The warmer weather is here and people are spending more and more time outside. This is also a great time for children to play outside. You don’t have to spend time getting them in and out of their winter clothing and there’s no need to worry about them catching a cold from the weather. However, there are still things to watch out for and you should still take some precautions. Here are few children safety tips.

There are a number of things that you’ll need to watch out for when your children are playing outside. Children safety is very important. Children can hurt themselves, either through slipping and falling or by twisting ankles or hurting other body parts while running. Unfortunately, they can become the targets of adult predators as well.Outdoor exercise is important though, and you’ll want to make sure that your children have the freedom to enjoy themselves without stiffling them or stressing yourself out.

Children Safety is Mandatory

Adult supervision is important however. Adults can prevent children from attempting dangerous activities, they can calm down games before they get dangerous and they can be on the lookout for any other dangers. The younger your child is, the more supervision he or she will require. It’s important for you to based your supervision requirements on the abilities of each particular child. Children who are the same age may not have the same motor skills, physical strength and judgement skills. Also, for children safety, note that if a child is older, he or she may be able to know not to talk to strangers, but he or she is also able to climb up a large tree and fall off. It’s important to keep your child’s age and abilities in mind at all time. This will help you determine the degree of supervision required.

Regardless of where your children are playing, you will want to make sure that the area is safe. If your backyard, make sure that the gate is closed and locked and check to see if any dangerous debris has fallen into your yard. If your children are using playground equipment, make sure that it is in good condition as well. Sometimes slides and jungle gyms have broken pieces or rough edges that can hurt a child. Swing sets may be frayed or damaged. Make sure you check everything before you let your children play.

For the children safety, watch out for traffic and make sure your children know that cars can be incredibly dangerous. Children should know not to run into the street after a toy or ball. It is best for your children that they ask for help from an adult they trust in these situations. Make sure that your children are also aware of parked cars. Just because a car isn’t moving right now, that doesn’t mean it soon won’t be. Never let your children play around motor vehicles of any kind.

It’s also important that children understand that they should never go anywhere with a stranger and that they should never do anything they do not feel comfortable with, even if someone they trust is asking them to. You have to make sure that you don’t terrify your children by telling them to never trust any stranger at all, but it is very important that children know that they should never leave an area unless their parents allow it.

If you end up in a situation where you’d like to have someone else pick your children up, let your child know this in advance if possible. Otherwise, you should have a secret pass phrase that only you and your children know. If another person (a friend or another relative) is going to pick your children up, tell them this pass phrase. Your children should never leave with anyone who doesn’t know the pass phrase.

Barbecue Safety

A great way to enjoy your meals during the warm weather is to cook them on the barbecue. Not only does the food taste great, but you’ll also get to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while you cook and eat. Here are a few tips to make sure that your barbecuing experience is a safe and happy one.

Inspect your barbecue, especially at the beginning of the season. Whether you store your grill inside our outside during the winter, dust, dirt and other build up can form while the barbecue is inactive. Check to make sure that nothing has been damaged as well. If the grill, burners, body or propane tank (if applicable) has been damaged, don’t use the barbecue until it has been fixed. Do a quick inspection of the entire barbecue each time you use it. If anything is defective, have it replaced right away.

Always keep the lid of the barbecue open when you are lighting it. Regardless of whether you are using propane, charcoal or natural gas, the lid should be completely open when starting up the grill. If you have a gas or propane barbecue and it does not light, turn the gas off and wait for five minutes before trying again. If it still doesn’t work, you’ll likely need to get it repaired.

Propane tanks need to be inspected and requalified or replaced every ten years. The date that the tank was last qualified is listed on the collar of the propane cylinder. An attendant is not permitted to fill an outdated cylinder. If your propane tank is rusted or otherwise damaged, it is time for a new one. Stores or gas stations that sell new propane tanks should be able to take your old tank for proper disposal or recycling.

If you have a charcoal barbecue, make sure that you only use proper charcoal lighting fluid to light the briquettes. Give the fluid a few minutes to settle after you spray it on the charcoal. Always make sure that you stand a safe distance from the grill when you light it and that the starter fluid bottle is far away from the grill when you do so.

Keep your children away from the hot grill and make sure the grill is always supervised to prevent injury. Make sure that you barbecue in a well-ventilated area and that there are no object or obstructions near the grill that could cause injury, cause someone to slip and fall or catch fire. Do not wear loose clothing around the grill. You should have a fire extinguisher on hand just in case. Make sure that you know how to use the extinguisher properly.

When shutting off a gas or propane grill, make sure you turn off the gas as well as the burners. Give the barbecue some time to cool off before covering it. If you are using a charcoal grill, make sure that the coals are completely cool before disposing them. Hot coals can start a fire in a garbage can that can be incredibly dangerous.

Five Security System Facts You May Not Be Aware Of

If you have a security system, you may be aware of the functions of that particular system. However, there are many aspects of alarm systems that you may not be aware of. Here are ten security systems facts that may be new to you!

You can monitor your alarm system & security cameras via the Internet.

These days you can watch your security cameras from your laptop. You can receive text messages when your alarm system is activated or deactivated. You can use your smart phone to enable your security system when you are away from home. You can keep track of everything that is taking place in your home from just about anywhere. All you need is an Internet connection and a computer, tablet or phone. Contact us to find out more about Internet-enabled security systems.

Wireless alarm systems are just as reliable as wired ones.

There was a time when wireless alarm systems were unreliable and unsecure. However, that is no longer the case. Much like wireless Internet, wireless phones and wireless stereo equipment, wireless alarm systems have improved in quality and reliablity greatly over the last few years. They are now as reliable and as secure as a wired system. Wireless systems are great for older homes where it would be incredibly difficult to install wires throughout the home. They are also great for renters who are not allowed or who do not wish to permanently install an alarm system into their home.

You don’t need a landline to have an alarm system.

These days many people do not have a traditional home phone any longer. Cellular phones and VoIP systems are more common than ever and they are replacing traditional landlines for many people. While a landline was once required for an alarm system, this is no longer the case. Modern security systems have safeguards that ensure your safety and security are never compromised, regardless of the state of your phone line, cellular signal or Internet connection.

Having an alarm system makes it ten times less likely that you will suffer a break in.

Combining an alarm system with a second form of protection (such as video surveillance cameras) reduces the chance of a break and enter by 40 times. In addition, the amount of property stolen is 80 percent less in properties that have alarm systems and security cameras than in properties that do not.

Security systems are not “only for the rich.”

Alarm systems, even monitored alarm systems, are much more affordable than most people think. In fact, the reduction in insurance premiums for having an alarm system and the fact that your home will suffer much less damage and loss in the event of a break in more than pays for the alarm system or the security camera.

SafeTech Alarm System has been protecting people and property for more than 20 years. We understand exactly what it takes to keep your property safe. Whether you’re looking for a home alarm system or a commercial alarm system, the loss prevention professionals at SafeTech Alarm Systems can help you find the system that meets your needs and protects your property.

Don’t Leave Spare Keys Where They Can Fall Into The Wrong Hands



It can be convenient to leave a spare key under a rock, inside a flower pot or on top of light fixture in case of emergency. We’ve all run into a situation where we’ve forgotten our keys or we need someone to enter our home when we’re not around. It just seems easier and more convenient to have an extra key stashed away for these types of situations. However, if it’s easy for you to get into your home, that means it’s easy for criminals as well.

Criminals will often scout out a location before attempting a break in. No matter how well you think you’ve hidden your spare key, a criminal will likely be able to find it within ten minutes or so of searching. The lock to your front door is often your first defense against a criminal. Leaving a spare key outside is taking away one obstacle and making a break in much more possible. Leaving a spare key out in the open is essentially the same thing as leaving your door unlocked: Don’t do it.

It is much safer to leave your spare key with a friend, relative or neighbour who you trust. You will still be able to retrieve the key quickly in an emergency, but you won’t be opening yourself up to nearly as much danger as leaving the key outside. You can also place a copy of your keys inside a safety deposit box. This will allow you to access all of them should there be a serious problem.

If you feel like you absolutely must leave a key outside somewhere, make sure that you place the key inside of a combination lockbox. While a lockbox can be tampered with, it is relatively difficult. This will keep your keys safe but still give you access to them when you need them.

As another reminder, never place identifying information such as your name or address on your keys or on your keychain and never keep your keys inside your wallet. If you happen to lose your keys, you don’t want the person who finds them to know exactly where you live. There are services that allow you to put a specific number on your key or keychain instead. If you lose your keys, they can still be send back to you via the number listed on them. Using these services ensures that your personal information is never compromised.

Having a dead bolt lock on your door makes it nearly impossible to lock yourself out with your keys inside. A dead bolt requires you to lock the door with the key as you are leaving. Dead bolts are also much more powerful locks and they are much more difficult to break into or pick. All exterior doors should have dead bolts on them. Now all you’ll have to worry about is losing your keys or forgetting them at work.