We all need to protect our homes from burglars, especially this time of year, so how about a few tips and pointers on how to do so.

Did you know?
A high percentage of burglars enter through the first floor of the home, so insuring exterior doors and windows are secure is important.

Exterior doors should be constructed of a heavy solid material that are not easily broken, and should have good quality deadbolt locks.

Beware of leaving spare keys in what you believe to be hidden areas. Don’t hide keys in obvious places or close to the door, instead leave them with a neighbor you can trust.

Install a peephole, so you can see who’s at your door before you open it

If you absolutely must have a pet door, make sure it’s not located close to a lock and try to have it as small as you can.
What about sliding glass doors? A cheap fix would be to place a wooden pole or handle of a broom, and place it in the door track so it cannot be opened. These doors should also have top and bottom locks.
​
Windows want to be constructed with strong glass and screening should be a heavy-duty wire.

Burglars don’t want to be seen, so make it as difficult as possible for them by attaching motion sensored lighting all around the house.


What if you’re going to be away?
Try to make it look like someone's home. Timer activated lights, TV or radio are a good idea. Make sure the yard is kept neat while you are away, also try keeping a car in the driveway.


Contact us for more advice on how to protect your home.

With the warmer summer temperatures here in Fort McMurray, no doubt we have already started thinking about the outdoor fun we'll be having. One warm-weather essential is grilling and barbecuing. We wanted to mention a few tips to make sure your outdoor grilling will be safe and without incident.

It's especially important to be vigilant at the beginning of the barbecue season since this is the most dangerous time to be starting up a propane grill. When a propane grill sits for a long period of time it's important to check all of the connections and see if there are any leaks or rusted areas that could deteriorate and corrode certain parts to the grill.

One way to check the connections is by turning the gas on and spraying a soapy solution on the connection points to see if bubble form from any gas that might be escaping.

If you have a charcoal grill the risk of inhaling carbon monoxide (CO) is very possible. It is estimated that at least twenty people die annually by accidentally inhaling CO.

Make sure to be careful where the grill is placed and make sure it's placed outside.
​
Risks also exist with electric grills. Basically, we just want to make sure everyone is safe while you're enjoying that irresistible BBQ!