3 Smart and Simple Holiday Home Security Tips
‘Tis the season to be jolly!
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or another holiday in December, it’s a great time to get together with family and friends.
We light candles. We eat meals. We give gifts. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Except when it is not! Disaster can strike even during the holiday season. Prepare now and don’t sweat it in December.
Here are 3 smart and simple holiday home security tips you need in your life!
Holiday Home Security Tips To Sink Your Teeth In!
In the past, we’ve talked about holiday home security tips right here on this blog.
Here are our previous tips:
5 of the best home for the holidays security tips
3 smart home security tips for a worry-free holiday season
How to prevent being a burglary victim during the holiday season
But…
We dug deep and came up with 3 additional holiday home security tips to share with you.
1 Prevent a Home Fire
1 If you have a wood stove or fireplace in your home, get your chimney swept this month. As it gets colder, we will be looking for alternate sources of heat and fireplaces that are not swept cna catch on fire, easily. There might be a build up of soot, or a bird may have nested and obstructed your chimney. Either way, protect your home and your family and get this service scheduled asap.
2 Alternatively, if you do not have a good heating source and you are looking at space heaters to warm up your home, please, please please be aware of the dangers of space heaters. Do not use them without supervision. Do not use them when you sleep. Do not use them near flammable materials. Do not plug them into extension cords. Space heaters cause a lot of fires each winter. If you must use them, please take precautions.
2 Time your Lights
More often than not, burglaries happen during the day and are an impulsive act, meaning – a criminal sees an opportunity and jumps on it. Those burglaries that happen at night, are often premeditated and planned out. To prevent being a targeted victim of a home burglar during the holiday season, put your holiday lights on timers. Better yet, put them on timers and on your smarthome system so that you can adjust the timing of them daily if you are not home! Lights that pop up at the exact time each day, day after day, can signal ‘We are not home’ to a criminal.
3 Use Your Sound System to Your Advantage
Much like the lights deter criminals, turning on tunes to keep them away works as well! Smarthome homeowners who have a surround sound system can time (and chime) music to be played. Who knew jingle bells could prevent break-ins? If a criminal sees lights and hears music played, they will move to an empty house.
FACT: Burglars do NOT want to confront homeowners. They rather go to a home where it is dark and quiet!
Let Strand Security Help You Keep Your Loved Ones Safe!
3 Homeowner Stories. Being Thankful for Security Cameras
Today we want to share three stories of homeowners who are thankful for their security cameras. It is November and a great time be thankful for technology and home security systems.
If you are a homeowner and you are lucky enough not to have had the need of a home security system, or have not had an emergency in your home that warranted a call to police, fire or ambulance, you are indeed lucky!
Let’s hear the 3 homeowner stories how their Ring Cameras saved lives: a father, pets and teenagers!
My Ring Camera Saved My Life. Joey’s Story
We found this story on YouTube and Ring also wrote about it here.
Joey was home alone when he collapsed on his front porch on a hot summer day in Texas. Thank goodness he had a Ring camera! His son saw his dad, called mom who was out of town, who alerted a neighbor who called emergency services! Phew.
We are so glad that Joey is ok and that his Ring Camera saved the day!
A Passing Jogger Saves the Pets and a Home from Fire
This man is a hero!
While out jogging, he saw smoke and decided to take a detour to check it out. Good thing he did! He saw fire! After ringing the Ring doorbell, he first gets a recorded message saying the homeowners are not home. But the homeowner who wasn’t home, got an alert and answered the doorbell from a remote location.
ONce she saw the smoke coming out of her home, she begged the jogger to go inside and rescue her pets. Two dogs, a rabbit and a cat. He did! Due to his quick action he not only saved the pets, he also saved the home.
What a wonderful story! Make sure to watch the video.
Home Security Cameras, a Home Invasion and Parents Who Watch it unfold LIVE
This is one of the craziest stories!
As parents are out to dinner, three teenagers are home alone. Then gunmen appear and a home invasion is caught on camera and is livestreamed to the parent’s phone. They are able to call the police and then talk to these home invaders, warning them that the police is on the way.
This is a chilling one to watch.
Imagine what would have happened if they did not have these camera in their home! Police credit the camera system for the quick retreat of the criminals.
Phew. We got serious chills watching this video. We are glad the teens survived this home invasion.
You Never Know What Will Happen. Prepare for the Worst!
These homeowners prepared for emergencies and so should you. Coe talk to us at Strand Security now, or after the holidays. We’d love to help you choose the right system to protect those you love.
3 Reasons We Are Grateful for our Customers on the Grand Strand
Happy November. It’s a Great Month To Be Grateful!
As the calendar continues to roll forward, we are headed towards a new year quickly. Before we get to 2023 however, we still have several holidays to celebrate and nearly two months to fill with work and family life.
November is a great time to express how grateful you are.
Share with your family, your colleagues and your community all the things you are grateful for.
To set an example, here are 3 reasons we at Strand Security ad grateful for our customers on the Grand Strand.
1 Grand Strand Customers are Friendly
People who live on the Grand Strand are friendly – well, for the most part. Our customers are by far happy, friendly and content.
When our tech teams visit our customers on-site, we are greeted by friendly, smiling faces. We love living on the Grand Strand for this reason alone. What’s not to love about our weather, our community, our state, right?
We love our Strand Security Grand Strand customers because they are friendly. How about you, do you experience friendliness in your daily life?
2 Our Strand Security Customers are Loyal
We’ve been in business on the Grand Strand for well over 10 years! Some of our customers have been with us form the start, and many who joined us later are still with us. We have found that Strand Security customers are friendly AND loyal. They stick with us and continue to stick with us as their needs change.
Several customers have hired us for their commercial needs as well as their family needs. Others have moved homes and needed to upgrade their security systems, their security cameras and add additional security measures. We love returning customers as it shows loyalty.
3 Grand Strand Customers Refer Us their Friends and Family!
The 3 reason we are so very grateful for our amazing customers is that a large part of our business comes from personal referrals!
Yes, many of satisfied customers tell their neighbors, friends, family and colleagues about us. It’s a great way for them to show their satisfaction for our services and for us to know we are doing it right! We are a locally owned and locally operated business and your security is our business!
What Are You Grateful For in November?
We’d love to know what you are grateful for! If it is our service, we’d love for you to let us know. Send us an email via heather@strandsecurity.com, or leave us a Facebook or better yet, a Google review. We live for those!
Social proof is everything!
What Home Security Packages are Available to Grand Strand Residents?
“Bundle”
Who hasn’t heard that word in recent …commercials? Do you love savings? Do you like a deal, a bargain? Do you like feeling you ‘won’ better service, better pricing or better bundles? Who doesn’t love combining services for a better price point? Strand Security has you covered!
When we went looking for keywords YOU (our audience) were searching for on Google, we saw you are searching for Home Security Packages.
Do we ‘bundle’ here at Strand Security? Sure we do!
What Home Security Packages are Available to Grand Strand Residents?
The short answer about our bundles, or home security packages, is to ask us!
If you have a home security system, and want to create a smarthome, we can add those new components and that new service into a new package for you.
If you are a commercial customer of ours, and we take care of your business, restaurant, or any of your commercial systems, and you want to protect your family, we can create a home security package for you!
If you are considering purchasing or building a new home, and want options like a central vacuum, smart window shades, a sound system or a complete home theater build, we can bundle that!
Customizable Systems, Customizable Home Security Packages
No one customer of ours is alike.
No one customer has the exact same needs as another.
No one customers comes to us with the exact same issues as another.
We customize your home security packages for that very reason.
Do you already have an (older) system? We might be able to reuse some of the technology!
Home Security Packages are Based on Your Needs
When we work together, we look for the best solutions for your home.
We strive to your home secure, your family safe and your assets protected.
Your security is our business.
We work with
- Home owners in Horry County and Georgetown County
- Retirees
- New residents to South Carolina
- New parents
- Those who care for kids and elderly aka the sandwich generation
- Business owners
- and more.
Home Security Protection: Building, Family and Assets
We secure everything and everyone close to you.
- If you have an elderly family member in your care, we can provide a personal panic button to add to your system.
- If you need to give access to your home to several people (babysitters, contractors), consider changing your system to a smarthome system so you’ll never need a key again, just personalized codes for easy and secure access!
- If you have assets like expensive cars, baots, jet skis or other fun toys on your premises, you’ll want special cameras and sensors to secure those high ticket items.
Your Security is our business!
Give Strand Security A Call to Talk about Home Security Packages
We are only a phone call away! Let us know your problem and we will tell you how we can help you solve your problems or security issues.
Who Installs the Best Home Security Systems with Cameras in Myrtle Beach?
Do you already have a home security system with cameras? Do you live in the Myrtle Beach, Grand Strand area?
Then this might be an article you want to skip! 😉
We are going to talk about who installs the best home security systems with cameras in Myrtle Beach and while you might already guess the answer to be ‘Strand Security’, were are going to give you enough reasons to agree with us! Sound fair? Read on.
Why Choose Strand Security for your Home Security System?
We want to to feel good about choosing us as your service provider. We work closely with our clients so they can be sure to get what they want and need to protect their home, their assets and more importantly, their families.
Choose us because we use the same systems we install to protect our own loved ones. We only recommend brands and technology we have in our own homes! What is good enough for us, is good enough for our clients. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Make the choice to go with us because we care about your safety and security. That is it.
Trust us with what is most dear to you and we will pull through.
Your security. Our business!
Why Choose Us for your Home Security System with Cameras?
We install not just home security system cameras, but all different type of cameras. While we provide services for homeowners on the Grand Strand, we also have a huge commercial division where we install security cameras of all sorts and types each and every day!
Chances are that whatever you think we need, we can provide along with advice and what we recommend you instal. We do keep up with the latest technology, the best brands and newest trends in our industry!
Why Choose Strand Security for Installation when you Live in Myrtle Beach?
We work where we live, we live where we work.
Locally owned and locally operated, we are your first choice of local home security systems providers. We’ve been on the Grand Strand for many years and provide excellent service. (don’t take our word for it, read the Google reviews!)
If you need us, we answer the phone.
If a problem arises, we will be there.
If you want to upgrade, we can do that!
What Makes Strand Security Your Best Choice for Home Security Systems Installation?
We have many years of home security systems experience.
We sell home security systems.
We install install home security cameras.
We maintain your home security system if you live within our area of work, anywhere in Horry County or Georgetown County South Carolina.
We offer the best service, at the most competitive pricing and we are a locally owned and locally operated small business. We live where we work!
For Home Security Systems with Cameras in Myrtle Beach, Connect With us!
We can’t wait to welcome you into the fold of Strand Security customers. It is as simple as picking up the phone. We are ready for your calls.
The 7 Types of Commercial Security Systems You Want to Know About!
Strand Security of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina offer home security systems, as well as commercial security systems. If you own or operate a business in Horry County or Georgetown county, if you are responsible for a commercial building and its occupants, you need to come talk to us!
Strand Security is THE locally owned and locally operated security business for commercial systems!
While we know what you need, and we certainly encourage you to come to us and ask questions, you might need to learn more about your option before you speak with us.
In this blog, we will explain 7 types of commercial security systems. if you have questions, please ask!
Your security. Our business!
1 Security Camera + Video Surveillance Systems
Security cameras and video surveillance equipment allow for real-time monitoring of the commercial building. Hospitals, Schools, Universities – most if not all use video surveillance systems to track visitors and employees in real-time.
2 Security Alarm Systems
Secure the premises and keep employees safe with a commercial security alarm system. A commercial security alarm system is made up of many components – and is customized to each customers’ needs.
3 Access Control Systems
Access control systems allow for screening of employees and visitors and give them different levels of access, electronically. The preset system determines who gains entry to your commercial building. Access control systems lets you choose authorized credentials that can unlock doors, buildings and vehicles.
4 Fire and Emergency Exit Systems
Commercial fire safety systems are mandated by building codes, local laws and requirements, and other factors. Fire and emergency systems are in place to allow for immediate alerts throughout the building, quick exits and immediate access for emergency responders.
5 Cyber Security Systems
While Strand Security does not specialize in cybersecurity systems, we would be remiss to leave this system out! Cybersecurity systems includes systems for data encryption, anti-virus software, traffic monitoring and computer firewall protection if needed.
6 Gate Access Systems
Housing communities, commercial parking spaces, hospital parking lots… what they have in common is that they may need to be gated for limited access by vehicles to manage guest and visitors, as well as employees and residents. Other commercial spaces that might need gated access systems include airports, restaurants, sport complexes and more. Gated access systems are put into place to prevent theft and vandalism, and can provide peace of mind by offering 24/7 security.
7 Sensor Systems
Laboratoriums, hospitals and other temperature controlled spaces… they are all prime candidates for sensor systems. Door and window contact sensors notify business owners or managers when a door or window opens, or if it’s left ajar for a certain amount of time. Besides contact sensors, different sensor systems use infrared sensors, laser sensors and microwave sensors for commercial space security.
Let us Know How Strand Security Can help You!
We love working on commercial security systems. Here is one we completed in North Myrtle Beach! We are happy to answer your questions and help you with your commercial security systems. We only work with the best, nationally recognized brands.
Ring in the Fall Season With these 5 Most Unusual Home Security Tips
Home Security Tips Galore!
A quick Google search gets you the most common home security tips.
We’ve covered them here on this Strand Security blog extensively over the past 7+ years! But what about the more unusual security tips? Things you might not think about when you purchase a home?
We’ve gone and done it! We’ve collected five of the most unusual home security tips we could find into one blog. Get ready for these home security hacks you wish you’d known sooner.
1 Move your alarm keypad!
Sure, most people depend on security companies (us) to install keypads for a home security system, but some don’t. If you are among a growing number of homeowners going the DIY home installation of home security systems like RING, do a quick audit on the location of the keypad.
- Where is it?
- Can it be seens through a window?
Here is why!
“An observant burglar might scope out the place and even watch you enter the numbers into the keypad. A would-be burglar can also glance through a window to see if you’ve activated your alarm system before leaving the house.”
Move it out of sight!
2 Find an unusual place for valuables
Most homeowners keep jewelry, cash and valuables in… their master bedroom! One way to secure those items is to NOT put them there in the first place.
May we suggest the back of a storage closet, a kitchen cabinet, a floor safe or elsewhere in your home, ANYWHERE BUT the master bedroom?
3 Don’t hang (car) keys near the back or front doors!
During the day keep the keys and car keys near you. You’ll need them to lock your home, as well as drive your car. But what about at night? Do you have a habit of hanging your car keys near the back door, garage door or front door?
Don’t do it!
Instead, take them with you into your bedroom where the are much safer and you’ve just made it much harder for a thief to take off with your car(s).
4 Decoy everything!
Get decoy security cameras, a decoy safe and even decoy keys. Burglars go in and out in minutes. They will not open up a safe, they will just carry the safe out and take it with them. If you want to fool those fools entering your home uninvited, become the master of decoys.
It works!
(for personal safety, we recommend a decoy wallet, too, especially when traveling and visiting new unfamiliar cities!)
5 Sliding Doors need extra protection
If your home has a beautiful glass sliding door, you need more protection than just a simple lock. Sliding door usually have small locks that are easy to break so adding an additional security measure seems right. If the door is not properly installed, a burglar can easily lift it off the tracks, so be sure to check your sliding glass doors for baseline security.
The best way to secure a sliding glass door is to put a rod (wood or metal) or something similar on the tracks and lodge it between the door and the wall. If an ill-intended burglar manages to unlock the sliding door, they still won’t be able to slide it open with a rod is in the way on its tracks!
Strand Security: Your Security, Our Business!
Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for more tips, tricks and to stay up-to-date on all things home and commercial security.
How to Best Protect your Commercial Real Estate Investment in Myrtle Beach
Commercial Real Estate Investments on the Grand Strand
Our beautiful area of the Grand Strand in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area is booming! People and businesses are flocking to the beach to live, work, play and.. invest!
If you have invested in commercial real estate in the Myrtle Beach area, or you are exploring this option in the future, read on! We’ve got the latest and greatest on how to protect what you are paying for.
Protect What You Are Building: Construction Work Site Security
Many new projects are rising out of the ground as fungi – new construction sites a popping up everywhere. Guess what else is popping up? Crime at worksites. Stats tell us that crime is up.
Many construction sites deal with the same two crimes:
✓ Theft (of tools, equipment and materials)
✓ Vandalism
The Grand Strand/Myrtle Beach area is undergoing a huge surge in new construction of homes and businesses and thus there are many new construction sites popping up. Each site deals with theft and vandalism, and we do get calls and inquiries about how to prevent crime from happening.
What can you do to protect your investment as you build? Here are a few tips
- Identify all your assets and property at your site and index/catalogue them so they can be tracked at any time.
- Engrave tools and special tag other equipment.
- Connect with neighbors, nearby businesses and neighborhood watches so they are aware of your site.
- Bring awareness and offer training to your crew and discuss how they need to do their part (lock up)
Read the full article and the other 8 tips here.
Commercial Real Estate: Why You Need Security
In a previous blog, we wrote about the many reason small business owners need a commercial security system:
Have you dealt with
✔️employee theft?
✔️counterfit money?
✔️ loitering around your building?
✔️vandalism?
✔️break-ins?
If so, installing, maintaining and monitoring a commercial security system is the way to go.
If your real estate investment does not include owning a business, but you do own the building, we recommend you talk to those business owners leasing the building from you to make sure they are protecting your assets along with theirs!
Protect Everything, Including Your Employees
Do you have a commercial building, a business AND employees? Then the very last thing you want to hear is that there has been an ‘incident’ at your business, right?
Whether it is a phone call from your employee, or a call from the police, as soon as you hear this message, you know that you and your business are in trouble.
If you are the owner or CEO of a brick and mortar store, a restaurant, a gas station, a bank, a school, a church or a service provider with a fleet of trucks and a slew of employees, you never want harm to come to your employees, correct?
Learn more about how to protect your employees here.
Not Sure Where to Start? Start with Cameras!
We can’t say enough about having security cameras for your commercial real estate investment. Having a record of what is going on, having a record of what went wrong, and having a record of wrongdoings is the first step in getting insurance to pay out when you have a claim on your real estate investment!
Strand Security, Your Resource for all Commercial Real Estate Investment Protection!
Come talk to us – we are locally owned and locally operated!
How To Secure Your Home: Never Fall Into These Three Bad Habits Again
Happy Fall Y’all
Can you believe Fall 2022 is here?
While you might be out enjoying the sunshine, slightly shorter days and plenty of cooler weather here in South Carolina, we are always on alert! Your security is our business here at Strand Security in Murrells Inlet!
Today, we’d like to discuss three bad habits many homeowners have, that put you and your loved one at risk for a home invasion, burglary or theft.
These are three bad habits homeowners have that put them at a higher risk for a home invasion or burglary.
1 Hiding Spare Keys Outside, in an Obvious Spot
While you might have grown up as a latch key kid, or knew where all your neighbors hid their keys, there is no need to continue this dangerous habit!
If you have lock on your doors with keys, do this one thing: Go and have 10 extra keys made and only give them to people you completely trust. That’s it. Stop hiding a key outside.
If you have an emergency and do need to hide a key outside, do it in a spot away from the door.
Never, and I mean never put your key in an envelope and put it in your mailbox. Don’t hide it under a rock either.
TIP: It’s best to replace all your door locks with a keyless entry system, and connect it to your smarthome system! Never ever have a use of a key again – all you need is codes to get in the door!
2 Forgetting to Lock Doors
Did you know that most burglaries happen between the hours of 10 AM – 2 PM?
Indeed, they do and what most people don’t realize is that often a burglar enters the home through an unlocked door. Front door, garage side door, backdoor. It’s easy to walk in if the door isn’t locked
If you have this bad habit, try setting reminders on your phone, or leave yourself a note on your car’s dashboard “STOP. Did you lock the door?” might be all it takes to get into the habit of locking up behind you.
Remember, most burglaries happen because of opportunity, not scouting! Entering a home where the door is unlocked is a huge bonus for someone who wants to remain unseen and unheard!
3 Refusing to Install an Alarm System
Last but not least, another bad habit is refusing to install a home security system all together! What makes you special enough to be spared the trauma of a home invasion or burglary? Nothing!
We serve people who want to prevent a home invasion, burglary or theft. Unfortunately we are also contacted often by people who’ve already been victims and want to prevent a second occurance. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Get an alarm system now. It’s doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, it doesn’t have to be too complicated either.
Contact Strand Security in Murrells Inlet for your Home Alarm System
We make the process of home alarms, security systems as easy as possible. Give us a call today to get started. We will be happy to answer your questions over the phone!
What Strand Security Services Would You Like to Know More About?
Strand Security, at Your Service!
If this is the first time you’ve come to our website or blog, welcome!
We are excited to share Strand Security Services with you. Strand Security is a locally owned and locally operated small business, serving both Horry County and Georgetown County.
What services do we offer? Keep reading!
Strand Security Services List
Let’s look at the full list of services first. Strand Security of Murrells Inlet offers:
• Residential Security Alarm Systems
• Commercial Security Alarm Systems
• Audio/Video Solutions
• Home Automation
Strand Security Services For Homeowners, Business Owners & Local Residents
Home Security Systems and Commercial Security Systems is what we are best known for.
We work with C.O.P.S. monitoring to keep our customers save in case of emergency.
Home automation is another area where we’ve been expanding. We partnered with URC and have installed several large commercial automation systems in local Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach restaurants.
Whether you want
- Sound Automation
- Window Treatment Automation
- Thermostat Automation
- or a complete Smarthome…
Strand Security Services offer an affordable way to upgrade your current home!
Home Theater Design, Installation and Service
Strand Security in Myrtle Beach will professionally customizes a home theater solution that fits your lifestyle, room needs and desires.
We offer our 25 years of experience for you to bring your favorite movies and films to life in the comfort of your own home.
Select your choice audio, video, and projection equipment from our product catalog. We provide complete pre-wiring for new homes or a blueprint plan and wiring for your existing room. Then we custom install your sound and viewing equipment putting you in control of your state of the art home theater.
Learn more:
10 reasons to love a home theater
How to get the most for your ideal home theater price?
Will you need expert help with home theater setup?
How to choose the right home theater design
Who installs home theaters on the Grand Strand in South Carolina?
Strand Security Services: Locally Owned, Locally Operated
When you contact us at Strand Security, you will talk to a real human! Most likely you’ll get Chuck on the line and he’ll be able to set up a meeting, or answer any questions you may have.
If you visit the shop, you’ll most likely meet Heather.
We are a family owned business: we live and work right here in Murrells Inlet.
For a quote, or with a question, call us anytime!
Like Us On Facebook
