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  • Shoveling snow’s role in security

    Shoveling snow’s role in security

    Yes, you read the headline right! Shoveling the snow plays an important, albeit, subtle role in security and crime prevention.

    shovelAlways remember to keep sidewalks and steps clean to create clear and open lines of passage. Don’t pile snow where it would block the view to a door, window, alcove, or basement windows. Keep snow banks small to eliminate possible hiding places. Be sure snow banks do not block any lighting.

    Keeping up on the winter yard work like shoveling the sidewalks, bringing in the mail are important ways to show the property is not vacant. If you plan on being away for any amount of time, ask a neighbor or friend to do those tasks for you- and be sure to call the central monitoring station to let know your travel plans.

    While you’re at it, why not build a good looking snowman just for good measure – and fun!

    For a free, no obligation security evaluation of your property call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Winter Home Safety Tips

    Winter Home Safety Tips

    You should always be thinking fire safety around the house, but maybe a little more at this time of year, because we have more appliances to plug in. If you haven’t changed the batteries in your smoke detector for a while, do so! Make sure your family has a well rehearsed escape plan as well.

    • Do a quick check around the house to make sure there are no flammable substances near your furnace.
    • Don’t put your space heater too close to your bed, curtains, or furniture. Shut them off when you’re not using them, and never leave them unattended. Do not use them to dry off wet clothing like mittens or hats.
    • If you have a chimney, make sure it totally clear so your fire can breathe. Do a quick visual inspection of the bricks on the outside to see that it is in good condition. Keep matched, lighters and candles away from children and pets.
    • While doing your outside inspection, look for bad windowsills, loose shingles and slanting concrete from the snow and wind.
    • Check all the outdoor light fixtures.

    For more safety tips, or to schedule a free security evaluation call 1-800-265-5317 or just CLICK HERE.

  • Ski Vacations

    Ski Vacations

    What could be more Canadian than strapping a couple of boards on your feet and racing to the bottom of a hill – or a mountain!

    While there are plenty of great ski hills in our general area, skiing enthusiasts know that there are some great winter skiing vacations to be had across the US.

    Here are the top 5 US ski resort vacations from Forbes magazine.

    OgdenProbably the best combination of low prices and truly great skiing in the nation, Ogden’s two resorts, Snow basin and Powder Mountain, offer a combined 10,000 skiable acres – enough for five world class resorts. Hotels and motels in Ogden run towards the low price end, most throw in breakfast, most offer ski packages, a ski shuttle bus takes you to either mountain daily, and its proximity to Salt Lake City makes plane tickets here cheaper and more abundant than to the many ski resorts served by niche airports with few choices.

    No resort offers more variety and options than Vail – on and off the mountain. It is huge, with skiing for every ability, and most famous for its vast open bowls. It has four interconnected base villages, linked by walkways and free buses, containing a huge assortment of hotels, condos and small lodges.

    Vermont has the most big ski resorts east of the Mississippi, but Jay is very unique for Vermont. First, it gets the most snow, lots of snow, consistently. It is one of the only places in the east where you might actually encounter deep powder. Secondly, it has extensive glades and backcountry access, not common in the Northeast. Most importantly, it is the furthest from New York, Boston, and all the major cities of northeast corridor, right on the Canadian border. This means to compete with the half dozen huge resorts that require far less driving, it has to be cheaper – and it is.Aspen

    Aspen has a decadent luxury reputation, and for the many guests arriving by private jet, it is certainly possible to make the sky the only limit on what you spend, with luxury hotels like the Little Nell and St. Regis and a slate of fine dining restaurants charging top dollar. But Aspen is a real town, an old mining town, full of less ornate hotels, condos, and charming saloons, and it is entirely possible to do it on the beer and burger, rather than champagne and caviar, budget.

  • Winter Driving

    Winter Driving

    Winter tireWeather conditions can often be unpredictable, placing extra demands on your vehicle and your driving skills. Ensure you are well prepared for winter roads and always adjust your driving speed to road and weather conditions.

    Always drive according to road and weather conditions. By staying alert, slowing down, you’ll have a better chance at maintaining control.

    • Keep a distance of three car-lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you
    • Keep your vehicle winter-ready with regular maintenance check-ups.
    • Keep your fuel tank at least half full
    • Keep your windshield washer fluid at least half full.  Keep an extra jug in the vehicle.
    • Clear all the snow and ice from your windows, lights, mirrors and the roof.
    • After starting your vehicle, wait for the frost or fog to clear from the inside of the windows.
    • Check the air pressure in the tires regularly. Cold weather decreases air pressure quickly.

     

  • Total Connect Video: Lost & Found

    Total Connect Video: Lost & Found

    As an authorized member of Honeywell’s First Alert Professional Security Dealer program, we came across this great story of woman in the States who found her son’s cat using Total Connect. Katie Tarbox of Spruce Head, ME had a Honeywell Total Connect video surveillance system installed for her home. Originally meant to protect her home and her property from intruders, she came across another use for the system when her son’s cat went missing.

    iPhone4_held_TC20_blurKatie was cat-sitting for her son while he and his family were away. It wasn’t long before the cat went missing. After turning the house upside down to look for the cat, she says she even tried leaving the back open – just in case it got out. Then she checked the video motion event log on her Total Connect app.

    Sure enough, she saw the cat on the surveillance video, happy as could be, leave the house and go out into the garage to curl up for little cat-nap. The next time they saw the cat in person, he was meowing at the garage door to be let back into the house as if nothing were wrong.

    Security ONE Total Connect can not only add another layer of security to your system, but it also connects you to the things that matter most to you. Stay on the go… and in the know!

    To learn more about Total Connect, call us at 1-800-265-5317 or visit CLICK HERE.

     

  • Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus

    Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus

    It has become as much a part of Christmas Folklore as Father Christmas himself. In 1897, an 8 year-old girl by the name of Virginia O’Hanlon asked her father Philip one simple question. Is Santa Claus real?
    Virginia’s father suggested she write to The New York Sun, telling her, “If you see it in The Sun, it must be so.” What Philip didn’t count on, however, was the editor, Francis Pharcellus Church. Church took the opportunity to rise above a silly childhood question, and respond to the deeper philosophical implication behind it.
    Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. A seemingly simple answer to an equally simple question. But, there was much more to the answer, and if you’ve never read it before, here in its entirety is Francis Church’s answer, as originally published in the New York Sun, 1897.
    Dear Editor,

    I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say that there is no Santa Claus. Papa says “If you see it in the Sun, it is so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

    Virginia,

    Your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds.

    All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

    Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to our life its highest beauty and joy.

    Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

    Not believe in Santa Claus? You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your Papa to hire men to watch all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?

    Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.

    Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world.

    You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, or even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond.

    Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else as real and abiding.

    No Santa Claus? Thank God he lives and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, maybe 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the hearts of children.

    Written by Francis P. Church in 1897

  • Top Winter Travel Desinations

    Here’s the top winter destinations according to the popular travel guide, Let’s Go.

    1. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
    With an average winter-time temperature of 77 degrees, the Dominican Republic is a perfect warm-weather getaway. With travel companies offering great travel deals on all-inclusive resorts, Punta Cana is an affordable option for the budget conscious traveler.
    2. Las Vegas, Nevada
    With great hotel deals in the winter, and endless options for free entertainment, Sin City draws budget travelers in droves. For those who like flashing lights, casinos, and endless entertainment, but can’t quite afford a trip to Monte Carlo, Vegas is perfect.
    3. Bangkok, Thailand
    Plane tickets to Thailand may have some travelers cashing the check grandma gave them for Christmas a little early—but that will be the most expensive part of this trip. Backpackers flock to Thailand for its food, culture, and budget-friendliness. Travelers enjoy affordable accommodations, breathtaking sights and monuments, and a pleasant mix of internationalism and traditional culture.
    4. Montreal, Canada
    For travelers looking to escape the cold, this may not be the ideal destination, but for those who don’t mind bundling up, Montreal is an unconventional—and affordable—option. The city is so charming it’s easy to mistake it for Paris.
    5. San Juan, Puerto Rico
    Home to the famous Bacardi factory, as well as warm beaches and tropical rainforests, San Juan is an ideal destination for a much needed winter reprieve.
    6. New York, New York
    New York in the winter is magical. Ice skating in Rockefeller Center, seeing the window displays along 5th Avenue, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular are only a few of the exciting things tourists can enjoy. Accommodations can run a bit pricier than some of the other destinations on this list.
    7. Ifrane, Morocco
    Tucked away in the Middle Atlas Mountains, with red roofs and cute manicured parks, it’s easy to mistake this little slice of heaven in North Africa. It’s rare to get a chance to ski in Africa, but travelers love to take advantage of this sleep college town.
    8. Dublin, Ireland
    European cities like Dublin have become more and more budget-friendly. Dublin has the pleasant combo of being a big city, but the warmth and intimate feel of a small town. By the end of their trip, travelers to Dublin can expect to have developed a taste for Guinness and an appreciation for a bustling pub culture.
    9. Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Plain and simple, Buenos Aires is just cool. The people dress well, and everybody looks great. If this is a vacation with warmth in mind, look no further. Temperatures in January are in the upper 80s. For diversity, take a daytrip outside of the city, but make sure to return for some Buenos Aires nightlife.
    10. Vienna, Austria
    Vienna is steeped in history, and with coffee houses on every corner, travelers certainly won’t be missing Starbucks. The city is also easy to navigate and affordable—and English is widely spoken. It’s also a central point for travel to other cities in Europe like Budapest or Prague.

    Wherever you go, whenever you go, be sure to call our Central Monitoring Station to let us know your travel plans.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about looking in on your home in real time from your smartphone, tablet or PC with Security ONE Total Connect.

  • Christmas Safety Tips

    Christmas Safety Tips

    Decorations and lights help to make the season bright! But there are few hazards to be mindful of.
    By taking a few extra precautions, you can help to make sure you and your family has a safe and happy holiday season.
    Whether or not you have children, the holidays are a magical time.

    Trees

    •If artificial trees are the way for you, be sure it has a “Fire Resistant” label. It doesn’t mean the tree won’t catch fire, but it will be slower to burn and should be easier to extinguish.
    • If live trees are the only way for your family, check for freshness. The needles should be hard to pull off and should not break. The trunk should be sticky with resin. Do a tap test. Bang the tree on the ground. A fresh tree should not lose many needles.
    • Artificial or fresh, set up your tree away from fireplaces and heaters. In a heated room, live trees dry up quickly. Keep the stand filled with water. Also avoid putting the tree in doorways or high traffic areas.
    • Cut a few inches off the trunk. It will help the absorb water
    • Never use lighted candles on a tree.

    Lights

    • Make sure your lights meet all safety standards.
    • Check your lights for obvious signs of aging. Loose or bare wires, loose connections or broken sockets are signs to throw away that set.
    • The most strings of lights you should connect to a single extension cord is three
    • Any lights you use outside should be made specifically for outdoor use.
    • Turn off all your lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about you can use Security ONE Total Connect to control your lighting automation and check in on your home in real time from your smartphone, tablet or PC.

  • Protect Your Pipes

    Protect Your Pipes

    More than just burglar alarms, security systems can protect your home or business with environmental monitoring such as flood protection.

    At this time of year, pipes could freeze and burst. Here are some tips for preventing frozen pipes.
    • Insulate any pipes in your home’s crawl space, attic and outside walls.
    • Seal any leaks that may allow cold air inside where pipes are located.
    • Check for air leaks around pipes, electrical wiring, and dryer vents. Even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
    • Disconnect garden hoses, shut off the indoor valve and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.
    • If you are going to be away, ask a friend or neighbor to check the thermostat in your house.
    • With Security ONE Total Connect, you can see – and control – your thermostat remotely from your smart phone, tablet, or PC.

    CLICK HERE to learn more about about adding water sensors or sump pump sensors to your security system.

     

  • Tips To Beat The Grinch

    Tips To Beat The Grinch

    This time of year sees the biggest shopping weeks of the year. Whatever the reason, his shoes or the season, the Grinch is on the prowl more than ever.
    With all of the home electronic products and “Must-Have” items, the temptation for thieves is much higher.
    Here are some tips to help beat the Grinch, and keep your home or business secure over the Christmas holidays:

    1. Install a motion sensor flood light. Good outdoor lighting prevents burglars from approaching a house as they do not want to be seen – or recognized!
    2. Be careful how you install outdoor Christmas lights. Don’t run extension cords through windows. This provides an easy point of entry for criminals.
    3. Don’t put boxes out with recycling. It’s like advertising to the whole neighborhood that you have new, expensive items. Break your boxes down more than you normally would, and if possible, take them to a recycling depot directly.
    4. Avoid the Facebook Countdown! Don’t post your upcoming Christmas holiday, when your leaving, and how long you’ll be gone. Rather, wait until you return and then post the pictures of your wonderful vacation.
    5. Strengthen doors and windows. A few dead-bolts and new window hinges can significantly increase the security of your home.
    6. Close the curtains! Don’t keep the presents or other valuable items next to the window for all to see.
    7. Ask for help!! If you going away over the Christmas holidays – even for a weekend visit – ask a friend or neighbor to collect your mail, and shovel the driveway/sidewalk. You may owe them a favour, but your home will have the illusion of being occupied, making it less attractive to burglars.
    8. Lock up the garage. In addition to protecting valuable items like tools, lawnmowers and bikes, keeping your garage or shed secure prevents burglars from being able to use your tools to force their entry.
    9. Don’t hide keys. Burglars know to look for spare keys under rocks, in flowerpots, or above door ledges. Give the spare key to family or trusted neighbor, or invest in a lockbox.
    10. Set your alarm! Statistics show that a home with monitored security is three-times less likely to be broken into. Teach the whole family how to properly arm the system, and always use it.

    CLICK HERE to schedule a free, no-obligation home or business evaluation.