We know that protecting your family goes beyond installing a home security system. As Halloween approaches, having a safe, fun holiday is probably at the forefront of your mind. Fortunately, whether you’re out trick-or-treating, or on the other side of the door, following a few simple safety tips can help make this a fun and safe holiday for everyone.

Halloween is a favorite holiday for many children, which is why it would be a particularly terrible time for an accident to occur. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when accidents and injuries are more likely to occur than on a regular evening. The combination of overexcited children hyped up on sugar, people who might not have their best interest at heart, and the inherent risk of being out after dark can lead to unfortunate consequences.

Fortunately, the stories of poisoned candy handed out by sinister people on Halloween are, for the most part, the stuff of urban legend. On the other hand, there are some very real dangers of which parents and children should be aware.

• Even if they’re not handing out tainted treats, some people are a threat to kids. Before yours venture out on Halloween, take a look at your local or state website that pinpoints the location of sex offenders, so that you can avoid those houses. Then head out with your children, enabling your home security system before you go, rather than letting them roam the neighborhood alone. If your children are older, and you feel it’s safe for them to go out on their own, be sure to send a cell phone along with them, so they can keep in touch and let you know if they need help. Additionally, know the route they’ll take before they leave.
• Watch for traffic. Especially with people returning from Halloween parties, the streets can be dangerous after dark. Following basic safety rules can help protect your children from danger. If you have teens out driving to parties and other revelry, admonish them to take extra care for their own safety and the safety of others, and make sure they have enough gas in the tank to get where they’re going. Set reasonable curfews to make sure your kids are home before it gets to be too late.
• Don’t assume some places are safe. Even if you take your kids to a church or community sponsored Halloween event, it’s important to keep an eye on them at all times. While these places may be perfectly safe, crowds of strangers make it easy for predators to blend in.
• Keep costumes safe. Make sure they’re visible in the dark and that kids can see through the eyeholes of any mask. If any props are used, be careful to ensure they don’t have sharp edges that could injure your child in a fall.
• Remember to keep your pets safe, too. Some malicious people are cruel to animals on Halloween, especially black cats. No matter what color or species, pets are better off staying inside on this holiday.
• If you’re staying home, check your outdoor lights to be sure that they’re functional. A big part of home security is keeping your outdoor areas well lit. Be careful, too, to pick up any toys or other items in your yard that might trip a child on the way to your porch.

On Halloween, and throughout the year, keeping your family safe is a top priority. At One-Stop Communications, we offer a home security system perfect for every family and every unique situation. For more information about purchasing a home security system from One-Stop Communications, visit our website.

Sources:
http://www.halloween-safety.com/, http://www.snopes.com/horrors/poison/halloween.asp,   
http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx

We know that well-lit areas are typically safer areas. Over the summer, people sometimes have a tendency to be spoiled by the long days full of light, and forget that when the weather changes again, so will the length of days. Once it starts getting dark early, it’s important to take some extra precautions for keeping your family safe, and we know how to make that happen.

• Be aware that earlier nightfall means decreased visibility at rush hour. Drivers and pedestrians have to readjust to the darkness and that can mean an increase in accidents. In fact, a study by Carnegie Mellon University indicates that the risk of traffic fatality jumps 186% for pedestrians between October and November. If you’re driving, make an extra effort to stay alert. If you’re walking, be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid fatigue, which can contribute to accidents. The time change can throw off our internal clocks, and lowered visibility can make us sleepy. You can counteract this problem by making sure you don’t have a sleep deficit before the time changes, and by being aware that you may be sluggish and less alert for a few days.
• Remember, dangers in the fall aren’t all related to longer nights. Fire, weather changes and even falling leaves can all be considered seasonal hazards. This is a great time to have your furnace serviced to make sure it’s in good working order and to review safety measures for using space heaters. Remember to keep space heaters away from anything flammable, like furniture or window treatments, and read manufacturers’ instructions to make sure you’re using them safely. There’s not much you can do about the weather, but be aware that it can change quickly in the fall, often causing dangerous conditions like wet roads or ice patches. As to falling leaves, they’re lovely to see, but can cause slips and falls if they’re left on the ground. If you’re a homeowner, make sure you rake leaves up promptly to keep your property safe.
• Use the time change as a reminder to follow through on some safety measures. Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, recharge your fire extinguishers and create a winter emergency kit for your car. Depending on where you live, this kit should include things like warm clothes, a blanket, bottled water and non-perishable snacks, a flashlight and extra batteries, a shovel, flares, jumper cables, cat litter or sand for traction, and hats and gloves.

Of course, one of the best ways to keep your home and family safe is to have the right security system installed. At One-Stop Communications, there are home security systems to meet the unique needs of many types of families. For more information about Home Security, visit www.onestopsecurity.com or call 717-248-4996.

Sources: 
http://safetytoolboxtopics.com/Seasonal/end-of-daylight-saving-time-can-be-deadly.html
http://www.takeonestep.org/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=254
http://safety.lovetoknow.com/Fall_Season_Safety_Tips

Mid-Atlantic ProTel is celebrating the grand opening of their new Lewistown location, on US Highway 522, in front of Lowe’s. After acquiring the local AT&T dealership from One-Stop Communications, the retailer is proud to begin service to central Pennsylvania .

One-Stop Communications has been working with Mid-Atlantic ProTel to transition the AT&T dealership to the new location for many months.  Existing and new AT&T customers in Mifflin County will be directed to the new store location for sales and service of AT&T products.  One- Stop Communications will still remain in operation at its current location servicing all the other products it currently offers.

One-Stop Communications is pleased to see the new store open in Lewistown. “After 18 years in the wireless phone business, it is exciting to see the opening of a store dedicated exclusively to AT&T products and services,” said Michael Buffington, President of One-Stop Communications. “Mid-Atlantic ProTel was perfect fit for this area with their focus on customer service, and I am happy to have the opportunity to focus on the other parts of our business.”

The majority of the AT&T trained staff from One-Stop Communications will be transitioning to the new store to continue providing service to the customers of Mifflin County.  Mid-Atlantic ProTel was honored earlier this year by AT&T for Outstanding Customer Service and was named Regional MVP by the AT&T Northeast Region Management. 

Mid-Atlantic ProTel has taken their mission to heart. “Smartphones aren’t just a luxury anymore. They’ve become a necessity for both school and work,” said Patrick Gaidrich, Director of Retail Operations at Mid-Atlantic ProTel. “We’re going to continue to do what we do best – connect people to the devices they love.”

Mid-Atlantic ProTel currently operates 17 stores in MD, PA, VA & WV, with two more locations planned for 2014 and another six stores in 2015.

For more information on ProTel’s growth and future locations, visit their website at www.MyProTel.com.

Get the most powerful features in football with the NFL Sunday Ticket on DIRECTV.

Only a couple more weeks until kickoff. Get your DIRECTV system installed today.  Call 717-248-4996

Right now through November, DIRECTV is offering free previews of some our most popular sports and entertainment programming. 

Free Previews:

• 10/8-10/25:  NHL® CENTER ICE® (channels 215 and 769-785)
• 10/18-10/26: FOX Soccer Plus (channel 621)
• 10/28-11/4: NBA LEAGUE PASS (channels 216 and 750-768)
• 11/11: HBO® (one day free trial)
• 11/24-11/30: DOGTV
• 11/27-11/30: STARZ® and ENCORE®

Home security providers know that a few seconds can often make all the difference between effectively responding to an emergency or allowing it to escalate. They are constantly looking for new ways to make security monitoring faster and more responsive. One of the most effective options is two-way voice capability.

We offers two-way voice as part of our HomeTouch Premier package. Two-way voice capability is dependent on panel type, so existing customers may need a panel upgrade to take advantage of the service.

How It Works
Two-way voice is similar to an intercom but significantly more powerful. It allows customers to communicate directly with monitoring center representatives using a speaker and microphone built into the security system panel. As soon as an alarm reaches our monitoring center, the operator immediately opens the two-way voice channel and begins speaking. The customer hears the representative over the speaker and responds accordingly. The system also allows the operator to continue listening or provide direction until help arrives.

Faster Response Time
The main advantage of two-way voice is faster response time. With a conventional home security system, the operator at our 24-hour monitoring center must call a customer the moment an alarm is triggered, while two-way voice is nearly instantaneous. In some emergencies, that quick response time could mean the difference between safety and an elevated level of danger.

Burglary Deterrence
A home security system is already an excellent way to prevent burglary or home invasion, but two-way voice increases deterrence. For example, a triggered burglary alarm immediately engages the two-way voice system and connects the monitoring center. The operator can warn the intruders that they are being monitored and police are on the way, which could be enough to scare them away.

Two-way voice also allows subscribers to come up with emergency passwords that can alert operators they are being held against their will or threatened by intruders. If the password is spoken, an operator will know that the situation is escalating. That information can be passed on to police dispatchers immediately.

Fire Response
In the event of a house fire, two-way voice enables a homeowner to alert the monitoring center that everyone has escaped safely, with no need to waste time searching for a phone. If occupants are trapped in the house, two-way voice can make it easier to verify their location. The operator can also provide safety advice until the fire department arrives.

These are just some of the benefits of making two-way voice a part of your home security system. We believe two-way voice is one of the most effective features to be added to home security in a long time. Whether your system is wireless or wired, you should consider adding two-way voice to your existing package. Of course, new subscribers would be wise to take advantage of it as well.

We would be more than happy to answer all of your questions about two-way voice and other valuable features of our HomeTouch Premier package. Just give us a call at 717-248-4996 to learn more.

Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 5-11, so it’s a good time to talk about fire prevention. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), fire departments responded to nearly 270,000 house fires in 2012, resulting in more than nearly 13,000 injuries, 2,000 deaths, and $5.7 billion in property damage.

The statistics become even more sobering when you realize that most house fires are completely preventable. For example, cooking accidents are the No. 1 cause of house fires and related injuries. Smoking is another leading cause. Learning to do things in a new way – a safer way – is a major step toward preventing fires.

Here are some important fire prevention tips you can put into practice:

• Cooking – Approximately 40 percent of house fires start in the kitchen, and two-thirds are the result of the ignition of food. You should never leave food cooking on the stove unattended. It only takes a few seconds for something to spill over and catch fire. Also, be careful of loose-fitting clothing when working around an active stove.
• Heating Equipment – Malfunctioning heating equipment is the second-leading cause of house fires in the U.S. Make sure your heating equipment and ductwork are properly cleaned every year. This includes chimneys and furnace exhaust stacks.
• Smoking – House fires can result from smoking in bed or falling asleep in a chair while smoking. If you do choose to smoke, be very cautious at all times. Bedding materials, carpets, furniture, and draperies can all ignite very quickly through careless smoking or the careless discarding of used cigarettes.
• Electrical Appliances – Electrical fires are often caused by damaged power cords, the improper use of extension cords, or overloaded electrical sockets. Treat all of your electrical appliances with extreme care, and frequently check the condition of cords.
• Candles – Candles account for about 3 percent of house fires every year. When using candles, make sure they are far away from anything combustible. Do not leave a candle burning unattended. Never sleep with a candle burning in your bedroom.

In addition to these prevention tips, it is also important to have working smoke alarms in your house. Smoke alarms can mean the difference between you and your family getting out safely or becoming victims of smoke or flames in a house fire. Be sure to check your batteries regularly as well; one good way to remember is by using the start and end of Daylight Saving Time as a reminder.

Home Security with Fire Monitoring
Even the safest of families can be victims of a house fire. We encourage you to enhance all of your prevention measures with a home security system that includes fire monitoring. It’s an important layer of effective fire protection for your property.

When you include fire monitoring in your security package, we install sensors in various locations around your home. Should a house fire trigger one of the sensors, your alarm system will make a loud noise to warn you of impending danger and a signal will be automatically sent to our 24-hour monitoring center. One of our monitoring specialists will attempt to communicate with you to verify whether it’s a false alarm. If it’s a true emergency, they will quickly notify the local fire department.

Fire monitoring from Monitronics can make a big difference if a fire breaks out while no one is home. Rather than the fire burning for a long time before anyone notices, Monitronics will quickly respond. And the sooner the fire department arrives, the more likely your house can be saved.

It’s also important to consider house fires that might occur while you’re sleeping at night. A nighttime house fire is particularly hazardous because you could be overcome by smoke before you even realize there is a problem. Fire monitoring can alert you to a potentially dangerous situation before you are overcome by smoke, allowing you and your family to get out safely.

Please observe Fire Prevention Week by implementing the prevention tips we have offered. Go a step further by developing a fire escape plan. Also, contact One-Stop Communications about a home security system with fire monitoring. Together, these steps can help protect your loved ones and your property.

www.onestopsecurity.com

Hockey Starts Now.  NHL Center Ice free preview on DISH.  October 8-25

Channels 573-587
Hopper Channel 475

Follow your favorite teams and players all season long, with up to 40 out-of-market games per week. Get the best seats in the house with NHL Center Ice. 

To order DISH call 717-248-4996

Today we are celebrating 18 years of business.  Some exciting news will be released in the next couple weeks.  We are very grateful for all our customers in central PA and look forward to working with you in the future..  Thank you!

Home security systems can be simple or complex, with components that range from a basic door alarm to high-tech electronic security measures. One option that’s becoming extremely popular is video surveillance. This is because home security systems with video surveillance give you the ability to have your eyes on your property even when you’re not physically present.

You may be familiar with video surveillance because you’ve seen it used by businesses. However, video surveillance is the perfect addition to home security systems, too. When thieves know they’re being recorded, they know they’ll be more easily convicted, so it’s a huge deterrent to criminal activity. But deterring criminals isn’t the only benefit.

Monitronics Home Security offers HomeTouch® home security systems, which allow you to watch both live and recorded footage of your property from your computer, smartphone or tablet. You can use this surveillance capability to keep track of deliveries, see when your children leave for and return from school, and see who knocked on your door while you were at work. When motion is detected, you’ll receive a captured still image of your property, and you can even get text or email notifications of any activity. You can also access a library of recorded video, in case you need to go back and see what happened on an earlier date. With HomeTouch® home security systems, Monitronics customers can see what’s happening in their homes 24 hours a day.

HomeTouch® can also help you save energy. In addition to being able to see what’s going on in your home, you’ll be able to adjust your lights and thermostats from your smartphone. You can even use HomeTouch® to remotely control your home’s locks.

If you’re going to invest in a home security system, choose one that’s worth the money. Monitronics Home Security systems not only provide warning signage, a secure perimeter and sensors throughout your home, but also fire and carbon monoxide protection. 100% of Monitronics operators have achieved proficiency and certification, earning our Alarm Response Center a Five Diamond Certification from the Central Station Alarm Association. In addition, Monitronics has been honored for exceptional customer service by the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service – the world’s top sales awards, contact center awards and customer service awards. For more information about how Monitronics Home Security can help you protect your family and your home, visit www.onestopsecurity.com or call 717-248-4996.