Recently, a friend of mine told me a story that I thought I would pass along. He and his family were sound asleep in their beds when they were abruptly awoken to their home security system in full panic mode. All of the sudden, he was forced to be at his most alert state and ready to defend his family from the foe that tripped his alarm. When you have kids, the idea of staying behind your locked bedroom door to see what the police find when they get there is not really an option. His first thought was to get to his children and he was practically racing his wife to their rooms. Your safety often takes a backseat when you are faced with the need to protect your helpless children from harm. So, he and his wife get to their kids and then… well, I will finish this story a little later in my post.

The point is, this story really got me thinking. In my home, I feel secure and at ease and this is the type of situation that can make you feel like your “peace of mind” is not truly warranted. It also made me realize all of the other areas in life where people have a false sense of security. Now, this is not meant to scare anyone. That is not my desire. However, it’s meant to educate and inform you of the right questions to ask to make sure you are dealing with a company that keeps your security in mind.

A few years ago, the City of Houston implemented a towing program to help to clear the roads of accidents faster. Many cities around the US incorporated similar programs and were met with success and controversy all at the same time. One of the concerns that arose was regarding the Towing Companies that were chosen by the city to clear these accidents. Many of the cities that ran this program did not do proper background checks, insurance checks and licensing checks on these companies. These tow truck drivers had access to your vehicle, your personal information and often would have to escort you and your family to a different destination. It was found that many of them were not licensed, had no insurance and in many cases had extensive criminal backgrounds. This is not the type of situation that your city should put you in. Many of these programs are no longer in existence due to the problems that occurred. One way to avoid this is to work with companies that can provide proof of background checks, proof of insurance and proper licensing. And as always, when in doubt…ASK. It’s your right to know and their obligation to provide that information.

In my industry, it’s a shame how many people just trust their personal packages with companies that don’t do background checks, are not bonded, licensed, follow OSHA compliance or even check to make sure their drivers are insured. These packages are obviously important and time sensitive and in so many cases, never make it to their destination. The sad part is that the sender or the receiver can’t do much about it. This is an easy situation to avoid. Companies like my Houston Courier Service, can provide the proof you need to feel secure about your packages. Any company you work with should have this proof readily available to give you the peace of mind you need to feel that your belongings are safe when out of your hands. Paying a dollar or two more for a delivery from someone who has gone through the process of making sure your packages are safe is a no-brainer in my opinion.

Now, in a more personal area…your home. This is the area where you need to be the most alert. Work with companies that are in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. Work with companies that your friends can refer to you. You are letting people that you don’t know in to your private home and around your family. This includes your yard company, your cable company, your appliance company, repairs, carpet cleaning, etc… Be smart about who you let in to your  home and be sure to stay on your toes the entire time they are there. Keep notice of all activity and don’t leave them in a room alone. Stay aware and stay safe and work with companies that have the safety and security of their customers as a top priority.

Now, to get back to the story of my friend and his tripped alarm in the middle of the night. After some discussions with the Security monitoring service and a little investigation, it turns out that a house fly was their “foe” ready to cause harm to the family. Apparently, that little fly flew right in front of their very sensitive motion detectors and the rest is history. The family is safe and got a good laugh out of the whole thing, but I can’t say the same for that poor house fly.

Until Next Time,

Eric