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.

I love saving money. You love saving money. We all love saving money, especially in this economy. So when I found out I could be saving a bunch on my energy bill with a few simple tips, I was ecstatic. Here are some helpful hints on how to cut down on your energy costs and save your cash for something that really matters, like those cute boots you’ve been eyeing…

1. UNPLUG THINGS. This may seem obvious, but most of us skip it. Surprisingly, 75% of the energy used by your electronics is consumed when they’re turned off. Taking 5 minutes and unplugging your lamps, toaster, DVD player, and printer when they’re not in use can add up to major savings.

2. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. They’re 6-8 times more energy efficient and last 10-20 times longer than normal bulbs, meaning you won’t have to buy new bulbs for years! Also, for every fluorescent bulb used, electrical power plants use 1000 pounds less of carbon dioxide, making them the greener choice. Now, you can say your saving cash and the planet!

3. Regulate your thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat (ideally keeping it between the 60-70 degree range), you save 5% in heating costs. It may not sound like much right now, but it adds up over time. On that same note, think about installing a programmable thermostat, especially if you know you’re going to be at work all day. You can set it to turn back on 30 minutes before the family comes home so it’s the perfect temp when you walk through the door!

4. 13% of your home’s electricity goes directly into heating water. You can lower this by setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees and waiting for a full load before running your dishwasher or washing machine.

5. Taking long, hot showers is a small vice many of us share. I love playing the game with my shower where I make the water as hot as humanly possible before my skin melts off. But I found out that if I cut down my shower time just by 2 minutes and I save $40 a year. By cooling it down by a couple degrees, I could save even more. By switching to a low-flow showerhead, which restricts the flow of water, I save $72 a year. If your keeping up with the math, I just saved myself $112 by barely doing anything!

6. Finally, make sure your walls, ceilings, and windows are properly insulated. This can save as much as 30% on your home heating bill. The U.S. Department of Energy has a simple online tool that can help you determine if you have adequate insulation based on the region you live in.

By trying even one or two of these tips, you can save a bundle on your energy bill. So go ahead, give your wallet and electricity company a break, you won’t regret it.

Now that the kids are back in school and the house is quiet for the first time since December, you can finally catch up on the newest Project Runway. But now is the perfect time for a break-in; you’re all alone in the middle of the day, you’re not expecting it. Is there anything you can do to help protect yourself from becoming a victim of a burglary?

Here are some helpful tips for staying safe while home alone:

• Get a dog or cat, if possible. Having an animal close by will not only be great company, but they are also the earliest warning security system you can have due to their acute senses and natural instincts; your pet’s reaction is sometimes the first sign of danger.

• Get to know your neighbors and know the everyday habits of your neighborhood. Who power-walks past your house everyday at 7 o’clock in the morning? Do the neighbors across the street have a bunch of obnoxious teenagers at their house at all hours of the night? Does the neighborhood attract a lot of outside traffic or is it mainly residential? Knowing what goes on around your neighborhood will help you spot when something unusual is happening.

• Get into a habit of keeping your doors and windows locked when you are not in the process of using them. Most reported break-ins are actually walk-ins due to the relaxed attitude of the resident.

• Do not leave expensive and valuable items in plain sight on the lawn or in view of windows. Leaving them out is essentially a neon sign advertising your home to criminals.

• Light is a great crime deterrent if you’re home by yourself at night. Install lights over all entrances, walkways, and patios. If you want to cut down on your energy bill, try motion detector lights, not only will they cut your electricity costs, but they’ll also scare the pants off of lurkers.

• Be mindful of blind spots and hiding places produced by your landscaping, such as overgrown shrubs and hedges.

• Your house number should be easily visible from the street (it’s recommended that the lettering be 6-inches tall) and illuminated at night so that emergency services can quickly respond to the right location.

• Your privacy is important; however to some extent you should allow your home to be visible to neighbors and patrol cars, so that people can spot suspicious activity.

Being by yourself doesn’t mean having to be constantly on the look out, baseball bat in one hand and mace in the other, but being aware of your general surroundings will go a long way towards providing you peace of mind.