Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is often known as the “silent killer” and according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, there are upwards of over 2,000 unintentional CO poisoning deaths per year in US. CO takes the top spot as the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the nation. In addition to the fatalities, over 10,000 carbon monoxide injuries occur annually. But thankfully, this is a completely preventable outcome.

Carbon monoxide can be produced with any burning fuel. That means gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood, and coal. It’s an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that if inhaled at dangerous levels can lead to brain damage, breathing difficulties, impaired judgment, heart problems, and death.

To understand when you’re at risk, you need to know some common causes of CO poisoning. They include: furnaces, attached garages letting in auto exhaust, improperly vented fireplaces or chimneys, water heaters, indoor grilling, clothes dryers, portable heaters, and basically any gas powered appliance that is broken or installed incorrectly.

Unfortunately, the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are often confused with those of the flu or food poisoning, leading to deaths that could have be avoided. But if you even partially suspect CO poisoning, go to the emergency room as soon as you can. Headache, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, as well as loss of consciousness are all symptoms of CO poisoning, so if you or a family member experience any of these, again, call 911 immediately.

Now that you know what CO poisoning is and what the signs are, how do you  prevent it from ever happening? Here are a few safety tips and methods of protection:

Install CO alarms. In the state of California, it’s now mandatory that all homes have CO detectors, but your house might not have one. Getting them installed is as simple as getting smoke detectors and will alert you to the invisible gas. Just remember, a smoke detector and a CO detector are not interchangeable, one device will not do the same job as two.

Never keep a car running in a closed garage.

Crack a window whenever you use kerosene or gas heaters.

Always make sure fireplaces and grills are properly ventilated.

Never use a gas oven to heat your home.

Get your heating systems tested annually for possible malfunctions or CO leaks.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is 100% preventable. With a little knowledge, you will protect yourself and the ones you love from harm.

Photo Courtesy of Shay Sowden Via Flickr

Where do you shop these days? How do you pay your bills? The answer for more and more people is on the Internet. As people begin to use the web for a wider variety of things, like shopping or checking their bank statement, more of your information is available to those wanting it for illicit purposes.

The fastest growing crime sector in the US is cybercrime. Identity theft, fraud, hacking, spam, harassment, the list goes on and on for what defines a cybercrime. Cyber criminals spread viruses to your computer that wipe out every single file and infiltrate your most sensitive information, all in order to gather your account codes, credit card numbers, passwords, Social Security Number, and other personal info to steal your identity. While the rate of Identity Theft decreased for the first time in years in 2010, you shouldn’t let your guard down when surfing the web. Here are some simple online usage tips to help keep your information safe:

Only download software from sites you trust. Never download software from a pop-up ad unless you’re absolutely sure it’s not a scam. Very similarly, don’t reply to email messages from people or companies you’ve never heard of before. Your mom’s advice to not talk to strangers applies to the Internet as well. If they’re asking for your personal info, then yes, it’s a scam.

Avoid questionable websites, such as file sharing sites or adult content websites. Spyware and viruses can easily be attached to files or videos.

Use antivirus protection. Installing firewalls, antispyware software, and a basic computer security software (that updates regularly) will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

Use complex passwords for every single account, including shopping accounts, social networking sites, and bank accounts. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Chester may be a good name for your dog but it’s not a very good password if you want to stay safe. Common password mistakes include using birthdays, your mother’s maiden name, pet’s names, and the last four digits of your social security number. A strong password contains a mix of letters (at least one being capitalized), numbers, and special characters (like, “!” “@” “$” “?”). For your most important accounts, make the most unique password as possible, one that varies from your others.

In today’s world, we can access anything with a click of a mouse. This includes the information you want kept safest. By following these tips, you can help make sure your virtual activities don’t harm your reality.

Our country is getting older. According to the Administration on Aging, one in eight American’s are over the age of 65, or about 40 million people. By 2030, that number is expected to spike to 72 million. As more and more baby boomers reach their golden years, it’s important that they take the proper security and safety precautions. Here are some easy to follow tips to ensure your elder relatives are safe:

Install Security Lighting – A simple light gives the appearance of an occupied home, keeping unwanted visitors off your property. Lights are also a great way to protect against vandalism and theft.

Get a Security System— A good home security system is the foundation of any home safety plan. A home without a security system is three times as likely to be broken-in to, so installing one is a must. Many new security systems come with emergency panic buttons directly on the control panel, making it easier for you to get help during a fire or medical emergency.

Keep doors locked –Most burglars enter through an unlocked door instead of breaking a window, so get in the habit of locking your doors even when your home. Also, make sure that friends and family have keys to your home in case they need to check in on you.

Clear stairs, pathways, and hallways – Making sure these areas are clear of clutter that could trip you or prevent emergency services from getting to you is simple way to keep you safe.

Watch out for Internet scams – Today, it’s important for seniors to protect themselves from hackers and scammers. Don’t reply to emails from unfamiliar addresses; especially don’t give them personal information. Make sure to use different computer passwords so it’s not easy to steal all of your information. Shop at reliable websites, avoiding ones that look like scams.

Check strangers IDs – When someone comes to your door selling something, make sure to check their ID. Many times, scams will involve charities or home inspections, so make sure the salesmen is associated with a trustworthy company.

Get a fire extinguisher – You never know when a fire will start in your home. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen or the garage in a place where it can be reached easily. Along those same lines, make sure you have fire detectors and that they’re working correctly.

Never carry lots of money in public – Carrying lots of money in public can make you an easy target for theft. Keep your money in the bank and use a debit or credit card instead. It saves room in your wallet and is quicker at the register.

Have people visit and call you often – It’s important that you stay connected to the ones you love as you grow older. Having regular visits from friends and family helps ensure that there aren’t any emergencies. Try to have someone call you every day to check in or just chat.

Get a personal emergency response system – Worn as a necklace, wristband or belt clip, these types of systems make it extremely easy to get in contact with first responders in any sort of emergency. Not only are they easy to use but they are also affordable.

As our population ages, we need to make sure we stay safe from security threats. By following these simple tips, you can make sure you or your loved one is protected.

Picking the wrong alarm monitoring company can be expensive and more importantly, it can endanger the security of your family and property. But how do you know which alarm monitoring company is right for you when there are so many out there? Here are some basic factors to determine your needs.

Inspection: Any alarm monitoring company will be sure to do an on-site inspection, but before they do, you familiarize yourself with your security needs. Before even starting to research alarm monitoring companies, you need to decide what your security requirements are. Decide which areas are vulnerable and which you would like to focus on.

Switches: A switch is a wireless device that alerts you when people go in and out of your house. The biggest determining factor on the amount of switches you will need is how large your home is. How many doors and windows would you like to be protected? Covering all doors and windows would be ideal, but that can cost you a ton. At least make sure that the doors on the ground floor have switches.

Control Panel: The control panel manages your alarm system and alerts the alarm monitoring company when you need help. Having easy access to the control panel is crucial, so place it in a familiar location. Most control panels are installed near the most used door. Additional keypads can be installed throughout the house, so that no matter what, you stay protected. The most important factor for your control panel is that it’s easy to reach and that everyone in the house knows how to use it.

Specific Needs: The daily habits of your family, what you do at night, as well as the average time you spend away from your home should factor in when searching for an alarm monitoring company. This will help you decide which kind of alarm will match your routine best.

When deciding on a new alarm monitoring company, you need to make sure you know what you want and how a new alarm system will help. Never settle for the first company you contact even if they make you a great deal. And most importantly, always make sure that the alarm system you’re getting is the one that will protect your loved ones the best.

Recently, my parent’s home was vandalized. Their mailbox was lit on fire and completely destroyed. According to the fire commissioner, we may never know if it was a prank gone wrong or some crazy neighborhood initiation. But whatever the reason, my parents are now afraid the house might be next. My mother, normally a sensible woman, has changed into a paranoid basket case. She has started going after every shadow or misshapen shrub with a hockey stick. My father, stable in his own way, has taken up patrols around the house.

After urging by the police, my parents decided to upgrade their security system from one involving sporting equipment to one that includes security cameras and motion detection sensors. After calling around to several alarm companies, they decided on Smith, and no, not just because their daughter works for them. The Smith team responded quickly, gave them a great deal, and even came out the very next to start installing the new security system. Now, my parents aren’t the most technologically inclined…at all… so I was slightly worried that an upgrade in systems might be too much for them. But the Smith Smart⁺ Home Automation system is so intuitive, that my parents have no problem navigating through the modules and apps.

My dad loves that the system is completely wireless and makes him appear tech savvy. My mom loves watching the security feed from her laptop hoping to catch the “mailbox hooligans”. I love that I can sleep at night knowing the defenseless shrubbery is safe from a slow and painful death by hockey stick.

A home with a monitoring system is three times LESS likely to be broken-in to than a home without a security system. Knowing that my parents have installed a security system gives me the peace of mind that they’ll be safe no matter what.