Does Your Home Need A Security and Safety Tune Up?
Conduct a Home Audit To Get a Security and Safety Tune Up!
How secure and safe is your home for your elderly relatives, your teenagers, your baby or your pets?
If you aren’t sure what to answer, maybe it’s time for a home audit!
An audit is an official inspection.
To conduct a home audit for security and safety means conducting a thorough check up on the overall security and safety of the inside and outside of your home, identifying any problem areas to address.
Have you ever done a home audit?
This article will tell you how to do a home audit for security and safety.
Weekend Project To Make Your Home More Secure!
Are you ready to make your home more secure?
Here is how to do your audit.
- Create a spreadsheet, or use a clipboard with paper to document your findings.
- Find a partner to help you!
- Divide your home in sections.
- Start from the bottom and go up, or start at the top and go down, or start on the inside and go out.
- Check for possible security issues; check windows latches, deadbolts and locks, hatches, screens. Push, pull and pretend to break-in to your own home!
- Check the location of your security cameras if you have any, and look for blindspots.
- If you do not have security cameras, note what areas in your home you might need them installed.
- Test your home security system.
- At night, check all lights and sensors.
- Outdoors, check the entrance to garage and position of bushes and trees near the home that could be used as hiding spots
- Check your outdoor shed, and any equipment. Is it secure?
With the findings of this audit, make a plan to update or replace broken locks, replace burnt out light bulbs, adjust sensors and talk to an expert about security cameras.
Weekend Project to Make Your Home Safer!
The same way you conducted a home audit for security, you can conduct a home audit for safety.
Get started the same way with either a spreadsheet or a clipboard with paper to document your findings.
Then do this:
- Find a partner to help you!
- Divide your home in sections.
- Start from the bottom and go up, the top and go down, or the inside and go out.
- Look at your home from the perspective of being elderly and less-mobile, a teenager, or a crawling baby.
- Check for possible safety issues; sharp objects, fire hazards and places someone could trip and fall.
- Test smoke detectors and CO detectors.
- Make an appointment to have your chimney swept.
- Kitchen are often a safety hazard! Check for a fire extinguisher.
- Check your home for things left out that could pose a safety risk to elderly family members, teenagers, small kids and pets: matches, knives, guns, cleaning agents, prescription drugs, alcohol, poison and more. Note the location of these items!
- If you have a pool, make sure all gates lock securely and you have a pool alarm that works.
NOTE: This is not a complete list. Be a home detective and really look around for falling and tripping hazards and bend down and look up for things that could be hiding in plain sight.
Make a list or repairs and spend a weekend completing them.
Implement Changes and Be Safe and Secure in Your Home
While small changes are just that, small changes to your home for security and safety reason could end up saving your life of that of a person in your family.
You never know what might happen!
Home Safety and security first!
Let us know if you need help with securing your home.
We install alarm systems, security cameras and complete smarthome systems to help you keep those you love safe.
How to Best Prepare for the Atlantic Hurricane Season 2020
While it’s ‘only’ June, this year more than ever before, we urge you to get ready for this hurricane season!
Why?
Due to the pandemic aka coronavirus aka COVID-19, the world as we knew it has changed! When the first hurricane arrives, and believe us when we say it will, how will you move forward, how will you prepare, how will you get your hands on supplies?
We foresee difficulties in preparing and going through the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. How you will be able to survive and come out on top compared to previous years?
This includes potential difficulty with:
- evacuating across state lines
- traveling while social distancing
- social distancing in public shelters
- shortage of basic supplies
- being sick at home during a hurricane
- being hospitalized during a hurricane
- helping elderly family members while social distancing
We Do Not Have All The Answers to Hurricane Prep and COVID-19
While we do not claim to have all the answers on how to solve all these potential difficulties, we do feel now is the time to stop, think and prepare!
Now is also the time to demand your local government and leadership step up with their hurricane preparation plan! Find out what Horry County and Georgetown County emergency services are doing to prepare for the 2020 Hurricane Season.
We simply suggest you email or call them to ask what new rules and regulations will be in place for public shelters, traveling and hospitalizations.
Preparing doesn’t mean you need to get all the answers immediately: it means working towards an answer so that when the time comes, you can put your hand on the answers quicker!
We Can Help You With Your 2020 Hurricane Preparation
While we do not know what hurricane might be headed for the South Carolina shore, we do know that proper preparation is vital to survival and a quicker recovery.
We have THREE RESOURCES to share with you!
First, we invite you to join our Hurricane Prep Facebook Group!
We are a one-stop hurricane prep shop and plan to be the group to find answers to questions as a hurricane approaches our South Carolina shoreline.
Second, we invite you to download the updated 2020 South Carolina Hurricane Guide for Homeowners. This guide has everything you need to get started with hurricane prep right now!
Last but not least, check out this shareable INFOGRAPHIC
It’s Hurricane Season. Hurricane Preparation Starts Now
As you enjoy your summer weather, time spend on the beaches, on the bike trails and on the water, do not ignore the fact that a hurricane can be just a few days away!
Once a hurricane makes its appearance in the Atlantic, it will be too late to try to get extra toilet paper, cleaning products or a generator, just to name a few things you might need, as these are already in short supply due to the pandemic!
10 Reasons to Love Security Cameras
What is a Security Camera?
A security camera is a special camera used to record households and commercial buildings to document what is happening and case of crime or mishap.
Security cameras can be useful when suspecting an employee of stealing money from the cash register and to protect employees from harm! As the owner of the business, you can check the security camera footage and obtain video evidence of this transgression or crime. Security cameras can also be used in homes as protection against robbery and to monitor small children, teenagers, household staff and older adults.
Who Needs Security Cameras in Their Home or Business?
Anyone with a family and who wants the best for their family should have a security camera set up. Any person who values their property and wants it secured should buy a security camera. Security cameras are are affordable and a great option for almost anyone looking to keep someone, or something they value safe.
10 Reasons to Love Security Cameras
As part of this 12-month-long series ’10 reason to love’ to celebrate Strand Security’s 10th anniversary, here are 10 reasons to love security cameras! For the other articles in this series, check the last paragraph.
1 Security Cameras Can be Hidden
Security cameras add a whole new type of stealth to your home system. An intruder is likely not to see the camera, adding a sneaky aspect to this great product. If you security camera is monitored by you or a service 24/7, you are much more likely to catch the person breaking in to your home.
2 Security Cameras Are An Affordable Deterrent to Thieves and Home Invaders
Security cameras are a necessity for many homeowners and as a result, are extremely affordable. They are affordable to just about anyone, regardless of budget and can be installed by you the homeowner as a DIY project, or have a company like Strand Security install, wire and monitor them.
3 Security Cameras Provide A Sense of Security to Homeowners
If you are a homeowner who worries for the safety of their beloved family and home, security cameras may be the perfect product for you. Cameras will allow you to monitor from afar, even when you are not home. Keeping an eye on what’s yours and what’s your to protect will give you a sense of security.
4 Security Cameras Can Help You Monitor Children, Pets, Older Adults and Staff
Many households in America include children, pets, older adults and even household staff. Security cameras can provide an extra layer of safekeeping when children or pets are involved.
5 Security Cameras are Convenient and Easy to Use
When using a security camera, perhaps the biggest advantage is the convenience. With a live feed, the footage on many new models of cameras can be accessed via smartphone. This means that when away from your beloved home, you can keep watch with the press of a button.
6 Security Cameras Come in Many Different Varieties
As the technology in the home-security field has developed, many different designs of security cameras have become popular. For example, there are outdoor specific options, indoor specific options, hidden ceiling domes, or even thermal cameras.
7 Security Cameras Are Easily Installed
Many of the latest technologies can take hours to install if you do not know what you are doing or if you want these cameras integrated into an existing system. Security cameras are installed much quicker and without any stress if you hire a professional security company like Strand Security to do the work.
8 Security Cameras Offer A Variety of Uses
Security cameras are versatile and are used for many different reasons. They can help catch bank robbers and assist in discovering which cat keeps jumping on the counter. Security cameras will act as an additional set of eyes when you are not available to be nearby.
9 Security Cameras Provide Video Evidence
For many businesses, security cameras are the key to providing evidence when dealing with unruly employees, thieves or burglars. Security cameras can help prevent crime in real time or help solve crimes after they are committed, by backing up physical evidence with video footage.
10 Law Enforcement loves Security Cameras
Police departments all around South Carolina have stated that security cameras are one of the most helpful tools in solving cases of theft, robberies, assaults and home invasions. Law enforcement might use video camera footage to help identify criminals and bring charges against them.
Why We Love the Number 10!
In 2020 we celebrate 10 year in business here at Strand Security.
To celebrate, we are publishing 12 posts (one each month) of 10 reasons we love…
Here are the previous entries into this series:
- 10 Reasons to Love Living in South Carolina
- 10 Reasons to Love a Home Theater
- 10 Reasons to Love The Grand Strand
- 10 Reasons to Love our Community
- 10 Reasons to Love Smarthomes
Enjoy!
How To Attain a Germ-Free Smarthome in the Post COVID-19 World
Smarthomes Can Be Touch-Free Homes
Kids touch everything.
It’s just how they are.
They touch their face, their mouth, their eyes, pets, food, and any surface they come in contact with at home, at school and on-the-go!
In the age of COVID-19 and the coronavirus pandemic, touching means possibly coming in contact with COVID-19 germs. While social distancing measures certainly have helped the spread of this virus, it’s hard to know exactly when and where you are most exposed to germs.
There is one place you are safe. Once you’ve quarantined your family for at least two weeks, you can be assured the coronavirus is not in your home.
As the country is looking for ways to reopen and restart our economy, we are all looking for ways to touch less surfaces and stay germ-free as much as possible
Voice Activation Means Germ-Free Automation!
Smarthomes with voice activation is your solution to keeping you and your loved ones safe.
Not having to touch multiple surfaces will eliminate close contact with those who might visit your home as the country is opening back up again.
Whether you install voice-activation at home or in your business, it is the best tool in your arsenal against spreading germs.
URC Smarthome Technology: Touch-Free and Germ-Free Technology
At Strand Security, we trust URC to do the job for us. URC is fully-integrated and gives your whole house automation and control!
URC can
- alarm your home
- monitor your cameras
- light your rooms
- stream shows and films
- draw your shades
- pump music through your home
- lock your doors
and so much more.
Smarthome Technology Experts in Myrtle Beach
Who should you call when you need a smarthome with voice activation in the Myrtle Beach area? Whether you live in Horry County or Georgetown County, Strand Security can help you with URC installation and integration! Complete set up of the system including teaching you how to use the controls and all features.
Trust the smarthome experts who’ve been installing smarthome technology for years! Add to that the fact we don’t just work here, but we also live right here on the Grand Strand. Strand Security is a locally owned and locally operated small business to help you protect those you love and to secure that what you worked so hard for!
Doing Our Part to Stop The Spread of Germs on the Grand Strand
We are a proud partner with WBTW News 13 in their 13Cares Program as a response to the coronavirus outbreak on the Grand Strand.
We are doing our part to stop the spread of germs and to keep everyone safe!
Let us know how we can help you!
10 Reasons to Love Living in South Carolina
Meet the South Carolina We Love!
Who hasn’t heard James Taylor’s words;
“In my mind I’m gone to Carolina
Can’t you see the sunshine?
Can’t you just feel the moonshine?
Ain’t it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind?
Yes, I’m gone to Carolina in my mind”
This article is the 5th installment of our series called “10 Reasons To Love….”
Today, we share why we love South Carolina!
As Strand Security celebrates 10 years in business in 2020, we are sharing a new blog each month. We love living and working on the Grand Strand and this year-long celebration of all things we love is an ode to our beautiful state and community!
To read the previous articles in this series, check out
10 Reasons to Love our Community
10 Reasons to Love a Home Theater
10 Reasons to Love Smarthomes
10 Reasons to Love the Grand Strand
10 Reasons To Love Living in South Carolina
Here are the 10 reasons we love living (and working) in South Carolina, now find yours!
1. Love the Beaches in South Carolina!
Yes, you read that right!
2,876 miles of tidal coastline in South Carolina means a lot of beaches. Want to know where to go to find the BEST beaches? Look no more, but read this.
2. Love the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina
Did you know South Carolina has mountains? Sassafras Mountian stands 3560 feet tall. Discover the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina!
Take adventure to new heights in the majestic mountain region of the Palmetto State. With spectacular hiking trails, scenic waterfalls and sweeping views, the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina are an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
3. Love the South Carolina Sub-Tropical Climate
Outdoor enthusiasts as well as those who despise winter snow and cold, rave about the sub-tropical climate of South Carolina.
4. Love South Carolina for Their Sweet Tea
Did you know that Sweet Tea is thought be originated in Summerville, SC?
Learn more about it here!
5. Love South Carolina Cooking
There certainly are recipes that scream ‘South Carolina Home Cooking’
They include delicacies like
- Tomato Pie
- Collard Greens
- Peach Cobbler
Find those recipes and more here.
6. Love the Southern Hospitality
While we as residents of South Carolina certain know that southern hospitality is charming, it’s always wonderful to hear someone form outside our beautiful state sing our praises.
7. Love South Carolina Football!
It’s an experience, not just a one-time event.
Whether you love the Gamecocks, the Tigers or the Chanticleers, chances are that you’ll love the overall experience that South Carolina football gives us like nothing else.
Check out the picture in this article that says it all!
8. Love South Carolina BBQ
There are many different types of South Carolina Barbecue, but they all start with pork!
In South Carolina, that meat is invariably pork — sometimes pulled from a whole hog, sometimes chopped from a slow-smoked shoulder or ham, but always deriving from somewhere on the pig. In fact, try this experiment. Take a South Carolinian to a barbecue buffet (there is not shortage of such operations in the Palmetto State) and ask him or her, “go get me some barbecue.” What you’re going to get back is guaranteed. The steam table may be loaded down with ribs, chicken quarters, and maybe even sliced brisket, but unless they just recently moved to the state from Ohio, your dining companion is certain to bring you back a plate piled high with pork.
9. Love South Carolina Porches
Southern houses and porches – the perfect pair!
Our lovely weather is conducive to long evenings on the porch. Unless you live in one of our cities in a small apartment, most South Carolina houses feature a front (or rear) porch as a must-have outdoor room!
10. Love South Carolina Nature
There are so many wonderful State parks, beaches, lakes and other nature-rich areas to explore in South Carolina.
Places like Brookgreen Garden, The Myrtle Beach State Park, Editso River and Rave Cliff Falls! Learn more here.
Why Do you Love South Carolina So?
Let us know in the comments, here or on Facebook, what you love most about our beautiful Palmetto State!
The Ultimate Hurricane Preparedness Week 2020 Recap
Hurricane Preparedness Week 2020
If you missed the Hurricane Preparedness Week 2020, no worries!
Strand Security cares about their customers. As we have done now for several years, we are here to help you get ready for the next hurricane season.
We have the perfect recap of everything you need to get yourself, your family, your business and your home ready for the Atlantic Hurricane season.
How To Determine Your Hurricane Risk!
Hurricanes bring many hazards to our South Carolina coastlines as well as inland areas. These hazards include storms surges, flooding, tornadoes, strong winds, rip currents and large waves.
Learn about your specific location by know your Hurricane Zone and asking your neighbors about previous experiences, if you are in a new home.
Assessing your risk now will help you plan better for when an emergency arrives during the hurricane season.
How to Develop a Hurricane Evacuation Plan!
Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone. Next, determine who will issuing the evacuation orders during the hurricane season for your area. Your evacuation plan should include multiple options about where to go, depending on the projected path of the incoming hurricane. For those on the South Carolina coast, previous evacuation routes and destinations have included going south towards Georgia, west towards Augusta and Tennessee, north-west towards the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina and due north towards Washington DC.
Always remember your pets when you make your evacuation plans.
What Hurricane Supplies Will You Need?
For those times evacuation is necessary, you will still need to assemble hurricane supplies.
With cleaning supplies toilet paper and face masks in short supply, the earlier you start assembling, the better your chances are of completing your hurricane supply kit!
Know Your Insurance Coverage!
Know your insurance coverage by checking in with your agent now during hurricane preparedness week. Make copies of all insurance policies and important documents – consider scanning them as well and keeping copies online, secured in cloud storage.
How to Prepare your Home for an Approaching Hurricane!
Strengthen your home, reinforce windows, clean up outside. All of these will help you once a hurricane approaches your area. You will run out of time and local stores will run out of supplies; start preparing your home today.
Community Outreach During a Hurricane
Help your neighbors! Community support is of vital importance during a hurricane – even more so now in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you know of senior citizens in your community, offer to help them with hurricane preparations.
Hurricane Planning Starts Now With a Written Plan!
When is plan is only in your head, you will forget to complete certain important tasks. Always write out your plan and keep it handy for when the emergency arrives. it’s as easy as creating a Google Document and sharing it with all family members in the household. That way, you can share in the responsibilities of getting your home, business and family ready for the next hurricane.
The 2020 South Carolina Hurricane Guide Is Coming!
Stay tuned to Strand Security as an updated 2020 South Carolina Hurricane Guide for Homeowners is being worked on right now!
How To Feel Safe and Secure In Your Own Home
Do You Feel Safe and Secure in Your Own Home?
Listen to this ad and let us know how you feel!
Strand Security Radio Ad on WRNN 99.5!
If you can’t feel safe and secure in your own home.
That’s a problem!
Because your home is supposed to be your castle, right?
But the statistics say otherwise!
There are more than 2 millions homes burglarized every year in the United States. That’s about one every 13 seconds.
Home without alarm systems are three times more likely to be targeted than home with alarm systems.
So what does that tell you?
Get an alarm system; feel more secure!
If you don’t have an alarm system, talk to Strand Security. They’ve helped u out here at the radio station.
Our security system? That came from them!
You can go as far into this as you want and make your home or business a smarthome or business, with touch screens, remote control, they got keypads and mobile apps.
They got 24 hour monitoring available, security cameras, commercial, residential. Whatever is is, they’ll take care of it for you and again, make you more secure, well, make you hav one less thing to worry about.
Get a free quote today! Call the people at Strand Security. Free quote at 843-318-6392.
Strand Security Celebrates 10 Years in Security Business!
We started our business in Maryland in 2010 and this year in 2020 are celebrating 10 years in business! It sees like it was yesterday that we celebrated 5 years – which was about the time we started this blog, as well.
In honor of our 10th anniversary, we are celebrating all year long.
Each month, we will be publishing a new ’10 reasons to love…’ article!
Check out our first 4 articles:
10 Reasons to love the Grand Strand
10 Reasons to love our Community
10 Reason to love a Home Theater
We Are Here For You Now More Than Ever!
During this time of uncertainty, businesses in the Carolinas come together as a community, to help our neighbors.
Here is how we as a local business are ready to help you and your family.
10 Reasons to Love a Home Theater
Home is Where We Are Quarantined!
As we write and publish this, South Carolina’s Governor McMaster has extended a state of emergency declaration and lockdown order until April 27, 2020.
South Carolinians are expected to stay home, quarantined, and only leave their homes to go out for essential services.
While this order is in effect in South Carolina, 97% of the USA in under the same or similar order, essentially keeping 80+ million kids at home instead of in school.
Home is where we are quarantined. How are you staying entertained?
Home Entertainment Is How We Stay Sane in Times of Uncertainty
We just saw a scary meme on Facebook!
While this is sort of funny, aren’t you at least glad it 2020 and we have home computers, smartphones, unlimited data plans, the internet and streaming services, right?!
While this article is the 4th in a series of 12 articles*, this title struck a cord this month, as we are reliant on home entertainment as we are ‘stuck’ at home.
Don’t you wish you had a home theater already?
Here are…
10 Reasons To Love Your Own Home Theater Now More Than Ever!
1) Old Home Movies
Old home movies will provide hours of entertainment. Why watch them on a small tv, or worse, on your hand-held devices? Instead, watch them on the big screen, with your family! Project them, use a smartTV or HTMI cable to watch your old movies in your own home theater!
2) Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or Disney on the Big Screen
Sights and sounds; we Americans like everything big! Movie theaters are well-loved in this country and those who can, love to watch streaming services on the big screen as well. A home theater allows you to do just that; it’s an excellent way to show tv shows and movies on the big screen, with surround sound!
3) YouTube Streamed to your TV!
Did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine? YouTube videos are watched my millions of people per hour; watching YouTube videos on a big screen is an amazing experience. What is your favorite channel?
4) Family Movies
Classic movies like Mary Poppins, the Lion King or The Princes Bride; they are bigger, better and offer more family fun when watched in a home theater! Invite the cousins (after the lockdown is over, of course), friends or host a sleepover birthday party in your own home theater.
5) Date Night at Home
Not all parents with babies or small children want to hire babysitters for a date night. If you have your own home theater, you can stay in while going on a date, any time the mood strikes! BYOPopcorn and have that glass of wine or a beer; no need to drive home.
6) Family Gaming
Wii, PS4, Xbox – no matter your choice of gaming system, a home theater makes the gaming experience more real and life-like. A home theater also affords you more room to spread out and play – and offers a dedicated space for gaming where you could keep an eye on the kids!
7) Karaoke Parties
Challenge your kids to a Karaoke sing off! It’s a great way to expend some energy for the whole family and you’ll likely be surprised by the song choices your family member make. A home theater will make everyone sound better!
8) Live Sport Events
While there are no live sporting events to watch during this pandemic, rewatching some classic games, some of the best finals, races and events can be a fun way to spend an evening. Once sports are back... you’ll be glad for that home theater! Trust us when we ay that with the right speakers, it will sound like the sports commentator is sitting next to you!
9) Concerts at Home
If you love concerts; whether it is pop concerts, country music or The Boston Pops, concerts sound and look better with surround sound on a big screen. Bonus; you can belt out the songs as loud as you want, without bothering anyone.
10) Video Chats with Family
Seeing grandma or Uncle Harry on the big screen is the next best thing to hugging them in real life! Instead of facetiming on your small device, bring them into your home theater!
BONUS) Church Services
While this is a completely new phenomenon, we did want to mention it here as were are on a continued lockdown and stay home order! Almost all churches have gone virtual with their church services. Why not watch church in your home theater! What a beautiful experience that might turn out to be.
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Serious Side Note:
We are well aware that some people do have to work during this time! Strand Security is in fact, deemed an essential business, we are here, ready to serve our customers! We also want to thank medical staff, support staff and all other essential workers for their sacrifice to keeping our country running.
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* Other articles in this 12-Part Year-Long Anniversary series include
10 Reasons to Love the Grand Strand
10 Reasons to Love Smarthomes
10 Reasons to Love our Community
The Best Work From Home Cybersecurity Tips
Working From Home Unexpectedly?
Have you been asked (or told) to work from home due to the coronavirus pandemic? How is that going for you? It’s been a few weeks and we sure hope that you have been able to hold on to your job; we do understand that many people have been furloughed, or let go due to loss of business.
- If you are lucky enough to work for a company that has retained you and asked you to work from home, this is for you.
- If you are spending time at home looking for a job, or if your kids are at home working on school assignments, this is for you.
- If you have elderly parents who due to being quarantined are spending more time online, this is for you as well
Remote Working Is The New Normal During This Pandemic
While remote work has been the status quo for only 7% of the US workforce prior to the COVID-19, it has become the ‘new normal’ during this pandemic.
Whole office buildings are empty, and millions of people have scrapped their community to start working from home. Of the 80+ million American school children, 97% are home home, engaged in distance learning through the internet.
These remote workers and students now work at kitchen tables, in bedrooms, basements, or living rooms instead of cubicles and fancy offices and in schools.
Some have families or pets at home who might or might not distract them.
Remote Work Tips From Those Who Have Experience
While many people are experiencing working from home for the first time, navigating and learning what works and what doesn’t, as they go, looking to those who already worked from home for tips is a smart idea.
Who has prior experience, you ask?
Freelancers, creatives like graphic designers and web designers, authors, customer service, sales etc.; whole industries are build on remote workers.
Here is an article filled with 30+ tips from those who have experience as remote workers! These kids can be applied to employees as well as students!
How To Stay Sane, Married and Employed While Working Remote
Now, we all know that due to social distancing and mandatory quarantines, we are spending way more time online than usual. Facebook is reporting that their usage is up by over 50%!
In times of stress and worry, humor is a great way to get relief.
Check out this funny video with excellent tips on how to stay married, employed and sane while working remote.
Cybersecurity Tips For Students and Remote Workers!
Whether you are working from home yourself, or your children are on the internet all day long for distance learning, here are the best tips to keep you and your loved ones safe!
🔥Be aware of phishing scams! Do not click on emails or messages asking you to check or renew passwords and login credentials, even if they seem to come from a trusted source.
🔥Recheck your Wi-Fi connection; update your password. While most Wi-Fi is correctly secured, some older installations might not be, which means people in the near vicinity can snoop your traffic or hack into your system – call us at Strand Security if you aren’t sure!
🔥Reset passwords frequently and if sharing accounts with coworkers, always use a password manager to share passwords, never in an email.
🔥Install anti-virus software and keep it updated.
🔥Use your home security system to keep an eye on your home and your family, but make sure the system itself is secure against hacking!
🔥Back up all important files – we recommend backing up files on both a hard drive as well as in the cloud.
🔥Get into the habit of locking your computer and phone screens. While you are in quarantine with family members, this might not be of huge concern, but if you do have sensitive data on your devices, it’s always a good idea to keep your devices locked.
🔥Stick to HTTPS websites! Do not enter your credit card information unless you know and trust the site.
Don’t forget to share these tips with your elderly parents active online as well!
The Best Home Security Tips for Homebound Seniors
While we as Americans and world citizens are currently (mostly) homebound ourselves due to government restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 Pandemic, many of our seniors have been homebound for a lot longer.
Do you have an elderly family member who lives alone?
Have you given their continued safety enough consideration?
In this article, we will give you the best home security tips for homebound seniors! Please share with those you love.
Who is Considered a Homebound Senior?
The definition of a homebound senior:
being homebound or housebound means an individual is unable to leave their home without difficulty, and due to this difficulty, generally does not leave their home. It is usually due to advanced age, illness, or a disability.
Often, seniors deal not only with their advanced age, but they also have illnesses or disabilities that would prevent them from leaving their homes.
How To Keep a Homebound Senior Safe
The best way to keep a homebound senior safe is to create a safety care plan with all parties involved.
Who needs to be included in this security and safety plan?
- the senior(s)
- adult children
- primary physician
- home healthcare workers
- home care workers
While this plan most often focusses on physical health; making sure meds are taken, doctor appointments are kept and food is delivered, cooked and eaten, there has to be ONE central command center, so to speak.
Once a plan has been formulated, it’s time to put it into action.
Tracking Progress and Safety
While the senior in your life might or might not have access and the ability to use technology, the care team certainly does.
We found several great apps to check out to coordinate efforts to keep the senior healthy and safe.
We liked these two:
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Buddy
The Alzheimer’s Association, a leader in action and awareness around the disease, developed this “caregiver buddy” app to help caregivers manage their personal stress, navigate family conflict and reach a 24/7 helpline.
The app includes features like daily care tips for tasks related to hygiene and meal times, and fun activities that will stimulate the body and mind of someone living with dementia. It also covers how to cope with new and sometimes overwhelming behaviors, like aggression or hallucination.
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Buddy is available for free on iPhone or Android.
Caring Bridge
Communication is critical when dividing caregiving duties among multiple people — and that’s where CaringBridge can help. CaringBridge connects several caregivers through one app, allowing several people to keep track of appointments, changes in health and other essential information.
Users can also send each other inspiring messages and motivation through the app, which really helps pull together a team of caregivers in the toughest moments.
Home Security Tips for Seniors
If the senior in your life lives at home, here are the best home security tips we’ve found to protect your senior. If the senior lives with you and your family, we recommend you read this.
Immediate Access to Emergency
This is the number one concern so set up your senior with a panic button so that help is on the way quickly. It could save their life!
Fire Safety
If the senior in your life is still doing some home cooking, it might be time to install some additional safety measures.
Start with this checklist of prevention tips, and move onto these types of devices, if needed!
Then invest in an automatic stove turn-off device before the first fire even starts.
Security Cameras and Smart Technology
If you can’t be with them all the time, the closest, or second-best option is to install security cameras in your senior’s home. Both Alarm.com and Honeywell Total Connect offer apps with smarthome technology to keep an eye on your senior. While this is something the senior has to agree to, it might give all of the family peace of mind!
Install and Teach Your Senior To Use The Peephole
This goes without saying, and seniors might need to hear this more than once; not everyone who comes to their door is up to good. Remind your senior to not open the door to strangers.
Keep Windows and Doors Locked When at Home!
While fresh air is great, open doors and windows could potentially invite unwanted visitors. We don’t recommend scaring your senior, but common sense should prevail. When living alone, they need to be aware of doors and windows and not leave them opened and unattended for long periods of time!
Alert the Senior of Phone Scams Targeting Seniors
Keep this dialogue going! Local police will often warn of local scams, and putting a note near your senior’s phone might be a good start! The note should remind them to NEVER give out their Social Security number, a credit card number, or send money. When in doubt, they need to know it’s OK to disconnect the call!
How Can We Help?
We at Strand Security understand you might not live near your senior. If we can help you keep you in any way as you navigate keeping your loved one safe from a distance, do not hesitate to reach out!
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