Have a Safe and Happy Halloween

Halloween is an exciting time for kids—and parents too! But none of us want to see our children injured or in unsafe conditions.

Have The Talk–First!
Make sure you talk with your kids about the safety tips below from the National Safety Council and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Check and Double Check!

• Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising children under age 12.
• Plan and discuss the route Trick-Or-Treaters intend to follow.
• Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
• Tell your youngsters NOT to eat any treat until they return home.
• Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger’s home.
• Establish a return time.

Costume Design!

• Masks can obstruct a child’s vision. If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.
• Use only fire-retardant materials for costumes.
• Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
• Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)
• Pin a slip of paper with your child’s name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case he/she gets separated from the group.

Accessories!

• Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
• Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective.
• Flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.

Home, Safe Home!

• Remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not jump on or bite Trick-Or-Treaters.

Home Fire Safety Checklist

Fall is a good time of year to make sure your home is protected from the possibility of a fire.  There are many safety precautions to be considered.  While these tasks may seem like a bother to some people, you will be glad you did them if disaster strikes.  After all, protecting your family and home is worth the extra effort.

If you do not already have monitored smoke, heat and CO detectors installed in your house, now is the time to consider adding them to your current alarm system or installing a complete burglar/fire alarm system. Installing monitored smoke, heat or CO detectors as soon as possible will ensure that you, your family and your home are safe.

The tips below will help you avoid fires and reduce the risk of injury should one occur.

1. Smoke alarms – Install one on every level of your home.
2. Carbon Monoxide detectors – install one on every level of your home.
3. Prevent electrical fires – Don’t overload circuits or extension cords.
4. Unplug all appliances when not in use.
5. Space heaters – Make sure there is nothing flammable around them.
6. Create an escape route – Have a fire escape plan and practice it.
7. Clean dryer vents – remove lint on a regular basis.
8. Clean and inspect furnaces, fireplaces and chimneys.
9. Do not leaving cooking food unattended.
10. Do not leave candles burning.

Central Monitoring provides a free home security evaluation.  Call today and our security consultant will assess your home security needs.  He can discuss all of the safety options available many you can do yourself.  Do not leave your home and family unprotected.  Call today 229-431-0800.

Carbon Monoxide Safety

Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the invisible killer because the gas cannot be seen or smelled.  Carbon monoxide gas can enter the air from a number of flame fueled devices like ovens, ranges, clothes dryers, furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, fireplaces and grills.  If you have any of these items in your home, it is a good idea to install carbon monoxide detectors.

Symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide include dull headache, weakness, dizziness, and nausea, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.  If you experience any of these symptoms you should seek medical attention.

To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning make sure all vents for dryers, stove, furnace and fireplaces are clean and clear.  Have heating equipment and fireplaces professionally inspected and cleaned every year.  Never use your stove or oven to heat your home.  Do not leave a car running in the garage.  Use grills and generators outside only.

Install a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home.  They should be placed at least five feet from the floor or on the ceiling.  They should be placed outside sleeping areas.  These need to be tested monthly.

Monitored CO alarms can save lives.  These can be added to your current alarm system.  The detector will sound the alarm and the central station will call you and ask you to leave the premise immediately and send emergency help right away.  For more information call Central Monitoring Services 229-431-0800.

October is Fire Safety Month …Plan Your Escape

When fire strikes your home, authorities say you have as little as one to two minutes to escape.  It is imperative that you have a well rehearsed Escape Plan which includes all members of the family.

Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes.  Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm.  After you have made a plan and agreed upon an outside meeting place – practice, practice, practice.

Follow these tips:

Draw your escape plan.  Know where to meet outside.

Go over your plan together.

Know to crawl low to the floor.

Put your plan where everyone can see it.

Time your fire drill.

Get out fast and stay out.

Practice getting out when people are sleeping.

In a real fire call 911 from outside.  For the best protection, make sure you have at least one smoke detector on each level of your home and in or near all sleeping areas.  Test your alarms.  Detectors that are part of a monitored system can signal the central station even when no one is home.  Central Monitoring can protect your home and family with monitored smoke, heat and CO detectors.  Peace of mind is just a phone call away 229-431-0800.

October is Fire Safety Month

When it comes to home fires, every second counts.   The National Fire Protection Association and Central Monitoring recommend the following measures to reduce the risk of fire:

Keep an eye on what you are cooking.

Be careful when using space heaters.

If you must smoke, do it outdoors.

Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children

Check all electrical cords in the home, especially during the holiday season.

Have a fire escape plan in place.  Practice this with your family.

Be careful with burning candles.

Install and test smoke alarms.

You can count on Central Monitoring to provide you with peace of mind by installing monitored smoke, heat and CO detectors.  Our dispatchers are on duty 24/7 to help protect you, your  family and your property.  For more information, please call us at 229-431-0800, visit our website at www.central911.com or visit our Demo Room at 522 Pine Avenue, Albany, GA.