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    Author: Taylor

    Home Security Tips for the Holidays

    Posted on by Taylor

    Whether you’re travelling to visit family or just taking a much needed vacation, there are a few very important security measures to get in place before you leave,. Keep in mind that thieves don’t take a vacation for the holiday season. In fact, the holiday season in their busiest time of the year.

    The following are some simple steps you can take to make your home less attractive to burglars. 

    1. Lock up

    Always close and lock the doors and windows of your home if you’re leaving, even if just for a short trip. The garage door is also a popular entrance point for thieves, so keep it closed even when you’re home. Don’t forget to lock the door to the garage in the event that thieves gain access to the garage. Be sure to never leave a spare key outside the house—thieves know where to find them.

    2. Make it look like some is home

    Thieves and burglars love long December nights. If you plan on being away for the holidays, it is recommended to install a web-based light switch so that your house looks lived-in, even if it isn’t. You may even consider installing motion-sensing spot lights around the exterior of your home. This will serve as an excellent deterrent whether you are away from home for a brief period of time or out of town on vacation.

    3. Be cautious about announcing your trips on social media 

    Burglars are resourceful. Some of them will monitor Facebook and other social media sites to see who’s away on vacation and break in. The safer course is to only mention your trips when talking to friends and family in person or talk to them on the phone.

    4. Keep present out of sight

    While placing gifts under the Christmas tree adds to the holiday spirit, the presents can also attract the attention of burglars. If this isn’t already your custom, wait until just before going to bed on Christmas Eve to break out the gifts, and keep the well-hidden until the time arrives.

    5. Make sure your house is fire proof 

    Taking the neighborhood association’s home decorating prize may come at a price! If you plan on transforming your home into a twinkling Christmas palace or a charming gingerbread house, make sure that your lights are powered by a well-maintained outdoor outlet. Overloaded extension cords may cause fire hazards and gaps caused by unwieldy cords may be all that a burglar needs to pry your windows or doors open.

    6. Install a home security system

     

    The start of the holiday season is also a good time to beef up your home security. If you don’t have one already, consider installing an advanced security system with features such as motion sensors, video surveillance cameras, burglar alarms and centralized monitoring.

    Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. for more tips on how to keep your home safe during the holidays – and throughout the year.

    How to Prevent Christmas Tree and Holiday Decoration Fires

    Posted on by Taylor

    It’s the time of the year again. We love to have holiday lights, candles burning bright and the warm glow around the house. It’s that special time of the year when our homes are bursting with the holiday spirit. 

    What’s not so lovely is when Christmas glee is turned into horror as the tree bursts into flames or christmas decors catch fire. Christmas trees and other decorations are an annual tradition for many, but misuse and neglect can lead to tragedy. 

    Fire departments across the country respond to hundreds of fires during the holiday season each year.  One in every 31 Christmas tree fires is deadly, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The association says electrical failures and malfunctions caused 30 percent of Christmas tree fires.

    What can we do to prevent the creation of a fire hazard? Here are a few tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

    • Choose a tree with fresh, green needles.

    • Place it at least 3 feet away from a heat source.

    • Position it so it’s not blocking any exits.

    • Water fresh trees DAILY to prevent them from drying out.

    • Turn any lights off at bedtime or before leaving your home.

    When using artificial trees, be sure they are flame-resistant and watch out for electric lights on metal versions. Electrocution can occur if the metal on the tree becomes charged. 

    Christmas trees aren’t the only item you’ll need to be careful with. Holiday décor can create unseen problems, too.  Make sure to decorate with fire-safe ornaments and lights. Don’t crowd your outlets with too many plugs or use more than one extension cord for your outlet. Keep light strands to a max of three per cord to avoid a burnout. 

    Check your lights. Faulty lights can cause a fire, especially the ones around your tree, which is why It’s essential to check the lights you used to decorate your house.

    Another thing you’ll need to be mindful of is candles. D.C. Police said two out of every five home decoration fires are started by candles. The four most common days for candle fires are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, police said. 

    With these little extra precautions, you can have a joyful and worry-free holiday.

    How to Prevent Car Break-ins

    Posted on by Taylor

    Motor vehicle theft is up 3.1% nationally, says the FBI’s annual Uniform Crime Data report. While thieves may admire glamorous sports cars and luxury sedans, that’s not what they’re generally stealing. In terms of new cars, the Nissan Altima, Chrysler 200, and Toyota Camry were the most often stolen cars in 2016, reports Forbes. The Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Ford F-150, and Chevrolet Silverado topped the list of most stolen among used cars. Overall, used cars tend to be stolen more often than newer models, simply because they have less sophisticated anti-theft technology. In other words, car thieves want your car, but they don’t want to put in too much work.

    Here are some car break-in prevention techniques.

    1. Lock your doors

    A majority of car break-ins and thefts are from unlocked cars. Even if you are parked in front of your house, in your driveway or inside your garage, lock your doors. Criminals like to walk down the street and see if a car is unlocked, if it is, they open the door and take whatever is visible and move on to the next target. However, if the door is locked, they are more likely to move on.

     
    2. Don’t leave your car running

    It can be tempting to leave your car running when you’re just popping in and out of the store, but this also makes it pretty easy for a thief to hop in and drive away. Also, it’s illegal to leave your car running and unattended in 30 states plus the District of Columbia. Laws vary based on the circumstance and state, but they all have the same goal in mind: to help prevent your car from getting stolen!

    3. Park in well-lit areas

    If you’re parking your car somewhere after the sun has gone down, try to find a spot underneath a streetlight that’s well lit and well trafficked. Thieves may be less likely to rummage through a car with a spotlight on them and a potential audience just around the corner.

    4. Keep your vehicle tidy

    Thieves like to window shop! Avoid leaving anything visible in the car. Almost any item that’s visible from the outside – even if you think it is worthless – could be seen as valuable to a thief. Your spare change, sunglasses, even an empty bag (a thief may think there is something inside the bag) could be valuable in the mind of a thief.

    5. Invest in an anti-theft system

    Whether it’s a steering wheel lock, a window alarm, or an ignition cut-off system, anything that makes a thief work harder could also make your car safer. If it will slow them down or potentially get them caught, they’ll probably pass.

    6. Report Break-Ins

    If you see a break-in in progress, call 911 immediately! Provide the 911 dispatcher with as much information as possible, such as:

    • Location – Provide an address, block number, or specific location in a parking lot.

    • Description of the suspect – Provide as much information as you can, i.e. sex, race, age, height, weight, hair color and length, color and length of facial hair, colors and style of clothing, and identifying marks such as tattoos and piercings.

    • Direction – If the suspect flees, give the direction of travel. If they flee on a bicycle or in a vehicle, describe the color, make, model, and license plate number, if it is safe to do so!

    How to Prevent Fire at Home

    Posted on by Taylor

    Losing your home to a fire can be a scary thought, but there are a lot of preventive measures you can do to prevent home fire or fire accidents. 

     

    Most people know the basics of fire safety at home such as not leaving burning candles or cooking unattended, and keeping a fire extinguisher on hand. But there are more things you can do to prevent home fire or home accidents. Here are some of important home fire safety tips.

     

    1. Check electrical cords throughout the house

    Faulty wiring and outlets are some of the top causes of house fires. Check the electrical cords throughout your home for signs of fraying, and replace all frayed wires. 

     

    Be aware of the capacity of your home’s electrical system. Do not overload your circuits. If you have questions about your home’s electrical system, you may want to consult a licensed electrician.

    2. Check dryer

    If you have a gas-powered clothes dryer, have it inspected once a year to make sure all connections are secure. No matter what type of dryer you have, always clean out the lint filter after a load is finished. Regularly check behind and around the dryer for pockets of lint or items of laundry that have fallen under or behind. Use a shop vacuum or hire a professional to thoroughly remove all lint and debris from the lint trap area and all external dryer vents at least once a year. 

     

    3. Inspect heating sources

    Regardless of what kind of primary heating you have in your home, an annual inspection will reduce your risk of fire.

    Change furnace filters regularly to avoid a buildup of dust and lint that can easily catch fire. If you use space heaters, carefully inspect them before and after each use, and place them at least three feet away from anything combustible, such as fabric or paper. Check water heaters as well, especially those that run off gas and have a pilot light. Make sure nothing is close to the heating element.

     

    4. Keep firewood, piles of leaves and garbage away from the home

    If a grass fire starts nearby, these items next to your home could easily become kindling. Never dump hot ashes inside or near your home; keep them in a metal container well away from your house and garage.

     

    5. Know your shutoffs

     

    Know the locations of your power shutoffs for all utilities, including gas lines, circuit breakers, appliances, and fuses. Post clear shutoff directions next to each one. Keep a non-sparking tool handy for turning off gas.

     

    6. Install fire alarm system

    Many people do not have fire alarm systems installed in their homes. Many assume that they are able to smell smoke when they are asleep and wake up in time to escape in case of a fire emergency. Well, this is not true at all. Studies have been conducted and it has been proven that people’s sleep are disrupted when there is sound or noise, but it is NOT the case with smell. Our sense of smell is lost when we are asleep, and we will not wake up no matter how strong the smell of smoke is.

     

    The only thing that can alert you and your family 24/7 from a fire is the sound of a well installed and maintained fire alarm system. Fire alarms are important because they can give you an early signal to something that could be tragic – basically saving your lives.


    Titan Alarm     is a full-service security system provider offering a complete range of services to protect your home in the event of a fire emergency. They utilize the latest technology to take your home fire security to the next level with detection and monitoring systems, advanced fire alarms, IP/cellular communications, preventative maintenance, and a variety of other services.

    First-time Home Buyers Security Tips

    Posted on by Taylor

    Buying a house involves a long-term planning. Most people dream of buying a house for years or even decades before the actual process begins. Some of the things usually considered are the number of bedrooms, what the neighborhood is like, and how big the garden is, among others. But one important aspect that’s sometimes overlooked is security. 


    New homeowners are especially vulnerable to security risks, as they are just beginning to learn about their new home and neighbourhood. You can have peace of mind by optimizing your home’s security. Here are some of the best home security tips to consider when buying your first home:


    1. Check out the location before making the decision to buy

    Before you make that buying decision, you need to consider the safety of the neighbourhood.

    Buyers should keep an eye out for key indicators of a good neighbourhood, such as an active neighbourhood watch group, regular security patrol of the area, well-lit streets and pathways, as well as little to no signs of vandalism.

    No neighbourhood will ever be completely crime free, but you certainly do not want to buy a home in an area that has a high crime rate.

    For this reason, it is essential to conduct sufficient research into the neighbourhood’s crime statistics and overall safety.

    This can be done by liaising with local authorities like the local police station, who will be able to provide you with the latest crime statistics for the area.

    Enlisting the help of a knowledgeable local agent can also provide you with information on the safety in the area.

    2. Meet the neighbors

    There are many other forms of security measures worth considering, once you’ve found your ideal neighbourhood and have settled into your new home.

    One of them is getting out and introducing yourself to your neighbors. They don’t have to become your new best friends, but neighbors who are familiar with one another tend to look out for each other, notice when things are “off” or suspicious at the neighbor’s home, and report it to authorities. 

    A neighbour who you have built a good relationship with is more likely to keep watch over your home than a neighbour you have barely had any interaction with.


    3. Perform an audit of your home’s security

    Once you’ve moved into your new home, inspecting each of the home’s entry points is crucial, as online statistics reveal that criminals generally look to target homes with multiple entry and exit points, as well as homes that have easy access to main roads.

    For this reason, it is essential to conduct a walkthrough of your house to identify any security flaws and areas that need special attention. 

    Test the functioning of the windows and doors around your house in order to assess how easy or difficult it may be for an intruder to gain access into your home.


    4. Install a security system

    Trying to pick up the pieces after a house break in is a lot more traumatic than preventing one in the first place.

    It is essential to focus on prevention and consider the options for securing your home.

    The installation of a security system is a popular option among many homeowners, as it is considered an effective way to secure a home.

    An active security system can help to notify you immediately if an intruder has gained entry to your property and is especially helpful in the event of you being out of town.

    Most home security systems, once triggered, provides an instant notification by transmitting a signal to the relevant 24-hour monitoring centre. By doing so, security dispatchers can immediately inform you of the alarm and head out to your home to inspect the property, as well as alert the local emergency or police services.

    Contact https://titanalarm.net/ for more information on home security.

    5. Get a dog

    Despite all the advances in technology, dogs still make excellent security systems. Dogs are great at drawing attention to unusual activities and will warn you when someone unfamiliar is too close to the house or if they hear unusual noises outside. A pet can add a sense of security to any home, too. The simple idea of having another living, breathing thing in your house has a way of doing that

    Home Security

    Posted on by Taylor

    Do I Need Home Security in Phoenix?

    Like many people you may be thinking, is a home security system really necessary? Well, the simple answer to this is, yes! 

    No matter where you live nowadays, there will always be a necessity for home security. Today we are going to be looking at some of the top reasons that you need a security system to keep your home and loved ones safe.

    If you live in Phoenix and you are in search of a security solution that can protect your home or business, Titan Alarm is here for you.

    To Protect and Secure

    The FBI has recently said that 1 in 3 homes that are not armed with a security system will fall victim to a burglary. Comparing these statistics to 1 in 250, that alone should be enough to convince you.

    It may be an unbelievable statistic, but every 13 seconds, a home burglary takes place. That equates to almost 6,000 burglaries per day.

    Simply installing a home security system can offer added protection and dramatically reduce the chances of you falling victim to a burglary.

    Great For Protection Against Fires

    While most people think of home security as a way to protect their homes from burglaries, what many people do not realize is the capability of the security system when it comes to protecting against fires too.

    A lot of people are often guilty of thinking a house fire will never happen to them. Unfortunately, when we look at the 2017/2018 statistics from the Phoenix Fire Department, we can see a total of 21,730 call-outs to domestic fires.

    This is where an internal motion-sensing camera system can be highly beneficial. These cameras are generally quite inexpensive and can report directly to your handheld devices when motion is captured. 

    Having this available when smoke is spotted can give you the vital time required to call the local fire department and have any fire tackled before it goes out of control.

    Having the addition of heat sensors and smoke detectors is also a great way to alert anybody that’s in the local area that your house may be in danger.

    Monitor Your Carbon Footprint

    Having an internal camera system can also be highly beneficial when it comes to ensuring we have done our bit for the planet.

    We are all guilty of leaving a light or two on when we head out for work; the trouble is, this is neither efficient for the planet nor our wallets. While at one time, it would have been the case that we would have to travel home to rectify these issues, this is no longer the case.

    We now live in a beautiful age of technology, and this enables us to deal with small issues like this wherever we may be in the world. Pairing your security system with smart technology in your home can be highly beneficial.

    Save You Some Money

    When you own your own home, you know that having homeowners insurance is an absolute necessity. This is loosely related to why you need to have a security system in your home.

    While homeowners insurance is below the national average in Phoenix, it is still quite a sum yearly. Having a security system will always lower the cost of your premium. When you take into account the saving you will make over a year, the savings you make on your insurance will pay for your security system before long.

    It is important to note that the better and more reliable your home security, the more significant the discount that will be offered by the insurance company.

    Remotely Monitor Your Kingdom With Cameras

    While people love to get away and travel, more often than not, there is still a little sunken worry that while you’re away, something will happen to your property.

    Having an internal and external camera system is one of the best ways to give you peace of mind. No matter where you may be in the world, providing you have an internet connection, you will be able to view all aspects of your home. 

    Another advantage of security cameras is their ability to act as a deterrent. Pairing a camera system with a good alarm system is one of the finest ways you can protect your home.

    Protects Your Car

    One of the finest reasons to get a security system if you live in Phoenix is to protect your car. It may shock some of you, but Arizona is ranked 8th in the entire nation when it comes to car theft.

    If there is one thing we love just as much as our home, it’s generally our car (and possibly our children too). There is no worse feeling than waking up to find your vehicle has gone.

    Car theft nowadays has come a long way. Car thieves often attempt to gain entrance to the house; this is because they want to get hold of their keys. The best way to deter this, apart from a complex laser-based system, is an excellent house alarm system and of course, home video surveillance. 

    Cameras on the outside of the home act as a significant deterrent when it comes to keeping car thieves at bay. It is also a great idea to keep your keys in a safe location too.

    Conclusion

    As you can see, there has never been a better time to get home security, and it does way more than protect you from intruders.

    If you live in Phoenix and you need a complete security solution that can take care of everything from Burglar alarms to access control systems, and everything in between, Titan Alarm should be your first choice. 

    At Titan Alarm, we don’t believe in using contractors like most other companies; we have a dedicated and multi-skilled team of employees that will treat you like a member of the family.

    Locked Out

    Posted on by Taylor

    What to do when you’re outside… but your keys are inside

    It’s 8:25am, your wife is already at work, the kids are at school and you’re running late. The note on the fridge reminds you that it’s trash day… and the garbage truck will be there any minute. You make a mad dash to grab the can and get it to the curb, only to discover that… you’ve locked yourself out of the house. NOOOOOOOO!!!

    There are a few things you can do before throwing a rock through a window… or worse… go all Chuck Norris and try kicking in the front door, possibly fracturing your tibia.

    So, follow these tips to get back inside and save yourself a trip to the Emergency Room.

    1 – Take a deep breath

    Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to your body. Those things that happen when you are stressed, such as increased heart rate, fast breathing, and high blood pressure, all decrease as you breathe deeply to relax. You’ll be in a much better state of mind for solving the “key” problem at hand. Breathing exercises are a great way to reduce stress daily… but maybe today isn’t the day to start. Just a few slow breaths ought to do it.

    2 – Look for an unlocked entry point

    I know, I know… you always keep your doors and windows shut and locked; however, it’s worth taking a look to see if someone left a door out back unlocked or a bathroom window open. Always start with this plan of action since it’s the easiest and fastest way to get back into the house. Only check the access points on the first floor. Avoid climbing trees and trellises to check windows on the upper levels. Again, we’re trying to avoid a broken leg.

    3 – Text/Call someone who has a key

    Your spouse or kids should have a key, so I’d start there. Unless of course, your phone is inside the house… on the kitchen counter… keeping your keys company. If that’s the case, start thinking of anyone else… anyone close… who might have a spare; a babysitter or pet sitter from the neighborhood perhaps. If you’re in an apartment, go have the landlord/maintenance staff open the door for you. At this point you’re probably second guessing your decision to not buy the hide-a-key rock in the Skymall magazine because you didn’t think it looked real enough.

    4 – MacGyver it

    Since you’re not an accomplished burglar, or ex CIA, picking the lock probably isn’t an option. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some other acts of ingenuity you can try. Some people might suggest a credit card… but unless you’re trying to break into your master bathroom, you’ll need something a little sturdier. Run over to the neighbors and borrow a butter knife (less creepy than showing up on their doorstep asking for a boning knife or cleaver). Slide the blade of the knife between the door and the strike plate until you hit the door’s plunger or bolt. Then, you can try to force the bolt away from the doorjamb and push the door open. The thought then occurs to you, if you went over to your neighbors, why didn’t you just call your wife from their phone.

    5 – Call a locksmith

    This is the most expensive way to get back into your house… unless you didn’t take my advice and threw a rock through the window. It also requires a long wait, and reliance on a phone. The upside is that a locksmith will get you into your house for sure, and do it without damaging any of your property.

    6 – Stop it from ever happening again

    Now that you’ve made it back in safely… don’t let it happen again. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Not sure how to compare a pound of cure to not getting locked out or keeping your family safe, but you get what I mean. The Smart Home solution:

    No more keys – Unlock your door with a unique code that you came up with, instead of a key

    Lock/Unlock door remotely – This time you’re on your way to work and you realize you didn’t lock the door. No problem. You can use your phone app to lock or unlock the front door from anywhere.

    Multiple access codes – You can create multiple access codes so that you don’t have to give out your own personal code to the babysitter… or even the in-laws. Give them their own code, and then just disable it later. That way you’re not resetting it all the time, like your work email password.

    What does all of that mean? It means your Smart Home system does just as much to keep you stress and worry free as your new breathing exercises. It gives you the peace of mind that asleep or awake, home or away, you and your family are safe.

    Ready to keep your family safe? Call 800-973-9001 (or just fill out the form below) to get a free quote today and see how Titan Alarm can help bring you that peace of mind.

    SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! … the quotes are free?

    You bet they are… and not just for the front door, for all of your doors, windows, thermostat, lights, etc…

    Get my Freedom

    Posted on by Taylor

    FREEDOM

    I didn’t feel free at all. I felt like a prisoner to my own business

    I was going to fail… until I found this

    I was at a basketball game a few years ago, rooting on a professional team from the next town over. The playoffs were just around the corner and this was a pivotal game, a must-win as they call it, and it was close… too close. As the halftime buzzer loudly rang, I let out a big sigh of air… apparently, I had been holding my breath down the stretch. As I contemplated taking the arduous journey up the arena’s steps, through the throngs of people, eventually overpaying for a subpar hotdog – a diminutive figure made its way out to center court. As I squinted my eyes to better focus on what was taking place, I noticed a little woman in a brightly-colored, silk costume. I took notice as she began to spin plates on top of thin poles that were a few feet taller than she was. Before I could blink, she had 10 plates spinning all at once.

    As she finished with the tenth plate, the first one she had put up started to wobble a bit as it lost speed. She quickly moved to it, and with a flick of her wrist and the deft touch of her fingers, got the plate spinning optimally once again. But… just as she got the first plate back where it needed to be, the second and third plates started to waiver. I thought for sure one of them was going to fall and shatter on the court’s wood floor below. Minutes past, and not one plate fell. The lady frantically ran from plate to plate preventing a crash through the gyroscopic motion of the spin. I don’t know what her anxiety was like… but mine was through the roof just watching. Eventually it ended, but not before I had this thought, “how long could she honestly keep this up for… at some point, she had to fail.”


    Years later, I started my first company… and I became the plate spinner. I proudly named myself CEO, and quickly learned that it stood for Chief Everything Officer. There were so many things that had to be handled every day, and I was the only one there to do it. Frantically running around keeping everything moving; marketing, sales, business development, programming, customer service, HR, packing and shipping, etc. And then the startling flashback to the basketball game… “how long could I honestly keep this up for… at some point, I had to fail! And my anxiety… through the roof.

    The solution was to quickly surround myself with help. As I brought people on to take over different tasks/departments, it was hard to let go. I was so used to touching all the facets of the company, that I worried about how things were being handled… especially when I wasn’t there. I assumed that there would be a sense of freedom as a business owner… isn’t that why I started it in the first place? But I didn’t feel free at all.

    I felt like a prisoner to my own business. Like an anxious, over-the-top, first-time parent who wakes up for every little sound they hear throughout the night… checking the monitor ad nauseam to make sure everything is ok; knowing that they can never leave the house because of the guilt of leaving their child with someone else.

    And then things changed… for the better. I finally started to settle down as I surrounded myself with amazing… very capable… employees, who I trusted to do a good job. I knew they loved the company as much as I did, and worked their guts out to break through limits and hit ever growing goals.

    That wasn’t all though. There was one more piece to the puzzle. One more solution that had eluded me over the years that I finally was able to adopt and run with. A new brand of technology.

    I installed a new commercial security system… and it’s the greatest choice I ever made. It’s my Zen.

    PEACE OF MIND

    Did someone access the inventory room after hours? Was that a false alarm or a real one? Was the alarm turned on tonight? With real-time notifications, remote control and auto-arming, I now know what’s happening at my business, and know it’s secure, no matter where I am or what time it is.

    KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS

    I can see all the important activity at my business, even when I’m on the road. With single and multi-site viewing, live-streaming, recorded video and real-time notifications, it’s easy to see what’s happening when I can’t be there.

    NO WORRYING THAT OTHERS WILL FORGET

    I set up your system to arm automatically at a certain time each day or on a schedule that works with your business hours… and it was easy to do.

    ENERGY SAVINGS

    I even save energy. Using on-site thermostat lock-out, employees can’t crank up the air conditioning or blast the heat outside of a temperature range that I define. I connected all my lights, locks and thermostats to the security system to ensure that my business is at a comfortable temperature when it’s open and energy efficient when it’s closed.

    SECURITY

    Whether you have a small team or hundreds of employees like I now do, you can easily manage multiple access plans, remotely lock or unlock doors and monitor activity at your business.

    Did I stop worrying about my business? No!

    Is it constantly on my mind? Yes.

    But… knowing that I can check in when I want to, or get alerts when things aren’t right… I can actually step away and enjoy a vacation from time to time. Or enjoy my son’s baseball game or my daughter’s dance recital. I mean, that’s why I got into this in the first place right? Freedom.


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    How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online

    Posted on by Taylor

    keeping-kids-safe-online

    While the internet can serve as an invaluable learning tool and offer other benefits for our children, its use does pose certain risks. As many as 20 percent of kids will be subjected to some form of cyberbullying, and predators use the Web as a vehicle to connect with kids and attempt to lure them to a meeting place. What’s more, kids can be exposed to various types of inappropriate content while they’re online.

    Consequently, knowing how to keep kids safe on the internet is an essential component of parenting these days.

    Tips About Internet Safety For Kids

    The following cyber safety tips for kids can help you protect your youngsters while they’re online:

    • Establish a set of online activity rules:

      You likely have rules in place for where your kids are allowed to go, what time they must be home, setting aside time for homework, etc. Set some rules for internet usage, such as when and how long they are allowed to be online each day. The more time kids spend online, the more susceptible they become to the Web’s “dark side.” It also limits the time they spend engaging in normal, healthy childhood activities such as playing outdoors or hanging out with friends. Set parameters regarding when and how often your kids can go online and be sure to strictly enforce them. Create a list of acceptable websites they can to visit without your permission and post it by the computer as a reminder.

    • Teach them how to safeguard their privacy:

      Instruct your kids not to give out information such as email addresses, home addresses or telephone numbers online or to provide any type of personal information strangers. Many proud parents also love to share photos and other news about their kids on Facebook and other social media sites. Unfortunately, this can also negatively impact their privacy and potentially expose them to individuals with bad intent. Think twice before posting information about your kids, and be sure to use social media site privacy settings to limit what you share to only those people you know and trust.

    • Instruct them on basic computer security:

      Teach your kids the fundamentals of computer security, such as logging out properly and creating challenging passwords that are difficult to crack. Also, warn them of the dangers of sharing their passwords with anyone, including their most trusted friends.  If your kids are old enough to go online on their own, they need to learn about what constitutes safe — and even more importantly — unsafe Internet practices. Educate them regarding setting strong passwords, detecting phishing emails and the dangers of posting or responding to inappropriate messages and photos.A simple rule to teach your kids is not to do anything online that they wouldn’t do face-to-face. Also, instruct them how to recognize cyberbullying and other online threats — and to tell you about them immediately if they occur.

    • Set up your household computers in open areas:

      Placing your computers in open, high-traffic areas such as a living room or family room enables you to more easily monitor your kids’ online activity. If you have multiple computers in your home, limit the number that are connected to the Web to one or two. While it may seem intrusive, keeping a close eye on their social media activity is a good way to protect kids’ online security. For instance, many parents require their children to provide them with the password in exchange for permission to establish a social media account. Another option is to have your kids make you a friend or contact on all social media sites they use. Software is also available that can monitor your child’s online activities.

    • Take advantage your browser’s parental controls:

      Popular Web browsers such as Internet Explorer and Google Chrome give you the option to adjust the security settings to restrict access to certain sites unless the user has a password. One of the most important steps you can take to protect children online is installing a reliable Internet security suite such as Norton Internet Security on every computer in your home.These products contain numerous safety features such as a personal firewall, phishing protection and spam filtering. Various Internet filter software products are also available that can prevent your kids from visiting inappropriate sites.

    • Talk to them about what they post online:

      As your kids progress through their teenage years, much of their online activity will probably consist of engagement in social media. Be sure to have a conversation with them regarding what is and is not appropriate to post online — even a seemingly innocent comment could antagonize others and even be construed as cyberbullying. It’s also important to keep the lines of communication open regarding internet safety. Let your kids know they can approach you if they come across something that concerns or upsets them while online.

    • Warn them about issues such as plagiarism and hacking:

      While the internet can be of immense help when working on school projects and reports, your kids should have a basic understanding of issues such as plagiarism and copyright infringement. If your child is particularly tech-savvy, explain the potential consequences of hacking.

    Contact Titan Alarm To Help Setup a Home Security System to Protect You and Your Children’s Privacy

    Today’s generation of kids are exposed to the Internet virtually from birth. When used properly, the Web can serve as a valuable tool for educating and entertaining your children. However, Internet use can also leave your kids vulnerable to threats posed by sexual predators and cyberbullies — which can have serious and even tragic consequences. The good news is that you don’t have to resort to drastic measures like removing computers from your home or disconnecting the Internet to keep your children safe. Remember, it’s never too early to start protecting your kids’ online security — you’ll sleep better knowing you’re doing everything possible to keep your children safe.

    Learn More About Home Security Safety and Your Family:

    Updated by Titan Alarm on August 20, 2018

    Data Center Fire Prevention Tips

    Posted on by Taylor

    A computer room, or data center, serves as the “nerve center” for many businesses these days. A fire in this area of your facility could destroy your expensive computer equipment — as well as the vital data it processes and stores. The resulting downtime and the loss of mission-critical information could have devastating consequences for your operation.

    The following prevention tips can minimize your risk of a data center fire:

    • Manage the paper clutter: Don’t make your computer room a repository for stacks of paper documents or other combustible materials. If you print a lot of documents, keep the paper flow moving through and out of the room instead of creating large piles.
    • Inspect power cords: If yours is like most data centers, it’s full of power cords that connect all your computer equipment. Check the condition of the cords periodically and replace those that are worn or frayed.
    • Implement good housekeeping practices: Dust can accumulate on and around your computer equipment, which poses a significant fire hazard. Make sure your office cleaning protocols include regular cleaning and dust removal for your computers, servers, printers, copiers, etc.
    • Institute a fire response plan: Be certain the room has at least one fire extinguisher and provide training for your employees on how to use it. Integrate an escape route from the room into your facility’s fire evacuation plan.
    • Install a fire protection system: While you may have a sprinkler system in other areas of your building, water-based fire sprinklers are not a wise choice for a data center — water can damage your sensitive electronic equipment. A clean agent fire suppression system is a better option for a computer room environment.
    • Schedule regular fire inspections: A timely inspection of your company’s fire prevention systems will verify that your building is fully protected against the possibility of a fire. It will also ensure compliance with local fire codes — and give you peace of mind.

    Contact Titan Alarm for All Your Business Fire Protection Needs

    As a full-service fire protection solutions provider in Phoenix, Mesa, and Tucson, AZ, you can count on Titan Alarm, Inc. for the best commercial fire prevention systems in the region, as well as comprehensive inspection/testing services. Contact us to learn more today.

    Learn More About Fire Sprinkler Systems

    Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

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