3 Smart Home Security Tips For a Worry-Free Holiday Season
Are You Looking for a Worry-Free Holiday Season?
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year…holiday seasons 2020 is upon us!
What holiday are you most excited about?
No matter what holidays you may celebrate, we understand you might worry about safety, security and, in this pandemic, your health. Technology can help.
Today we will give you three smarthome security tips for a worry-free, and tech-savvy holiday season.
Ring Cameras
Ring cameras are a great way to keep an eye on your home, from wherever you are; at home in your home office, homeschooling kids, or running errands.
Ring cameras also
- deter packages thieves
- can deter break-ins
- enhance Halloween safety
If you need a worry-free holiday season, start by calling Strand Security to talk to us about Ring Cameras and installation! Win – win!
Alarm Systems
We know that the holidays can create extra stress, additional work and more worries; about money, safety and security.
While you are out shopping, or at home wrapping gifts, Alarm.com will keep an eye on your home, your family and your assets. All you need to do is arm the system. When an emergency arises, help will be on their way.
Alarm.com offers the latest technology and a great smarthome system.
Germ-Free, Voice Activated Smarthome!
Last but not least – how about a germ-free, voice activated system to keep your loved ones safe and secure?
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, all without touching a button!
The Holidays Are Here: Be Ready!
The holidays’ aren’t complete without shopping and gift-giving.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention a few cool gift ideas for the 2020 Holiday season.
- Cool Tech Gifts for Dad
- URC home automation for the whole family
- Family Home Theater Fun Ideas
- Sonos Speakers!
- Central Vacuum System
10 Reasons To Love Quality Speakers
This is the 7th article in a series of 12 articles. 2020 is the year we at Strand Security celebrate our 10th anniversary by giving you 10 reasons to love the things we love as well:
In previous articles in 2020, we gave you 10 reason to love….our community, the Grand Strand, Smarthomes, Home Theater, Living in South Carolina, security cameras and now we will give you 10 reasons to love quality speakers!
What Makes a Great Speaker?
There are, of course, some recognizable brands of speakers.
Sonos is a big one and we’ve blogged about Sonos before as that’s a brand we’ve loved for a long while!
Another ‘famous’ or better worded ‘recognizable’ brand is Klipsch! And yes, we carry and install that brand of speakers as well.
What really makes a great speaker though?
Let’s count the (10) ways we love quality speakers!
10 Reasons To Love Quality Speakers
1 Speakers Amplify Audio
We love quality speakers because they bring sound to your home or business as authentic as possible.
Advanced technology and engineering techniques allow us to hear and pick up incredible low, high, soft and loud sounds through speakers. Gone are the days of low-quality squeaky speakers, and gone are those that sounded hollow, or worse, scratchy! Long live clear audio.
2 Speakers Can Make or Break the Room. We Love the Aesthetics
Speakers can be beautiful. There, we said it! Gone are the days of over-sized larger-than-life square boxes hanging on your wall. Today’s speakers are streamlined, compact, and aesthetics play a much more important role in overall customer satisfactory than years ago.
Customers are asking and buying aesthetically pleasing products to fit into their home decor.
3 Speakers Can Reach all Corners of Your Home, Business or Property!
The reach of wireless speakers is phenomenal. No matter where your system is located in your home or business, through wireless connections, speakers can be part of a large system and reach even the furtherest corners of your home, building and property.
4 Speaker Functionality Makes Us Love Them!
Functionality is key!
Speakers like Alexa connected to a home security system allow us to use voice-commands to create our very own smarthome! Not only are voice-activated systems convenient, in the days of Covid-19 this is also high desirable as there are now no germs to worry about or lingering on touch pads!
5 Integration With Other Systems Make Speakers Versatile
Speakers can be integrated with existing systems in your home. Home theater systems, security systems, smarthome systems – the possibilities are endless. To upgrade your systems, or make changes, changing out existing speaker can make a world of difference.
6 Speakers Will Play Your Music
Only by the time we got to #6 am we giving you ‘music‘ as a reason to love speakers! That’s pretty funny. Of course, music plays a huge role in speaker selection. However, by moving it to the middle of this article, we are demonstrating the many ways speakers can be utilized in your home.
7 Speakers Will Bring Your Movies To Life!
Theaters are well-loved not only for showing the movies on ‘the big screen’ but movie buffs love hearing the sounds and audio of the movies in that same larger-room setting. Getting the right speakers and installing them in your home theater, you can recreate that same sound and feeling, that same experience you’d have when watching a move in a real theater.
8 Speakers Will Bring Back Memories as Your Play Home Movies!
Have you ever played back home movies? Listening to grandpa’s voice when he was young, hearing the teenager speak as a child, listening to grandma read a book – she who’s just passed away. Speakers can bring back the sounds of memories. How powerful is that?
9 Speakers Will Broadcast Your Favorite Podcasts, Audiobooks and the News!
If you love to listen to stories, audiobooks, podcasts and yes, the news, having the right type of speaker will help you enjoy these daily habits even more! When selecting speakers, be sure to note the reason and use of your speakers to your trusted dealer so they can help you select the right speakers for the right type of use.
10 Speakers Will Bring Favorite TV Show Characters Into Your Home!
Last but not least, when watching TV shows on the big screen – your home theater screen, or your large smart TV – sound is most important to make that experience a memorable one. Bring characters to life by having the best speakers to broadcast your favorite shows.
Speaker Brands We Love, Install and Use Ourselves
We are a locally owned and operated small business. We have three children and we love home movies, music, TV shows and more. We also have an integrated security system and understand the value of good speakers. Come talk to us and we will share our experience with you! Our showroom in Murrells Inlet is open we will be more than happy to have you listen to some of your favorite tunes on our favorite speakers!
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
How To Be Safe at Home During a Pandemic
Social Distancing, Self-Quarantine, and Shelter-in-Place
No matter where you live or work, chances are that you’ve been affected by COVID-19. “In times like these” isn’t a phrase we can use because none of us have ever seen a time like this before. We are in this together, whether we like it, or not.
As South Carolinians, we have dealt with floods, hurricanes and lengthy school closures, but nothing of this magnitude.
Whether you are practicing social distancing, self-quarantining or have been asked to shelter in place, please know we feel anxiety, stress and worries just like you are.
Everyone is Home; How to Stay Safe!
Now that everyone in your household, and perhaps with an extra family member, college student or elderly parents who moved (back) in, is home – how can you keep everyone safe?
Physical Safety
Unless you’ve opened your pool early this year, or you are using power tools, staying safe at home during this Pandemic means practicing and adhering to safety protocols as usual.
Test and change your smoke alarm batteries, tend to fires, and be sure to alarm you home when you are in it!
Watch your kids as you normally would – and remove known safety hazards.
Mental Health
This is a bit trickier. Your mental health is important to be able to function at home for the long haul of being quarantined. Make sure to use technology to connect with loved ones, pick up new hobbies and above all, eat healthily and exercise! If you have a pet, taking care of your pet’s needs or walking your dog also helps relieve stress.
Health
It’s easy to fall into bad habits; while we can’t go out and eat, this is a great time to cook, bake and enjoy some home-made recipes. Do go to the store once per week if possible to buy fresh produce; it’s more important than ever to take in as many vitamins and minerals as possible to boost your immune system!
Everyone is Home; How to Stay Sane!
As far as occupying your time and entertainment goes, we have some ideas to share.
Sound System
Hold family dance parties, create TikTok videos and just move! Use your Sonos sound system to wake up the house and sing!
Home Theater
Pull out old family movies, watch long-forgotten classics or stream the latest Hulu, NetFlix, Disney or Amazon Prime shows and movies. Home theaters at a time like this can offer great relief at the end of yet another quarantined day!
Technology Saves The Day
As far as technology goes, the sky is the limit. Imagine it and you can do it!
- Chat with friends through Facetime
- Jump on a Zoom family call and see Grandma and Grandpa
- Play Bingo with cousins
- Start a game of Cards against Humanity with friends
- Have ‘dinner and wine’ with your neighbors via Facebook Portal
- Go on a virtual museum tour
- Check out remote place with Google Earth
We’ve seen the gamut and encourage you to ‘think outside the box’ to stay connected while distancing.
After all, we really should call it physical distancing, not social distancing!
Stay safe, healthy and connected and give us a call if you need anything.
Want a Smart Home? Check Out URC for Integration Options!
A Smart Home To Take You Into 2020!
As 2020 draws near, we at Strand Security are excited to introduce you to the next generation of Smart Homes!
Before we do, let’s talk a bit more about Smart Homes and what they can do.
Any home can be a Smart Home, whether it’s a studio, a condo, a townhome, or a mansion. It’s the powerful connections that make it smart!
The powerful connections being internal connections within the home to automate daily tasks like
- locking and unlocking doors
- setting alarms
- turning music on and off
- turning lights on and off
- drawing shades
- setting the thermostat
- and so much more!
At Strand Security, we strive to always offer the latest technology, the most sought-after brands, and the best value! In our search for the best we can offer our customers, we landed on URC.
Who or What Is URC?
URC stands for Universal remote Control.
URC is the ultimate smart automation & control system for you to experience premium control & automation for your home or business
URC Total Control 2.0 smart automation & control system features unprecedented ease of use with high-quality control devices, amazing custom GUIs, powerful system processors, and rock-solid performance.
URC comes with premium control devices, making integration easy, even those who are technology challenged.
How Smart Can Your Home Get?
It’s amazing how smart your home can get with URC.
We have been amazed by the integration possibilities!
Take a look at this list of partners!
Do you already own products by
- SONOS
- Vizio
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Home
- ONKYO
- Honeywell
- BOSE
- Dish
- Panasonic
- Sharp
- Zwave
just to name SOME of the integration possibilities!
Imagine it…
URC in action! Smart Home Demo Videos
Peace of mind for parents!
For those who like to be in control of everything!
For those with nosy neighbors!
For those who own a business!
Making Your Home a Smart Home With Strand Security and URC
If you are as excited about the possibilities as we are, give us a call!
We’d love to hear
- what brands you love
- products you currently have in your home or business
- what you want to automate
and together with URC technology, we will make a plan of action to take you into 2020!
Are You Interested in a Home Cinema?
What You Need To Know Before Adding a Home Cinema To Your Home
Did you know that as many as 1400 people per month are now flocking to the Grand Strand area (in 2019)? We are experiencing growth like few other cities and areas in the USA.
With growth comes growing pains.
Growing pains like these:
- Houses are popping up like mushrooms but experienced labor is hard to find.
- Roads are built a neck-breaking speed but cause congestion.
- Consumers have high demands for homes but finding the perfect home is tough.
You might be looking for a home with a home cinema.
If you can’t find what you are looking for along with all the other new residents to Horry and Georgetown County, maybe you should consider building the perfect home cinema.
What you need to know is that you need to find the most skilled person to design your home cinema, before you hire any contractor to do the work!
Who Will You Invite To Your Home Cinema?
As you think and start working with an expert in your home cinema design, the FIRST thing you will need to decide is who you will be invited to enjoy this home cinema with!
Before settling on a home cinema design you will need to know
- maximum number of people you will want to watch movies with
- the ages of the people you will want to watch movies with
- other activities/functionalities that the room will be used for
Hold off on the invites until your home cinema is done..;)
Myrtle Beach Area Home Cinema Options
You know you have home cinema design and installation choices if you live on the Grand Strand.
We encourage you to do a few things before settling on whom to hire to install your home cinema.
- check out websites of potential designers/installers
- call around and talk to potential home cinema designers and installers to gage responsiveness
- read online reviews (Google, Facebook)
- ask your friends and neighbors for referrals
- ask your Facebook friends for recommendations
In other words, do your due diligence so you don’t get taken advantage of.
You will want to work with a professional company who is insured, licensed and bonded, has years of experience, and puts its customers first.
Grand Strand Home Cinema Installers
No matter who you pick to be your home cinema designer and installer; be sure to know s/he designs something you love!
Communication is important for all aspects of this process.
If you’d like to talk with Chuck, please give him a call. We would love to be considered for your next home cinema project!
How To Get the Most for Your Ideal Home Theater Price
Are You In The Market for a Home Theater?
Are you contemplating adding a home theater to your existing home, or are you building a home and want to have a home theater?
The first thing to do when looking for ideas is to do some in-person and online research.
We recommend sites like Pinterest and Houzz to get some ideas.
Before you can do your research though, about what is available, you need to know two things.
The first thing you need to do is set a budget.
Next…
Decide Where You Want To Install Your Home Theater
If you are contemplating adding a home theater to an existing home, you might need to get a contractor in to help you decide what is possible, especially if you are repurposing a previously unused space like a garage or unfinished attic.
However, if you are building a home, it is much easier to work with the current builder to get a room marked for home theater use – and add all the wiring during the building process!
This will save you money, for sure.
We at Strand Security help homeowners and builders with this often!
Feel free to reach out to us today!
What Do You Want to Do In Your Home Theater?
Of course, it is important to know what functionality your home theater has to have!
?Are you looking to entertain with music, maybe watch rock concerts and movies? You need the best audio system to enhance your viewing pleasure.
?Do you want to record your own music?
?Will you want to prepare and serve food and beverages in the home theater?
?How many people do you want to invite into your home theater? Will it be a small theater room or does it need to be large enough for a big crowd?
♟Do you need tables for board games, a jukebox, or room for darts?
What Equipment Do You Already Own to Put into a Home Theater?
You might already have an audio system, like our popular Sonos speakers.
If you have furniture that can be repurposed, that’s a great start.
Do you have a large TV that you want to relocate to the home theater? That will shave off some money of your overall ideal home theater price!
You will need to take a look at seating possibilities, table space, wall space and more.
What can I Expect To Pay; What is an Average Home Theater Price?
There is really no ‘average’ price!
You could get a room set up for as little as $500 if you have some of the components and equipment already.
Some people spend $10,000 or even $30,000 for a home theater. They might have a large, expensive home (read: mansion) and spending that much would make no sense for a cheaper home. While adding a home theater adds resale value to a home, you should by no means over-spend!
We can’t look in your wallet, so it is important for you to decide what you want to spend.
What do you think a fair home theater price is for your home?
How To Get the Most Bang for Your Buck and The Best Home Theater Price
- Make decisions about your future home theater before talking to a professional
- Ask for Professional help! Don’t go it alone, but hire someone who knows what they are doing!
- Home theaters are a great selling point if you ever need to sell your home. They made a solid investment.
- Consider adding a home theater to a new home you are building. It’s much cheaper doing this during construction.
How To Easily Select the Best Home Audio System
Are You Looking for a Home Audio System?
Who doesn’t love music, right?
A home audio system will enhance your listening enjoyment as you will be able to customize to your personal wishes.
- Want a system that also plays music outside? ✔️
- Need something that is easy to use? ✔️
- Looking for integration with an existing system in your home? ✔️
- Wishing for the latest technology? ✔️
- Hoping to purchase from a local dealer? ✔️
- Don’t want to spend hours on installation? ✔️
- Like listening to music in all rooms of your home? ✔️
Whatever your wish may be, Strand Security can help you find the best home audio system!
Home Audio Systems Will Change Your Home Entertainment Life!
What happens when you get a home audio system installed in your home?
All the feels!
✅ JOY
✅ CALMNESS
✅ LOVE
✅ SERENITY
✅ DELIGHTFULNESS
✅ ELATION
✅ LIVELINESS
✅ REMINISCE
and so much more!
You will be able to turn on music, news, broadcasts, podcasts, radio stations etc with the click of a button or the sound of your voice, no matter where in (or outside) your home you are.
Are you ready to sing, dance, tap, clap and be entertained?
What Home Audio System Is Best For You and Your Home?
That depends on many factors and the best way to get a good answer is to come to speak with us at Strand Security.
You are welcome to come to our showroom in Murrells Inlet for demos, or we can come to you.
Either way, get an expert at audio systems to recommend a few options.
Strand Security Featured Home Audio Products
Strand Security is proud to install only the best of the best.
Here are the home audio brands we love and install in homes in Georgetown County and Horry County!
Klipsch
- USA engineered
- latest technology
- surround sound systems
Onkyo
Check out their product line here.
- complete home theater systems
- personal audio systems
- works with Sonos
- Google assistant build-in
Bose
- soundbars
- headphones and sleepbuds
- powerful performance
- versatile designs
Sonos
- perfect for football season
- colorful
- wireless
- stream via WiFi
Origin Acoustics
Includes outdoor speaker product line
- dedication to sound reproduction
- functionality
- aesthetics
How To Get The Best Home Audio System Installed
This is the easy part.
Once you’ve decided what you want and when you want your system, one phone call to Strand Security is all it takes to get scheduled for installation.
How To Get The Best Theater Room Money Can Buy
Are you in the market for a new home theater? Do you want the best theater room money can buy? Look no further. We have the answers you need, want and have been looking for!
Strand Security in the Myrtle Beach area services both Horry County and Georgetown County and we specialize in customized home theater rooms. Before you give Chuck a call at 843-318-6392 to set up a consult about your needs and wants, you need to know several things!
Here are the 5 steps you need to take to get the best home theater room money can buy!
1) Do Theater Room Design Research
Before you call us, or anyone, you need to have some ideas of the possibilities!
Ask your friends, go online, visit Houzz and Pinterest and use Google to find some neat ideas.
2) Complete Brand Research for your Theater Room
Next, do your brand research.
What brands do you trust, what do you like, what does each brand offer.
A good way to go about that is to check brand warranties and online reviews!
3) Take Stock of Reusable Furniture and Equipment
What do you already own in your home, that you will want in your home theater?
Is it seating, speakers, a large TV or surround sound system, or are you starting from scratch?
4) Take Measurements of the Future Theater Room
If you have your room ready to go, this is the right time take careful measurements. The size of the room will dictate the type of sound system you will need, the size and placement of your furniture and more. Make sure to note everything on paper, including the number of outlets, windows etc.
5) Set a Budget for Your New Theater Room
It’s important to set a budget for your home theater room. You’d be wasting a lot of time looking at brands and equipment if your budget is too small to afford it. If you don’t know what type of budget you need, make that your top priority question when you call a home theater expert!
Best to get that out of the way to make things clear – your budget should include line items for furniture, technical equipment, and installation fees.
Now It Is Time To Call Your Local Home Theater Expert for Quotes
Now that you’ve got your 5 steps taken care off, it is time to call your local home theater expert!
Will You Need Expert Help With Home Theater Setup?
Are You In The Market For A Home Theater?
Are you looking to add a home theater to your home this year?
Are you exploring your options for a home theater and you aren’t’ sure where to start?
You’ve come to the right place.
We are Strand Security and we not only specialize in residential and commercial security systems, we also design and install home theaters all along the Grand Strand, both in Horry County and Georgetown County.
If you are considering whether you can DIY or whether you need expert advice for your home theater setup, this is also the place to find out.
Know All Home Theater Options Available To You
The fact that you are considering adding a home theater, or upgrading an existing home theater, means that you most likely have experienced the fun and incredible experience of home entertainment.
Before you decide on what you want, you need to know what options are available to you!
The best place to start is with research!
There are many great places to start your research. Here are some options:
- Houselogic
- Homeadvisor
- Houzz
- Better Homes and Gardens
- HGTV
- Strand Security
Know What You Want in a Home Theater Setup!
What is your prefered order of ‘wants’ in a home theater?
- Audio
- Video
- Lighting
- Automation
- Seating
- Brands
Put these in order of most importance to you first, and then get started with planning.
Know What Type of Home Theater Your Home Can Handle
You might want, want, want, but what can your home handle? How big is the space you are planning to add this home theater?
It is very important to take good measurements and to draw up a plan. Creating a design blueprint is a great idea. There are apps you can download that will help you do this on your phone so that you can visualize where what your room will look like and where the seating and equipment will be placed.
The most important thing to consider in all this home theater planning is this:
Know Your Technical Capabilities for Home Theater Setup
If you have never setup a home theater, a Smart TV, lighting, surround sound, a computer system or anything of this sort, setting up a home theater is going to do nothing for you but give you a big headache.
We suggested hiring an expert for your home theater setup and design.
It’s what they do all day long and what they are good at! This home theater installer will be aware of the latest technology, where to get the best pricing on the best equipment and how to install and program the whole system so it works the first time you want to use it!
Give Strand Security a call today to discuss your home theater questions!
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