Smoke detectors play a crucial role in keeping your family safe from deadly home fires

Studies have shown that having a working smoke detector in your home reduces your chance of dying in a house fire by half. A large portion of protecting your home and your family from a house fire is by simply installing a smoke detector in your home. The other part is making sure that your smoke detector is working properly.

Regularly Test Your Home Smoke Alarm

Your home smoke alarm should be tested once a month to ensure that it is working properly. Each smoke alarm has a test button, usually located in the center of the device. Push it once. If the device emits a loud noise, it is working correctly. If not, try replacing the batteries.

Smoke Detector Batteries Don't Last Forever

We rarely think about it, but a smoke detector needs its batteries changed regularly. Be sure to change yours no less than once a year. According to the US Fire Administration and FEMA, roughly a third of smoke alarms that are in place are not working. That means you aren't protected, so it is important to regularly check your smoke detectors and ensure they are working properly. If you are moving into a new home, be sure to check all of the smoke detectors and replace any that aren't working.

Advanced Protection

Smoke detectors are the bare minimum for home protection from fires. If you want more comprehensive protection, Richmond Alarm offers 24 hour monitored systems and protection from house fires even when you are away from home. Our local monitoring keeps a constant watch on your home's alarm system so that if it is triggered, we can send the fire department straight to your home, even if you aren't there. Early detection of a fire can save you thousands of dollars in home repairs as well as your life.

Call 804-276-9259 or contact us online for more ways to protect your home or business.

Every property is different when it comes to security needs, but churches and places of worship, present special challenges. Congregations want to be welcoming of all visitors and show trust in current members while at the same time being responsible about protecting their property and staff. According to Security World News, churches suffered $24 Million in property losses in 2009. Churches are often seen as safe places by members; however burglars often view them as “soft” targets due to the trusting nature of congregations.

Security Solutions for Churches

Often when a congregation gets a new security system, members quickly become frustrated by false alarms and police dispatches. It is difficult to educate such a large group of people on how to handle a new system. It is also difficult to determine who should have access to the new security system. In most cases, to help prevent false alarms, it may be best to start by putting intrusion systems on the areas of the church that contain the most commonly stolen (ie valuable) assets.

Commonly stolen property from churches

• Audio Visual Equipment
• Musical Instruments (guitars, drums, keyboards)
• Laptops and Office Electronics
• Cash from the Offering

Richmond Alarm recommends the following security for churches:

1. Designate 1 or 2 main entry points to the church. Change the locks on all other doors because it is nearly impossible to track all the keys that have been floating around. Keep all other doors securely locked and only accessible by essential personnel (such as the maintenance superintendent and pastor)


2. Put access control on the main entry points and use keycards to control who may enter. This provides a record of who enters, and also allows for a person’s access to be removed if necessary.  Periodic purging of the system will also help to maintain an up to date database of who has/needs access to the facility.  This is a huge advantage over traditional lock an key security.


3. Use a safe to store the offering or other money held in the facility


4. Install an electronic security system in the office and audio visual (AV) areas such as the sanctuary or high-tech meeting rooms. Keep instruments and sound equipment locked in the areas protected by the electronic intrusion security.


5. Take advantage of the auto arm and auto disarm features of the security system to help prevent someone from forgetting to arm systems and leaving the facility unprotected.

Contact Richmond Alarm Company for a free security system evaluation and estimate 804-276-9259.

Do you know what to do if your alarm system sounds? Would you be ready if it woke you up in the middle of the night? It is startling, but being prepared with a plan will make it much less stressful.

1. Don’t Panic. Easier said than done, we know, but try to remain calm.


2. Listen. Determine if your alarm is the sound for a burglar or fire. A burglar alarm is a constant sound, but a fire alarm is “temporal” which means is changes speed (tempo).
   
   
   • If it is a fire signal, follow the steps to get you and your family out of the house safely.  (We’ll have more details on this in the new year).
   • If it an intruder signal, AND you have a keypad in your bedroom, go to the keypad to see what zone triggered the alarm.


3. Answer the Phone. Richmond Alarm (or your security provider) will call you, so be ready to give the pass code. If you do not have a keypad in your room, you need a phone. The representative will have information about what sensor triggered the alarm.


4. Decide if you need the police to come. Based on what area the alarm is from, you may decide it was likely a pet or other non-threatening cause, and choose to investigate yourself. We’ll stay on the phone with you if you choose to do this.
   
   However if you don’t feel safe, stay where you are so you don’t risk confronting an intruder. Never hesitate to tell the security company to call the police.




The sound of a security system is intended to be annoying.

5. Silence the alarm on the keypad. For an actual intruder, the alarm is intended to scare them off or at least make them feel unwelcome so letting it sound for a few minutes is better than turning it off immediately.


6. Communicate with Police. Remember officers probably won’t know you from a potential intruder. Be prepared to provide identification to prove you are the homeowner, not a burglar trying to trick them. They will investigate for signs of intrusion, or other causes of the alarm.

Have you practiced a home fire escape plan?

Not many of us do this, even though we know we should. In observance of fire prevention week, please take time to make a plan to escape if there is a fire in your home, especially if there are children in the home. They need to hear what a smoke detector sounds like so they’ll know what it is and what to do when it sounds. Practice your fire escape plan and remember each room needs at least two exits, which means having window ladders for rooms above the first floor.

Plan a meeting place outside and to call 911 from a phone outside the home.

Check out the National Fire Prevention Association website for helpful tools and tips.

Smoke Detectors Save Lives

Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a house fire in half, so check the units and replace the batteries. People over the age of 65 are at the highest risk of fatalities in a fire, so please make time to check on older family and friends who may need a smoke detector check up. If you or someone you know needs help installing a smoke detector in the home, most local fire department and/or social service departments will set up a time and do it for you. Links and phone numbers are listed here for your convenience.

Richmond

804-646-1526

Chesterfield

804-748-1426

Henrico 

804-501-4900

Hanover

804-365-6195

Powhatan

804-598-5646

In 2011, Virginia has seen hurricanes, tornadoes and even an earthquake. Winter is unpredictable here and we've often seen deep snow and ice storms. Knowing how to deal with these emergencies is critical. We hope you'll take time now to prepare. Richmond Alarm President Wayne Boggs, offers some tips to help you be ready in the RAC September 2011 Newsletter.

 

Typically we suggest that our customers issue individual codes to the users of their security system.  Most of our systems allow users to program multiple codes.  The obvious advantage to individual codes is that if you want to take access away from an individual, you can simply remove their code and the rest of the users of the system can stay active.  Multiple codes also allow you to issue temporary codes to contractors or house sitters.  These codes can be removed very easily when access is no longer required.  If only one code is programmed into the system, then you will have to share your personal code with others.  Another advantage of using multiple codes is that we can log who armed or disarmed the security system.  This information is very helpful to business owners and managers.  
 

Keep Your Code Private

We recommend that you manage your alarm system user codes, much like you would manage other personal information like ATM pin numbers or account numbers.  Anyone who would like to change their code or discuss their systems capability for multiple user codes should feel free to contact our service department and we would be happy to assist.

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and marks the unofficial beginning of summer which also means increased travel. While you are away, protect your home with some tips from Richmond Alarm's President, Wayne Boggs.

May 2011 Newsletter

We wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend and hope you'll take time to honor the fallen U.S. Veterans this Memorial Day.

Often, people don't consider security systems until they suffer a burglary or fire. Richmond Alarm Company's President, Wayne Boggs, encourages you to consider a system before you need it, and give you and your family peace of mind.

Richmond Alarm Newsletter April 2011

Security Systems to fit your budget

Locks and Deadbolts were not Enough to Stop Determined Thieves

Residents of Brandermill in Chesterfield County, VA report that they arrived home today to nine police cars in their neighborhood. Several houses on one street were broken into after the back doors were kicked in and intruders entered the homes. Locks and dead bolts did not keep them out. A suspect was arrested today, a few blocks away.
According to the Brandermill Community Association thieves are taking electronics and jewelry after breaking into locked homes. In these cases, door locks were not enough to keep thieves out. Richmond Alarm Company encourages you to contact us for a FREE Security Survey to further protect against theft and intruders.

Neighborhood Watch Advice

In addition to securing your home, police and neighborhood watch coordinators encourage actively observing your surroundings. Be aware of suspicious people or vehicles and get as much information about them as possible, such as type of clothing, approximate height, vehicle description or license plate numbers. Do not confront suspicious persons and don’t hesitate to call Chesterfield Police. If it is an emergency, call 911, or for non-emergencies call 804-748-1251.

Several tragic house fires in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield over the last two weeks are causing concern for fire safety. Many were caused by heat sources and electrical problems, which is common for January, when Virginia temperatures become bitter. No matter the cause of a fire, working smoke detectors make the biggest difference in saving lives and reducing property damage. Please take a few minutes to make sure all of your smoke detectors are working and that there is at least one on every floor of your home.

Heat Sources

Space heaters, or alternative heat sources, have been blamed in several recent fires. In a Richmond Times Dispatch article on January 1, Lt. Jason Elmore of the Chesterfield Fire Department said, "A lot of the things that cause fires — extension cords, outlets, heating devices — are meant to create heat. You have to treat them with caution." If you use space heaters, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations carefully by keeping the surrounding area clear and in the appropriate conditions.

Smoke Detectors

Mark Buff, manager of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, said "This is the most dangerous time of the year." Smoke detectors are the easiest and most important thing homeowners and renters alike can use to ensure their safety. "There's just no reason for somebody's life to be jeopardized," he said.

You can buy smoke detectors for less than $10 each, and most area fire departments offer them free if residents can't afford them. Some local fire departments will come to your house and install them if you are unable.
Fire officials have also made it clear that if your house is on fire, get everyone out and call 911 immediately. Do not put yourself in danger trying to put a fire out.  A monitored security/fire system in your home is ideal because help is called when the signal is triggered - even if you are not home, but more importantly, if you are home and unable to make the call.

For more information about fire safety, contact Richmond Alarm and we’ll be happy to send you free information.