House Alarm Systems Can Be Lifesavers for Any Family

The common belief on home alarm systems is that they can be quite expensive to purchase, install and maintain. However, if you value your family more than anything else, then you would consider one as a valuable investment. Home security systems have saved the lives of numerous families during unexpected instances. Just take a look at some of the ways this technology can protect your family.

Protection from Intruders

 

Of course, the main reason why home alarm systems should be installed is that they offer protection against intruders. It is a well-known fact that homes without security systems are more likely to become a target for burglaries. This also means that in most scenarios, the mere presence of an alarm system can protect your family during a break-in attempt. 

There are some cases wherein the homeowners would wake up and see the burglar in action. This might shock the intruder and cause them to panic and be aggressive. Having an alarm system installed will give your family enough warning to move to a safer location while the monitoring service contacts the authorities.

Protection from Fires

 

Most of us only think of burglary protection when we hear the term ‘home security systems.’ However, this technology protects families from other life-threatening scenarios. For many, smoke alarms are enough to alert them in the event of a fire. However, having a comprehensive security system offers a better protection in this emergency.

If you install a monitored home alarm system, your family will be notified of the presence of smoke in your house. Aside from that, you would also be informed where the source of heat is so you will know which areas to avoid and plan an efficient escape. It is true that you can purchase heat detectors without the home alarm system. However, it would be an added protection if a third-party monitoring service can help you call for help.

In worst scenarios, it would take less than a minute for a small flame to become a huge fire. In a matter of minutes, your home can be engulfed in thick, black smoke, making it difficult, if not impossible, for your family to breathe. With a monitored alarm system, someone can alert you even while you are deeply sleeping, giving you enough time to escape from your house. In scenarios like this, you would not waste any second inside your home, calling the fire department. Your security company would call them while you’re escaping to a safer place.

Protection from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

 

Carbon monoxide is the gas found in combustion fumes released by burning wood, stoves, heating systems, charcoal and gas ranges, among others. It can be build up indoors and poison people who breathe it in. The frightening thing about this gas is it is tasteless, colourless and odourless. This means that it cannot be detected by the human senses.

The red blood cells pick up carbon monoxide faster than oxygen. As carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood system, tissues and organs are deprived of necessary oxygen. People awake are blindsided by carbon monoxide poisoning and they would have flu-like symptoms until they pass out. Some of the symptoms include chest pain, dizziness, vomiting, nausea and confusion. If worse comes to worst, carbon monoxide may cause death. Drunk or sleeping people can die from it even before they feel the symptoms.

Thankfully, there are detectors that can discover if there are carbon monoxide leaks in your home. They look like smoke detectors and you can buy them alone or as a part of a comprehensive home alarm system. Just like the monitored smoke detector, having a carbon monoxide detector connected to a home security gives you the added help you need during an emergency. The third-party monitoring service can also dispatch paramedics to treat symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Assistance During Medical Emergencies

 

Homeowners with medical conditions can also find home alarm systems as something that can save their life. There are security companies that provide emergency pulls or medical alert pendants. With this device, the individual can pull a cord or press a button and have paramedics dispatched to their home in the event of a medical emergency. This security feature is typically requested by people who live with their elderly parents, sickly family members or individuals with special needs.

For the elderly, accidents can significantly be detrimental if they do not immediately get the assistance they need. If they fall, they would not be able to move and get to the phone. However, with the emergency pendant or pull, they can alert the authorities to send help right away. While this may not be a standard feature on home alarm systems, it can be added for a fee. 

Other Security Benefits of an Alarm System

•  Aside from protecting your family and your possessions, security systems also protect your pets. It is common for us to leave our pets at home when we go to work. Without a monitored home security system, your pet would be doomed during a fire.
•  Alarm systems also allow homeowners to secure areas in their home that are less frequented, including the garage and the basement.
• You don’t have to completely rely on your neighbours to watch over your home while you’re away.
• There are wireless alarm systems which are easier to install and maintain, as compared to wired systems.
• There are security systems which can be equipped with security cameras. These can be remotely controlled so you can still monitor your home while you’re away.
• You can also opt for an outdoor security camera so you can see who is at the gate or front door. This is also useful for parents who have to leave their children at home for work.

During burglaries, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, the first few minutes are very crucial in determining your safety. Home security systems allow you to effectively respond to these unexpected situations. Indeed, having one can save your life.

Author Bio:

Bianca Bicheno is a writer and online marketing specialist. Bianca also writes articles for different websites during her spare time for extra income. She also worked as an online video editor before she started her writing career.

Read more...

5 Questions You Need to Ask Any Electrician before You Hire Them

Let’s be frank, it’s not easy to find a good and trustworthy electrician. And with thousands of electrical companies operating within the United States, it’s no wonder that many people find it extremely frustrating and confusing to find the perfect electrician to meet their needs. Don’t you wish there was an easier way? Well, lucky for you, we have compiled a list of 5 easy questions which you can use to asses any electrician to determine whether they are the right fit for the job.

1. What services do you offer?

Certain companies only deal with minor electrical problems, hence it is very important for you to get a clear vision of what they provide before hiring them for the job. If you’re doing a major project like a construction or home renovation, then you’ll definitely want to hire an expert electrical contractor like DW Evans Electric. One mistake that many homeowners make is beginning by stating their problem then asking the electrician if they can handle it. The problem with this is that if provides a loophole for dishonesty such that the electrician can give a false assurance that they will be able to meet your expectations when in reality, they lack the necessary skills and expertise.

2. How much do you charge?  

This needs to be one of the first questions that you ask before allowing an electrician into your home. The amount charged for different services varies greatly from one company to another. While in most cases the company will offer a free quote, don’t assume that you’ll find this everywhere. Get a clear outline of exactly how much you’ll be paying for every stage of the project from beginning to end and don’t hesitate to request for specific details. This prevents you from falling prey to numerous hidden charges which often go unmentioned until the very end.

3. Where are your service areas?

This doesn’t sound like a very important question considering the fact that you will most likely be hiring an electrician within your local area. However, the service areas play a crucial role in determining the transport costs, if any, which will be added to be bill. In addition, licensing and local regulations vary from one region to another, hence it is important to make sure that your electrician is legally permitted to operate within your area.

4. What electrical safety measures have you put in place?

This question will enable you to see the difference between a good electrical company and a great electrical company. Any electrician with first aid training and proper safety equipment will be in a much better position to protect your family and property in case of an emergency.

5. What is your portfolio?

When you ask this question, be sure to get as many examples as possible of previous clients who they have served. An electrical company with many repeat customers is often a good choice as it shows that they are consistent in offering quality services to their clients. Choose a service provider with experience in various sectors including both public and private agencies since this shows a higher level of diversity and knowledge in service provision.

Read more...

5 Benefits of Pre-College Summer Campus Programs

College is a tough tertiary education which needs a strict discipline and motivational attention. It requires a constant concentration, hard work, and perseverance to make it to the top. As early as today, students should learn about how to value education and invest in their future.

By enrolling in pre-college summer programs, they can able to grasp ideas on how to handle their studies, courses, and college life. It will be a competitive advantage if the student will take a summer program in order to keep pace with their studies. Here are the five benefits if you’ll be taking pre-college sessions during summer.

1. Enhance Your Knowledge and Take Advanced Class Sessions

High school is far different from the college academics. In high school, we are graded based on our performance as well as extra-curricular activities. In college, we cannot anymore use extra-curricular activities to pass our grades. We need to coherently perform a job-well-done to improve our academics and perform the activities seriously.

We also think that our college serves as the preparation and training before we are immersed in the real world of work. By taking summer programs, you can able to learn advanced lessons to your advantage. In this method, you can also assess whether what course you’ll be taking. You may also experience the aura on how the professors teach in class.

2. Improve Concentration to the Studies

Pre-college summer sessions are significant to focus on studies and to have an inspiration towards achieving your goals. College is the most competitive and toughest part of learning.  What you’ve learned in college will be applied in the future work.

Always find time to keep your concentration and aspirations high as your objectives in taking advanced lessons. Always think that sacrificing the summer vacation will lead to a success in the future.

Furthermore, find pre-college program that will be suitable for your dream course and summer schedule. Some students are having their part-time jobs and couldn’t attend a regular session. Make sure to search for a flexible summer session that will be flexible to your part-time job and schedule.

3. A Ladder to Your College Degree

Imagine your summer program as the ladder to your success. Learning the fundamental theories and principles will help you deal with the course, especially during the first semester of the college.

You can also ask the professors on what topics, books, and challenging subjects that you need to focus on as a preparation for your college degree. This is the most practical way to deal with the course. You can also ask the professors to provide you a syllabus of the subjects so that you can use this as your reference when you enter college.

4. Provide You a Glimpse of the College Courses

When you’re in high school, you couldn’t think of the course that you really want. Sometimes, you just overheard the course from your relatives, parents, or friends. Do not imitate the courses that your friends will be taking.

You can search the college degree courses on the internet and check out their descriptions. You can also have an actual understanding of the different courses through summer programs. In this way, you can able to determine and assess yourself if you can afford to take up the course.

 

5. Socialize and Meet New Friends

Take time to socialize with new people and make some friends during the summer program. In college, you cannot live and depend on your own. You need to develop study buddies in order to help each other in times of studies. In this way, you will learn and understand things better because you can either coach or ask the most intelligent person of the group.

Read more...

10 Tips for Baby-Proofing for Your Toddler

So your baby is growing up and beginning to walk! Hurray! New milestones are always such fun! But beware, along with learning to walk, your baby-turned-toddler is also going to be getting into quite a bit of mischief! And that, of course, means that you are going to need to “one-up” your baby proofing game!

But that’s okay because we’ve got you covered! Here are 10 Tips to help you make that important transition so that you can keep your new walker safe and sound at this critical point in his/her development.


Tip #1: Use Stairway Safety
If you haven’t already, it is an absolute MUST that you install permanently mounted baby gates at the top of every set of stairs in your home. You cannot skimp on this area because steps are one of the biggest hazards in a home. A shocking amount of Emergency Room visits are the result of little ones falling down stairwells. Don’t let that happen to your kiddo! Because a pressure-mounted safety gate can technically fail if pushed hard enough (or is fallen against), DO NOT trust one of these types at the top of your stairs. When you screw a gate into the wall, then you can be assured that you have a securely-mounted barrier!

Tip #2: Block off No-No Areas
Sometimes it is just easier and faster to simply restrict your toddler from dangerous areas by installing baby gates in certain sections of your home. These could be hard-to-babyproof rooms, such as the kitchen, office, or laundry. In this case, a simple pressure-mounted gate or three might be the perfect answer. Or maybe you just want to contain your toddler to one main area. One solution that works great for this is a large play yard. By taking this approach, you will have less to mess with in other parts of the house, but keep in mind that toddlers HATE to be restricted! And will do anything in their power to gain a little more freedom. If that seems to be the case with your little lady, you may need to go to the next step.

Related article:Baby Gate Buying Guide

Tip #3: Install Locks
This tip is in reference to your exterior doors. If you can’t keep your walker inside the house, you are going to have bigger problems than just babyproofing. The locks that will keep toddlers contained indoors are installed up high and have nothing to do with the door handles. You may also want to consider a door alarm, in case your toddler also learns to climb.

Tip #4: Attach Devices on Doorknobs
Now we’re talking about all those enticing interior doors that toddlers seem to learn how to open way too soon! These handy items are something you slip over round knobs, which then require you to apply a certain amount of pressure in order to turn the knob underneath. Honestly, they can be so tricky to use that even some adults struggle to use them, especially those of us with small hands! But it sure doesn’t hurt to give ‘em a shot and see if they do the trick for you, at least on your bathroom and bedroom doors!

Tip #5: Put on Protection Pads
No, I don’t mean that you should wear padding...although let’s face it, sometimes being a parent means taking a beating from little fists and feet that can go flying around! Instead, I’m talking about putting bumper pads on all those hard or sharp corners and edges that are such hazards to little ones that are trying so hard to learn how to walk. It is heartbreaking to watch little children wobble and crash against furniture and objects that just aren’t baby-friendly. Soften those spots so that they just bounce off of them instead of getting bruises and cuts!

Tip #6: Secure Cupboards, Cabinets, and Drawers
Once your kiddos begin to walk, there is no stopping them! They will be into EVERYTHING they can. Guaranteed! And for some reason (curiosity to be exact) any area that contains grown-up stuff will become a magnet. So even though you’ve put your items neatly away, don’t think for a moment that Johnny won’t find them! The only thing you can do is to get all the dangerous items (or items you don’t want to be destroyed) way up high or behind locks. These include cleaning chemicals, medications, knives, scissors, batteries, and the like. Don’t hesitate to find a drawer/door locking system that fits your budget and liking, as you will need to make this a top priority.

Tip #7: Remove Window Blind Cords
Too many little ones have become entangled in these death traps not to mention this issue! If you are renting and cannot remove them completely, at the very least, tie them very high up. You might think they are already out of reach, but a toddler with out-stretched arms can reach (or climb) higher than you think. Best idea is just to replace your window coverings with something that does not include the word ‘cord.’ Better safe than sorry.

Tip #8: Look for Topple Hazards
New walkers are often unsteady on their feet and won’t hesitate to grab and hang onto the nearest object. If you have a lamp or a coat tree that isn’t bolted down...time to move it out! Toddlers are also notorious for climbing up shelves and drawers, so that makes tall furniture and the items on top of them dangerous hazards! Use straps to secure TVs, bookshelves, dressers, hutches, and other heavy objects to the wall behind them. Don’t assume that your little tyke will keep his newfound feet on the floor, and even if he did, even the strength in his arms could be enough to cause something to come crashing down.

Tip #9: Deal with Electrical/Fire Dangers
Plug your outlets. Get cords out of reach. Push laptops further back on the desk. Remove curling irons and hairdryers. Unplug and carefully store your clothes iron. Get stove knob covers. Hide matches and lighters. Well, you get the drift. Shocks and fires are just two risks you just don’t want to take. In our modern homes, these are real threats that have to be mitigated. And our curious kids will make this as challenging as possible, as they will be drawn like a moth to a flame. Stay one step ahead of them!

Tip #10: Remove Trip Hazards
Not THAT kind of trip...that’s for another article about baby safety “on the go!” Stumble, trip, fall...that kind. This means that you are probably going to have to bend over way more than is reasonably comfortable. But keeping those toys and pillows, brooms and hoses, rugs and blankets, and other general clutter picked up and out of the way of wobbly legs is just part of regular baby-proofing. It might get old to keep up with, but soon your toddler will be big enough to “help” you keep the floor clear of stuff. Granted, they’ll probably throw more down than they’ll pick up, but hey, that’s just par for the course!

Well, there you go...10 handy tips to help you get all ready for keeping your newly-minted toddlers safe and sound as they get their “sea legs.” It won’t be long before they will be running around and outgrowing the toddler stage. So enjoy it while you can, and…

Happy Baby Proofing!

Read more...