NTX Security offers 12 days of Christmas Security and Safety - Day 11 - Time to Wrap it up

It's almost time time to "wrap it up" but we have 12 more tips to help you this and every season.

1. A quality deadbolt lock on all perimeter doors is always your first line of defense. A door is most often the point of entry for an intruder. If you don’t have a quality lock the perpetrator knows that a good blow will break the non-fortified wood that is holding the door lock cylinder in place. A quick entry and closing of the door hides the damage, as it will be on the inside.
2. If you just moved in to your home or business, you should change the key cylinders on all locks, as you don’t know who has a copy of the key.
3. Cut the cord handle off your electric garage door openers. It’s easy to push the top of your garage door in enough to put a wire hanger in and hook the release handle. By pulling on the handle, a burglar will override the screw or chain drive and be able to manually lift the overhead door. Once protected by the privacy of your garage, entry to the home is inevitable. Be sure to leave just enough cord so that you can use it from inside if needed, but not enough to reach the top of the overhead door! 
4. Turn down the volume on your answering machine so that burglars can’t hear that no one’s home if the phone should ring. 
5. Leaving ladders and tools outside your home can trigger a burglar’s impulse, even if that was not on the schedule today.
6. Remove or place a light on shrubs that can easily conceal a waiting burglar from site.
7. Install a peep hole viewer, if you do not have a convenient window to check who is at your door before opening it to a stranger.
8. If someone asks to use your phone for an emergency take the information through closed doors and inform them that you will make the call for them.
9. If you see signs of entry, DO NOT ENTER the house. Go to the neighbors, to call for help and be on the lookout for strange cars or people near your home.
10. Always keep your cell phone in your bedroom with you. If the phone lines are cut you will need it to call for help.
11. Don’t leave a purse, wallet or laptop on the counters that can be seen from a window. This will almost always trigger a forced entry.
12. Generic security signs without corresponding security company stickers on the windows, may lead a passing burglar to believe that you don’t really have an alarm system installed.

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

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.

First day of Christmas Security:

It’s not just window shopping… burglars appreciate knowing that you have expensive gifts inside for them to steal.

Don't openly display your Christmas tree and gifts in the front window so it's easily visible from the street. It's too tempting for an intruder to smash the window and grab the wrapped packages. However if you must place your tree in front of the window, make sure that you don't display gifts under it until closer to Christmas. Burglars look for an easy entry with good escape routes.  

 ***A "Christmas Bonus" Tip***

After Christmas day, don't pile up empty gift boxes from your new computer, DVD player, or stereo receiver on the street for trash pickup.  Break them down or cut them up to conceal the items better and make sure that you place the pieces in dark plastic bags.

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.