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.

Central Monitoring Services offers Driveway Alerts

Never be surprised by unwanted visitors again.  Driveway alarms are a great way of knowing when company has arrived or when unauthorized vehicles are entering your property.  With our Driveway Alert you can know precisely the moment anyone has arrived at your residence.  The patented magnetometer sensor system allows a wireless signal to trigger your receiver to both chime and flash ALERT lights in red.  The Driveway Alert requires no wiring so installation is quick.  The sensor is mounted next to your driveway and the receiver plugs into a standard outlet inside your home.

The Driveway Alert will not be triggered by animals, people or shadows.  It is also weather resistant with a waterproof battery-powered sensor.  It can operate up to 1000 feet from sensor to receiver.  Call Central Monitoring, 229-431-0800 today to schedule an appointment for installation.

Central Monitoring Services discusses Senior Safety

After lovingly taking care of you as you grew up, your parents may now need you to help take care of them.  This month we are focusing on our Seniors and how we can help them.  Most seniors want to stay at home where they feel safe and close to the things they value.  Determining if your loved one is safe at home can be an overwhelming task.  There are many resources available to help you make this decision.  The Sowega Council on Aging is a good place to start.

We all want our seniors to be in the best place for their health, happiness and safety.  One of the most important things to remember is communication.  To make changes in the way our seniors live we have to actively engage them in making the best decisions for their new life style.

Central Monitoring has several options available that can help you keep an eye on your loved ones.  We have personal emergency response systems, security systems with medical alert buttons, and camera systems that allow you to check in on them.

Central Monitoring offers two way voice personal emergency response systems.  These monitoring systems have a base unit that communicates to the central station through a landline phone.  The individual wears a pendant or watch.  In the event of an emergency, a push of a button on the device will alert the central station who will immediately carry out your personal instructions.  You choose who to notify, whether it is a family member or loved one, emergency response services or both.

There are many benefits to a personal emergency response system.  It can provide peace of mind, knowing that you or your loved one can get help immediately.  The device is monitored 24/7, someone is always there to send help when needed.  Seniors can remain independent and stay in their home where they feel comfortable.

Central Monitoring offers several options for using cameras to check on your seniors.  We have video systems that can be viewed through the internet.  We also have cameras available that work with the Honeywell Total Connect services.  You can view these cameras through the internet also.  Both of these systems give you access to check on your loved ones any time.

Please call us for more information or come by our Demo Room at 522 Pine Avenue, Albany, GA.

Know the Profile of a Professional Criminal

Have you ever watched a news story about a thief where the criminal’s neighbors were interviewed and swore that the man was just like everybody else? Although the burglar of today might not immediately appear as though they need to take a trip behind bars, there are some subtle signs that might indicate a criminal nature or likelihood of thievery.

The FBI suggests that there were an extraordinary 8,975,438 property crimes around the country in 2012 (the latest year for which statistics are available). That was a subtle decline from 2011, but burglaries remain exceptionally common and hard to solve. Understanding what type of individual tends to commit burglaries will help you take note of suspicious behavior and protect yourself and your property.

Common Characteristics of Burglars

A burglary occurs every 14.6 seconds, according to the agency’s “Crime Clock.” That means there are a lot of people out there committing burglaries, so it’s not possible to create a single profile for absolutely every burglar. However, there are some common characteristics of thieves that may help you guard against theft.

Burglars often resemble the following:

• Under 25-years-old
• Usually male
• Wears baggy clothes (to hide tools of the trade like pliers and screwdrivers)
• Exceptionally observant

Don’t assume that this burglar profile represents the only type of person who steals. Anyone can become a burglar with the right incentive. That little old lady down the street could have 20 years of experience as a cat burglar!

Burglars Don’t Always Look like Burglars

In an article by “Reader’s Digest,” the author suggests that burglars often carry a clipboard or dress like a service professional. Perhaps the burglar will evencarrya rake or other lawn tools to make it appear as though he’s just a member of a landscaping crew. Even if a burglar fits all of the common demographics of a burglar, he might be able to slip through detection by “hiding in plain sight.”

In addition, a burglar will even knock on your front door just to see if anyone’s home before trying to break in. Many savvy thieves will take no chances in accidentally robbing a house when someone’s at home. When you answer the door, the burglar will pretend he’s lost or he might offer to do some yard work.

Don’t Assume Law Enforcement Works Miracles

Burglaries aren’t often solved and the criminal often gets away. For example, one tally of statistics in Las Vegas showed that only around 10% of burglaries resulted in an arrest and closure of the case. However, there are things a homeowner can do to improve the chance for law enforcement success.

Ensuring the police thoroughly inspect a home or business for fingerprints and other evidence is important, as is installing a visual security system with surveillance cameras. Anything a homeowner or business owner can do to help law enforcement identify a burglar will help catch even the savviest of criminals.

Don’t assume that the police will be able to find the perpetrator or that you’ll ever get your possessions back. When you understand the common features of a burglar, you’ll be able to watch out for suspicious behavior and keep your family or business safe from theft and potential harm.

Do I Need Glass Break Sensors?

Your home and your business are important investments. Therefore, it is in your best interests to protect them using the most advanced security methods available. Home security services offer a wide variety of ways to detect break-ins at your home or business, and glass break sensors are among the most valuable tools today.

How glass break sensors work

Glass break sensors are specially designed to notice and respond to the exact frequency that is created when glass is broken. Any time a security system is armed, these sensors are active. Therefore, even if an alarm system is currently in the “Stay” mode, doing something like dropping a glass will trigger the alarm. Glass break sensors typically have a range of 20 feet in all directions. However, this can vary slightly based on the manufacturer. The result is that one sensor is capable of monitoring many windows in the same room. This is provided there are not any walls or doors between the window and the sensor.

Who typically needs to use glass break sensors?

Any person who has something worth protecting would be a good candidate to use glass break sensors. One of the most common ways that burglars enter a home or business is by smashing a window. Therefore, any home or business that does not already have security bars on all of the windows would be a good candidate for glass break sensors.

Where do you use glass break sensors?

One of the most important places to install a glass break sensor is in rooms with sliding glass doors, since this will be a probable entry point for intruders. Most home security services also suggest that you have one installed in any part of your home where windows are clustered together, such as a sunroom. You should also consider installing glass break sensors in areas where motion sensors will not be in operation when your alarm system is in “Stay” mode. These vulnerable areas must be accounted for in order to make your home completely secure.

It is not necessary for a glass break sensor to point directly at the window or door it is monitoring. Only a clear line or sight is needed for the sensor to be effective. This will allow the sound waves of the glass breaking to travel directly to the sensor. Since a glass break sensor can cover all the windows and doors in a large area, it eliminates the need to install a sensor on every window and door in your house. This can save you a lot of money.

Fire prevention

When people think of glass break sensors, the first thing they think of is protection from burglary. While this is a popular use for these sensors, they can also be used for other things. For example, glass break sensors are ideal for use in Albany fire protection. When a fire breaks out in a home or business, there is often a great deal of shattered glass. The sound of this glass can allow the fire department to be summoned quickly to the building. With any luck, they will arrive soon enough to put out the fire before any serious damage is done. If you are in need of Albany fire protection, consider the advantages of glass break sensors.

Home Security Essentials Help Protect Homeowners from Summer’s Sizzling Crime Rates

If you’re not involved in law enforcement or a business that provides home security essentials, you may not realize that crime rates rise in the summer. There are many reason for this phenomenon.

For one, schools are out for the summer. Though most teens don’t turn to criminal activity to fill the summer hours, some do unfortunately.

In addition, more people are out and about later due to pleasant weather. Because of this, a stranger walking in the neighborhood may not attract the attention he or she would during cold weather.

Vacations are another factor contributing to higher crime rates. It’s second nature for many of us to post our weekend and vacation plans on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook where complete strangers can read all about our comings and goings. This is why sites like Foursquare.com are particularly problematic year round. Posting your location to Twitter via Foursquare is like inviting someone to come and clean your house out while you’re at the club with friends or lying on the beach. Be social-media savvy and don’t post your every move to the entire World Wide Web.

High temperatures are another reason for the increase in crime during the summer. Some people don’t have air conditioning or can’t afford to run it except on the hottest days and nights of the year. Many people with air conditioning try to reduce their use in order to lower their electricity bill. Saving electricity is a good thing, especially for criminals. Your windows are open day and night and generally you have fans running even when you sleep. An open window is an open invitation to a burglar or someone worse. Being extra alert and closing the windows at night can help prevent someone from breaking in.

Central Monitoring and other companies that provide Honeywell in Georgia can help you take the advantage out of the criminal’s hands. Home security essentials provided by Central Monitoring range from alarms and keypads to outside alarm systems and security lights that are tripped when someone comes onto your property. You will be alerted if someone enters your yard or if an exterior door has been opened. You can even view live video feed of your home if you’re out.

Call or email Central Monitoring , a provider of Honeywell in Georgia, and speak to a professional representative who can explain all your home security options.​

Fire Safety

Fire Safety

 Contrary to popular belief, the smell of smoke will not awaken you.  The poisonous gases actually put you into a deeper sleep.  Since the majority of fatal fires happen at night, it is essential to have working smoke detectors throughout your home to awaken you in a fire emergency.

 The first rule of survival – GET OUT IMMEDIATELY!!

When fire strikes your home, authorities say you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape.

 When dealing with a fire, remember these important pointers:

1)      Smoke is thick and dark. You may feel lost and disoriented in the thick smoke that accompanies fire, even in your own bedroom. You must know how to escape your home in the dark.

2)      The heat is intense.  At knee height, the temperature in a fire may be about 90 degrees. At shoulder height, a burning fire can be as hot as 690 degrees.  Always remember to stay as close to the floor as possible in a crawling position while you escape.

3)      Gather those who need assistance. Do not stop to call the fire department until everyone is safely outside.  

4)      Prearrange a meeting place a safe distance from your home. Once everyone is accounted for, go to a neighbor’s home or use a cell phone to call 911.

5)      Material objects can be replaced. Do not go back into a burning home for material objects. Go back ONLY to save a life.

 Leading causes of fire:

1)      Cooking is the leading cause of home fires.  When you are cooking, stay in the kitchen and stay alert.

2)      Heating is the second leading cause of home fires, with December, January and February having the highest percentage of fires.

3)      The third leading cause of home fires is electrical appliances and distribution.  Check your home for overloaded circuits or extension cords.   

4)      Smoking has dropped to the fourth leading cause of home fires.  However, smoking is still the number one leading cause of fire deaths in a home.

 Other areas of concern:

1)      Over recent years there has been an increase in home fires that resulted from candles.  Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn and never leave a candle unattended.

2)      Fire can occur when lint builds up in a dryer or in the exhaust duct.  Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire.  Clean the lint filter before drying each load of clothes.  Clean behind the dryer, clean the vent and exhaust duct periodically.

 According to the National Fire Protection Association, 80% of fire deaths happen in the home.  Make sure you have at least one smoke detector on each level of your home and in or near all sleeping areas.  Test the detectors monthly and replace batteries once a year. 

 For the best protection, a monitored smoke detector that is part of an alarm system can automatically summon help when you are home or away.  When smoke is sensed the detector will send a message to your alarm panel, which will then cause the evacuation horns to sound.  The panel will relay a signal to the monitoring station to be processed.  The local fire department is then notified, so that help is on the way, whether you are home or away.

 For a FREE Fire Safety brochure and Home Evacuation plan please contact Central Monitoring 229-431-0800 or

1-800-442-1125.