Security Tips

Home Security Safety

• Lock all doors and windows, including your garage door, when you leave the house and while sleeping.
• Install a dead-bolt and/or a secondary locking system on doors that lead outside. Using a lock that can only be operated from the inside is an extra security measure.
• Remember that patio doors with glass panels can be especially vulnerable. Consider installing double-cylinder locks, where you need a key to unlock both sides, so that a burglar can’t enter your home simply by breaking the glass next to the lock. Also, insert a board at the bottom of the door, to prevent the door from sliding.
• Be suspicious of anyone who asks to enter your home for any type of "maintenance" reason. There are numerous cases of impersonating electricians or gas line inspectors who turn out to be dangerous. Always demand to see an official company ID.
• Install peepholes or wide-angle viewers in your doors.
• Replace burned out light bulbs quickly. Thieves like homes with inadequate lighting. Consider incorporating lighting into your landscaping.
• Keep trees and shrubs around doorways, windows and porches trimmed. The bushes that provide privacy also give burglars a place to hide. Dense shrubs can even make for a makeshift ladder, helping a thief into your home through a window.
• Get involved in a neighborhood watch group. Local police departments can provide you with information on how to establish a watch group in your neighborhood.
• Consider installing an alarm system.

While You're Away

• Use random access timers that automatically change what time your lights go on and off each night. Lighting patterns that vary appear more natural.
• Ask a neighbor to park his or her car in your driveway.
• Keep expensive items out of view from the yard or the street.
• Have your mail and newspapers picked up by a neighbor or held at the post office.
• Ask your neighbors to call the police if they notice any suspicious activity. Leave a phone number where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic and poisonous gas. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless so it is hard to detect. Since there are no warning signs specific to CO, one may not be aware of the presence of the gas in their home and workplace.

Because of this silent danger, it is important to be aware of prevention methods, detection, and signs and symptoms of CO poisoning to lessen the chances of the gas being present.

To Prevent CO Poisoning, You Should:

• Know the location of equipment and appliances, such as gas or kerosene heaters, that could produce CO gases.
• Ventilate any areas where CO may be accumulating.
• Only use home and workplace-approved heating equipment.

Detection is Essential For Ensuring Safety

• Make sure CO detectors are properly installed.
• Some detectors require a constant supply of power and others are battery powered.
• Know which device is in use and check that it is in a safe place.
• A proper place for the CO detector is five feet above the ground or on the ceiling of each room of the home or building. Some CO detectors are available as system-connected, monitored devices. System-connected detectors, which can be wired to either a security or fire panel, are monitored by a central station.
• Update and check each detector or system yearly to be sure it is working properly. The average lifespan of a non-system detector is about two years.

Signs and Symptoms

Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain and other vital organs of clean oxygen. Large amounts of CO can overcome a person in minutes without warning, causing loss of consciousness and suffocation.

Initial symptoms could include:

• Headache
• Exhaustion
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Rapid breathing
• Confusion
• Weakness

If someone is experiencing signs of CO poisoning, get out of the area and get fresh air. Seek prompt medical attention once you are away from the source.

Disaster Planning

Disasters such as fires, floods, explosions and civil disturbances can endanger employees, customers and the public. Your ability to react quickly and rationally during an emergency can save your life and those around you. Having a disaster plan in place is the key to ensuring a safer environment.

An Emergency Preparedness Plan helps to minimize or prevent injury, loss of life and extensive property damage. It contains step-by-step guidelines to follow in the event of a disaster to minimize the impact of an emergency.

Be Prepared

An Emergency Preparedness Plan is important because it:

• Determines a pre-planned course of action
• Provides maximum utilization of resources
• Establishes a plan for outside agencies to respond and provide assistance for emergency situations
• Creates a chain of command
• Identifies the role of security personnel

Steps to Protect Yourself

• Identify where the "seek shelter" area is located within your building.
• Be aware of all building exit doors and fire escapes.
• Participate in emergency drills.
• Determine the disaster contact person within your facility.
• Have a list of emergency phone numbers including the local police and fire departments and the paramedics.
• Review your building’s preparedness plan or other security materials provided.
• Know your role in the disaster plan.
• Keep abreast of weather forecasts and other factors that may threaten your environment.

Preventing a Home Epidemic

Epidemics effect and jeopardize all facets of social and family life. Rapid, rational response during a widespread illness or disaster may not only save your life, but also the lives of those you love at home. Following simple guidelines for healthy behavior, and communicating epidemic plans to ensure that your family members are fully aware of how plans are to be executed, will help you to handle the situation more effectively.

It All Starts with Healthy Habits

• Maintain a balanced diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often—for at least 10-20 seconds.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
• Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces—especially work, kitchen and bathroom areas.
• Keep up on immunizations.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid close contact with those who are ill.

Making Family Plans

Many families are putting together pandemic and epidemic information to prevent their loved ones from falling ill. The following are simple tips that you can follow should an epidemic occur.

• Communicate your epidemic plan and be sure everyone in your family is fully aware of it and how it is to be executed.
• Have a shelter or "quarantine" area established ahead of time, should the government ask that people remain immobile.
• Stock up on essentials—nonperishable items (seven days of food is recommended) and medical, practical, household and personal items.
• Prepare an outbreak plan should a loved one become ill. Discuss how you would care for sick family members and what each individuals' responsibilities would be, should the need arise.
• Make a list of emergency contacts and information, including personal contacts, family physician, nearest hospital and pharmacy, school, employer, and spiritual contact information, and state public health department and emergency contact information, such as police, fire and paramedics.
• Know essential health information such as blood type, allergies, past and current medical conditions, as well as current medications and dosage information.
• Have a radio available so you are aware of government enforced quarantines and travel restrictions, as well as school/work closings.

Did You Know?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of diseases and keep you and your family healthy. Getting immunizations is fast, easy, fairly inexpensive and is proven to save lives. Be certain that you and your family get immunizations as suggested by your physician.

Home Fire Safety

Fire Facts

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the United States has one of the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world. Each year, fire kills more Americans than all other natural disasters combined and at least 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in residences. The following are preventive tips for you and your family and ways to stay safe if a fire occurs.

Prevention Tips

• Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, many resulting from unattended cooking or human error.
• If you smoke, consider smolder-resistant bedding and upholstered furniture, which act as significant fire deterrents.
• Don’t overload circuits or extension cords. Immediately shut off and unplug appliances that sputter, spark or emit an unusual smell.
• Wood stoves should sit on a non-combustible surface. Fireplaces should have non-combustible materials around the opening and hearth. Space heaters should be placed on a firm surface at least three feet away from combustible items.
• Gasoline and other flammable liquids should never be used to start a wood fire as they might cause it to explode or flare up.
• Inspect and clean chimneys and vents annually.
• Consider fire-safe landscaping for your property by creating a defensible space between your home and flammable vegetation.

Escape Safely

• One of the single most important ways you can protect your family is by having a working smoke detector on every floor of your house.
• In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can grow into a major fire. An average house can fill with thick black smoke in only minutes. Escape first, then call for help.
• Develop a home fire escape plan. Practice it with your children and designate a meeting place outside.
• Never open doors that are hot. Establish two different ways to get out of each room.
• Practice how to open locked or barred doors and windows. Make sure that security bars on your windows and doors have a quick-release device so you can open them immediately.
• Always crawl low under smoke and try to keep your mouth covered. Even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath.
• Familiarize your children with the sound of your smoke alarm and teach them not to hide from firefighters.
• Test each smoke alarm every month and replace the batteries at least once a year. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Poison Prevention

For adults and children alike, common household supplies can be dangerous when ingested, inhaled or come into contact with skin or eyes. Additionally, over-the-counter and prescription drugs can have adverse effects if not taken with caution. We offer you the following tips to keep you and your family safe.

Household Medicines:

• Always follow the directions on the medicine label when you are giving or taking medication. Correct dosage is important.
• Medicine should be kept in locked cabinets, out of the sight and reach of children.
• Check with your doctor before taking multiple over-the-counter or prescription medications.
• Never share prescribed medication with anyone for whom the medication is not prescribed, as dosage and other drug safety concerns vary from person to person.
• Periodically clean out your medicine cabinets. Check expiration dates on over-the-counter and prescription drugs and discard those that have expired.

Household Chemicals:

• Always read the label before using a product that may be poisonous or hazardous.
• Keep chemicals in their original containers, read instructions and warnings before use.
• Never mix household chemicals as this could release toxic gases.
• Make sure the room you are cleaning or working in is well-ventilated.
• Keep chemicals in locked cabinets, away from children and pets.

If Poisoning Occurs:

• Remain calm.
• Call 911 or the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
• Have the following information available:
  • The victim’s age and weight.
  • The container or bottle of the poison.
  • The time of exposure.
  • The address where the poisoning occurred.
• Stay on the phone and follow the directions given by the operator.
• With many pills, it may take several hours or longer for symptoms to develop. Do not wait. Call the poison control center immediately.
• Anyone exposed to a toxic gas should be removed from the source and placed in fresh air.

Vacation Travel Safety

Vacations with friends and family should be an enjoyable and memorable time away, but certain safety precautions should be given priority equal to that of flight arrangements and hotel locations. Vacationers can face a host of problems from theft and minor personal injury to violence, arrests, and illnesses. Using common sense and taking safety precautions can help travelers enjoy a safe and relaxing vacation.

Physical Safety

• Always stay with people you trust.
• Do not go anywhere with a stranger – even during the day.
• Carry a cell phone at all times in case of an emergency.
• Call home periodically to let family members know you are safe.
• Keep your identification with you.
• Be aware of local laws regarding alcohol.
• Do not drink and drive.
• Always lock and bolt your hotel room when you are inside it.

Property Safety

• Always keep your hotel room locked.
• Try to leave valuables at home.
• Lock any valuables you do take in the hotel safe.
• Call home periodically to let family members know you are safe.
• Beware of scam artists or pick pockets.
• If your cell phone or credit card is stolen, report it immediately and cancel service.
• Do not carry or accept packages from strangers.

Beach Safety

• Always use sun block.
• Never swim alone and only swim when lifeguards are present.
• Do not consume alcohol when swimming or operating boating equipment.
• Take strong current and riptide warnings seriously.

Traveling out of the Country

• Keep your passport in a secure location.
• Bring a photocopy of your passport and keep it in a safe place, in the event something happens to the original.
• Know that safety standards may be different and roads and balconies may pose safety risks.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends.
• Familiarize yourself with local laws and safety concerns at the State Department website.
• Register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. This is important in the event of an emergency.