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  • 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.

  • Proper Lighting

    Proper Lighting

    Now that the days are shorter, it gets dark out much earlier. That’s why maintaining proper lighting around the exterior of your home or business is so important.
    A well light house is less attractive to a burglar as it increases the chances of him being recognized.

    Proper lighting deters criminals from breaking into a house as it makes it easier to see them and to recognize them. Motion sensor flood lights are a good way to accomplish this.
    Make sure your lights are installed where they cannot be easily reached. A hard, outdoor case makes it harder to break as well. The lights should cover at least 2-4 ft, as a minimum
    Lighting is one of the most important and easiest ways to deter criminal activity. The potential for criminal activity is greatly reduced when proper lighting is used. It increases your visibility and reduces the fear of crime.
    Lighting with automatic sensors are good step up in creating a safe and secure environment.

    CLICK HERE to schedule a free, no obligation security evaluation of your property.

  • Fire & Life Safety

    Fire & Life Safety

    Security ONE is excited to announce the creation of a new Fire & Life Safety division.

    Security ONE now provides critical Fire Detection solutions for a wide range of customers including retailers, small and large commercial buildings, and industrial and low and high rise residential buildings among others. Security ONE utilizes the latest IP and GSM monitoring technology.

    With this new division, Security ONE can now ensure that all fire code requirements and fire detection, safety, security and business goals are met for our customers. Security ONE’s CFAA technicians are trained in all aspects of installation and service, and the mandatory inspection of fire monitoring systems.

    The Fire & Life Safety division will be headed by Dean Moyes, who brings 22 years of experience to the role. “Our fire protection services include fire suppression, fire alarm system evaluation and design and the development of fire protection system design drawings and specifications,” says Moyes. “By asking the right questions, exploring options, and carefully considering the ‘what ifs’ of existing and future requirements, we produce reliable, safe and technologically-efficient system solutions.”

    Director of Marketing, Corey Robertson says being a ULC listed monitoring station is great advantage for Security ONE. “Most cities and municipalities require that any occupied commercial premises, including residential low- and high-rise multi-tenanted buildings, be protected by a fire system monitored and serviced by a ULC-listed alarm company.” Robertson says this ensures that the proper responses and procedures are followed when fire alarms, fire troubles, and fire supervisory alarms are received, and that your system is in good working order.

    Security ONE has been locally owned and operated since 1978, providing peace of mind to Southwestern Ontario for over 30 years, and is a member of the Better Business Bureau, Canadian Alarm & Security Association (CANASA), and is listed with Underwriters Laboratories Canada (ULC).

  • When Your Home Security Company Becomes the Greatest Security Risk

    When Your Home Security Company Becomes the Greatest Security Risk

    Most of us Canadians are naturally trust worthy people, giving those we don’t know the “benefit of the doubt”. It is then no surprise that many of us have had strangers come into our home to either “fix something” or “install a new service”. However, have any of us really given thought into who this person really is? What is their background? Are they certified? Do they have a criminal record?!? If your like most – you probably haven’t.

    At Security ONE we go above and beyond our industry regulation to ensure all technicians are CANASA trained and every employee of our company has a full-background check and a current police clearance.

    It is shocking that our industry does not regulate or mandate police clearances; consequently, many other home security companies don’t perform background checks and use 3rd party sub-contractors who operate under their own wild-wild-west rules.

    Edward Siedle, writer for Forbes, recently wrote an article of his experience with ADT and their common use of Sub-Contractors.

    Here’s a personal example of what can happen.

    “In 2007, I contracted with ADT to install a home security system and monthly burglary and fire monitoring. The total installation charge alone was not cheap—several thousand dollars.

    On the installation date, a single technician arrived surprisingly early—at 8 a.m.—as opposed to the 10 a.m.-noon window that had been agreed upon. Also unsettling was the fact that he had no ADT logo on his shirt and did not speak a word of English. I called ADT immediately and the company acknowledged it had made an error. A supervisor would return later with another installation subcontractor who would be better able to communicate, I was told. The supervisor arrived at 10:30 with two other men who spoke little English. In response to my concerns, I was assured that these subcontractors, while not ADT employees, had recently been subjected to thorough background checks. When the men left after six hours, the installation work still had not been completed. Following further complaints, two weeks later a new technician was sent who indicated there would be substantial additional charges to complete the installation.

    Thus far, this probably sounds similar to gripes you’ve had with companies who failed to deliver products and services as promised.

    But the story gets worse.

    The supervisor had damaged a valuable artifact when he was in my home which (fortunately) was immediately brought to his attention. After protracted negotiations, ADT agreed to compensate for the damage. Fair enough.

    Most disturbing, our family passports disappeared at the time the ADT technicians were in the house and had to be reported as stolen. When I informed ADT about the missing passports, I was told I would have to pursue it with the subcontractors—ADT was not responsible. So much for chain of command and accountability.

    In my last letter to ADT, in February 2008, I asked the company to please advise me whether ADT had determined that the passports had been stolen by ADT subcontractors. Four years later, I have yet to receive a response to my letter.

    The moral of this story is that the next time you allow someone into your home for security purposes, scrutinize who they are and consider the formidable risks they pose. The people you allow into your home may be able to inventory your belongings and will forever know the details of your security system. They may share their knowledge of your home with unsavory friends. If they are not trustworthy, trust me (based upon my personal experience), you’ll pay the price.”