With all the commotion of family, friends and holiday cheer, sometimes comes distraction. Watchdog Security would like to offer some important Thanksgiving safety tips to help you protect the people and possessions you're thankful for.

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking, and keep active stovetops and ovens within eyesight.
• Avoid wearing hanging jewelry or loose sleeves when cooking. Jewelry can become entangled in pot handles causing spills and burns, and clothing can catch fire.
• Keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove, hot foods and liquids.
• Be sure to turn all pot handles inward to avoid accidents.
• Never leave lit candles unattended, especially when children are present.
• Candle holders should be sturdy, difficult to knock over, and placed away from table edges where they can be bumped by guests.
• Be mindful of where you display Thanksgiving decorations. Hanging paper above or around the stove is a bad idea.
• Finally, and most importantly, make sure all home smoke alarms are in proper working order.

-Watchdog Security, wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Unless you've been a burglary victim, it's easy to take for granted the need for home security. No dwelling can ever be too safe. These startling home burglary statistics may make you think twice about the safety of your residence.
For example, did you know that a burglary occurs every 15 seconds in the US? Or that nearly 60% of burglaries actually occur during daylight hours? Or that 9 out of 10 convicted burglars admit that they would pass up a house with a posted security system? That statistic alone is a pretty compelling argument for increasing the protection of your home.
For more, take a look at this handy home security infographic courtesy of Fixr.

Two Men Arrested and Taken into Police Custody at Local Scrap Yard

A recent client of Watchdog Security has been having recurring theft issues and poor response time from the Detroit Police Department. Watchdog Security decided to take action and hired armed security guards in order to apprehend the criminals. Watchdog was able to coordinate video monitoring efforts with armed guards on the ground and successfully found the perpetrators. The burglars were hiding where they otherwise would not have been discovered without Virtual Guard video monitoring. The guards made the arrest of the two individuals and handed them over to the Detroit Police. All property from the attempted heist was recovered on the scene and returned to the scrapyard owners. You can watch the burglars get caught red-handed.

Halloween is quickly approaching and it is important to know how to keep your home safe during the holiday. Every year on Halloween, thousands of homes become prime targets for thieves. Watchdog Security has a few tips on how to keep your home safe from vandals and burglars.

When passing out candy to trick-or-treaters, it is important to never allow a child or adult into your home, even if they say it is an emergency. Many adults go door to door with children and scope out the interior layouts of homes within a neighborhood. Never leave your front door open or unattended, as this welcomes strangers inside. Lock all other doors and windows in the house, in case someone tries to sneak in while you are greeting children at the door. A home security system is the best way to deter burglars from your home. If you do not stay at home to pass out candy, make sure you arm your security system and leave lights on so that burglars think someone is home. A poorly lit house is extremely vulnerable to vandalism and property crime. Check all outdoor lights and replace any burned out bulbs before the night of Halloween. You may want to consider installing motion sensor lights, in order to discourage burglars and any Halloween tricksters.

As for fire safety, make sure any decorations are a safe distance from electrical outlets, and any candles or other burning objects are within sight at all times. Pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns can also be a scary fire hazard, as they can easily be kicked or tipped over on the front porch. Make sure to test your smoke detectors and replace any outdated batteries in fire alarms. At the end of the evening, double check that all candle flames have been extinguished.

Don’t let Halloween become scarier than it is! Call Watchdog Security for any other security questions you may have about how to keep your home safe this weekend!