leave windows open enough for ventilation, but not wide enough for someone to gain entry, use a dowel for sliding glass windows cut to allow the window to open no more than 4”. For double hung windows, consider sash pins. Some windows have stops installed on the inside track, which will also prevent the window from being opened to far.

Yard Work
Don’t make it easy for the burglar! Make sure even if you are just running for a quick trip or working outside that you don’t leave your doors unlocked or visibly opened. When working in the yard in the back of the home, do not leave the front door open and/or unlocked. If you have a garage or storage unit that is out of your line of sight while you are working in the yard, be mindful of what are you showing in plain view to anyone who may be walking or driving by.

Gardening tools, lawnmowers, other yard tools, ladders… all tend to be stolen more in warm weather months. Make sure you lock them up in the garage, shed, etc.

Heat In Cars
Remember to NEVER leave pets unattended in a hot vehicle with the windows rolled up. If you leave a pet in a car, roll the windows down enough for ventilation and provide a dish of water. Better to leave the pet at home rather than in a sweltering car.

Prevent Cooking Fires

Always remain near the grill when cooking outdoors.  The same rule applies when cooking in the kitchen.  Keep children and pets away from grills and stoves.  Keep grills at least ten feet away from the house, shrubs and other objects.  Keep anything that can burn such as paper, plastic, towels and curtains away from the range top.

Prevent Injuries Caused by Heating Source

Young children and senior citizens can easily be injured or killed if they are allowed to remain unattended near the fireplace, wood burning heaters or space heaters.  Heating systems and chimneys should be inspected at least once per year.  If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, get one now.  Carbon monoxide exposure accounts for an estimated 15,000 emergency department visits and 500 unintentional deaths in the United states each year.

Other Fire Prevention Measures

It is essential that every family own, and know to use a fire extinguisher.  You should also make, and practice, a fire escape plan.   Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of your home and the batteries should be replaced at least once per year.

Additional fire prevention measures can be found by visiting the Home Safety Council’s website at: http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/index.asp

Did You Know

Most families are uninformed about the serious risk of hot water burns.  Small children are especially vulnerable to burns and scalds when water heater settings exceed 140 degrees F.  Prevent injuries to infants and other members by setting your water heater to 120 degrees Farenheitt.

Stay One Step Ahead Of “Bullet Burglars”

Some of you have already heard about the latest method utilized by burglars in an effort to gain entry into a motor vehicle without the owner realizing they have been victimized.

The crime starts with the perpetrator punching a small hole under the vehicle’s passenger side door lock.  This allows the door lock to be released and the door to be opened without tripping the vehicle’s security alarm system on most newer model automobiles.

At first glance, it appears that someone shot the vehicle’s passenger door.  This has caused the newest and latest trend in unauthorized vehicle entry to be dubbed the “bullet burglars”.

Trademark of “Bullet Burglars”

This scenario usually takes place at a remote location such as a shopping center, mall or other area where large numbers of vehicles are parked.

Once entry has been gained, the thieves go to work looking for a purse or wallet.  If they are successful, then one or two credit cards are removed.  Most victims aren’t even aware that their card is actually missing until the next day or so, and that means that the bad guys have had ample time to make a few unauthorized purchases.

You can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of this new crime trend by not leaving your wallet or purse in the cabin of your vehicle.  If you are at the beach, or some other location where it is necessary to leave personal items in the vehicle, then I strongly recommend that you lock anything of value in the trunk.

Some of you may have also received a chain email where an insurance agent theorizes that the “bullet burglars” are also powering up the vehicle’s GPS unit in order to learn your home address.  If so, I would discount that theory as strictly conjecture.  It would be much simpler for the burglars to remove your vehicle insurance card from the glove box.  Your home address is clearly printed on that card.

This new trend in vehicle burglaries can be minimized by exercising an age old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.  In summary never leave anything of value inside your vehicle, and don’t worry about the GPS rumor.  I’m not aware of one instance where the thieves have used the GPS information in order to burglarize a residence.

Did You Know?

USB Drives Should Be Protected

USB, or “Flash” drives carry an obvious security risk.  They are frequently lost or stolen, and can mean hours of lost work if you have not backed the information on another source.  The information on your drive should also be encrypted.  Otherwise anyone will be able to have full access your confidential information.

In case of fire, protect your pets with a free window decal.  Firefighers are familiar with pet alert window clings. Knowing the number of pets in a household helps rescuers locate your pets and provides important information that may be critical to firefighters when rescuing pets.

Fill out the form below to request your free Paramount Pet Alert Window Decal.  No sales person will call unless you specifically request it.

Call today to learn how Paramouant Alarm can help protect your home and loved ones.

Sorry, but due to the unusally large volume of request, we are out of stock.

We appreciate your interest of the safety and security of our pets.

Most of my readers live in the Dallas, Ft Worth area and already have a home security system or burglary/fire alarm system for their business.  Some of you even have the latest state-of-the-art CCTV systems, or security cameras, watching your home, office, or other business locations.

While it’s certainly wonderful to have all the latest technology, including CCTV systems that can be viewed from your iPhone®, or website, most security systems require that the homeowner or business manager arm the system prior to leaving.

After twenty plus years of being in the business of providing home security systems and commercial burglary or fire alarm systems, I am still shocked when those “Oh No” calls come through from one of our alarm customers.

It usually starts off with the customer telling me about how they came home and found all their electronics and jewelry had been taken.  That’s the point where I usually reply, “Oh No”, and then ask if their alarm system is working.  The usual answer is “Yes, but I didn’t arm my security system today”.

The truth is burglars have a special fondness for homeowners and business owners who neglect to arm their security systems.  The intruders appreciate any help that you may have knowingly, or unknowingly, provided, and it only makes their criminal activity easier.  So, don’t leave home without it on.

Jim Foster-looking out for your safety and security!

Additional tips for protecting your family, home or business property:

· Never leave your children’s expensive toys in the driveway or yard. To a burglar, kids’ expensive playthings translate to expensive grownup possessions inside your home.

· If at all possible, never let strangers use your bathroom.  There is a growing trend for strangers to ask permission to use a bathroom only to leave the window unlocked so that they can return at a later time.

· Now that winter weather is here, many homeowners are traveling.  If you are one of those lucky travelers, be sure to have your paper deliveries placed on hold; and have someone collect your mail and remove any handbills that may have been left on your door.  You should also have a friend or neighbor walk up and down your driveway if it snows.  This will give the impression that someone is home.

If you like my newsletter, be sure and let your friends know by sending a link to our subscription page.  You can look for more safety tips in about two weeks.

I hope you have enjoyed it.  Be sure and let me know if you have specific a question about protecting your home or business.

Did you know?

One study reports that a company that experiences a significant computer outage will never fully recover financially and that 50 percent of companies suffering such a predicament will be out of business within 5 years.

While it’s certainly wonderful to have all the latest technology, including CCTV systems that can be viewed from your iPhone®, or website, most security systems require that the homeowner or business manager arm the system prior to leaving.

After twenty plus years of being in the business of providing home security systems and commercial burglary or fire alarm systems, I am still shocked when those “Oh No” calls come through from one of our alarm customers.

It usually starts off with the customer telling me about how they came home and found all their electronics and jewelry had been taken.  That’s the point where I usually reply, “Oh No”, and then ask if their alarm system is working.  The usual answer is “Yes, but I didn’t arm my security system today”.

The truth is burglars have a special fondness for homeowners and business owners who neglect to arm their security systems.  The intruders appreciate any help that you may have knowingly, or unknowingly, provided, and it only makes their criminal activity easier.  So, don’t leave home with it on.

Additional tips for protecting your family, home or business property:

Never leave your children’s expensive toys in the driveway or yard. To a burglar, kids’ expensive playthings translate to expensive grownup possessions inside your home.

If at all possible, never let strangers use your bathroom.  There is a growing trend for strangers to ask permission to use a bathroom only to leave the window unlocked so that they can return at a later time.

Now that winter weather is here, many homeowners are traveling.  If you are one of those lucky travelers, be sure to have your paper deliveries placed on hold; and have someone collect your mail and remove any handbills that may have been left on your door.  You should also have a friend or neighbor walk up and down your driveway if it snows.  This will give the impression that someone is home.

If you like my newsletter, be sure and let your friends know by sending a link to our subscription page.  You can look for more safety tips in about two weeks.

I hope you have enjoyed it.  Be sure and let me know if you have specific question about protecting your home or business.