NTX Security offers 12 days of Christmas Security and Safety - Day 7

The Grinch is calling; he wants to know if you will be home this Christmas… If you can, call forward your home phone number to your cell or neighbor for the duration of your absence. Don't leave descriptive telephone answering machine messages like, "You've reached the Wilson's...we're away skiing for the Christmas holiday...please leave a message." Don't give information on answering machines. It is best just to say that you are busy at the moment and to leave your name and number and you will return the call.

To be Continued... 

On the Sixth Day of Christmas (security tips)

The Holiday Handyman - Christmas tends to bring out the handyman in some of us. Don't get caught feeding an extension through a locking window and jeopardizing your home's security. Hire an electrician or handyman to install an inexpensive exterior outlet for your holiday lights. Call CKE Electric (ckelectrical@verizon.net or 214-208-7754) for all of your electrical needs. (Don’t forget the motion activated, photo cell lighting) Maintain Your Holiday Lights. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory. Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets. Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch. Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on unattended.

To be Continued... 

NTX Security offers 12 days of Christmas Security and Safety - Day 4 - Holiday Decorations

A Season for Sharing in Fire Safety (US Fire Administration) – Continued http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/holiday.shtm

Holiday Decorations:

1. Use Only Nonflammable Decorations
2. All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
3. Never Put Wrapping Paper in a Fireplace - It can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers and may result in a chimney fire.
4. Artificial Christmas Trees - If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.
5. Candle Care – 
   * Avoid Using Lit Candles
   * If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning. 
   * Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree
6. Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.
7. Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times.
8. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.

NTX Security offers 12 days of Christmas Security and Safety- Day 3

 A Season for Sharing in Fire Safety (US Fire Administration) http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/holiday.shtm

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.
1) Preventing Christmas Tree Fires
a. Christmas Tree Fire Hazards - Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.
b. Selecting a Tree for the Holiday - Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
c. Caring for Your Tree - Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
d. Disposing of Your Tree - Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.
e. Holiday Lights – Maintain Your Holiday Lights. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
f. Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets - Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.
g. Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on Unattended

McKinney Security Company Posts: McKinney Alarm Permit Update

McKinney, TX has recently made changes to their alarm ordinance.  We have listed a few of the changes below but recommend each user review the ordinance.

Some changes are listed below.
 
1.  No Permit - No Response
2.  Permit cost - $50 Residential, $100 Commercial
3.  No Response after 8 false alarms, class & reinstatement fee
4.  ECV required by monitoring companies - two different numbers are called before a dispatch is made on burglary signals.

Useful links:

McKinney Notify Letter

McKinney Alarm Permit Info

At NTX Security we offer free security related information and suggestions to our community and our potential clients through our website, security blog, news articles and our free on-site security evaluations. Please feel free to send this article to someone you care about or whom you feel could benefit from this information. Click here for Business Security or here for Home Security.

Arm your Home Security System or keep your bathroom clean.

Would-Be Texas Burglar Breaks Into Home, Takes A Bath

Police caught a would-be burglar in the tub of the Texas home he had broken into.

TYLER (December 13, 2009)--A 25-year-old man suspected of breaking into a house in Tyler was in jail Sunday after police caught him taking a bath in the tub of the home he’s accused of breaking into early Sunday morning.
Police Sgt. Matthew Smyser says a resident called to report that a man had kicked in the front door of the house in a blue-collar neighborhood in the northwest part of the city.
While en route, officers were advised the resident had fled, but that the intruder remained inside the house.
Officers entered to find the man had stripped and was taking a bath.
After a brief struggle, the man was arrested.
He was booked into the Smith County Jail.
He faces a misdemeanor criminal trespass charge. 

Resource: http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/79173837.html

At NTX Security we offer free security related information and suggestions to our community and our potential clients through our website, security blog, news articles and our free on-site security evaluations. Please feel free to send this article to someone you care about or whom you feel could benefit from this information. Click here for Business Security or here for Home Security.

On the Second Day of Christmas (security tips)

Security 101 – Basic Christmas Security Training - Do not hide door keys under mats - the first place a burglar will look for a house key is under a mat. Rocks, flower pots and door ledges are next on a burglars search list, so don't get caught being security complacent.  If you must leave a key for emergency purposes make sure that you leave it with a trusted friend or neighbor. Make sure that you lock all windows and doors, even if just leaving your home for a few minutes. Burglars only need a few seconds to ruin your day. Intruders prefer to enter through unlocked doors or windows. Sliding windows that are not secure can be seen from a distance. Don't forget to arm your alarm system every time you leave and when you retire for the evening. Always check all door and window locks when a stranger has been inside your home i.e. repair man, "friend" of a friend etc.

More Security Tips Here

Day 1 of Security and Safety Tips Here 

At NTX Security we offer free security related information and suggestions to our community and our potential clients through our website, security blog, news articles and our free on-site security evaluations. Please feel free to send this article to someone you care about or whom you feel could benefit from this information. Click here for Business Security or here for Home Security.

Just in case you haven't heard, NTX Security has a newly updated Facebook Fan page where we will offer special advance notice of events, promotions and other related goodies.

To kick off our Fan Page we are having a drawing for a Vado VF0570's Palm Cam when we reach certain fan levels. (See fan page for more details.)