Home & Business Safety Tips

 

Residential Safety Tips


Intrusion

  • Remember to lock all doors and windows when you leave home.
  • Keep all valuable items out of sight.
  • Install proper lighting around your home to keep it well lit at night.
  • Introduce yourself to your neighbors and get to know them. Also, take the initiative to start a neighborhood watch.
  • When you are out of town, do not lure burglars with stacks of newspapers and an over flowing mailbox. Either have a trusted neighbor pick them up daily or have the post office and news carrier hold them for you.
  • Set timers for lights and a television so it appears that someone is home while you are traveling.
  • Do not hide spare keys in obvious places such as: under doormats, in mail boxes, etc.
  • Install a peep hole in your front door to make it possible to see who is there without having to open it.
  • Monitored alarm systems are effective in deterring burglars.
  • Do not give out your alarm code to just anyone. Only a family member or trusted friend should know the code in case of an emergency.

Fire

  • Smoke detectors that are monitored by a UL Listed Central Monitoring Station are effective whether you are home or away.
  • Check your batteries and test your fire alarms monthly.
  • Have a planned escape route for your home with a safe meeting place.
  • Make sure that each room has an alternative escape route in case the first is inaccessible.
  • Hold practice drills regularly so the entire family is familiar with the procedure for safely exiting the house.
  • Do not over load electrical sockets. Unplug items when they are not in use.
  • Furnaces and heating systems should be cleaned on an annual basis.
  • Install a spark resistor on your chimney to prevent from starting a fire on your roof, nearby trees, etc. Also cut back trees so they do not hang over the chimney.
  • In case of an actual fire situation, it is imperative that your address is easily seen by emergency vehicles.
  • For more information regarding fire safety, please visit the National Fire Protection Agency's web site at www.nfpa.org

Children

  • Children should know their full name, address, and telephone number.
  • Teach children how to dial "911" in case of an emergency.
  • Make sure children always tell a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult where they are going.
  • Tell them to never go with or accept anything from strangers. Also, teach them that a stranger is anyone that they or you do not know well or trust.
  • Let them know it is ok to tell you or another trusted adult if they see anyone doing something they know is not right or makes them feel uncomfortable.
  • If your child stays home alone, make sure they know not to let anyone know that they are home alone and to keep all doors and windows locked.
  • Prepare an emergency contact phone list. Make sure you include you work and/or cell number.
  • Prepare and practice a safe route to school.
  • Fingerprint your child and always have a recent photo of them.

Commercial Safety Tips


Intrusion

  • Secure the perimeters of your business site. Make sure walls and gates are maintained and secure.
  • Install a monitored alarm system.
  • Make sure all doors and windows are locked before leaving each day.
  • Keep building and parking area well lit at night to deter intruders and ensure employee safety. Additionally, consider installing motion sensor lighting.
  • Deter intruders from roof access by strategically placed anti-climb paints or other anti-scale barriers.
  • If you are a retailer, design floor layout to provide adequate surveillance of stock. The use of convex mirrors, video surveillance and alarmed goods are excellent deterrents.
  • Consider internal doors fitted with “keyless” lock systems. Studies find that 30% of business thefts and burglaries are accomplished using a duplicate key. (Unauthorized key duplicates can be made at most retail stores.)
  • Security mark all computer equipment, consider bolting valuable items to desks.
  • All telephone lines should enter the building underground to protect the integrity of the monitored alarm system.
  • Join or start a business watch group with neighboring businesses. This is a great way to stay informed on risks in your local area and prevent crime through awareness.

Fire

  • Install smoke detectors that are monitored by a UL Listed Central Monitoring Station on every floor of your business
  • Fire extinguishers should be kept at readily available locations near potential fire sources (furnaces and stoves) and also near employee work areas.
  • Post escape routes in every area of the building and clearly mark all fire exits.
  • Make sure that each area has an alternative escape route in case the first is inaccessible.
  • Hold practice drills regularly in order to familiarize staff with procedures for safely exiting the building.
  • Do not overload electrical sockets. Unplug items when they are not in use.
  • In case of an actual fire situation, it is imperative that your address is easily seen by emergency vehicles.
  • Install commercial fire sprinklers.
  • Designate a smoking area OUTSIDE your building and supply the proper smoking material disposal containers.
  • For more information regarding fire safety, please visit the National Fire Protection Agency’s website at www.nfpa.org