Electrical Cord Safety

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates some 3,300 residential fires each year are caused by extension cords. While there are many things you can do to ensure holiday fire safety, focusing on how you utilize extension cords can be one major facet in your holiday fire safety master plan.

1. Damaged extension cords are a big issue when it comes to holiday fire safety. Extension cords that are frayed, worn or improperly repaired with electrical tape pose a great fire risk. Always replace damaged extension cords with new ones.
2. Never run extension cords underneath carpeting or other types of cloth items. If the electrical current that runs through the cord should find a way to get outside of the protective plastic coating it's housed in, these items could catch fire.
3. When it comes to holiday fire safety you should never run extension cords across areas where people walk. Not only could the cord be damaged, if someone should unfortunately trip over one that's connected to your Christmas tree, the tree could be pulled over onto a heat source candle, fireplace, etc.
4. Another holiday fire safety issue is plugs not being entirely, and snuggly, inserted into an extension cord. Sometimes the older extension cords don't accept the modern plugs correctly. As such, a gap may exist between the plug and the extension cord. If something that conducts electricity comes in contact with this area, an interruption in the electrical flow from the extension cord into the plug may occur. The electricity could then be channeled out of the extension cord and may catch something on fire in its path.
5. Another approach to holiday fire safety is to use, in conjunction with your extension cords, (or even in place of them) a power strip. You can plug multiple electrical cords into a power strip and reduce, or eliminate entirely, the need for extension cords. This is a great alternative to using multiple extension cords.

Basically these cords can be a hazard if used for extended periods of time. So use them only as a temporary solution.

Sign in Germany

Total Protection customers the Daniels took a tour of Europe and took a picture of our sign in front of kehlsteinhaus it was a house built for Hitler here is the link to learn more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kehlsteinhaus

The other one is in front of the Parliement Building in Vienna.





Like always the Daniels will receive a free month of monitoring for taking our sign on a sweet trip! Stop by and get your sign for you next vacation.

Testing your alarm after phone changes

If you have changed your phone service your security system needs to be tested. Many times with a phone service change your security system may not have been hooked back up properly.

How do I go about testing my home security alarm system and how often should it be done ?
The manufacture says "weekly" but "Monthly" is great, but no longer than 6 month between testing. A Total Protection technician can do a full system check for a $35 trip charge or you can test it yourself by following the steps below.

Always have the central station place your account on "test"or no response while you are testing. This can be done by calling the toll free number printed on your Keypad, if you don't have a sticker call the local office 583-7233.

Arm your system and trigger a signal by opening a door or window. You will need to let your alarm ring for about a minute, when your alarm is transmitting its signal, your house's phones may not have a dial tone. Then call the central station back to verify that the signal that you sent was received.

If the communications part passed the test, now you can move onto the next part. The security system has a chime mode setting by opening and closing each contact point you can verify each door and window is being recognized by the system.

Smoke, CO and heat detectors should NOT be tested by using a match, burning paper, or other means, as that may cause damage to the units or necessitate a cleaning or maintenance. Caution should be used when doing such. Most of our smoke detectors have a test button that can be pressed some of the buttons and are recessed. If you don't feel comfortable testing your smokes and would still like them tested please call for a service technician.

Panic buttons can be tested by pressing them (please make sure you are in test first). How your system reacts to them is dependent on programming and if such features were enabled.

Once you are satisfied everything is working the way it should be, clear and reset the system to its everyday "normal" disarmed state. Call your central station and verify the proper transmission of a signal and return the system to service.

Keep in mind, by doing such an "audit" of your system, in conjunction to paying attention to maintenance details, your likelihood of a false or malfunction does go down without you knowing about it. By no means is this a substitute for servicing or maintaining your system.

Total Protection still recommends that you have your system checked by one of our service technicians each year. Call to find out how you can get additional discounts on system checks (normally $35).

How to handle a false alarm.

Your Security Tips

What to Do if You Have a False Alarm

A false alarm can be a source of panic for anybody, but what happens after the system goes off, doesn't have to be alarming. Follow these guidelines for panic-free false alarms:
Remain calm so you can remember your access code and personal identification code.
Disarm your system, being careful to press each number of your access code slowly and deliberately.
Once you have reset the system, have your personal identification code ready. Call the monitoring company to report the accidental activation.
If you find the phone has disconnected, wait a few seconds and try again. Your alarm system has temporarily turned off the phone while it is calling the monitoring company. It will release the lines when its call cycle is complete. Continue to call until you have reached the monitoring company.
Remain at your home or business until you have spoken with the monitoring company.
Take the "panic" out of false alarms by preparing ahead of time:
Rehearse emergency drills with everyone in your home or commercial building.
Make sure all persons with a key know how to operate your system and how to cancel an accidental alarm.
Inform all users of who to call in the event of an alarm and to have their personal identification code ready.
Keep your security system instruction book and the phone number for the monitoring company handy.
Immediately cancel all alarms not requiring emergency response.

Alcatraz

The sign took a little trip to San Francisco to see Brent one of Total Protections old installers graduate from college. While we were in town we thought we would take in some sights so here we are at Alcatraz.

Door to Door Sales Crews

To our valued Total Protection customers as the provider of your home security services, Total Protection wants to alert you to a potential threat. Unscrupulous door to door sales people are visiting homes in the Salt Lake area and offering to upgrade security systems for FREE. They may even suggest they are with Total Protection or GE None of this is true.  You will be switched to a new security provider, pay higher monthly fees, Sign a  long contract and may even be putting your home security at risk.

Be wary of anyone attempting to alter your security service. Contact us at 801-583-7233 if you have any questions about your system or your coverage. If you feel like you need additional protection we can help you and make it very affordable if you are a monitored customer.

Total Protection is one of the most respected alarm companies in Utah. We have been protecting homes and families like yours since 1999. We've got you covered!

Here are some news stories that we found after a short search on the Internet. There are many companies that we have had complaints about and wanted to show some examples of the problems that we have seen.







Remember Total Protection Inc. will not be going door to door updating security systems. If you feel that you need additional equipment we can make it very affordable after all you are an existing customer and we value your business.

Once again contact us at 583-7233 if you have any questions concerning your home security.

Changing Keypad Codes

One of the most important things to do with your security system is code management. If you have not changed you code in a while (or ever) it might be a time to do so. This is important if over the years you have given out your security code. It is a new year so lets show you how to get a new code. I have this set up so under each picture is the instructions for that system. If your keypad looks different and it may. Call the office for specific instructions for your alarm. These are the four most common Total Protection systems.



To change user code on a Concord 4 alarm panel

1. Press 9, then current master code
2. The key pad should then say Time/Date
3. Press the B key one time
4. The key pad should say User Codes
5. Press the # key one time
6. Press the B key until the display says either Partition Master or System Master
7. Press the # key one time
8. The key pad should then show your current alarm code
9. Enter your new 4 digit code, then press the # key to save the new code
10. To exit out of programming press the * key until the screen says User Codes
11. Press the A key until the screen says Exit Programming/Ready
12. Press the # key one time and the key pad should show the current time and date.



To change user code on an Allegro alarm panel

1. Press 8, then your current master code
2. The key pad should then say Codes
3. Press the # key once
4. The key pad should then say Primary
5. Press the # key once
6. The key pad should then show your current 4 digit code
7. Enter the new 4 digit code you would like to use
8. Press the # key once
9. Press the * key until the key pad says Exit
10. Press the # key once, and the key pad should show the current



To change user code on a Simon 3 alarm panel

1. Open the front cover of the key pad by pressing down the small tab on the top center of the key pad, the front cover should then fold down
2. The alarm system will then say “Use the red numbered keys to enter 4 digit ID”
3. Using the red numbered keys enter your current 4 digit master code
4. On the top row of buttons press the Add button
5. Then, on the second row of numbers press the Access codes button
6. Press the Access codes button until the alarm system says “Master code” (Should only need to press one time)
7. Press the Done key at the bottom of the key pad
8. The alarm system will then say to use the red numbered keys to enter your new 4 digit master code
9. When finished entering your new code the alarm system will then repeat your new master code to you. Close the front cover to exit programming




To change code on Ademco Vista 10
Change Master Master Code + 8 + 2 + New Master Code twice (Keypad should beep)
(If this does not work panel is older version, Master Code is in location *20)

Add Code Master Code + 8 + User (3 to 7) + New Code (Keypad should beep)
(Old Vista-10's have Users 2 to 7)

Erase Code Master Code + 8 + User (3 to 7) wait 5 seconds (Keypad should beep)
(Old Vista-10's have Users 2 to 7)

Drawing Winners

Here are the winners of the 2007 annual holiday food and toy drive drawing. This year we dropped a raffle ticket in a box for each donation of food for the "Utah Food Bank" and toy for the "Toys for Tots". Then we drew out tickets to give away prizes to those generous enough to make a donation.
First Prize - A gift certificate to the Anniversary Inn the winner of this prize was Helen D. she has been a Total Protection customer for years she was also the first person to donate to the drive.
Second Prize - Two lower bowl tickets to the Utah Jazz game against Dallas next month. Greg P. won this prize he and his family have been customers for several years. It was weird Greg was the last person to donate before I loaded up and made the deliveries. So next year remember its never to late to donate.
Third Prize - 6 months of monitoring for FREE this prize was won by Marjorie T. she has been our customer for a couple of years, I was not able to get a picture but she sounded very happy on the phone.

Thanks to everyone that donated we will do it again next year with more prizes, a better map to our office, and of course a lot more food and toys collected for those in need. Happy New Year! Thank you for choosing Total Protection to protect your home and family.

Lots of Toys & Food

Thank You to all that made donations. We collected 250 lbs. of food for the "Utah Food Bank" and 85 toys for the "Toys for Tots". We had a lot of fun with this and will do it again next year. The pictures are of our truck loaded with the toys and food and us dropping it all off. Thanks again for your generosity have a happy holiday season. I will post the winners of the drawing as soon as I get their pictures.

Toys for Tots Drive

This year we had a Toys for Tots / Utah Food Bank donations drive. Everyone that donated toys or food went into a drawing for prizes. Here is a photo of our tree with the donations. Thank You to everyone that donated this year I will post pictures of our winners next week. Happy Holidays!!

Testing Your Security System

Testing Your System
Your security system is on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether you have it set for intrusion detection or not. Even when it’s turned "off", it’s still ready to respond to fire and environmental sensors. All of the sensors are constantly "checking in" with the main panel, even if your system is set to off. Combine the fact that your system never gets a "rest" with the fact that it’s performing the most important job of any appliance in your home - protecting the lives and well-being of family members from the risk of a fire or home invasion. This is why it is so importance of regularly testing it.

Even if you don't test your system regularly the system will monitor itself for many things. Those who design security systems try to design into them very sophisticated self-diagnostics. As an example, with Security Pro Wireless Systems every sensor in the system is designed so that it must send a radio signal into your main panel twice every 64 minutes. The main panel is constantly "Checking" or supervising all the devices to make sure they are all still functioning.

Let’s say the sensor at your front door is sending in it’s regular "check in" signal. It would identify itself as sensor #1 and report on the condition of its battery. This is an important part of why Security Pro Systems are so reliable. The main panel continually gets reports from all of the devices, that they are still functioning as radio transmitters, and that their batteries are still good. Of course if a sensor in your system fails to check in - or checks in with a low battery message.

But there are some things your system needs "help" to test. As an example, how do we know the switch at the basement door is still working? In order to test that switch, the door must be opened - and the system cannot open your doors and windows - so it needs your help.

Testing Your Monitoring Service

If you would also like to test the monitoring of your system you must call the monitoring station first to place your system in "test". This is a toll free number and should be located on your keypad. If you cannot find this number call our local service office 801-583-7233 and we can assist you. The monitoring center will ask you for your Name and Password. Once the operator has confirmed that you are in test, just generate an alarm signal in your system. It is easiest to arm you system like you are leaving then open a door or window that is protected. Also press the police panic on your keypad, You should hear the siren sounding. Wait about a minute and then turn the system off. Now call the monitoring station and check to be sure they received your alarm signal. If you are finished testing, just tell them to put your system back on line.

Beeping

Keypad, Main Panel Or Speaker:
Usually if the keypad is beeping, it's either a chime in response to a door or window that has just opened, or it is echoing a trouble beep from the main panel. If you have an ITI or GE Security Pro System, you will hear a series of five or six beeps every minute if the system has detected a trouble condition. You can stop this beeping by pressing the * or Status key twice. If that doesn’t work turn the system off at the keypad (even if it's already off). That will force the system to reveal the cause of the beeping and should stop the beeping for at least twelve hours. If the condition has not been corrected the system may begin beeping again twelve hours later.
What If The Beeping Still Doesn't Stop?
If you have followed the above steps and still hear a recurring beeping, it is most likely that the beeping is coming from a device unrelated to your security system. Over the years we have had many calls from customers who were absolutely certain that the beeping was coming from or related to the security system. Instead of their security system it has been: A builder or homeowner-installed smoke detector, a pager, a wireless doorbell, a carbon monoxide detector, a cordless phone or a cellphone with a low battery.

Tips for around the yard.

If you can keep your yard in order you can lower the chances that a burglar will target your home.

* Keep ladders, garbage cans, building supplies and tools locked up out of view so you don't provide an intruder with the means to break into your home.
* Put big, bold numbers on your mailbox so your home can easily be identified in case of an emergency.
* Never put your name on your mailbox. Anyone can call directory assistance, get your number, and find out you aren't home.
* Don't hide a spare key near your front door; burglars know all the hiding places. Leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor instead.
* Planting thorny shrubs, rosebushes or cacti around the outside of your home can discourage burglars from entering your property.
* Placing alarm-company signs, neighborhood-watch decals or dog notices on your property tells burglars to steer clear of your home. Having these signs as a deterrent is only good if you can back them up. Don't rely on them or mistake them as doing the job of the real thing.
* Trim shrubs and trees so they do not provide hiding places for an intruder. Remove tree limbs that could allow someone to climb to an upper-story window or balcony.
* A solid privacy fence can provide a burglar with cover to break into your home. Consider an iron railing (topped with spikes, to discourage climbers), picket or chain-link fence instead. If you have a gate, install a strong magnetic lock on it to prevent intruders from easily penetrating the perimeter of your property.
* Keep all points of entry to your home well-lit. Consider installing motion-sensor lights on the rear and sides of your home and position them in out-of-reach places so they can't easily be turned off by a would-be thief.
* Spending most of your day in the back yard may be relaxing, but it leaves you clueless as to what's going on out front. Make sure all entry points are locked in the front of your house.
* If you travel a lot, surveillance cameras around your property — with viewing access through the Internet — will allow you to keep an eye on your home while you're gone.
* Install cameras that operate off a motion sensor to keep from wasting valuable hard-drive space for your video files.
* Consider buying a wireless annunciator, which will alert you — anywhere in your home — when someone comes up your driveway or otherwise enters your property within 50 feet of its range

This tip from http://dsc.discovery.com

Valuables and Your Identity

There are many things that you can do to protect your valuables to make them harder for someone to sell and easier for you to get back if they end up with your stuff.

* Having photos, videos and serial numbers of your valuables can be extremely helpful in identifying your stolen goods.
* Contact the manufacturers of some of your valuables, as they may have advice or additional products on how to better secure and protect them from thieves.
* Get your driver's license number (NOT your Social Security number) engraved on any expensive electronic equipment. Doing so can not only assist in their return, but can actually dissuade theft: Marked property is difficult to sell or pawn.
* Invisible-ink pens can be used to identify your property. Again, using your driver's license number as an I.D., a simple ultraviolet light on stolen property will show the police who the real owner is.
* Photocopy receipts of expensive items and store them in a safe place so you have proof of purchase for insurance reasons.
* Use a bolted-down safe or a heavy-duty filing cabinet with a lock that cannot be carried out of the house to store important documents, information and valuables. It's a simple investment that will protect vital possessions.
* Shredding documents with personal information (such as bank and credit-card statements or anything with a Social Security number on it) will keep a burglar or someone looking through your trash from finding your information and assuming your identity.
* Credit cards are immediate cash — keep records of what cards you have, always keep them signed on the back and any surplus cards should be kept in a safe.
* Keep equipment for expensive hobbies (boats, Jet Skis, golf clubs, etc.) covered up — even better, keep them locked up out of sight.
* What you think is well hidden is nearly always easy pickings for burglars, so lock things up instead of keeping them in "clever" hiding places like the freezer, the bag of sugar or the cookie jar.
* Leaving empty boxes from your new computer, DVD player or TV on the curb for trash pickup advertises that you have things worth stealing in your home. Break boxes down or cut them up to conceal what they contained.
* A computer lock is an easy and inexpensive way to protect valuable personal or customer information. Computers are expensive items to replace.
*If you have an alarm always make sure it is being used regularly.
* Blank CDs are a cheap and easy way to back up information on your computer in case it's stolen.
* Instead of keeping jewels hidden in your home, a safe-deposit box is a smart place to keep valuables secure from theft. If you insist on keeping them in the house, lock your jewelry and other valuables in a bolted-down floor safe.
* Keep information about your safe-deposit box separate from any personal identification documents such as passports or Social Security cards. If these documents are stolen, you could suffer further losses if someone is able to use them to gain access to your safe-deposit box.
* Secure furs like you would any other valuable: Keep them in a closet with a dead bolt, and be sure to monogram or write your name on the skin of your fur to aid identification and recovery in case it is stolen.
* Be sure to lock your bikes and four-wheelers to a bolted-down surface.
* For pricey heirlooms, get serious about securing them. First, invest in an appraiser to have a firm dollar figure on your valuables. Then photograph, catalogue and put them on your homeowner's policy. So if a heist ever goes down, you're covered.

This tip from http://dsc.discovery.com

Vacation Prep.

This picture was taken by our office manager while taking a well deserved vacation in Cancun. So if you find yourself going on vacation do these things to ensure you come home to a secure home:

* Set lights on timers or light sensors to turn on and off in the evening. A TV or radio can also be set on a timer to add to the illusion that someone is at home.
* Suspend newspaper delivery so papers do not pile up in front of your house.
* If you have a separate mailbox, rather than a mail slot, put your mail on hold.
* Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house and pick up any mail, fliers, newspapers, packages, etc., left outside, and shovel your walkways if it snows.
* If you use a yard service, make sure they come to your house while you're away. An overgrown lawn is a good sign that no one is home.
* Leave a car in your driveway, or ask a neighbor to park there.
* Don't record a new message on your home answering machine indicating where you are or how long you'll be away. You'll be issuing an open invitation for someone to rob your house.
* Leave shades, curtains and blinds in their normal positions. Covered windows during the daytime indicate an empty house.
* If you have an alarm system make sure your emergency contact list is updated. Also instruct anyone that may come in your house how to use your alarm.

Fire Safety Tips

Fire Safety Tips When Cooking
• Stay by the stove when the burner is on. A stove fire can erupt in seconds, so it is important that you are nearby to put out the flames. The most dangerous and flammable cooking ingredient is oil, so never leave hot oil unwatched. It can burst into flames within seconds.

• Wear tight-fitting clothing while cooking. Oversized or long, draping clothes can easily brush against a hot burner and catch fire.

• Aim pot handles towards the center and away from traffic. This fire safety tip will prevent one’s elbow from knocking against the handle and spilling food, or even worse, hot oil or fat onto yourself or the burner.

• Clean the grease off the stove regularly. One major fire safety no-no is allowing grease to build up, because large amounts of grease can ignite.
• Try to wipe the stove top after every cooking session.
• Heat oil up gradually. This fire safety measure will prevent hot oil from splattering onto your skin or in your eyes. Never pour oil into a hot pan, because it can burst into flames within seconds. It is safer to pour oil into the pan before you turn on the burner. 
• Place a rubber or non-slip mat on the floor. If your floor frequently gets wet from spilt liquids or oil.

Extinguishing Stove Fires
• If grease or oil in the pan ignites, turn off the stove & smother the fire with a lid or a damp towel. Never use water, which causes grease fires to spread.

• Do not remove the lid or put it under water until it cools!

Extinguishing Oven / Microwave Fires
• Leave the oven or microwave door shut and turn off the heat. If the flames don’t go out right away, leave immediately and telephone the fire department from a neighbor's house. Be sure to have your microwave or oven checked by a maintenance person before you use it again.

Smoke Detector Fire Safety Tips
• Install a smoke detector. This affordable important device doubles your chance of surviving a fire.

• Never remove the batteries from your smoke detector.
• If you must remove them because a large amount of smoke during cooking caused the detector to go off, open the windows and turn on a fan to clear the air, and reinsert the batteries as soon as possible.

Last thoughts on Fire Safety in the Kitchen
• Store flammable items far away from the stove. This includes: pot holders, dish rags, towels, curtains, and food packaging.

• Never use the oven or stove range to heat your home. This is not only a fire hazard, but if you have a gas oven / stove, you are letting gas into the air.

General Security Tips

Here are some general tips that will help you and your family be safer.

* Getting to know your neighbors will help them to immediately alert you of any suspicious behavior on your property. Notifying them when you're going away and how you can be contacted in case of emergency will allow you to be aware of a crisis as soon as it occurs. However, although your neighbors may be trustworthy, they may not spot anything different if a robber is at work in your house. Don't solely count on them to protect your home while you're away.
* Don't be fooled into thinking that just because your neighbors can see local comings and goings that they will question anything unusual. Good thieves make themselves blend in.
* Be careful to whom you disclose personal information. Don't discuss vacation plans or expensive hobbies in public places — you never know who's listening!
* If you're a professional working out of your house, rather than use your home address on your business cards or Web site, rent a post-office box instead.
* Becoming involved in a neighborhood association or neighborhood watch will give you information you need to know about any suspicious activity in your area.
* Be informed: Check your local newspaper for crime reports in your neighborhood.
* It doesn't matter what environment or community your home is in, thieves are impervious to them.
* If you come home and something looks questionable — a slit screen, a broken window, an open door — don't go inside! Call the police from your neighbor's or from your cell phone.
* If you are new to homeownership, contact your local crime-prevention organization for advice on how to start securing your home. With no super to rely on, all those jobs will need attention from you now!
* Burglars often target the elderly, so be friendly and keep an eye out for local retirees.
* When living with multiple people, make sure everyone understands the importance of home security. It only takes one person to leave everyone else vulnerable. But don't rely on others; keep your private possessions locked away.
* If you have had a bad experience already with a crook — learn from it — don't just think bad luck won't strike twice!

Sign in Washington DC

Today to sign was in Washington DC with Ry and his friend Tanner. It was a fun day they saw many sites and brought back this photo in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Sign in Italy

This is a picture of our yard sign in Italy. The idea started when I realized that all of our yard signs just sit in the same yard forever. So this lucky sign gets to travel the world. This picture was taken in May 2007 by "Dan the install man" when he went to Italy for his birthday (yeah nice birthday), anyway he talked these two nice ladies into posing with the sign. This is probably the best trip the sign has taken. I have more and will post later. Oh if you are a Total Protection customer and want to earn credit toward your bill just pick up a sign from our office and snap away on your next vacation.

Sign in Cabo

This is the first trip for the sign, I decided that all of our signs just sit in one yard forever. At least this sign can see the world. Oh yeah and give us something to do on vacation. The rocks behind the sign is the Southern tip of the the Baja and the Cabo arch. The picture was taken in December 2007. Remember we are now offering $50 off of your monitoring bill if you stop by the office, take a sign on vacation and bring us a picture.