How to Know When Your Child is Safe Home Alone After School
At What Age Can A Child Be Left Home Alone After School?
South Carolina schools in both Hory County and Georgetown County will be back in session in LESS THEN ONE MONTH and if you are a parent of school-aged children, pre-teens or teenagers after-school care solutions is what’s on your mind right now, are we right?
If you’ve researched after school programs, babysitters and clubs, you know that choices are limited and enrollment is expensive.
You might be ready to try the ‘free’ route aka allow your child to be home alone after school!
The question ‘At what age can a child be left home alone after school’ is one we hear quite frequently. As parents ourselves, we’ve had that same question years ago!
There is a two-part answer to this question.
- The LEGAL AGE a child can be left home alone after school in South Carolina is non-specific (there is no law regarding the age at which children can be left alone), however, the state has issued a non-legal guideline recommending that children younger than 8 never be left alone.
- The age you might want to leave your child home alone after school differs from child-to-child!
What does this mean?
It’s up to you as a parent; use your common sense and available resources!
Does Your Child Ask To be Left Home Alone After School?
In a previous article, we gave some advice on how to find out if your child is ready to be left home alone.
That included looking at the following criteria
- state laws
- maturity
- safety standards
One way to measure maturity is that they either bring it up themselves or that they are excited about the opportunity.
How To Prepare A Child To Be Home Alone After School
Preparation is key for a child to be ready to be home alone after school.
Rules are important!
From that previously mentioned article, we learn to
- Schedule set times for parental contact during the time spent home alone.
- Discuss telephone ettiquette and what information is ok to share and not share.
- Establish a code word in case there is a need to communicate with the child through a third party.
- Discuss before hand who should be allowed in the house, and who should not be.
- Make a list of rules. Is it ok to play with neighborhood kids or play outside? Which activities are not allowed?
- Again, a prepared person (including a child) is someone with confidence!
Safety Rules For Kids Staying Home Alone After School
These rules are rules kids should know regardless of being home alone, or with a parent!
- Rehearse possible situations the child might face. Rehearse what to do in case of a fire, power outage, tornado, security alarm set off.
- Rehearse what to do if a stranger knocks on the door.
- For an extra safety measure, install a security system. This will allow you to be notified when your child has arrived home from school and also allows you to check on them from time to time.
Kids are rehearsing for emergencies at school; why not rehearse them at home once per month as well?
How To Keep an Eye on Your Child Who Is Home Alone After School
For those among you who are excited at the prospect of being able to allow your child the freedom of being home alone after school, but are still worried, we have several options for you; all of those will ease your mind!
- LYNX Touch System by Honeywell Total Connect
- The Honeywell Total Connect iPhone app!
- Personal panic buttons
- Self Defense Classes (yes we believe kids should have this skill!)
Why Zwave is the Best Home Automation your Money Can Buy
What Exactly is Zwave Home Automation?
Zwave home automation is a way to transform any home into a smarthome!
You can use Zwave for your home, but don’t forget, Zwave can also work for your business!
Zwave can take over reoccurring daily tasks like
- turning lights on and off
- locking and unlocking doors
- drawing window shades
- adjusting thermostats
Zwave is world-standard wireless technology that lets all your electronics devices talk to each other and to you via remote control!
How Smart Can Your Home Get with Zwave Home Automation?
How smart is Zwave?
Pretty darn smart, even if we say so ourselves!
Zwave control can be added to just about anything electronic in your home, even devices that you would not think of as intelligent.
By utilizing Zwave, you unify all your home electronics into an integrated wireless network without any complicated programming and no new cables. Any Zwave enabled device can be added to your existing network and many non-Zwave devices can be made compatible simply by plugging it into a Zwave accessory module.
Zwave Home Automation is Easy To Set Up!
Zwave control is easily added to almost any device.
As stated before, simply plug your device of choice into a Zwave module and ‘join’ it to your Zwave network.
You can add as many devices as you need.
Zwave can be added to one device, a whole room, a floor or an entire home!
Zwave Home Automation is Easy To Use!
Unlike whole-home control systems, no special wiring is needed to utilize Zwave. If you are handy and have tackled DIY projects before, installing Zwave should be an easy task. Of course, we at Strand Security understand that even if you can do it, sometimes you don’t have the time to do it.
No worries.
Our crew can set up your Zwave systems for you, saving you time and possibly a bit of frustration and some stress.
Zwave does ‘the thinking’ for you!
It understands the present status of any enabled device and gives you confirmation that your devices have received the automatic or manual commands you want!
Zwave Home Automation is Affordable
Because there is no special wiring needed and Zwave can be installed by a do-it-yourselfer, Zwave remains affordable.
Last but not least, Zwave is brand-agnostic.
What that means is that you, the consumer, are not stuck having to buy from just one manufacturer or supplier.
Ready to Move Forward with Zwave? Request a Demo!
We have Zwave in our showroom, feel free to stop by to see us in Murrells Inlet anytime you are in the area.
While you are visiting, ask about other demos including
✔️ Sonos
✔️ Honeywell
and more!
We are located at 11810 Frontage Rd. Unit 10 in Murrells Inlet!
Introducing the Honeywell Smart Home Security System!
Amazon Alexa™ and Honeywell Have Teamed Up!
This could very well be one of the most in-demand holiday gifts for 2018! You heard it here, alright? 😉
Honeywell and Amazon Alexa™ have teamed up to give you the best of home security and technology; introducing one smart system called the Honeywell Smart Home Security System!
This is great for any homeowner, on the Grand Strand, or elsewhere!
Is The Honeywell Smart Home Security System Right For You?
To find out if the Honeywell Smart Home (Security) System is right for you, watch this video.
We find it super exciting to see an amazing brand we love, use and recommend to our customers here at Strand Security aka Honeywell, move forward with a partnership of this magnitude, with Amazon Alexa™, and serve their customers even better!
The Honeywell Smart Home Security System is an all-in-one home security system that is expandable to fit your life and home, now and in the future. Easy to set up, use and featuring Amazon Alexa™ built in it sends smart alerts to your mobile device.
How is this different from Honeywell Total Connect?
“Security just got smarter”
The all-in-one system with facial recognition and Amazon Alexa™ built-in sends smart alerts to your mobile device. Easy to set up and use, it grows with your needs thanks to a range of sensors and services.
Making Your Home a Honeywell Smart Home!
Whether your home is large, medium or you live in an apartment; your home can be a Smart Home too!
The same protection and security features, now linked with Amazon Alexa™ to make your home smart and interactive!
Exciting Honeywell Smart Home Security Features!
The new Honeywell Smart Home Security System starts with the purchase and installation of a camera base station.
Additional accessories to enhance the system include
- indoor motion viewer
- outdoor motion viewer
- motion sensor
- access sensor
- key fob
The best part about this new system?
You can control it all with the Honeywell Home app!
Get it for your Apple Devices here.
Get is for your Android Devices here.
One place, one app.
Everyone in your family has access and full control over your safety and security, in real time.
Strand Security and Honeywell Smart Home Security
We understand that some of our customers will be able to set up and install the Honeywell Smart Home System on their own.
However, we wanted to make sure that you know that we offer installation of the Honeywell Smart Home System and help with integrating it with your current home alarm system.
Why struggle with the set up if we can do it effortlessly, right?
For those who choose to ask for help with set up and installation, we will make sure you receive a demo and understand how your Honeywell Smart Home works before we leave.
We want to make sure you understand your system and know how to operate it!
Give us a call to purchase a system, or to ask for installation and set up if you already have a system but need help.
3 of the Most Common Mistakes People Make With Do It Yourself Home Security
Have You Ever Attempted to Install Your Own Home Security System?
We get that you want to save money. Life is expensive. Life with a family is expensive.
Just for a minute, consider the consequences of a home security install disaster.
Go ahead!Consider them.
Your family’s safety and security should be your number one priority. There are certain things you can cut corners on, and yes, saving money feels good! Let us be the first to tell you, cheap is not always the best value!
Do it yourself home security almost always
….starts with over-confidence.
Quickly turns into a frustrating project.
…and can be an utter and total fiasco and failure!
As we don’t want that to happen to you and yours, here are some Do It Yourself Home Security Fails you can learn from!
You are welcome!
Do It Yourself Home Security Fail #1: Thinking You Know What Equipment You Need
The experts have seen hundreds, maybe thousands of homes and businesses and have installed countless security systems. An expert understands what each location needs and what is unique about that home or business. They check and measure the distance to exits, current lighting, ask about habits, potential users of the system and many more questions. When an expert comes to you for a consult, they take everything into consideration before deciding what equipment you need. You, on the other hand, might be lured by price points, sales at the local hardware store or by what your 80-year-old neighbor installed in his much larger, or smaller, home.
Security is not one-size-fits-all.
Therefore, ask a security expert to help you pick the exact equipment you need to secure your home and keep your family safe!
Do It Yourself Home Security Fail #2: Thinking You Know How To Wire New Equipment Correctly
Another mistake frequently people make is that they underestimate the time and knowledge it takes to install a new system correctly. Even if you’ve wired lights before, installing a security system is different.
It is only your family’s safety and security that depends on you installing a new system correctly.
Ask yourself: “Am I 100% sure I know what I am doing?”
If you can not answer that question affirmatively, it’s time to outsource this skill to an expert!
Do It Yourself Home Security Fail #3: Thinking You Know How To Integrate New and Old Equipment and Pair it With Your Smarthome.
There are tons of commercials enticing you to buy add-ons to your current system. There are even more YouTube videos available to watch and learn from. DIY videos are one of the most watched genres of videos on YouTube.
Caution ahead.
Old and New Equipment Don’t Often Integrate Well. Ask an Expert to Make Sure It Can Be Done Safely and Securely.
Just because you watched a video, that does not make you an expert.
Just because your friend is helping you install some new features, does not make you both security system installers.
Just because you think you can, does not mean you can!
A ‘Do It Yourself Home Security Fail’ Often Results In Higher Overall Security Cost
If you tired and failed to be the do-it-yourself home security installer, it is time to call in the expert.
Often, experts only work with the best systems and the best brands, something many DIY installers don’t consider. That might make your ‘deal’ on the hardware from the local hardware store, not such a good deal afterall because if you can’t use the equipment and you can’t return it, you will end up paying double, never mind the wasted time you’ll never get back!
We hope your home is safe and secure!
Let us know if disaster struck and you need us, we are only one phone call away!
5 Excellent Reasons You Will Want Home Automation Now
Is Your Home a Smart Home Yet?
We’ve been busy here at Strand Security in the Myrtle Beach area, not just with installing new home security systems and home automation features, but also with writing this blog and several of the articles we’ve been writing lately are about home automation. The Grand Strand area is growing rapidly and new homes, new neighborhoods, new businesses and new roads are being build at incredible speed!
It’s a popular topic to write about as it’s a growing trend among home owners!
People like you want the right information to make the right decision about their home before they invest time and money into home automation. Believe us when we say ‘we get it’!
Home Automation Information and Latest News
Want to know more about home automation and what home automation can do for you, here are some of the most recent articles on our very own Strand Security blog that talks about automation and smart technology.
🔴 How to convert an old home into a smart home. Read it here
🔴 Smart home. Safe home. Secure home. Read it here
🔴 How to give your home a voice. Read it here
🔴 Party like a rockstar at home with SONOS. Read it here
🔴 How to program your universal remote the easy way. Read it here
🔴 Smart homeowners get smart home demos in Myrtle Beach. Read it here
We hope these articles have inspired you and made you excited about using home automation to turn your home into a smart home! We are here to help you…!
Don’t Put Off Home Automation! What Are You Waiting For?
In case you are still hesitant, here are 5 reasons you will want home automation now!
1) Improved security
Of course you will get improved security with home automation! Your systems will work together and the possibilities are endless. The best part? Once it’s set up, your overall security is enhanced by it. For example, you might be able to watch your home security cameras in real time from an app on your device! Nothing will get by you.
2) Timesaver
As your home is automated, many ‘daily tasks’ will be automated. With voice activation simple commends like ‘good morning house’ could lower the temperature in your home, raise the blinds and unlock your front door all at the same time without you lifting a finger!
3) Frustration-Free
Since everything is automated, it is, well, automated! No more frustration that you forgot to change the thermostat before your left the home. No more frustration that you forgot to set your security alarm system. No more frustration that you can’t remember if you fed the dog…
4) Saves Money on Utility Bills
Home automation will automatically save you… money! Of course it does. Your thermostat will be automated to give you the perfect temperature when you are home, saving energy when you are not!
5) Resale Value of Your Home
If you are ready to sell your home soon, home automation features can be an important selling point and enhance the overall feel for your home to a potential buyer. Getting the best and latest and greatest gadgets is something most home buyers would want!
How Do You Get Started With Home Automation?
Call your local professional to consult with. Our phone number number is 843-318-6392
After doing research, like reading this and other articles online, you might have an idea of what features you might want and need in your home. The next step would be to have a professional come out to your home and give you an even clearer picture of home automation possibilities.
Will Drones Have an Impact On Your Home Security Now, or in the Future?
Drones Are Here To Stay!
Whether you own one, want one or don’t care either way; drones are here to stay!
Many new businesses have sprouted up with the introduction of affordable drones sold to the general public.
Drones are used for taking photographs and video, and have been used to conduct land surveys and to find ships lost at sea, just to name a few uses.
After drones became affordable for just about any amateur photographer and videographer, many towns, municipalities and cities reacted by instituting ‘no fly zones’ for drones for the safety of air traffic and their citizens.
Are Drones Safe?
Flying drones is a great hobby. It can also be part of a great business model, if you can make money off of the videos and photographs taken with your drone. But are there any safety concerns with flying drones just about anywhere?
Sure there are!
Safety first when it comes to drones, especially if drones are flown near airports, busy highways or cell towers!
How about near your home? Will flying drones impact your home security? Will flying drones enhance or hinder your home security?
Futuristic? Drones As Part of Your Security System
New technology will enable drones to be part of your home security system – if not now, in the very near future!
In this article in Digital Trends we read about a new home security system that deploys a drone to patrol your property! Sounds like something out of a sci-fi book? Think again! The technology is here and soon most, if not all, security systems will have this capability. This article predicts
“The idea of a security camera that doesn’t fly will seem like the dark ages.”
That will be an amazing day…!
Can Drones Interfere with Your Security System or Home Automation System?
Sure, drones can interfere with your systems, that can happen, and it has happened. However, it’s not the main concern you should have about your home security system. If your Wifi system is password protected, drones should not be able to interfere with your home automation or security systems.
But there is a much larger security concern with drones…
Drones Have Access To Private Property!
Drones can pretty much fly wherever they are guided! That means the lines between private property and public land are not so clear anymore – from the air, there are no gates, fences or lines drawn in the sand…
Case in point (and we know – this was a helicopter, not a drone) are the fly-over pictures released on July 4 weekend of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
Read the full article of what happened here.
The point is; helicopters, and now drones, give private citizens access to private property and that means your neighbor could decide to fly a drone over your backyard to SPY on you…! Or worse; someone who is out to hurt you, your family or wants to burglarize your home, could use a drone to ‘scout’ the area before striking.
We feel that’s all pretty scary to think about!
So what can you do to protect yourself from drones?
Be Aware of Drones Flying Near Your Home
The first step to preventing a crime is to be alert and aware. When you do notice a drone flying over your property, take notice. Find out where it is flying back to; who is flying the drone. Take a picture of the drone if you can, and notice the size, color and time of day it’s flying over.
The next step is to make sure all family members know your family emergency plan and go over and practice this plan at least twice per year.
Last but not least, activate your security system when you are home alone, and when you leave your home. It might be a good idea to have at least one of your outside cameras pointing up at the sky!
Be Aware! Be Prepared: Drones Are Coming!
Whether you like drones, or not, they are coming to a neighborhood near you, very soon.
Be aware.
Be prepared.
They are coming.
5 Quick and Easy Security Tips for New Homeowners
Congrats; You Just Bought A New Home!
We are sure you are excited, overwhelmed and scared all at the same time. There are so many things to do and take care of before you purchase a home, and then many more details after the contract goes through.
So how can we at Strand Security in Murrells Inlet be of help during this exciting time?
We’ve put together a list for new home owners just like you; a list of 5 quick and easy security tips you can implement right away. More security means less stress and better sleep and we all know that more sleep keeps you happy and healthy!
So really, this list will be something you can use to stay, happy, healthy, secure and safe!
Here are our Top 5 Security Tips for New Home Owners
🔴 Change the locks, all of them!
No matter what the previous owner tells you (‘we only ever made 3 keys’ or ‘we didn’t give a key to anyone’) you can never be too sure. Don’t take the risk of some stranger still having access to your home; change the locks immediately. People who might have a key to your new home could be parents, adult or teenaged children, pet sitters, babysitters, neighbors, or friends of the previous owners.
🔴 Meet your neighbors
When you go to your new home to take measurement, meet contractors, or move some things in, make it a point to meet your new neighbors. Stop by for a quick chat to introduce yourself. Eventually you might become friendly enough for them to have an emergency key for you. Neighbors are also a great resource for local contractors and services you need as they have experience with plumbers, electricians, roofers, HVAC personnel and yes, security companies.
🔴 Write down emergency numbers
Since you might be new in town, and most likely at least new in the neighborhood, make a list of emergency numbers and make a new family emergency plan. This list of phone numbers might include but is not limited to your HOA, the local police and fire stations, the schools your children will be attending, the cable and phone companies, the electric and water companies and more.
🔴 Stay aware of current crime stats for your neighborhood, city and county
Technically, you should have done this before you purchased your home. You should know about break-ins, burglaries, robberies etc. Staying informed about what happens after you move in, is also a great way to stay safe. If there is a rash of car break-ins in your neighborhood, or mail is being stolen out of mailboxes, you’d want to know, right? Find out where and whom lists these crimes and adjust your security accordingly.
🔴 Purchase a security system
Not everything you read and not everyone you meet will be on the up and up about crime stats in your new neighborhood. Why take a risk? Talk to a reputable security company today and install a system with Hi Def cameras, remote access and more to keep your loved ones safe and your new home secure!
5 Crucial Summer Security Tips You Absolutely Need To Know
Summer Time = Burglary Time!
What?
Yes!
Check out some of these statistics.
- 2 million home break ins are reported each year in the United States!
- 30 percent of break ins occur through an unlocked window or door.
- 66 percent of all break ins are residential break-ins vs business break ins.
- The highest percentage of break ins happens during the summer months.
- Homes without security systems are up to 300% more likely to be broken into.
Isn’t that a bit… shocking?
Here is one more:
Most burglaries happen between 10 AM & 3 PM!
Summer Fun = Empty Home!
Whether you are single, have young kids, teens or are retired; summer time means more time spent outdoors and more time away from home. Especially here on the Grand Strand in South Carolina, people go to the beach, waterpark, out to eat and have fun on the water during the evenings, weekends and during their summer vacation time.
What that does is leave an empty home…
Perfect for those who needs some extra cash aka burglars!
What should you, as a home owner (or renter) do?
Take preventative measures, of course.
Nothing you do can 100% guarantee that your home is safe from burglars, but we can tell you that taking some steps to secure your home will make the chance of your home being of the list of burglarized homes much, much smaller!
We like those odds. If you do, too, read the next five security tips and then implement them, STAT!
Here are 5 Crucial Summer Security Tips
- Lock up your home and set your alarm. Do this every time you leave your home. Whether you go out for 15 minutes, 5 hours or overnight – all it takes is a few minutes for someone to break in!
- Don’t advertise on social media that you will be away. Seriously – hold the airport pictures, the tropical vacation pictures and the ‘we are away’ posts until after you are back.
- Install cameras in your home, not just your office/work building. Cameras will tell the truth as to whom is in your home and will help police catch thieves quicker.
- Install GPS trackers on your RV, four wheeler, boat and cars. Do you like to hold on to your assets? Maybe you’ve worked really hard for those toys? Four wheelers, boats, RVs, sports cars – you like them? So do thieves! These ‘toys’ of yours have a great resale value. GPS trackers help the police locate and retrieve your stolen items!
- Hire a house sitter or stop all deliveries! Nothing says ‘we’re not home’ like piled up mail, empty garbage cans left at the curb, packages left on the front porch overnight, and old newspapers on your lawn. Either stop any and all deliveries, or hire a house sitter to come by every day to take care of those things for you!
Summer Security = Strand Security!
Let us help you!
We have C.O.P.S. standing by to help monitor and protect the people you love and the things you’ve worked hard for. Don’t let criminals get away with ruining your summer fun!
How To Give Your Home a Voice
If Only The Walls Could Talk…
Is that what we are referencing when we say “Give your home a voice?”
Not at all!
We don’t want anyone to know your secrets. Security means home security, cyber security as well as home safety. We don’t want anyone to get to you, your assets or your family.
Whether you live in a large metropolitan area or on the Grand Strand in the Myrtle Beach area like we do, we’ve got something else in mind when we talk about ‘giving your home a voice’!
Introducing Hands Free Voice Control!
How convenient would it be to be able to ‘talk’ to your home and for things to ‘magically’ happen?
“Turn on the lights”
“Close the blinds”
“Turn on the TV”
“Lock the garage door”
“Arm the security system”
Better yet, you can create sequences that will do it all – with one simple command.
For example;
‘Wake up’ ➡️ your system might raise the shades, adjust your thermostat and turn off lights! or
‘Bed time’ ➡️ your system might lock your doors, arm your system, adjust your thermostat and turn on outside lights.
How can you get in on this awesomeness?!
Tuxedo Touch™ by Honeywell
The tuxedo touch is
is intuitive, easy to learn and easy to use whether you’re controlling your security and home control functions, viewing and recording video, or using voice commands.
Need a bit more convincing?
⬇️ Watch this ⬇️
Isn’t this great?
Strand Security and Honeywell
We at Strand Security use, sell and install Honeywell products on a daily basis. We have been doing so for nearly seven years in the local Myrtle Beach market. We have the experience and the expertise to get the job done.
We also have a lovely showroom in Murrells Inlet where we can show you how the Tuxedo Touch™ as well as any other Honeywell product works. Stop by and come see us – we are always up for a demo.
How To Convert an Old Home Into a Smart Home
Do You Live In An Older Home?
If you do live in an older home right here on the Grand Strand, you might be missing out on new technology to make your life easier. If you are lucky enough to live in a new home, built in the last 5 years of so, you might already have a smart home.
So what if you do live in that older home; are you out of luck? No! We are talking about converting your old(er) home in to a smart home!
It’s easy. Really, it is. Keep reading.
Truth: Smart homes aren’t just a new fads, they are here to stay – so we say; why not convert your home today?
But, what exactly does that mean; convert your home?
- Will it cost a lot of money?
- Will you know how to use this smart home technology?
- Will your children or aging parents mess up the technology?
- How long does it take to install?
- What if you have trouble with the new system once it’s installed?
First, let’s see how smart a smart home really is.
Can Your Old Home Do This?
Here are some of the functions a smart home can take over for you.
- Arm your alarm system from afar
- Monitor your alarm system from afar
- Monitor your security cameras from afar
- Open and lock doors remotely
- Open and close blinds
- Turn lights on and off
- Adjust your thermostat
- Shut off gas
- Shut off water
- Control your media
- Connect with Alexa
- Wake up your home upon your arrival
Sounds too good to be true? It’s not!
How Can I Convert My Older Home Into A Smart Home?
We at Strand Security would love to give you a demo on how these features work – stop in to demo Z-WAVE devices at Strand Security’s showroom in Murrells Inlet.
• Thermostat
• Lighting
• Locks and more!
See it. Love it. Use it. Get it!
Do you need a smart home? Absolutely not, but as someone who has had one for years, I don’t know what I would do without it. It makes my home safer, my life easier, and frankly, it’s really cool!
Are You Ready For Your Home to Be Smart? Come See Us!
Demos!
⬇️ Directions below ⬇️
