5 Reasons Why Security Cameras Rock!
Do I Need Security Cameras?
We hear this question all the time. “Do I really need security cameras?” and “Is having my security alarm system not enough on its own?” The answer might surprise you. Having a security system is a huge deterrent to would-be thieves so yes, in theory, it’s all you’ll need. However, and of course there’s a however, security cameras add additional value to your system and once you understand what that value is, we guarantee you’ll want them!
Security System Value
A security system linked to a monitoring station gives you the following value
» Signs of installed system deters would-be thieves
» Sound of active system deters would-be thieves
» Almost instant notification of authorities when needed
» Peace of mind knowing help is on the way
» Your home and/or business is protected and monitored even when you aren’t there
I should go without saying that your security is only as safe and your system only as good as the company you are working with. If you are new to security systems, read this article on how to find a good security company to work with and the signs to look for when you interact with different companies to see if it’s a good fit.
Security Camera Added Value
By installing security cameras along with your system, they can add this value to your existing system. Here are 5 reasons why security cameras rock and once you have them, we know you’ll never want to live without ever again!
They
» Help determine false alarms
» Record video stream of what’s happening outside of your home to catch would-be thieves
» Aid Law Enforcement with identifying and arresting a suspect if a break-in did happen
» Live stream video of your pet (or petsitter) while you aren’t home
» Live stream video of your kids and babysitter to ensure their safety and monitor behavior
Security Cameras for Business
It goes without saying that adding security cameras to your business provides another whole level of security!
Security cameras at your place of business can help you monitor
• cash registers
• employee behavior
• customer behavior
• merchandise
• stockroom
• staff lunch room
• parking lots
and much much more, leaving you with either live streaming and recordings, or recordings of each feed.
In the end, security cameras will most likely pay for themselves and save you money by identifying thieves, problem areas and prevent loss.
Talk to us at Strand Security if you are in need of security cameras in the Myrtle beach or Maryland areas!
How To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Your Home or Business
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
We at Strand Security always keep your security and safety in mind as we offer new services to our residential and commercial clients. We currently offer services like
• Residential Security Alarm Systems
• Commercial Security Alarm Systems
• 24Hour Burglar & Fire Alarm Monitoring
• IP Digital Surveillance Cameras
• Honeywell Total Connect Remote Services
• Audio/Video Solutions
• Home Automation
• Home Theater
We also get questions about ‘carbon monoxide’ and how to protect again carbon monoxide poisoning which accounts for about an average of 430 deaths per year in the USA.
Would you like to keep those you love safe from carbon monoxide poisoning?
We have the answers on how to do just that, of course!
Carbon Monoxide; What Is It Exactly?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels.
One of our local TV stations in Myrtle Beach did a story on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning recently, and they have some good information as they talk about ways to avoid CO contact:
- Install a CO alarm.*
- Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home.
- Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
- Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
- Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home.
- Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping.
- During home renovations, be sure that appliance vents and chimneys are not blocked. Make sure appliances are in proper working order when renovations are complete.
*Note that the FIRST thing on this list is installing a CO alarm and that’s where we come in!
Carbon Monoxide Monitoring
Just like your home and business are monitored and protected with Honeywell Total Connect™, by hooking up the Carbon Monoxide sensors right to your security alarm, the carbon monoxide levels in your home or business will be monitored as well!
Many people install carbon monoxide monitors that you plug-in to the wall and while these are great (it’s better to have those than no sensors at all!), they do not work all of the time and they do not have the ability to call for outside help when needed if you are incapacitated.
Because as we read on the Honeywell Total Connect™ website:
System Sensor carbon monoxide (CO) detectors provide the highest level of CO protection available. Our system-connected devices enable 24/7 central station monitoring that ensures occupants or building management will be alerted if the detector goes into alarm, is disabled, or has reached its six-year end-of-life and needs to be replaced. Furthermore, this system monitoring provides an extra level of protection in cases when occupants are unable to respond to the alarm.
Prevent a Tragedy and Get Carbon Monoxide System Sensors Installed
It’s fairly easy and so worth it to add these sensors to an existing system to keep your family and staff safe. Come talk to us if you think we can help you with carbon monoxide prevention through monitoring.
How To Test Your Security Alarm System
Testing your Security Alarm System; Why, How and When
Did you know that your security alarm system should be tested weekly? The reason why should be fairly obvious but let us explain; we want you to be safe and secure and you will only be as safe and secure as your system is. Therefore, testing your system often is a smart move. To make it easier we found our service manager and systems specialist in Myrtle Beach, Chad Bernard, willing to help create this video.
In this ‘How To’ video, Chad gives us step by step instruction on how to test your security alarm system at home or at your place of business. Please watch the full video to ensure success!
How To Test Your Security Alarm System
Hi, I am Chad from Strand Security (in Myrtle Beach, SC) today we’re going to teach you how to test your system.
It’s important to test your system so that you know that every component is working correctly and you can notify your security company to make any repairs.
First thing that you need to do it is call your central station at 1-800-633-2677 (COPS Monitoring). Give them your name and address and tell them you want to put your account on ‘test’ for two hours. They will ask you for your account password to validate that you are supposed to be on the account.
After doing that, you will go to your keypad and you need to arm your system. (Put in your own user code)
‘Arm’ and ‘Away’
After your system is arming, you’re going to wait for it to count down.
Then you will open all of the doors and windows and close them to make sure they trip the system and you will walk in front of all the motion detectors to make sure that they trip.
When you get done, turn the system off by entering your (user) code and pressing ‘off’.
Then you will need to call central stations, COPS Monitoring, at the 800 number and give them your account information again and they will be able to read off all of the zones and all of the devices that you tripped.
If there’s one missing, you can call Strand Security and we can get that repaired for you!
Thank you to Chad Bernard, service manager and systems specialist at Strand Security for making this informative video on testing your alarm system!
How Safe and Secure Are Your Home and Business?
Safety First
Where have you heard this phrase ‘Safety First’? We think it’s everywhere. At schools, day camps, day care, at work…
How about your home? Is your home ‘safe’?
Did you know that many accidents happen at home? Did you think that home is safest place for babies, toddlers, kids and adults alike?
Think again!
“Did you know that more than 18,000 Americans die every year from injuries that take place in the home? This makes it the second most common location for such fatalities. Why are home injuries so prevalent? Most Americans are unaware that they are able to prevent such accidents.” via A Secure Life
Prevention starts with identifying the dangers, then improving those hazards, as well as monitoring what’s going on while you aren’t there (keeping an eye on teens, babysitters, older adults and pets!)
Accidents in the Workplace
The same way you might have thought that home is a safe place, many people assume that they are safe at work. Work-related injuries are prevalent however. Here is a list of the top 10 most common workplace injuries! Preventing work injuries will always be a two way street for both employers and employees.
How Safe and Secure Are Your Home and Business?
There are many ways you can prevent injuries at home and at your place of business.
We found this helpful article about How a Remote Security Camera System Can Help Your Business. They include the following three reasons security cameras can help keep your business secure.
Security Cameras will
✔ Prevent theft and break-ins
✔ Improve employee performance
✔ Ensure employee safety
In one of our own articles we read that security cameras can
✔ Monitor Staff
✔ Monitor Customers
✔ Monitor Property
thus adding to that layer of protection for your staff!
Home Sweet Home
Whether you protect yourself, your staff and your loved ones with a security system and security cameras, or not, all comes down to your level of comfort as well as your pocketbook!
We’re always happy to speak with you regarding your options.
Be safe, not sorry!
For a handy security checklist for first-time homeowners, click here.
3 Ways Camera Surveillance Protects Your Small Business
How Are You Protecting Your Business Investments?
As small business owners in Myrtle Beach, we know first-hand that start up costs for a business are nothing to laugh about! You will spend money on all sorts of things you couldn’t have imagined, unless you’d owned a business before, and many first-timers are surprised by bills they just didn’t expect.
However, now that you are a small business owner and you’ve invested money, time and effort into getting a business off the ground, how are you protecting that investment?
Really… how are you doing it?
- Do you have an alarm system?
- Do you have good locks?
- Do you do background checks on your employees?
- Do you have security cameras?
If you do not have any of these safety features to safeguard your investment, you run the risk of losing it all! Now that’s something none of us want, right?
How Can Cameras Help Protect Your Small Business?
“Cameras are your extra set of eyes when you aren’t able to be in 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 places all at once!” Even if you are a very hands-on business owner who works hard and is involved in the daily workings of your business, there are times you need to step away from the showroom, the store or the office. You also need to sleep, we assume.
Having surveillance cameras set up to monitor your business makes great ‘cents’.
How does having a camera surveillance system protect your business investment?
Here are three ways you can protect your small business:
- Monitor customers – This is especially true if you own a store, showroom or restaurant. By having cameras installed, not only can you monitor your customers’ behavior (theft prevention), you can also protect yourself from any (potential) lawsuits by having video proof of unfortunate events, if that ever were to happen.
- Monitor staff – The same way your use cameras to monitor your customers, you can also use surveillance cameras to monitor your own staff! In a town like Myrtle Beach, there are a lot of seasonal jobs available. Many small business owners rely on seasonal staff who might just be looking for short-term employment. It will be imperative to monitor newly hired recruits for theft and proper, professional conduct. If you suspect an employee of theft, surveillance tapes can offer the proof to help prosecute and convict them.
- Monitor your property – We know business owners need sleep. You can’t be at your place of business 24/7, even if you live where you work, you still need to meet with suppliers, customers and go out every once in a while. With installed cameras, you can monitor from afar and see happens when you aren’t there. Lots of things can happen and do. Break-ins, fires, vandalism, and more.
Protect Before You Regret!
Don’t delay in installing a security system, if you do not currently have one. If you do have a system, but without cameras, consider upgrading ASAP. We talk to our customers often, and we KNOW having cameras installed, and security signs displayed, can actually prevent unpleasant events!
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner? Strand’s Recommendations on the Grand Strand
In Myrtle Beach on Vacation or a Local Resident? Let’s Eat!
Whether you are in the Myrtle Beach area on vacation, or you are a local resident, may we assume you’ve got to eat? As a local B2B as well as B2C business, we see many businesses, inside and out, on a weekly basis. We visit current and new clients and work in their shops, restaurants, attractions and warehouses.
We see it all. New construction and remodels. Start ups and established businesses. We do new installations, updates and upgrades and while we are visiting, our senses are often inundated with the best views and smells!
Food for Thought
We’ve been highlighting our current customers on our Facebook Page and we are excited to add our clients to our new blog as well! We’ll be doing this monthly; we are so excited!
Today, we’ll be sharing three local treasures with you, all Strand Security customers and all locally owned and locally operated, just like our business is. So if you are looking for a (new) place to eat in the Myrtle beach area, let us recommend a place for
- breakfast
- lunch
- dinner
for you and your loved ones!
Breakfast on the Grand Strand
Our Senior Sales Representative Corina, has been raving about this place forever. Bagel Cafe in Litchfield is her favorite place to go eat breakfast and we don’t blame her! Look at these yummy treats!
Debbie, owner of Bagel Cafe told us “We’ve had a few security issues and Chuck (Strand Security) was right there and very accommodating. They are excellent on service!”
Before you go, check out their menu online and ‘like’ them on Facebook! Then once you’ve eaten there, let us know how awesome your bagel (or other yummy treat) was.
Lunch on the Grand Strand
Up next, we’d like to share anther local gem to go check out for lunch (or dinner!). Pastaria 811 in Pawleys Island offers both authentic Italian lunch and dinner to their patrons and has been for over 18 years! We’ve been lucky enough to eat both meals there and everything is so good, we really can’t recommend one favorite dish.
According to David, owner of Pastaria 811 they have been a Strand Security Systems customer for four years and they like our company much better than the previous company! “Strand is very reliable” says David.
If interested in checking out Pastaria 811, find their menu here.
Dinner on the Grand Strand
So where will we send you to dinner? How about some pizza? In Surfside Beach, you’ll find this lovely family-owned pizza place! Lazer’s Pizza sits right on business 17 and customers rave about the italian subs, calzones and of course, the pizza.
We appreciate any and all feedback from our Strand Security customers; and we are especially pleased to hear that we’ve answered the phone each and every time they’ve called us! Customer service is paramount!
Your Security is our Business
We are happy to come to your place of business, or home, to give you an estimate on security as well. We take it seriously and we also strive to give the best customer service, always.
Keep an eye on this blog as we’ll be featuring other Myrtle Beach businesses in the months to come, including an oyster bar, a bowling alley and more!
How Do I Find the Best Security Company for my Home or Business?
Your Family and Employees Deserve the Best!
If you are anything like us, you want the best! You want and expect the best for your family, the best for your business and the best for your employees. We get it; we own and operate a business too, right here in the Myrtle Beach area – with additional services in Maryland!
So when it comes to security, why not get the best?
You might think you know how to select the best security company, but if you are reading this article, you might not be 100% sure of it. We’d like to give you a few pointers as to what to look for in a respectable security company to secure your residence and your commercial properties.
Here are sure signs of business success.
- The security company has a website.
- The security company has knowledgeable staff that answers the phone and answers your questions.
- The security company staff takes the time to meet with you explains their plans to you and gives you the time of day!
- They work with reputable monitoring company and offer you brand name equipment.
- Your friends, colleagues or neighbors are recommending this company to you.
- You see signs around your neighborhood with the company logo on it.
- This company has invested money into marketing – they have a recognizable logo.
- Their trucks look professional, their staff wears branded shirts and they have beautiful brochures.
- This company has been in business several years – they have a proven track record.
- Staff retention rates.
- Online testimonials and reviews (check Facebook and Google).
- They have an active social media presence.
- You feel satisfied after a consultation with this company.
Here are some signs of possible business distress.
- Blatant self-promotion without solid facts.
- Sales pitches that smell and sound of desperation.
- Constant staff turnover.
- Bad online reviews.
- Minimal online presence.
- Unanswered phone calls
- Unmarked vehicles.
- This company gives you the run around (about service and/or rates).
It goes without saying that all of these pointers also apply to any other service company you are thinking of hiring. As always; if it sounds too good to be true, if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or if they are just too pushy… it’s probably not the right company to work with! You should feel great about this relationship and you need to trust the person who will do work in your home and/or your place of business!
When it comes to protecting those you love, those you are responsible for, don’t you want the best?
Why settle?
We highly recommend you do your homework before deciding on hiring a security company. If you are in the market for either a residential or a commercial security alarm system in the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand area, consider checking out Strand Security. We’d love your business as ‘your security is our business’!
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