The Best Location for Your Outdoor Security Cameras
Do You Currently Have Any Outdoor Security Cameras?
If you have security cameras in and around your home, let us ask you some questions!
- How often do you check your camera?
- How often is there maintenance done on your security cameras?
- When was the last time your cameras were serviced?
- Do you know how to clean around your cameras?
- How old are your cameras?
- Did you check your camera settings after the last hurricane?
If you are a bit baffled and don’t have all the answers, no worries. Many people are of the belief that’s it is best to install-and-forget!
We don’t agree and we will tell you why, in this article today!
What Are you Protecting Outside Your Home?
At some point, you decided you had a need for outdoor security cameras and purchased them. Someone installed them for you because we know that DIY jobs are not the best choice when you deal with security.
Are the needs you had when you purchased your security cameras the same as your needs now?
Families change. Business change.
Shouldn’t your security plan change, too?
If you’ve never had any cameras installed, something must have happened that you are reading this and inquiring about getting security cameras for your home or business!
What Are You Protecting Inside Your Home?
How about inside your home? Who and what are you protecting?
As babies grow into toddlers, then kids, and then teens, the need to monitor certain areas of your home changes.
If you’ve not thought about the position of your security cameras for years, it’s a good idea to update your security plan. Work with your local security systems dealer to upgrade, update and (re)install cameras that work for your current needs!
One example might be that while you had small children, you had a camera installed in the playroom, but now you might want one in the garage or game room; whichever spot your teenagers hang out!
Not All Outdoor Security Cameras Are Created Equal!
Just know not all security cameras are created equal and they do need an update now and then.
We have several resources for you to check things out.
- Flir cameras
- All about fake security cameras
- HD cameras
- Reasons to love your security cameras
- What is the difference between surveillance and security cameras?
- Security camera stats to make you feel safe!
- Ways security cameras protect your small business
- Dogs caught on camera
What is the Best Location for Outdoor Security Cameras?
Now that you have a better understanding of what security cameras are capable of and how they work, here are the places you should consider installing outdoor security cameras.
🔥Front Door
Around 34% of burglars enter through the front door; place the camera at the second-floor level so that the burglar can not reach up and disable your camera.
🔥Back Door
Most backdoors cannot be seen from the street. Place a camera pointed at the backdoor to spy on possible intruders.
🔥 Backyard (Gates)
Animals, pets, neighborhood kids and burglars might be using the backyard and a backyard gate to approach your home. Keep on eye on your kids and pets with your camera; keep an eye out for intruders, too.
🔥 Basement Window and/or Stairs
If you have a basement, or outside stairs to a second-floor landing, you should be placing a camera pointed at those stairs.
🔥 Ground Floor Window
Any ground floor window not accessible from the yard and not in full view of the street could be used as an entry point. Place a camera near every such window.
Additional Location Ideas for Security Cameras
Sometimes you want to disguise your cameras, especially if the cameras themselves would be a target to get stolen.
Disguise your cameras and hang them in/on
- large trees
- barn gabels
- garage roofs
- porches
- dog house
- roof of playset
- flagpole
- large (potted) plants
- outdoor shower area
- pool deck
What Makes a Powerful Surveillance Camera?
Surveillance Camera vs Security Camera
Is there a difference between a surveillance camera vs a security camera?
Sure, there is.
Today, we will explain the difference between these two so that it comes time for you to make a decision on which type of camera is best for your business you will be well informed to protect your employees and the investment you made in your business.
A surveillance camera is a security camera, but a security camera isn’t always a surveillance camera.
Surveillance cameras are often used by businesses but can be used for private property if the property is large and safety and security are of utmost importance at all times.
What Does a Surveillance Camera Do?
Here is the definition of a surveillance camera:
Connected to a central system, the surveillance cameras send footage back to a monitor that displays what the cameras see. Unlike traditional television broadcasting, CCTV sends a closed signal to the receiving monitor, allowing viewing to be strictly observed by the connected equipment, only.
Here is what security cameras do:
Most security cameras on the market today are standard analog security cameras connected directly to a digital video recorder. The cameras in this type of system consist of a lens, DSP chip (digital signal processing chip) and a housing. The cameras are simply the window used by the DVR (digital video recorder) to see.
To explain it simply, it is really the difference of the job each camera needs to perform.
Who Needs a Surveillance Camera?
- If you are a large company on a large piece of land with valuable assets, you might need surveillance cameras.
- If you have a large warehouse or a big store, you might need surveillance cameras.
- If you are a municipality and responsible for public safety, you might need surveillance cameras.
Check out this article on the use of CCTV cameras for businesses, which includes 10 tips for choosing the right security cameras for your business.
What Makes a Powerful Surveillance Camera?
There are a variety of different types of surveillance cameras which suit different situations or premises, and that selecting the proper camera for the right application really is vital.
This includes but isn’t limited to
- dome cameras for indoor or outdoor use
- bullet cameras with night vision
- c-mount cameras
- infrared cameras
Each camera chosen will be chosen for the specific job it needs to do. You local security expert will recommend the best camera for your needs. Whatever you decide, we don’t recommend doing this.
What To Look for When Purchasing a Surveillance Camera?
We recommend you just pick up the phone and call your locally owned and locally operated small business who specializes in home and commercial security systems.
Chances are they know exactly what you need and will give you several options and several brand and systems to chose from.
Why do all this research and work ahead of time when that is all they do, all day long?
When you are ready, give us a call! We serve customers in both Horry County and Georgetown County.
The Best Myrtle Beach Security Company To Protect Your Family in 2019
Who Protects Your Family From Harm?
It is almost 2019.
If you live in South Carolina as we do, you are still enjoying the weather and outdoor time as winter still has not really hit our area. We’ve been visited by a hurricane or two, and lots of rain has fallen, but temperatures have barely dipped below freezing and the sun is out on most days.
Kids are riding brand new bicycles, golf is being played and time is spent at the beach.
While you might be enjoying time away from home this holiday season, your home (and business) might be left unattended.
If you do not have a security system installed, you run the risk of losing valuables while you are away to burglars, home invaders, and vandals.
Whether someone planned to rob you, or they commit a crime of opportunity doesn’t really matter to you once this crime has happened, but there is a BIG difference between the two.
Planned robberies are hard to prevent, but a crime of opportunity is often preventable!
Who Protects Your Property When You Are Not Around?
When you leave your home, there’s isn’t anyone to sound the alarm in case of an emergency or robbery, unless you have a monitored system in place.
We can’t stress enough how easy home and business monitoring is to set up on our end, to give you peace of mind for those times you can not be present.
We’ve worked with C.O.P.S. monitoring for years and are proud to have recently added Alarm.com to our line-up.
There should never be a question of ‘who is protecting what is yours?’.
You can protect everything by finding the best security company to work with!
Who is The Best Myrtle Beach Security Company?
There are several different ways to find the best Myrtle Beach Security company to work with.
We encourage you to
- ask your neighbors for referrals
- search online for reviews
- call and speak to your locally-owned and locally-operated security company
- check your neighborhood for security signs
and connect with several companies to compare rates & service offerings.
Why You Should Hire Strand Security To Protect Whom You Love!
Support local. Get the best!
- We have over 25+ years of experience (combined) in the security industry.
- We are a locally-owned and locally-operated small business.
- We care about you, our customer, thus we only recommend brands we love and use to protect our own families.
- We stay up-to-date on the latest brands, industry news and technology to give you the best quality for the best pricing.
Strand Security Is The Best Myrtle Beach Area Security Company
Don’t just take our word for it!
Check us out as a Top Security Blog.
and…
Strand Security was the Gold Medal Award Winner 2018 in Myrtle Beach this year in the ‘Security’ category.
Let us know how we can serve you, too!
You Can Thank Your Lucky Stars Or Hire The Best Security Company
How Lucky Do You Feel?
Accidents and attacks happen in mere seconds. People get mugged, attacked, and robbed daily. Businesses get vandalized and their employees robbed and you might never have known about it unless it made the news.
Within precious seconds, or even in the blink of an eye, something can happen to you or a loved one that will alter the rest of your life.
How well you are prepared often dictates the outcome!
The more prepared you are for the potential of a natural disaster, personal attack, accident, home invasion, fire or another emergency, the better off you are.
Leaving it all “to chance” is one sure way to set yourself and your loved ones up for failure and a negative outcome.
Do You Want Your Security To Be ‘Lucky’ or Scientific?
If you’ve never been
- attacked
- robbed
- vandalized
- in a fire
- under attack
- in an accident
count your lucky stars!
Each year, millions of Americans deal with the aftermath of personal disasters like accidents, home invasions, fires, attacks, vandalism and more.
Let us look at some statistics and scientific data next, to find if preparation for an emergency can make a difference.
Facts and Data Don’t Lie!
We contract with C.O.P.S Monitoring Services and this is why!
This means that when you do have a home or business emergency, help is on the way instantly, even if you are incapacitated due to injury, smoke inhalation, an attack or another emergency!
Safewise states: “Based on a report by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, about 60% of convicted burglars stated the presence of a security system influenced their decision to target another home.”
How is this for a statistic: “Almost 30% of burglars enter a home through an unlocked door or window.” It’s easy to prepare and to make sure to lock up every night to prevent burglaries.
Don’t Leave It To Luck. Hire The Best Security Company Now!
We are on standby to help you and yours.
Your security is our business here at Strand Security and we take it very seriously.
We are a locally owned and locally operated business and we want nothing more than help to protect those whom you love and that what you’ve worked so hard for!
Come to talk to us and learn the difference.
We Are Thankful For Our Customers!
We wouldn’t be where we are today without our loyal customers.
To our current customers, we’d like to say “We enjoy doing business with you and thank you for your patronage.” For those who are not customers yet; “What are you waiting for?” Pick up the phone and give us a call!
Seven Solid Reasons You Need a Business Security System
Are You A Local Grand Strand Business Owner?
Whether your business is here in South Carolina on the Grand Strand or elsewhere if you are a business owner with a business with a physical location including
- warehouse
- store
- medical facility
- restaurant
- office suite
- office building
- shed
- trailer
or any other building – you are in need of a business security system!
To start any business takes an investment of time and money.
We know because we are business owners ourselves. If you have invested your hard-earned money and/or life savings into a new business venture, don’t you want to make sure this investment is protected against all sorts of crime and accidents?
Crime Statistics for Myrtle Beach, Horry County and Georgetown County.
The local crime statistics aren’t pretty.
The Myrtle Beach area is a fast-growing area with many transient families and individuals. We are also a tourist hot-spot; millions of non-residents come to visit our shore and golf courses every year. They not only bring their families and money to spend, they also attract criminals.
To learn more about daily Myrtle Beach criminal activity, or any city you live in, check this out.
You can also you NeighborhoodScout to check on crime near you.
To learn more about why Myrtle Beach was listed on ‘Most Dangerous City’ reports, read this.
Learn To Protect Your Investment!
When you start a business, there are many things to consider.
You have to
- write a business plan
- create a budget
- get funding
- purchase equipment
- hire staff
- market yourself
and much much more.
One of the most frequently dropped but important tasks is getting the right insurance coverage up front and installing a business security system.
And of course, always lock your doors!
You Need a Business Security System
If you own a business, you need a business security system.
If you own a business, your responsibility isn’t just for yourself, but also for those you employ.
The personal safety of your employees is now in your hands, is now your responsibility.
Just this one fact alone should have you pick up the phone and call us immediately. You can not go back and prevent a crime once it has happened. You can not go back and prevent someone from getting hurt once they’ve been hurt. You can not go back and give someone back their life if their life was taken during a robbery.
Equipment, buildings, inventory and your fleet can be replaced and if you’ve got the right insurance, without too much hassle. People lives is a whole different matter.
Let’s look at a few reasons to call Strand Security and get a business security system installed by the end of the year!
7 Reasons To Install a Commercial Security System
Here are 7 solid reasons to install a business security system!
- Deter crime before it happens
- Keep vandals and squatters out
- Protect your employees and customers
- Deter employee theft
- Save money on insurance
- Alert authorities in real time when a crime happens
- Gather evidence in case of a crime
We’d be happy to discuss any of these with you at any time. Let’s get you protection.
Give us a call today!
Why Do I Need a Commercial Security System?
Do You Own a Business on the Grand Strand?
If you are a local Myrtle Beach area business owner, let’s talk security!
Crime rates in the Myrtle Beach area vary from town to town, neighborhood to neighborhood, but the reality is that with a transient community like Myrtle Beach which hosts millions upon millions of tourists every year, these tourists also lure crime and criminals to our area!
If you are a local business owner, it stands to argue that you’ve been confronted with some sort of crime at your place of business.
Have you dealt with
✔️employee theft?
✔️counterfit money?
✔️ loitering around your building?
✔️vandalism?
✔️break-ins?
If you have, we are very sorry you’ve had to deal with this type of crime. We want to offer you a solution.
Please read on.
Do You Value Your Business Investment?
As a locally-owned and locally operated business, we fully understand the sacrifices and investment of time and money it takes to get a business off the ground.
We understand you are building something for the future, for your family, for your community.
We know this because we are living it alongside you.
If you value your business investment, we need to talk about security!
Do you have a few more minutes?
How To Protect Your Local Business Location and Reputation
Our slogan is “your security, our business” and we mean it!
We install, support and monitor residential alarm systems to protect local Grand Strand area families. What not everyone knows is that we also install, support and monitor commercial security systems.
We are ready to partner with you and protect your business investment, your employees and you!
Let’s talk about how a commercial security system can protect the physical location of your business as well as your reputation!
Why You Need a Commercial Security System
As business owners, we understand you can’t be everywhere all the time! You put your trust in your employees, yet all responsibility still rests on your shoulders.
A commercial security system will take away, in a way shoulder some of the responsibility for you!
We offer Total Connect Video Services for your convenience because we know how busy you are!
With this service, you can view your business from your iPhone, iPad, Droid, Blackberry or laptop from almost anywhere and
- check on employees activities and their behavior
- monitor critical equipment remotely, no matter where you are and what time of day it is
- view your business in real-time, or with event triggers
- gather evidence against employee theft or errors and outside criminal activities
- find out how busy your business is when you are away
and much much more!
Your Security, Our Business!
We work with business owners as well as property management companies.
Here are some of the ways we can help protect and secure your investments;
✔️ Monitor alarm systems
✔️ Digital camera systems
✔️ Telecommunication networks 24/7
✔️ Overhead Projection
✔️Plasma, LCD, LED displays along with AUDIO Sound Systems (for restaurants and sports bars)
and much more!
Isn’t it time you give us a call?
Meet Honeywell Total Connect™ and Fall in Love Forever!
What is Honeywell Total Connect™?
Honeywell Total Connect™ Remote Services lets you stay in the know wherever you go! How neat is that?
Whether you are running an errand in Myrtle Beach, at work along the Grand Strand, or on summer vacation in the upstate of South Carolina or elsewhere, you will have full access to your home and/or business through our app. You will love being able to check in from anywhere, at any time! Once you have Honeywell Total Connect™, you will fall in love forever.
With the tap of a finger, our app lets you control your security system, receive push notifications, text messages and email alerts, control thermostats, lighting and locks, locate vehicles or assets — even view live video and see, hear and speak to visitors at the front door anytime, anywhere on compatible smart devices, including iPhone, Android and iPad.
Honeywell Total Connect™ is packed with features that help you receive a great user experience!
Who Can Use Honeywell Total Connect™?
Honeywell Total Connect™ can be used both for residential as well as commercial use, so homeowners, as well as business owners, get great value from our system!
Kids, teenagers, elderly parents, nannies, neighbors, employees; anyone you trust and who needs access to your home or business can get access while you are away!
What Can Honeywell Total Connect™ Do?
Let us check out what Honeywell Total Connect™ has to offer, shall we?
To get the full scoop, check out this brochure!
How Easy Is Honeywell Total Connect™ To Use?
Oh, it’s super easy!
In fact, our app is so easy to use once it is set up, that kids, teenagers, as well as the elderly, should have no problem using our app. Of course, if you use Strand Security as your service provider, we will make sure that everyone who needs access to your system will have full access.
Are you ready for a Smarthome?
How Can I Get The Honeywell Total Connect™ System and App?
All you need to do is connect with us at Strand Security. We can answer any question you may have.
You can also stop by our offices for a demo to see how a Honeywell Total Connect™ system works and play around with it!
Did you know you can install vehicle tracker in your (commercial) vehicles, too, and monitor with Honeywell Total Connect™? Great for teenage drivers and employees.
Are You in Search of The Best Burglar System Money Can Buy?
Does Your Home Have a Burglar System?
If you have any sort of burglar system, congrats. We hope you did your research before purchasing and that you are happy with the system you picked and the provider you currently have. Have you had an emergency yet? How good was the customer service provided and how was the response time?
If you do not currently have any sort of system in your home, we assume you might want to know how to get the best burglar system money can buy!
Does Your Business Have a Burglar System?
If you own a business like us, you understand the value of preventing crime.
Employee theft, workplace accidents, vandalism, workplace invasion; each of these come with a heavy price tag.
Having a solid burglar system in place at your business location can help prevent and deter crime. A system with cameras can also help you determine cause, and guilt, of crimes.
If you do not currently have any sort of system at your place of business, we assume you might want to know how to get the best burglar system money can buy!
Here are several points to consider before buying any kind of security burglar system.
Do your Due Diligence and Research Burglar System Options First!
Why do you need a burglar alarm system?
Have you
- recently purchased a new home?
- moved into a new home?
- made a state-to-state move?
- switched neighborhoods?
- been the victim of a crime?
- read about the increase in crime in your town?
- started a business?
- taken over an existing business location?
- recently dealt with employee theft?
Most often, something ‘triggers’ a homeowner or business owner to start looking for the best burglar system available.
The journey to select starts with solid research on what is available in your location.
Decide How Much Money You Can Spend on the Best Burglar System Money Can Buy
‘The best burglar alarm system your money can buy’ can mean many things.
When thinking about a budget think about the following cost; both now and in the future.
- equipment
- monthly monitoring
- installation
- equipment replacement
- add-ons
- smart home technology
Remember this:
The most basic burglar system will still deter a would-be burglar.
A fancy, automated system will make it easier for you to operate the system.
Will You Want Home Automation and Add Smart Technolgy in Your Home?
If you are going to be spending money on a burglar system, this is a great time to check out your smart home options!
These systems can and do work together.
Have you ever thought about
Talk to your trusted security company about these options BEFORE deciding on a burglar system.
Is the Track Record of the Remote Monitoring Company Important to You?
Last but not least, we want you to remember that you get what you pay for.
You could have the best equipment, the latest technology, and the nicest customer service rep, but if the response time of the monitoring company is not good, you could still be left ‘in a pickle’ when an emergency happens to you or your family!
We at Strand Security pride ourselves on working with the best in the industry!
Is Cheap Home Security an Oxymoron?
Do You Need a Security System But Think You Can’t Afford It?
If you think you need a security system, you probably have done some due diligence on crime rates in your street, neighborhood, town, and county. People come to us for security systems for some of the following reasons.
- new construction
- a new residence
- a recent move
- new family addition
- new business
- unhappy with current service
- upgrading system and/or service agreement
- a recent victim of crime
The last reason is what we hate to see happen to anyone!
People call us after they’ve had a home invasion, burglary or experienced personal violence. They are scared, worried, traumatized by the recent experience and need to feel secure and protected once again.
There’s not always a budget for a security system when crime happens, which of course always happens unexpectedly.
Today, we’d like to talk to you about cheap home security.
Is there such a thing as cheap home security, or is it an oxymoron?
Is There Such a Thing as Cheap Home Security?
Well… the answer is yes.
Let’s get this straight.
“You get what you pay for.”
Having said that, here are some ideas for cheap home security (and the limitations each option brings).
- Get a dog. Dogs aren’t free, of course, but having a dog will deter potential burglars. They’d rather go to the next house than confront a dog.
- Put up fake security cameras. This again is a cheap solution and might give you a false sense of security. Will it deter some crime? Sure! Will it help you during a crime? Not at all.
- Put your inside lights on timers and outdoor lights on sensors. When criminals are casing houses to break into, they will look for signs of activity. If you have lights going on and off, they might skip your home.
- Add loud sensor alarms to your windows and doors. This will not prevent any crime, but it will alert you, the homeowner, to a crime in progress.
Adding any of these options to your home will give you a bit more security and most likely a bit more peace of mind. These are not perfect solutions by any stretch, but if you are limited on funds, these options are a good place to start.
Can A Home Security System Be Cheap and Good At the Same Time?
Yes and yes!
Home security systems come in all shapes, sizes, and brands. They run the gamut in equipment fees, monitoring fees, and smart-home intergration.
We can install a very basic home security system that you can afford. We offer great monitoring rates with the best monitoring service. We trust not just our customers with COPS monitoring, but our own family as well!
How Should You Decide On a Security System?
The best way to decide on a security system is to read this article; ‘What is the best home security system?’
This article features 5 questions you, as a homeowner, should answer before picking up the phone and calling us.
Once you have an idea of what you want, what you can afford and what you need, we are ready to talk shop with you!
What Type Of Security Can You Get on A Limited Budget?
Even on a limited budget, you should be able to get a solid security system to fit your needs.
We recommend budgeting for a monthly monitoring fee to get a complete package and the best service and security.
Interested to know why we work with COPS monitoring?
Check out these two articles.
Dispatchers standing by 24/7 monitoring with COPS for your security!
Our assets are monitored by COPS
How To Get The Best Cheap Home Security for Your Budget
#1 Work with a local, locally owned security company. We can not stress the importance of this enough!
#2 Check the company out online. Read reviews, check their website and social media channels.
#3 Ask about technician experience. Anyone who is proud of their work will tell you how long they’ve been in the business and why!
#4 Call your local chamber or the BBB for recommendations. Any legitimate business will be registered and most likely be active in the community.
#5 Ask for current specials and promotions. Some companies run online promotions you might not know about when you call. They most likely will be happy to give you that promotion. All you have to do is ask.
We are here for the Myrtle Beach, Horry County, and Georgetown County communities.
Give us a call today, or any day.
How To Best Prevent Crime at Your Construction Site
Do You Know What Happens At Your Construction Site During Off Hours?
Many construction sites deal with the same two crimes:
✓ Theft (of tools, equipment and materials)
✓ Vandalism
The Grand Strand/Myrtle Beach area is undergoing a huge surge in new construction of homes and businesses and thus there are many new construction sites popping up. Each site deals with theft and vandalism, and we do get calls and inquiries about how to prevent crime from happening.
As much as the advice is
‘Don’t leave anything of value at your construction site unattended’
that advice, in reality, isn’t very practical.
What is realistic, is that sometimes you need to leave materials, equipment and large tools at the site. The good news?
There are ways to protect these items.
Here are some ideas on how to get started.
General Crime Prevention Tips for Your Construction Site
- Identify all your assets and property at your site and index/catalogue them so they can be tracked at any time.
- Engrave tools and special tag other equipment.
- Connect with neighbors, nearby businesses and neighborhood watches so they are aware of your site.
- Bring awareness and offer training to your crew and discuss how they need to do their part (lock up)
- Do background checks on your employees.
- Utilize fencing if at all possible to deter theft and vandalism.
- Post notices around your fence that this construction area is protected and monitored.
- Secure tools and equipment in a locked shed or box when not in use.
- Secure shed and lockbox in the center of your site, not along the perimeter.
- As not all theft comes from outsiders, have a tool ‘check-in, check-out’ system in place.
- Perform a final ‘check’ at the end of each work day; a walk around your site.
- Only have the absolute necessary equipment and materials on hand. Do not use your construction site as storage.
Preventing Crime At A Construction Site Which Has Electricity
- Make use of motion-detecting flood lights and special lights.
- Set up a security alarm system that alerts a monitoring company and the authorities.
- You can add an audible siren to deter crime or go with a silent alarm that’s tripped when intruders arrive.
- Set up (remote) video surveillance for your construction site and monitor from any device, anywhere.
Preventing Crime At A Construction Site With No Electricity
- Hire a security firm with security guards to patrol your site overnight.
- Make sure to take extra care to lock up tools, equipment and materials each night and consider taking tools home.
As always, preventing crime is a much better option that reporting crime and having to replace tools, equipment or materials. The time it takes to set up and secure your site is nothing compared to the time it would take to replace stolen tools, equipment or materials or have to fix an act of vandalism.
We highly encourage you to talk to your security specialist before it is too late!
