Tag Archives: reputable

General Safety Issues

SIX QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF BEFORE SELECTING AN ALARM COMPANY FOR YOUR BUSINESS (GUEST POST)

With so many options to choose from, finding the right security provider to protect your business can be difficult. While there are a lot of great providers who offer, upfront, honest and quality service, there are a still a few that you should look out for. This is why it’s important to properly evaluate your potential alarm company before you sign. You’ll want to shop around and carefully consider your options.  A major part of this involves taking the time to learn as much as you can about each company in your area. To help you get on the right track, we’ve provided six essential questions every business owner should ask them self before signing with an alarm company. Find answers to the questions listed below before you choose your alarm service provider to make sure you’ve found the best option for protecting your valuable investment.

1.       Does the company meet industry accepted standards?

This is arguably one of the most important aspects of an alarm business. This is because the equipment they use and services they provide will determine the quality of your alarm system overall. To find out if your potential company is up to par, research the industry standards for your area and compare them with the features list provided by the company. You may also want to call the company’s corporate headquarters to make sure that you have properly evaluated the services and equipment they offer. 

2.       Are there any hidden costs?

Hidden costs are all too prevalent in the alarm industry. Rather than wait to be shocked by your monthly bill later, carefully read the fine print and be sure to ask your dealer to clarify each cost. It will also be beneficial to ask them if there will be any additional fees or charges for installation and support services.

3.       Do they provide 24/HR customer support?

Even though business hours typically run from 9-5, problems with the system or potential threats to your workplace’s security can arise after hours. Having fast and friendly support available when you need it is of utmost importance when it comes to your alarm monitoring. Look for this detail in the printed information provided by your dealer or on the company website.

4.       Have surrounding businesses used their services?

Chances are, your dealer services other offices in your business complex. Speak to neighboring business owners who you’re familiar with and ask friends and family for recommendations. Referrals are typically the best way to find a good company as they provide insight on the company’s quality of service after the sale has been made.

5.       Does the security system offer everything you need?

You will want to make sure that their systems provide options for protecting your business from every potential danger. Be sure to get a full list of standard features and options from your dealer. Your needs will be a bit more complex than those of a homeowner, including things like 24-hour surveillance and motion detectors. Once you’ve determined that the company is able to provide you with a system that can meet your needs as a business owner, ask for pricing information to see if there will be any additional costs for the features you need.

6.       Is the central monitoring system fully redundant?

Your alarm company’s central monitoring station monitors the activity of each alarm they’ve installed. If their central monitoring provider is fully redundant, it ensures that your workplace will remain protected should a problem occur at one of the monitoring stations. You will want to ask your service provider for information on their central monitoring station to ensure that it is capable of providing full redundancy. 

Overall, the most important thing to remember is to take your time during the purchasing process. Although a good sales representative can be pretty persuasive in getting you to sign on the spot, carefully considering each option to find the company that can meet your needs will make all the difference in the quality of protection and service you receive from your provider in the future. After all, you’ve come this far in building a successful business. Isn’t it worth taking a little time to make sure that it’s fully protected?  

 

COSETTE JARRETT | RED OLIVE ® 

Marketing Specialist | cosette@redolive.com

General Safety Issues

SEVEN FACTS ABOUT HOME DAYCARE THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW (Guest Post)

Making an informed decision regarding the regular care of your children is one of the most important decisions that you’ll face during their formative years. If you’re considering care based in the home of your childcare provider, here are seven facts that you should consider.

1.       Most States Have Limited Licensing Requirements for Home-Based Care – The regulations and requirements for licensing a childcare provider that operates out of their home are, in most states, considerably more lax than those governing a daycare center housed in commercial property. As a result, equipment, and even cleanliness, might not be as tightly regulated depending on the individual laws of your state. In some cases, home-based childcare may not always be the best option.

2.       Unlicensed Caregivers Are Restricted to Fewer Charges – Provided that caregivers maintain a specified number of charges in their own home, most states do not require them to obtain commercial childcare licensing. A small, in-home operation through a capable, experienced, and competent caregiver who is not interested in procuring a commercial license can keep care on a personal level, eliminating the chance of overcrowding and inattentiveness, but ensuring that kids are able to interact with a select number of other kids.

3.       Keeping Kids Out of Daycare Reduces Their Risk of Communicable Illness – A 2009 Fox News report indicated that children who attend daycare are more likely to suffer from chronic ear infections and the common cold more often than their counterparts who have private, in-home childcare. These findings come as no surprise to parents who have been forced to send their little ones to daycare, only to have them return with a fever and runny nose multiple times a year.

4.       Kids with Behavioral Disorders Benefit from Being Cared for in Their Own Home – Children with some behavioral disorders, such as ADHD and some autism spectrum disorders, are reliant upon a familiar setting and a steady routine to control their symptoms. Engaging a nanny or other in-home childcare provider allows parents to keep their special kids in a setting that best suits them and their individual needs.

5.       Childcare in Your Home is Easier to Monitor – When care takes place in their home, parents have more control over the environment and can check-in with their nanny when they’d like. Parents that want to use nanny cams and other monitoring devices, provided that the practice isn’t prohibited by their state laws, can easily do this in their private homes.

6.       Dietary Rules and Restrictions Are More Easily Enforced in Your Own Home – When your childcare provider comes to your home to look after her charges, she is limited in her menu choices to foods pre-approved by you. When you supply the food the likelihood of your children being exposed to food you’ve excluded from their diet is greatly diminished. When you send your child to home-based care, she could be fed unapproved foods or accidently ingest something she’s allergic to.

7.       The Setting Determines the Tax Requirements – Many nanny employers mistakenly believe that their live-in or live-out nanny can be considered an independent contractor, absolving them from the legal responsibility to pay employment taxes. However, a domestic employer who adheres to a schedule set by her employers and works within their home is not considered an independent contractor at all, but is instead an employee of the parents. Childcare providers that look after their charges in their home within the parameters of hours they’ve set aren’t employees and may be considered independent contractors.

A reputable childcare provider based out of their own home should allow you to thoroughly examine the areas in which your child will be kept, as well as observe them over the course of an afternoon in order to ensure that her other charges seem happy, healthy, and fond of her. Some home-based daycare and daycare centers often restrict parents’ access, citing liability for the safety of their charges. In-home childcare allows parents a considerably increased level of control and, almost invariably, a more personal experience in comparison to daycare.

 Our thanks to NannyAgency.net for this good information to help parents in the important decision of care for their children. pb

Uncategorized

SHOP SMART AND SAFELY THIS SEASON!

1 Comment

We are counting down the days until Christmas!   We’ve survived Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, when retailers offer deals we just can’t live without!  For those who braved the cold waiting for stores to open their doors, and spent countless hours on the computer, well done!  For the rest of us, good luck! 

Online shopping is a wonderful way to shop if you  have neither the time or desire to get out there and search for the best bargains, but either way, in person, or online, buyers beware!  You must be sure you are cyber-safe!  Before you decide to make online purchases, you should have good antivirus software.  If you get suspicious emails or pop-ups with bargains that are too good to be true – they are!  The Better Business Bureau advises us to make sure each online purchase is made on a secure website.  It is best to shop with reputable businesses; when you place your order, look for the “s” in “https//” and in the lower right corner of the browser, there should be a padlock.  This ensures you that that your personal information is safe.  

Some stores offer credit cards that promise huge incentives with a large one-time only discount.  If you plan to make large purchases, it might be worth taking advantage of this offer.  However, some stores add higher interest to balances, so it would be best to pay it off right away.  Be sure you keep all receipts.  Some electronic items and special orders may require a re-stocking fee.  It could cost you from 10% to 25% if not returned in a factory-sealed box.  

Do your homework.  Plan ahead by doing comparative shopping before buying.  Avoid impulse buying.  Be sure the gifts you choose will be used, and not just put away in a closet.  Getting a “wish list” from your family members ensures that you are giving them something they really would enjoy.  We hope you have also given some thought to some “cool” safety items that would be put to good use by workers who wear hardhats, safety glasses, safety gloves, and other protective products.

When you are out there in the “real” shopping world, take extra precautions.  There are some persons just waiting to switch your purse with an empty one, or pick someone’s pocket.  It’s best not to carry a large purse, but keep your money, checks and credit cards concealed in a small purse or bag under your sweater or coat.  Don’t wear expensive jewelry when you are shopping in large crowds, and always be aware of your surroundings.  If you have several packages, take them to your car, rather than risk leaving one of them in a store.  Be sure that they are in the trunk or out of sight in your locked vehicle.  Carry some wet wipes or small hand sanitizer with you to be able to clean your hands when a restroom isn’t handy for washing hands.  There are plenty of germs out there, too, and no one wants to get sick during the holidays. 

Please do your shopping during the day.  If you must go at night, take a friend with you.  If you must go alone, have a security person at the mall walk you to your car, which is parked in a well-lighted space.  The one thing that we all know is not to leave our small children unattended while shopping anytime. 

For those who are hard to shop for, a personal gift can’t be beat!  Cookies, candy, and home-made goodies are always appreciated, as well as showing that you care enough to take the time to do something nice for them.  Please don’t forget those whose holiday won’t be bright; give to your favorite charity or a family that needs some help. 

Good luck with your holiday plans.  Full speed ahead, shop and drive with care!