Technology creates the ultimate security guard

An introduction to Video GuardWhat is Video Guard? The name may seem self-explanatory: A guard service that, instead of a live body, uses a video camera as its “eyes.” Because it uses video technology, it is so much more than just a “guard.” Over the next few weeks, I will be doing a series of blogs helping define how Video Guard can be used to:• prevent crimeread more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/technology-creates-ultimate-security-guard

We celebrate the retirement of a 'key' employee

An invaluable member of our Security Solutions family, locksmith Dean Christensen, will retire Jan. 7 after working with us for 42 years. Both an open house and a reception will take place at Security Solutions, 1619 N. State St., in honor of his service. On Jan. 6 and 7, the public is invited to stop by during business hours, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m., to reminisce with Dean and enjoy cookies and coffee. On the evening of Jan. 7, from 5-7 p.m., Security Solutions will host a reception with appetizers, beer and wine, and will also be open to the public.read more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/we-celebrate-retirement-key-employee-0

7 All-too-Common Holiday Dangers

With a little bit of prevention, you can sidestep these dangers and ensure your holidays stay merry and brightAs we come into the holly, jolly holiday season, we look forward to festivities with good food, bright lights, and dear family and friends. But it only takes one mishap to take the cheer out of the holidays. Read on to learn more about these all-too-common dangers and how you can prevent them.read more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/7-all-too-common-holiday-dangers

Will my alarm system work with my VOIP (Voice over IP) system?

With traditional phone lines becoming increasingly more expensive and obsolete, this question is more relevant than ever. Because of the way old telephone lines transmitted information they were extremely reliable for many types of communication, including voice and alarm systems. If you think about the clearest conversations you have ever had, I can almost guarantee you, assuming of course you are old enough like me, they were on traditional copper telephone lines. read more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/will-my-alarm-system-work-my-voip-voice-over-ip-system

Security Solutions helping Fanatik, Bellingham PD find bike theives with security camera video

An early-morning smash-and-grab theft of a bike from the Fanatik Bike Co., followed two hours later by the theft of two more bicycles, has the bike shop, and Security Solutions Northwest, looking for the culprits. Aug. 2, shortly before 4 a.m., Fanatik’s security camera showed two young men looking through the windows of the bike shop, located at 1812 N. State St. The two left the building and at 4:39 a.m., “two other individuals came across the parking lot and smashed the window,” detailed Fanatik Operations Manager Kirsten Henderson, who reviewed the security video. read more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/security-solutions-helping-fanatik-bellingham-pd-find-bike-theives-security-camera-video-0

Will my smoke detectors still contact the fire department if my alarm system isn’t armed?

Maybe. I don’t want to overcomplicate this answer, but it is multi-tiered – so stick with me to get a clear answer. read more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/will-my-smoke-detectors-still-contact-fire-department-if-my-alarm-system-isn%E2%80%99t-armed

Why don’t you sell alarm systems I can install myself?

The do-it-yourself market is not new but continues to grow in popularity. Just look at Home Depot and Lowe’s and you can see the impact DIY has had on the marketplace. So why are alarm companies so far behind? Or are we behind? To understand this we need a little history and education on how our industry works. read more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/why-don%E2%80%99t-you-sell-alarm-systems-i-can-install-myself

Why didn’t anyone tell me there is a battery in my safe lock?

More than 90% of safe locks use battery power instead of a power cord plugged into a wall. Safe locks were developed with batteries so safe technicians could easily replace a traditional dial lock with an electronic lock without compromising the integrity of the safe by drilling a hole to run the power cord.read more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/why-didn%E2%80%99t-anyone-tell-me-there-battery-my-safe-lock

Security Solutions raises more than $2,500 for Benner Family

Security Solutions NW donated $2,609 to “Keys for Adoption,” a campaign to raise money for a Sumas family seeking to adopt.Security Solutions pledged to give $1 for each key made during the month of March to help employee Aaron Benner and his wife April adopt their second child. In addition to cutting 2,553 keys, the company featured the campaign on their Facebook page and donated 25 cents for each new “like” to the page. Keys and “likes” combined reached the $2,609 total. read more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/security-solutions-raises-more-2500-benner-family

Security Solutions building gets a facelift

Security Solutions’ home is getting a new look. The building, at 1619 N. State St., hasn’t been painted in several years, so management decided it was high time to give the exterior an overall update.“We are doing a facelift – removing siding and going with a more modern look. Overall it should be a great upgrade!” said Security Solutions General Manager Jamie Vos.Customers won’t experience much in the way of disruption during the project, but please do watch out for our construction workers when they are working. read more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/security-solutions-building-gets-facelift

Security Solutions supports family with “Keys for Adoption”

Security Solutions NW is a business that strives to give back, both locally and globally, and this March the company turns its generosity toward one of its own.read more
http://www.ssnw.co/blog/security-solutions-supports-family-%E2%80%9Ckeys-adoption%E2%80%9D

Fire Extinguishers 101

Fire Extinguishers 101 In the past few decades, an expansive campaign on fire safety has reduced the number of injuries and fatalities due to house fires. However, fire remains one of the leading causes of death in the home, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Numbers suggest that someone dies from a fire in the home every 169 minutes, and a fire-related injury occurs every half hour every single day. Learning how to use a fire extinguisher may mean the difference between saving the home and dying in a fire.read more

http://www.ssnw.co/blog/fire-extinguishers-101

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions Choosing a New Year's resolution and sticking to it usually depends on how hard the resolution is, but the same resolutions do tend to show up on most people's lists each year. Many resolutions are about health, security and money, but it's incredibly common for people to give up those resolutions in less than a week.read more

http://www.ssnw.co/blog/top-10-new-years-resolutions

Security Tips for the Party Season

Security Tips for the Party Season Holiday parties are common in many homes around the nation in December and January, but a gathering of close family and friends is no reason to forget about home security in Seattle. Even if a homeowner trusts his guests completely, sometimes a party doesn't go exactly to plan, and something gets stolen or misplaced. Here are some tips for keeping your holiday parties festive and theft-free. Ensuring Possessions are Secureread more

http://www.ssnw.co/blog/security-tips-party-season

Candles, Trees, & Lights: Holiday Safety Tips

Candles, Trees, & Lights: Holiday Safety TipsMany homeowners don't associate cold winter weather with an increase in fire danger, but the holiday season does tend to see an increase in dangerous home fires caused by improper use of Christmas trees, fireplaces, wood-burning stove and over-burdened electrical systems. Discussing fire safety with the family before the holiday season starts is an essential conversation. Awareness of potential fire hazards and other holiday problems will create a safe and memorable holiday season.read more

http://www.ssnw.co/blog/candles-trees-lights-holiday-safety-tips

Tips for Safe Transactions on Cyber Monday

Tips for Safe Transactions on Cyber MondayCyber Monday deals are often some of the best options for getting everyone in the family exactly what they want for the holidays. However, thieves and scammers also use this time to make money. Crooks make millions each year by defrauding internet shoppers who want to get an amazing deal on an expensive piece of consumer electronics or the new toy that all the kids want.read more

http://www.ssnw.co/blog/tips-safe-transactions-cyber-monday

Is Geotagging Undermining Your Residential Washington Security?

Is Geotagging Undermining Your Residential Washington Security?Geotagging is a popular and fun activity for millions of people in Washington and throughout North America. Recently, however, many potential risks have come to light, and various Washington security firms are stressing that organizations and individuals alike take a hard look at the various dangers.read more

http://www.ssnw.co/blog/geotagging-undermining-your-residential-washington-security

In Today's World, Renters Can Have Security Too

A restrictive rental agreement that prevents simple things like satellite dishes, painted walls and a security system means that a rental might not be as "homey" as it could be if a person or family owned their residence. Getting permission to change parts of a rental home or apartment is almost impossible, and most landlords will deduct a hefty chunk of a renter's deposit upon vacating if there are any changes made to the structure.read more

http://www.ssnw.co/blog/todays-world-renters-can-have-security-too

Deep Fried Turkey: Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving celebrants in the South have been deep frying their turkeys for as long as there have been giant deep-fat fryers. This delicious tradition has slowly trekked its way across the country as Americans have discovered the amazing taste of a turkey that comes from a giant cylinder of oil instead of an oven.read more

http://www.ssnw.co/blog/deep-fried-turkey-tips-safe-thanksgiving

Fire Safety Tips for Fall

Each new season presents its own fire hazards, but as the weather starts to cool, the average number of residential and outdoor fires increases. Simply being cautious can go a long way in protecting your home, but here are some special considerations for fire safety as the weather starts to cool.

1.Fire Alarm Systems

f you already have installed security systems in your Washington. home, you are off to a good start. An important part of home security in Seattle is having a fire alarm that is activated if a fire is detected. Security systems in Washington homes alert an alarm company in the event of a fire, and the alarm company then notifies the local fire department. This is just one way home security in Seattle helps protect the people and things that mean the most to you.

2. Space Heaters

Many people like to use space heaters to make a room toasty warm in the winter. Space heaters can also prevent the need to use a furnace to heat the entire house when only one room needs to be heated. However, they can be extremely dangerous. Here are some good rules to follow when using space heaters:
- Purchase a space heater with an automatic cut-off switch that turns the heater off if it overheats or gets knocked over.
- Never place clothing on a space heater to dry.
- Keep all drapes and furniture a safe distance from the space heater.
- Turn your space heater off when you are not home.
- Any objects that can easily catch fire should be kept far away from the space heater when it is in use.
- Space heaters might overheat if the air intake gets blocked. Make sure there is a minimum of three feet of space on all sides of the space heater.

3. Home Heating

People use different devices to heat their homes during the cold months. Before turning on your heating device for the first time, thoroughly inspect the unit and make certain it is working correctly. Many problems can develop in a heating device when it sits over the spring and summer. Checking your heating device will not only help to keep you safe from a possible fire, it will also decrease the chances that your device will break down in the middle of the winter when you need it most.

4. Fireplaces

If you use fireplaces to heat your home, or just to add supplemental heat, here are a few things to keep in mind:

- If you have a natural gas fireplace, have a technician check out the connections and lines prior to the cold weather arriving.
- Once every year, have your chimney cleaned and inspected.
- Use a screen to prevent sparks from shooting out of your fireplace.
- Never use gasoline to start fires in the fireplace.
- Make sure someone is always watching the fire.

5. Battery Changes

Devices used to detect smoke and carbon monoxide need regular battery changes. If this task is neglected, there is a chance they will not work when they are needed. Set up a routine for yourself. The easiest thing to do is to change the batteries in all of your devices during Daylight Savings Time. Use this time to also check your fire extinguishers.

6. Leaf Burning

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends discarding yard debris in other ways since burning leaves produces dangerous cancer-causing chemicals. Since many families still prefer to burn their leaves, however, here are some tips to help keep the fire contained:
-Always keep a water hose handy.
-Burn leaves and yard debris in barrels, if possible.
-Keep the fires away from buildings, fuel sources and trees.
-Check the weather report, since this activity should not be attempted on windy days.
-Wear a protective mask, since burning leaves produces cancer-causing chemicals.