Spring Cleaning: The Perfect Time to Assess Your Home Security Needs
Is the pollen gone yet?
Phew, that was a pretty horrible year for this yellow stuff in South Carolina! Now that it’s time to once again open windows and doors, let in the air (not pollen), right before we shut everyone down again for the summer heat… it’s also a perfect time to assess your home security needs as you’ll be spending time going through your home, inside and out.
When you do your spring cleaning, look for potential security issues. You know, two birds – one stone! 😉
Assessing your Home Security Needs During Spring Cleaning
Springtime cleaning is a great opportunity to evaluate your current security measures and identify areas that may need improvement. Why? You’ll be touching almost all your windows, doors (aka entry points), cameras, and systems as you clean and dust off the pollen that’s settled in all nooks and crannies. NOTE: This is even MORE important if you have a cleaning crew on retainer who regularly cleans your home – they might have inadvertently moved camera positions as they clean, touched sensors, or left doors and windows unlocked!
Finding Potential Home Security Risks During Spring Cleaning
- Doors and Windows
As mentioned above, check the locks on all doors and windows to ensure that they are functioning properly and that they’ve not been left unlocked by the cleaning crew. If you have any damaged locks or hardware, replace them immediately. - Outdoor Lighting
Evaluate your current outdoor lighting system to ensure that it is providing adequate illumination in the right spots. Consider installing additional lights or motion-sensor lights to deter potential intruders and to light up all areas of your front and backyard. - Landscaping
Check your landscaping to ensure that it is not providing cover for intruders. Trim back any overgrown bushes, shrubs or trees that could obscure the view of your home from the street, being sure to keep them trimmed all year. - Security System
Test your security system to make sure that it is functioning properly. If you are our customer, we are happy to help you do this. Besides testing in the spring, also test before a major hurricane. If you don’t have a security system, consider installing one to protect your home and family and to monitor from afar when needed. - Emergency Preparedness
Check the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace them if necessary. Review your emergency preparedness plan with your family to ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. This is especially needed when you have children, have elderly parents who live with you, and when you live in a hurricane-prone zone. - Valuables
Take inventory of your valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, and consider storing them in a safe or other secure location – NOT in your bedroom, where burglars expect valuables to be.
Why Identifying Potential Vulnerabilities in Your Home Security is Important
By assessing these areas during spring cleaning, you can identify potential vulnerabilities in your home security. Why is this important? You can now take the proper steps to address them before they become a problem. Prevention is always better than fixing an issue.
Who Will you Call? Strand Security
If you need help addressing potential issues, as always we are only a phone call away. Call us anytime at 843-318-6392 for help with your home security and commercial security. Your security is our business.
Outdoor Security Cameras: Enhancing Your Home Security for Spring and Beyond
Now that the weather is cooperating, and it’s warmed up outside (bye, bye winter!), it’s logical that our children, pets and we ourselves want to spend MORE time outside. Spring is a great time to plant a new garden, install a pool and sit on the deck or porch under the stars.
With more outdoor activities, come more outside dangers. We’re not sure about you, but we’d love to know what Sparky is doing when he’s in the backyard. (Is he digging to China? Is he eating a shrub? The same is true for our children, their babysitters, and (elderly) parents.
How can you keep an eye on what’s going on outside in your backyard, even if you are at work, or in your home office?
Security cameras!
Benefits of Outdoor Security Cameras
Outdoor security cameras can be a powerful tool for enhancing your home security, not just in the spring, but all year round.
The benefits of installing and monitoring outdoor security cameras are vast.
Benefits include the following
- Outdoor security cameras deter burglars
- Being able to monitor your property remotely
- Instrumental in providing evidence in the event of a crime
Besides aiding in increasing your home security, outdoor security cameras can also prevent accidents and potentially save lives by allowing you to monitor kids, pets, elderly parents, and teenagers in real-time, from afar.
Types of Outdoor Security Cameras
When deciding on outdoor security cameras, we recommend you speak with an expert. If you are doing the installation yourself, you’ll want to do the proper research on both wired and wireless systems and the pros and cons of each of these options.
Learn more about wireless outdoor security cameras.
Installation and Maintenance of Outdoor Security Cameras
As outdoor cameras are subject to the elements, it is important you have a solid plan for maintaining outdoor security cameras, such as choosing the right location, ensuring proper wiring and connections, and regularly cleaning and checking the cameras. With the Atlantic hurricane season approaching each year in June, we highly recommend you test and check on your outdoor security cameras in April or May.
Outdoor Security Cameras and Smart Home Integration
One of the best features of a smart home is being able to integrate just about any system, including outdoor security cameras. This allows you to control your cameras remotely, receive alerts and notifications, and even automate your security system. You will be able to see what’s going on outside, from inside your home, your office or from anywhere in the world as long as you have Wifi service.
Outdoor Security Cameras and Privacy Concerns
last but not least, it is important to be aware of potential privacy concerns associated with outdoor security cameras. What is a neighbor complains about the location of the camera, or your wifi security is low and there are concerns someone can break into your system and watch your cameras? Be sure to speak to an expert if those are concerns on top of your list for your family and property.
Strand Security and Outdoor Security Cameras
We sell, install and maintain many different brands of outdoor security cameras and can help you make the right choice for your family and property. If you have commercial needs, we welcome you as well. We’ve done some amazing local Grand Strand Installations for commercial properties: check out this one in North Myrtle Beach!Â
5 Ways you Can Love and Protect your Family From Harm
Protecting your family from harm can’t always be done by relying on technology.
While we advocate using technology as a tool to add an extra layer of protection around your family, your home, your assets, your business, there are more tangible ways you can love and protect those you love most!
Ready? Let’s do this!
Here are 5 things you can do starting today, to love and protect your family from harm.
1 Keep Your Home Safe For Young and Old
One of the most important ways to love and protect your family is to keep your home safe.
Take measures such as installing security cameras, smart door locks, and smoke detectors to make sure your home is secure. Keep hazardous items out of reach of children, and make sure your home is equipped with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and CO2 detectors.
Install systems that work for you. Not sure what you need? Talk to a professional who installs systems day after day!
2 Teach Your Kids and Elderly Parents Safety Measures
Another way to love and protect your family is to educate everyone on safety measures. Teach your children about stranger danger and not to open the door for strangers, how to call for help in an emergency, and what to do in case of a fire. Next, talk to your family about Internet safety. By teaching your family these important safety measures, you can prevent heartbreak and potentially life-threatening situations.
3 Spend Quality Time With Your Family
Spending quality time with your family is another way to show them love and protect them from harm.
Spend time with your loved ones to strengthen your bond. This provides you with an opportunity to check in with them and make sure they’re doing okay. Whether it’s going on a family vacation, playing a game together, or simply having dinner together, spending quality time with your family is important for their well-being. We highly advocate doing this as we are parents ourselves and have seen firsthand how important it is to be present at home!
4 Be a Good Listener
Being a good listener is another way to love and protect your family.
When your loved ones are going through a tough time, it’s important to be there for them and listen to their issues and problems. This will make them feel heard and understood, and can also give you an opportunity to offer them support and advice. By being a good listener, you can help your family cope with life’s challenges and protect them from harm. Never discount the value of a listening ear. Even a few minutes per day can make a huge difference to someone who might be sick or depressed.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/
5 Teach Your Kids Values
Finally, teaching your family good values is another way to love and protect them. Values such as honesty, kindness, and respect will help family members make good decisions, and can also help them build healthy relationships with others. By instilling these values in your family, they are on their way to a fulfilling life.
While we can’t protect those we love from everything that might harm them, good habits, listening to each other, and good values can take you a long way!
We are Here to Partner with you to Protect your Family from Harm!
Don’t go it alone. We are here to support you, your growing family, and those you love most in life. Give us a call to discuss how we might serve you and your family for years to come.
How To Keep Your Family Safe and Secure in 2023
We hope that 2023 brings you all the joy, success, and prosperity that you deserve. Thank you for your business and we look forward to continuing to serve you in this new year.
Keeping Your Family Safe and Secure in 2023
There are many steps that families can take to keep their home safe and secure. Here are two ideas:
- Establish a family emergency plan: It’s important to have a plan in place in case of emergencies, such as a fire or break-in. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do in case of an emergency, and consider creating a designated “safe room” where everyone can go in the event of a crisis.
- Keep an eye on your surroundings: Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Consider joining a neighborhood watch program, which can help you stay informed about potential threats in your area.
By taking these steps, you can help protect your family and your home, and create a sense of security and peace of mind.
Looking for Trends in Home Security for 2023 and Beyond
Here are five general trends that have been consistently popular in the field of home security in recent years that may continue to be relevant in the future:
- Smart home security systems: These systems allow homeowners to monitor and control their home security remotely using a smartphone or other device. Features may include the ability to remotely lock and unlock doors, view live footage from security cameras, and receive alerts when motion is detected.
- Security cameras: Security cameras, both indoor and outdoor, are a popular choice for homeowners looking to increase the security of their home. Some cameras even offer features such as facial recognition and two-way audio, which allow homeowners to communicate with visitors remotely.
- Doorbell cameras: Doorbell cameras allow homeowners to see and communicate with visitors at their front door from anywhere, even when they are not at home. These cameras can be connected to a smartphone or other device and often include features such as motion detection and night vision.
- Alarm systems: Alarm systems can be a valuable addition to a home security setup, providing an additional layer of protection against break-ins. Many alarm systems can be controlled and monitored remotely using a smartphone or other device.
- Security lighting: Security lighting can be an effective deterrent for burglars, as it makes it more difficult for them to go unnoticed. There are many options available, including motion-sensor lights, floodlights, and porch lights with built-in cameras.
It is always a good idea to stay up to date on the latest developments in home security and to take steps to protect your home and family. This may include investing in a security system, using smart home devices, and following basic safety practices such as locking doors and windows when you are away.
How Strand Security Can Provide the Security Your Family Needs in 2023
At Strand Security, we understand the importance of protecting your family and your home. That’s why we offer a range of security solutions designed to help you feel safe and secure in 2023 and beyond. Our team of experts can help you assess your security needs and recommend the right products and services to suit your specific situation. From security systems and smart home devices to security lighting and emergency preparedness, we have everything you need to keep your family safe and secure. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect your family and your home in 2023 and beyond.
The Best Home Security Tips of 2022 Per Strand Security
This year has been incredible. The growth we’ve seen in the Grand Strand area and in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and surrounding areas is incredible. New residents continued to move in as new homes were completed.
With so many new people in a relatively small geographical area, we need to be cognisant of friction this can cause.
Most often when a population swells quickly like it has on the Grand Strand, crime rate increases as well.
Home Security Tips for Grand Strand Residents
We’ve done our part by installing new home security systems, updates existing homes and systems and adding smart home technology for businesses and homeowners.
While we can monitor your home from afar with COPS monitoring, it’s important each homeowner takes an active role in keeping their home, their property crime-free and their family safe.
We’ve shared several new home security tips this past year, so let’s revisit the best of the best!
Drones, Facial Recognition and Smart Home Technology, Oh My!
We blogged about new trends and updates for 2022 and this included drones as security cameras, facial recognition to operate your smart home and additional smart home technology and did we ever predict it right!
Check out this featured story on window shades!
Fire Safety for Home and Family
Home security tips we gave earlier this year includes tips about home safety and fire hazards. If you have a family, you need to read this article and implement these home safety tips ASAP.
PS that article also has great tips about using lights and sounds to deter criminals. Music never sounded this sweet before!
Digging Up Unusual Home Security Tips for Golden Nuggets!
This fall we searched high and low for the most UNUSUAL home security and safety tips and oh boy, did we strike gold!
Most of these tips were about moving things around your home as not to be too obvious.
Move your keypad (so no one can see it through a window), move your spare key and even move your valuables. Did you know most people keep their jewelry in the master bedroom? Yep. Don’t put YOURs there! 😉
Got Bad Security Habits?
There are no bad security systems. Really. An armed system is great, but only if you … arm it! So many band habits result in bad decisions which lead to disasters.
To get your home and your family safe and secure, you’ve got to drop some of your own bad habits!
Listen to the Criminals for Home Security Advice!
Last but not least, we found some of the best home security tips for 2022 by asking criminals.
Most criminals do not want to encounter humans when they commit a crime. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity, which leave sus with these amazing tips: deter, deter, deter.
If you deter a criminal, they will move on to an easier target! Simple, but true.
Keeping Your Family Safe in 2023
If you are new to the Grand Strand, have just purchased a new home, or have started a family and new home security, we’d love to become your service provider. Give us a call anytime. Your security, our business. We live and work right here on the Grand Strand and we secure our home and our family with the same products and brand we instal in our customer’s homes.
3 Smart and Simple Holiday Home Security Tips
‘Tis the season to be jolly!
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or another holiday in December, it’s a great time to get together with family and friends.
We light candles. We eat meals. We give gifts. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Except when it is not! Disaster can strike even during the holiday season. Prepare now and don’t sweat it in December.
Here are 3 smart and simple holiday home security tips you need in your life!
Holiday Home Security Tips To Sink Your Teeth In!
In the past, we’ve talked about holiday home security tips right here on this blog.
Here are our previous tips:
5 of the best home for the holidays security tips
3 smart home security tips for a worry-free holiday season
How to prevent being a burglary victim during the holiday season
But…
We dug deep and came up with 3 additional holiday home security tips to share with you.
1 Prevent a Home Fire
1 If you have a wood stove or fireplace in your home, get your chimney swept this month. As it gets colder, we will be looking for alternate sources of heat and fireplaces that are not swept cna catch on fire, easily. There might be a build up of soot, or a bird may have nested and obstructed your chimney. Either way, protect your home and your family and get this service scheduled asap.
2 Alternatively, if you do not have a good heating source and you are looking at space heaters to warm up your home, please, please please be aware of the dangers of space heaters. Do not use them without supervision. Do not use them when you sleep. Do not use them near flammable materials. Do not plug them into extension cords. Space heaters cause a lot of fires each winter. If you must use them, please take precautions.
2 Time your Lights
More often than not, burglaries happen during the day and are an impulsive act, meaning – a criminal sees an opportunity and jumps on it. Those burglaries that happen at night, are often premeditated and planned out. To prevent being a targeted victim of a home burglar during the holiday season, put your holiday lights on timers. Better yet, put them on timers and on your smarthome system so that you can adjust the timing of them daily if you are not home! Lights that pop up at the exact time each day, day after day, can signal ‘We are not home’ to a criminal.
3 Use Your Sound System to Your Advantage
Much like the lights deter criminals, turning on tunes to keep them away works as well! Smarthome homeowners who have a surround sound system can time (and chime) music to be played. Who knew jingle bells could prevent break-ins? If a criminal sees lights and hears music played, they will move to an empty house.
FACT: Burglars do NOT want to confront homeowners. They rather go to a home where it is dark and quiet!
Let Strand Security Help You Keep Your Loved Ones Safe!
3 Reasons We Are Grateful for our Customers on the Grand Strand
Happy November. It’s a Great Month To Be Grateful!
As the calendar continues to roll forward, we are headed towards a new year quickly. Before we get to 2023 however, we still have several holidays to celebrate and nearly two months to fill with work and family life.
November is a great time to express how grateful you are.
Share with your family, your colleagues and your community all the things you are grateful for.
To set an example, here are 3 reasons we at Strand Security ad grateful for our customers on the Grand Strand.
1 Grand Strand Customers are Friendly
People who live on the Grand Strand are friendly – well, for the most part. Our customers are by far happy, friendly and content.
When our tech teams visit our customers on-site, we are greeted by friendly, smiling faces. We love living on the Grand Strand for this reason alone. What’s not to love about our weather, our community, our state, right?
We love our Strand Security Grand Strand customers because they are friendly. How about you, do you experience friendliness in your daily life?
2 Our Strand Security Customers are Loyal
We’ve been in business on the Grand Strand for well over 10 years! Some of our customers have been with us form the start, and many who joined us later are still with us. We have found that Strand Security customers are friendly AND loyal. They stick with us and continue to stick with us as their needs change.
Several customers have hired us for their commercial needs as well as their family needs. Others have moved homes and needed to upgrade their security systems, their security cameras and add additional security measures. We love returning customers as it shows loyalty.
3 Grand Strand Customers Refer Us their Friends and Family!
The 3 reason we are so very grateful for our amazing customers is that a large part of our business comes from personal referrals!
Yes, many of satisfied customers tell their neighbors, friends, family and colleagues about us. It’s a great way for them to show their satisfaction for our services and for us to know we are doing it right! We are a locally owned and locally operated business and your security is our business!
What Are You Grateful For in November?
We’d love to know what you are grateful for! If it is our service, we’d love for you to let us know. Send us an email via heather@strandsecurity.com, or leave us a Facebook or better yet, a Google review. We live for those!
Social proof is everything!
What Home Security Packages are Available to Grand Strand Residents?
“Bundle”
Who hasn’t heard that word in recent …commercials? Do you love savings? Do you like a deal, a bargain? Do you like feeling you ‘won’ better service, better pricing or better bundles? Who doesn’t love combining services for a better price point? Strand Security has you covered!
When we went looking for keywords YOU (our audience) were searching for on Google, we saw you are searching for Home Security Packages.
Do we ‘bundle’ here at Strand Security? Sure we do!
What Home Security Packages are Available to Grand Strand Residents?
The short answer about our bundles, or home security packages, is to ask us!
If you have a home security system, and want to create a smarthome, we can add those new components and that new service into a new package for you.
If you are a commercial customer of ours, and we take care of your business, restaurant, or any of your commercial systems, and you want to protect your family, we can create a home security package for you!
If you are considering purchasing or building a new home, and want options like a central vacuum, smart window shades, a sound system or a complete home theater build, we can bundle that!
Customizable Systems, Customizable Home Security Packages
No one customer of ours is alike.
No one customer has the exact same needs as another.
No one customers comes to us with the exact same issues as another.
We customize your home security packages for that very reason.
Do you already have an (older) system? We might be able to reuse some of the technology!
Home Security Packages are Based on Your Needs
When we work together, we look for the best solutions for your home.
We strive to your home secure, your family safe and your assets protected.
Your security is our business.
We work with
- Home owners in Horry County and Georgetown County
- Retirees
- New residents to South Carolina
- New parents
- Those who care for kids and elderly aka the sandwich generation
- Business owners
- and more.
Home Security Protection: Building, Family and Assets
We secure everything and everyone close to you.
- If you have an elderly family member in your care, we can provide a personal panic button to add to your system.
- If you need to give access to your home to several people (babysitters, contractors), consider changing your system to a smarthome system so you’ll never need a key again, just personalized codes for easy and secure access!
- If you have assets like expensive cars, baots, jet skis or other fun toys on your premises, you’ll want special cameras and sensors to secure those high ticket items.
Your Security is our business!
Give Strand Security A Call to Talk about Home Security Packages
We are only a phone call away! Let us know your problem and we will tell you how we can help you solve your problems or security issues.
Who Installs the Best Home Security Systems with Cameras in Myrtle Beach?
Do you already have a home security system with cameras? Do you live in the Myrtle Beach, Grand Strand area?
Then this might be an article you want to skip! 😉
We are going to talk about who installs the best home security systems with cameras in Myrtle Beach and while you might already guess the answer to be ‘Strand Security’, were are going to give you enough reasons to agree with us! Sound fair? Read on.
Why Choose Strand Security for your Home Security System?
We want to to feel good about choosing us as your service provider. We work closely with our clients so they can be sure to get what they want and need to protect their home, their assets and more importantly, their families.
Choose us because we use the same systems we install to protect our own loved ones. We only recommend brands and technology we have in our own homes! What is good enough for us, is good enough for our clients. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Make the choice to go with us because we care about your safety and security. That is it.
Trust us with what is most dear to you and we will pull through.
Your security. Our business!
Why Choose Us for your Home Security System with Cameras?
We install not just home security system cameras, but all different type of cameras. While we provide services for homeowners on the Grand Strand, we also have a huge commercial division where we install security cameras of all sorts and types each and every day!
Chances are that whatever you think we need, we can provide along with advice and what we recommend you instal. We do keep up with the latest technology, the best brands and newest trends in our industry!
Why Choose Strand Security for Installation when you Live in Myrtle Beach?
We work where we live, we live where we work.
Locally owned and locally operated, we are your first choice of local home security systems providers. We’ve been on the Grand Strand for many years and provide excellent service. (don’t take our word for it, read the Google reviews!)
If you need us, we answer the phone.
If a problem arises, we will be there.
If you want to upgrade, we can do that!
What Makes Strand Security Your Best Choice for Home Security Systems Installation?
We have many years of home security systems experience.
We sell home security systems.
We install install home security cameras.
We maintain your home security system if you live within our area of work, anywhere in Horry County or Georgetown County South Carolina.
We offer the best service, at the most competitive pricing and we are a locally owned and locally operated small business. We live where we work!
For Home Security Systems with Cameras in Myrtle Beach, Connect With us!
We can’t wait to welcome you into the fold of Strand Security customers. It is as simple as picking up the phone. We are ready for your calls.
Ring in the Fall Season With these 5 Most Unusual Home Security Tips
Home Security Tips Galore!
A quick Google search gets you the most common home security tips.
We’ve covered them here on this Strand Security blog extensively over the past 7+ years! But what about the more unusual security tips? Things you might not think about when you purchase a home?
We’ve gone and done it! We’ve collected five of the most unusual home security tips we could find into one blog. Get ready for these home security hacks you wish you’d known sooner.
1 Move your alarm keypad!
Sure, most people depend on security companies (us) to install keypads for a home security system, but some don’t. If you are among a growing number of homeowners going the DIY home installation of home security systems like RING, do a quick audit on the location of the keypad.
- Where is it?
- Can it be seens through a window?
Here is why!
“An observant burglar might scope out the place and even watch you enter the numbers into the keypad. A would-be burglar can also glance through a window to see if you’ve activated your alarm system before leaving the house.”
Move it out of sight!
2 Find an unusual place for valuables
Most homeowners keep jewelry, cash and valuables in… their master bedroom! One way to secure those items is to NOT put them there in the first place.
May we suggest the back of a storage closet, a kitchen cabinet, a floor safe or elsewhere in your home, ANYWHERE BUT the master bedroom?
3 Don’t hang (car) keys near the back or front doors!
During the day keep the keys and car keys near you. You’ll need them to lock your home, as well as drive your car. But what about at night? Do you have a habit of hanging your car keys near the back door, garage door or front door?
Don’t do it!
Instead, take them with you into your bedroom where the are much safer and you’ve just made it much harder for a thief to take off with your car(s).
4 Decoy everything!
Get decoy security cameras, a decoy safe and even decoy keys. Burglars go in and out in minutes. They will not open up a safe, they will just carry the safe out and take it with them. If you want to fool those fools entering your home uninvited, become the master of decoys.
It works!
(for personal safety, we recommend a decoy wallet, too, especially when traveling and visiting new unfamiliar cities!)
5 Sliding Doors need extra protection
If your home has a beautiful glass sliding door, you need more protection than just a simple lock. Sliding door usually have small locks that are easy to break so adding an additional security measure seems right. If the door is not properly installed, a burglar can easily lift it off the tracks, so be sure to check your sliding glass doors for baseline security.
The best way to secure a sliding glass door is to put a rod (wood or metal) or something similar on the tracks and lodge it between the door and the wall. If an ill-intended burglar manages to unlock the sliding door, they still won’t be able to slide it open with a rod is in the way on its tracks!
Strand Security: Your Security, Our Business!
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