10 Reasons To Love Summer in South Carolina
The last day of August is here as this is published, yet summer ins’t over yet in South Carolina! Not by a loooong shot!
As Myrtle Beach area children might be back in school or being homeschooled, yet tourists are still flocking to the beaches of the Grand Strand and will continue to do so long into the fall!
We at Strand Security are grateful for yet another year in Murrells Inlet as we celebrate 10 years in business in 2020!
This is the 8th article in a series of 12 articles about all the things we love about our state, our town, our business and our community in South Carolina.
10 Years and 10 Reasons
In case you missed it here are the other articles in this series!
10 Reasons to Love Quality Speakers
10 Reasons to Love Security Camera
10 Reasons to Love Living in South Carolina
10 Reasons to Love a Home Theater
10 Reasons to Love our Community
10 Reasons to Love Smarthomes
10 Reasons to Love the Grand Strand
What We Love About Summer In South Carolina!
- In South Carolina, we loves our beaches in the summer! As the air heats up, the beaches and the ocean keeps us cool! Many tourists come to the South Carolina shores for its beautiful and plentiful beaches.
- Water Sports! We loves water sports in summer. Sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, boating, waterskiing, swimming… you name it and you can do it! With beautiful weather, many sunny days and perfect conditions, South Carolina is a haven for those who love water sports.
- Did we mention the sun and our gorgeous weather yet? We love South Carolina summers because its’ always summer! No need for a jacket, no chill in the air! Sun, wind and warmth. Yes, some humidity too, but most South Carolinians will take that as that’s all we know!
- Outdoor Sports! While we can play outdoor sports just about year-round in Myrtle Beach and beyond, we love being able to be outdoors and walk, hike, run, bike and play all sorts of outdoor sports in summer months.
- Porches are the best. South Carolinians sleep on porches, visit on porches and in general, live and eat on porches, too! If you are thinking about moving to South Carolina, make sure to add ‘porch’ to your wishlist when looking for a new home. having a porch and a ceiling fan… the best!
- No porch is complete without a gallon of Sweet Tea! Any thirsty local knows that sweet tea is the best for when it’s hot outside and you need a cool down drink!
- With average temperatures well into the 80s and 90s all summer long, outdoor dining on porches and decks once the sun goes down is the prefect ending to any South Carolina summer day.
- The South Carolina rivers offer many great adventures. Wild water tubing, kayaking, rafting, fishing… you name it and you can find it! River adventures are another reason we love South Carolina summers.
- Have you ever visited a Walmart or grocery store in South Carolina. Flip-flops and shorts are the uniform of choice when the weather is hot! We love our relaxed dress code.
- Last but not least, combining long, hot days, water adventures, the beach, sweet tea, outdoor dining and more and your get… slower paced and lazy days which is another thing we love about South Carolina summers!
South Carolina Summers Seem to Never End!
We at Strand Security love living, working and playing on the Grand Strand in our state of South Carolina and we hope you do too!
While you play and enjoy your summer, we have the privilege to monitor homes and businesses as your security is our business. Let us know how we can help you and your loved ones stay safe as you enjoy more of summer.
3 Security Areas to Focus on Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic
Six months after the start of the 2020 pandemic millions of people in the USA still work from home.
As South Carolinians are getting ready to send their kids back to school, many parents are opting to keep them home. If you are homeschooling one or more children in Fall 2020, this might be of interest to you.
Homeschooling in a smarthome is just plan smart!
Commercial Security System Updates For the Pandemic!
With COVID-19 forcing many employees to work from home, business executives are having to rethink their online and offline security needs.
Security procedures that were in place before the pandemic might no longer be valid as employees work from home, and new strategies are having to be implemented.
This article looks at three vulnerable areas of security as a starting point for those who manage companies in the time of this coronavirus pandemic.
1. Remote Security Monitoring Capabilities
While stores might or might not be open, offices are shut or only open for limited hours and with limited employees, for those in charge of employee safety, inventory and customer satisfaction it is imperative to be able to monitor on-going activities on location, from home.
Does you current commercial security system have these capabilities? Can you monitor your cameras from your phone? Can you watch your employees, keep an eye on your customers or your backroom inventory? Are you monitoring the commercial alarm system from any device?
You should be able to do this at anytime, but with so many people working from home, this has become an essential piece of data and communication between employers and employees .
If you are not currently monitoring cameras and activity in real-time, it’s time for an upgrade.
2. Renewed and Updated Cybersecurity Protocol
With millions of employees quickly transitioning to working from home, it’s easy for businesses to have forgotten to update their cybersecurity protocol.
If that was you, now is the time to get it done!
“Working from home brings security concerns that are unique to those seen in a traditional office setting. While working from home, employees may be accessing or transmitting trade secrets, personal information of individuals, and other confidential information. Exposure of trade secrets or confidential business information can cause expensive damages or loss to a company” Source CPO Magazine.
Things to be aware of and fix ASAP:
- Coronavirus scams
- Not-secure Wifi connections
Things to implement include:
- Cybersecurity software
- Secure access to company server
- Off-network communications
- Ensure Secure passwords are in place, including two-factor verification for Google accounts and social media channels.
- Shutdown of all devices when not in use.
Check out our Best Work From Home Cybersecurity Tips
3. Employee Information and Privacy Protection
While your employees are at home, often using work computers to get work done, it’s important to update your employee information, to protect their privacy as well as yours!
This includes things like choosing the right video platforms .
While Zoom has had security issues, Webex is secure enough for the large TV networks and financial institutions to use.
Sharing sensitive information through online portals also requires special software – just make sure sure that you, the employer are aware of and are in charge of the tools used by everyone who works for you from home!
By updating your online and offline security strategies you are providing a safe and secure working environment for everyone; those who will continue to work form home into 2021 and those who might want to migrate back into the office.
The Best Temperature Screening Solution for Businesses
Is Your Local Small Business Ready To ReOpen?
We are now 4+ months in a pandemic.
Some businesses are open, as we are an essential business, others are to remain closed and others are open but struggling to keep employees and clients safe.
We at Strand Security in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, have always strived to share the best brands and newest technology with you here on this blog.
Today, we are going to help out business owners once again, this time we are offering a solution to help you get back into doing business while keeping staff and customers safe!
Temperature Screening for Small Businesses
What does temperature screening for small businesses mean?
Some small businesses like spas, hair salons, massage therapists and other service-oriented businesses who are in close contact with their clients should go beyond wearing masks. Temperature screening offers a quick, safe and fast way to determine an initial base-line for employee and client safety.
Additionally, doctors offices, schools, universities, public buildings like libraries, court houses etc. will also be implementing this screening process as they consider reopening their doors this fall.
Opening a Business Responsibly and Safely During a Pandemic
How can it be done? How can a local business be opened and stay open and keep employees and customers safe?
Tools and technology are at the forefront of all solutions!
Not all solutions have to come at a huge cost!
One brand we trust and love for security, HikVision, had not only the technology but also the vision to develop this product.
If you are already a HikVision fan, hold on to your hats to be wowed.
If you’ve never heard of them before, get ready to be blown away!
The system HikVision uses to detect temperature can be integrated with existing technology including:
• Handheld Cameras
• Surveillance Cameras
• Security Metal Detector
• Access Control Terminal
• NVR Workstations
• Mobile and Desktop Applications
Pain Points of Conventional Temperature Screening Methods
Conventional methods that do not use preliminary screening have several disadvantages:
Close Contact, High Risk
Close contact with individuals leads to potential risks
High Cost, Low Efficiency
Increased staff required, and one-to-one inspection is inefficient and costly
Added Expenses
Continual replacement of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required
Instead, use a safer, smarter and faster approach!
Elevated Skin-Surface Temperature Detection Process
This is how it will work in your place of business:
It’s touch-free, safe and gives you fast, no instant results!
If you need this technology to get back on your feet, we want to hear from you! We not only offer solutions; we also install and maintain these systems once you decide this is what you need to reopen safely.
Strand Security Can help You Get Back to Business!
Our tagline is “Your security, Our business.”
This always includes personal safety, now more than ever! We want you, your staff and your customers, clients and team to be as safe as can be.
Let us help you get back to the business of doing business, give us a call today!
To learn more, and to download the full HikVision PDF, click here.
What Are The Best Wireless Security Cameras?
Home Security Mandates Security Cameras!
Say what?
Yes, it’s 2020 friends, and we do not think your home security system is complete without at least a few security cameras!
We are not saying you need to go all-out and include a camera in every room and on every corner of your home on the outside, but we do highly recommend your security system utilizes the use of (wireless) security cameras.
Whether you live on the Grand Strand like we do, elsewhere in Horry County or Georgetown County, or somewhere in South Carolina; we recommend you do research into how cameras can help protect your family and loved ones.
Your security is our business, and our highest priority!
What Are The Advantages of Wireless Security Cameras?
We agree with this expert that wireless security cameras are a great option because they are fairly easy to install and upload video to the cloud or a local storage drive.
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Choose wired security cameras if you want the most reliable connection option where you don’t have to worry about any dropped signals or connectivity issues.
Choose wireless security cameras if you have a strong Wi-Fi network and need easier installation than you’d get with a wired camera.
Choose wire-free security cameras if you have a strong wireless network, and if you need the easiest and fasted installation. More on this further down in this article!
Recommended Wireless Security Camera Brands!
At Strand Security we only work with the brands we know, like and trust!
For security cameras, that includes the following brands!
- Dahua
- HikVision
- Ring
Security Cameras and Smarthome Integration!
If you home is not a smarthome yet, what are you waiting for?
Security cameras can easily be integrated so that you can see what is happening in-real-time while away from the premises, whether that is your home – during a summer vacation or forced hurricane evacuation – or your business location!
Who Needs Security Cameras?
W recommend residential homes have security cameras, as well as all commercial buildings, including but not limited to:
🔥 schools
🔥 churches
🔥 gasstations
🔥 bars
🔥 nightclubs
🔥 office buildings
🔥 retail locations
🔥 hospitals
and more!
Strand Security Sells and Installs Thermal Imaging Cameras
Did you know we not only sell and install wireless and wired security cameras, but we also sell wire-free cameras and thermal imaging cameras.
For all your security camera needs, come talk to us!
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 Murrells Inlet in 2010 and this year in 2020 are celebrating 10 years in business! It seems 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.
Smart Solutions for Businesses; Smart Owners Automate
Smarthomes Are All the Rage, How About Smart Businesses?
It’s no secret that we at Strand Security love Alarm.com.
In December 2018, we welcomed Alarm.com to the Strand Security family of brands we use and endorse. As always, we don’t just recommend brands, we use them too, to keep our own families safe.
Engineered for small and medium-sized business owners, Smarter Business Security combines intelligent intrusion detection, video surveillance, access control, and energy management into a single, cost-effective solution.
Smart Business Owners Chose Alarm.com
What can Alarm.com do for your business?
Connect your
- security
- lights
- locks
- thermostats
- video
- and more
for seamless automation and control!
From Alarm.com:
Get visibility into activity trends to make smarter decisions around staffing, promotions, energy use and more.
Easy to understand reports let you quickly see activity patterns across your business and spot unexpected changes.
Get smart!
Get Alarm.com from Strand Security and let us help you optimize your business for excellent ROI – and peace of mind!
Smart Business Owners Make Smart Choices!
What does automating business tasks do for the business owner?
Smart business owners use their money wisely. They budget their money, market themselves and invest in new technology when and where available to stay up-to-date on industry newest, smartest and savviest ways to do business.
Let’s take a look; here are 5 reasons why your business should be a ‘smart business’!
1) Smart Businesses Save Time
When recurring tasks in a business environment are automated, this means time is saved each day.
Personnel who were previously responsible for these daily tasks, now have time for other tasks.
2) Smart Businesses Save Money
The automation of business tasks saves not only time but money, because of the fact that time = money in buisness.
Automation saves money, always.
3) Smart Businesses Are More Energy Efficient
When you can automate your thermostat in your business to optimize energy use, you will become more energy efficient.
4) Smart Businesses Are Run Better
How often do you or your employees ‘forget’ tasks?
Do they forget to lock doors, start the computer, turn down the temperature, forget to open shades, or forget to lower them when the sun shines…?
Businesses who automate run better. When your business runs better, it if more efficient, which means… you save money!
5) Smart Businesses Make For Better Run Businesses
In the end, it comes down to this;
taking advantage of available technology is smart business.
Whether you automate security, office temperature, daily tasks, or use technology for sales, marketing, and PR; NOT using the available technology will give your competition an advantage!
You aren’t in the business of giving others your business now, are you?
How To Protect Your Business Assets With a Commercial Security System
Does Your Business Own or Lease Expensive Equipment?
Dentists need chairs to treat their patients.
Average cost: $3000+
Their x-ray machines?
All the way up to $65,000
How about construction companies? They have hundreds of thousands worth of equipment on job sites!
Say what?
Whether your business needs commercial kitchen equipment, specialized vans or trucks, lifts, computers or tools, this equipment costs money. A lot of money.
Insurance Will Cover Replacement Cost In Case of Loss.
If you lease, rent or have bought expensive business equipment to run your business, we assume you have insurance to cover the cost of replacing these tools and machinery.
What business owners forget and frequently run into is that replacing those items in case of a fire, theft, or vandalism, slows down their productivity level and can harm their business in the short or long term, can even financially ruin it.
Insurance Won’t Cover Lost Time and Productivity.
Therefore, it is in everyone’s best interest to PREVENT accidents, thefts, burglaries, and vandalism.
A business that has to take time out to renovate, reconstruct, or reorder/repurchase equipment is a business that’s not productive, not running at their capacity.
How To Prevent Accidents and Incidents in the Workplace
It’s a multi-step process
- Training
- Technology
- Implementation
- Inspections
- Fix and Adjust Plan
- Retraining
The owner or CEO of the company has to understand that time lost is money lost. Money that can be used to prevent incidents with a risk-identifying plan.
In other words, in order to prevent incidents, you have to spend money – on training, inspections and technology.
How To Protect Your Business Assets With a Commercial Security System
How does a commercial security system help protect your business?
Let’s count the many ways!
- Security cameras can spot shoplifters, vandals, and loiterers inside or outside your property, prompting you to take immediate action.
- Vehicle trackers can help locate your stolen vehicle and products, as well as track the driver’s stats and driving record.
- A monitored alarm system alert authorities immediately in case of burglary, fire or vandalism.
- Panic buttons help employees stay safe; help is only one push of the button away
Spend Money To Save Money
While this might not be what you want to hear, a solid business plan should reveal to you that this is the ONLY way to go to protect your investment; of time, money and effort in starting and running a business.
Don’t be caught without insurance.
Don’t be caught without a commercial security system.
Protect what’s rightfully yours, so you can keep it and enjoy it.
How To Protect Your Employees With a Commercial Security System
Your Employees Are Your Business
The very last thing you want to hear is that there has been an ‘incident’ at your business.
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?
Regardless of the potential harm and suffering of your employees, accidents also harm your reputation and your pocketbook!
Identify Potential Danger and Risk in the Workplace – Step 1
The first step to giving your employees protection and safety is to properly identify potential problems. This is done by a thorough inspection of your property, as well as an inspection of your safety procedures, followed by an emergency planning and training session!
Here are a few areas to look at
(this may very well not be a complete list – we are not risk managers!)
- Lighting in parking lots
- Safety procedures for heavy equipment (signage and training)
- Locking mechanism to keep employees in and danger out
- Heavy lifting and storing and stacking products
- Loading, unloading, and driving procedures
- Fire safety
- and more!
Protect Your Employees With Safety Tools and Protocols – Step 2
The next thing on your list after identifying potential risks in the workplace is to give your employees access to tools and training to keep themselves and your customers safe!
That translates to tools and protocols like
- Locking up procedures
- Fire safety procedures and drills
- First Aid Kit and First Aid and CPR training for employees
- Cameras and additional lighting in parking lots and backrooms
- Emergency exit drills
- and more!
To make all this easier to implement, we suggest you rely on technology to help you do all this, as we do in our own business! Check out the third step!
Use Technology To Monitor, Alert, and Call For Assitance – Step 3
We recommend using technology to keep your employees safe from harm. We at Strand Security utilize and rely on these same products, brands, and the same security equipment to keep our own employees (and families) safe from harm!
Here is a list of safety and security products that can increase the overall safety of your employees while they are in your care!
The single best precaution to take is to get a
After that, these are our top choices for additional security!
If you employ even just one person, you owe it to them to keep them safe from harm!
In 2020, this hotel chain will offer panic buttons to all its employees, including housekeepers, desk staff and food workers! Way to go!
News Stories of Business Robberies
We want to leave you with a few links to news stories;
Stories, where a silent alarm helped call the police for help
A close-to-home story where an employee was rendered helpless, and was harmed because of a lack of precaution
Who Are You Going To Protect? Who Will You Call?
5 Reasons To Upgrade Your Security System Now
Security Systems Need Updating
Say what?
Just like your smartphone, your computer, and any other tech gadgets you may own, your security system needs upgrading too!
In this article, we will look at five reasons to upgrade your security system.
Whether you live in the Myrtle Beach area, on the Grand Strand, somewhere else in South Carolina or elsewhere in the world, technology needs to be upgraded from time to time and upgrading your security system is not just a matter of convenience but a matter of your personal safety and security!
While there may be more than five reasons to upgrade your security system, we are going to look at these five most common reasons to help you decide whether to upgrade or leave it for a bit longer.
Upgrade Your Security System Now If Its Older Than 5 Years
If you have a security system that was installed more than 5 years ago, it’s time to upgrade. Technology advances in the last five years make many devices and some epquipment absolete or outdated. There are newer and better cameras, systems, apps and other updates that will make your system run more smoothly.
Just like your car needs a tune-up, your security system does as well.
We aren’t saying you need to replace your system; upgrading the systems and adding some newer parts and equipment is most likely all you will need.
Upgrade Your Security System Now If Your Family Dynamics Have Changed
If you were single or married without children, or married with small children, or married and now are single, or you have babies, toddlers or teenagers – any changes to your family dynamics warrant an upgrade to your security system.
Reason being that new people might be using your system, and you are now monitoring different areas of your home.
If your elderly parents have moved in, you might need to upgrade the system to include a panic button, just to name an example.
Upgrade Your Security System Now If Your System Depends on A Landline
This is a tricky one but important reason to upgrade your system.
Landlines used to be the standard way to install your security system, but criminals have learned to simply identify and cut landlines, leaving your home, and you, vulnerable.
Instead, your system should run on mobile technology on a secure and password-protected network you manage for all your computers and technology.
If you still have a system on a landline, call your security provider today and switch to a new system!
Upgrade Your Security System Now If You Have No Security Cameras
Security cameras have come a long way.
Security cameras used to be ugly, bulky and huge. In 2019, the choice is yours! Security cameras are sleek, small and hard to detect.
Adding cameras to your home or business is a smart way to monitor what goes on when you are away, from your smartphone or tablet!
Upgrade Your Security System Now If You Are Planning a Trip
Nothing like upgrading a security system right before a trip. Especially if it a long trip, or a far-away trip. Servicing and upgrading -where-needed before a trip will give you complete peace of mind while you travel.
If you get the right system installed, you will be able to monitor from afar, no matter where you are in the world, as long as you have Wifi! You could be Tahiti, Hawaii or Australia and still know and see what’s happening in your home or business from your device!
Are You Ready To Upgrade Your Security System?
We at Strand Security can upgrade your system, whether you are a current customer, or not (yet). We’d love to help you navigate the world of security, making sure you get the right equipment, the right system and perfect security set up for years to come!
How To Protect Your Business and Employees from Harm
Are You a Small Business Owner with Employees?
If you are a small business owner on the Grand Strand, in either Horry County or Georgetown County and you have employees, you know how hard it is to keep good workers around.
The Myrtle Beach area is a fairly transient area. While we have 1400+ new residents moving to the area each month, many don’t plan very well for their move to the Grand Strand. Crime is on the rise in certain areas, and robberies happen.
As a small business owner, you manage your business and you manage your employees. That’s a lot of management and responsibility.
Your main job is to keep your customers happy and your employees safe from harm!
That is where we at Strand Security come in.
While we can’t really create happy customers for your business, we can help protect your business and your employees!
How To Protect a Business and Employees From Harm to the Best of Your Ability
Knowledge is power. We know you know it.
How are you putting this into practice?
Are you educating your staff on safety procedures, first aid, fire safety and more?
Or are you doing only what is required by law?
Happy employees create happy customers. Simple as that!
Let us help you create a safe and secure environment for your employees in order for them to serve your customers with a smile on their face!
Here are 7 Ways to Protect Your Business and Employees from Harm
While this is not a complete list, this is a great place to start!
1) Mandatory Safety Training
Put each new employee through safety training.
That training would include
- securing the premises
- fire safety
- heavy machinery operation
- heavy equipment rules and safety
- emergency exit plan
- accident plan
2) Safety Rules and Regulation Signage
Once each employee has gone through safety training classes/workshops, keep this information fresh in the minds of all who’ve attended by installing safety rules and regulation signage and reminders in your place of business.
3) Update Safety Procedures Quarterly
Bring in an expert at least once per year, but preferably quarterly to update safety procedures.
A 30-minute reminder about rules and regulations goes a long way to keeping everyone safe at work! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
4) Hire Security and Safety Officers
This suggestion is good for certain industries and businesses; not everyone needs a security or safety officer on staff! However, in certain places and certain situations, this suggestion warrants a second look!
5) Install a Monitored Security System
If keeping your employees safe is your # 1 concern in your business, give them and yourself peace of mind and have a professional security company equip your place of business with a monitored security system!
6) Install Security Cameras
In addition to a monitored system, adding security cameras is an even better way to keep your employees out of harm’s way.
7) Install Panic Buttons
Last but not least, a panic button will be one of the best investments your small business can make to ensure the safety of your employees, and yourself at all times. Industries that should consider panic button include, but are not limited to
- gas stations
- hotels
- retail stores
- jewelry stores
- liquor stores
- restaurants
- banks
- pawn shops
- and many others!
Additional Safety Training To Offer
While the following training suggestions aren’t required for most small businesses, we suggest you as the owner provide additional opportunities for your employees to learn these next skills.
- Basic First-Aid
- CPR
- self-defense
Strand Security; Your Security, Our Business!
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