5 Reasons To Upgrade Your Security System Now
Security Systems Need Updating
Say what?
Just like your smartphone, your computer, and any other tech gadgets you may own, your security system needs upgrading too!
In this article, we will look at five reasons to upgrade your security system.
Whether you live in the Myrtle Beach area, on the Grand Strand, somewhere else in South Carolina or elsewhere in the world, technology needs to be upgraded from time to time and upgrading your security system is not just a matter of convenience but a matter of your personal safety and security!
While there may be more than five reasons to upgrade your security system, we are going to look at these five most common reasons to help you decide whether to upgrade or leave it for a bit longer.
Upgrade Your Security System Now If Its Older Than 5 Years
If you have a security system that was installed more than 5 years ago, it’s time to upgrade. Technology advances in the last five years make many devices and some epquipment absolete or outdated. There are newer and better cameras, systems, apps and other updates that will make your system run more smoothly.
Just like your car needs a tune-up, your security system does as well.
We aren’t saying you need to replace your system; upgrading the systems and adding some newer parts and equipment is most likely all you will need.
Upgrade Your Security System Now If Your Family Dynamics Have Changed
If you were single or married without children, or married with small children, or married and now are single, or you have babies, toddlers or teenagers – any changes to your family dynamics warrant an upgrade to your security system.
Reason being that new people might be using your system, and you are now monitoring different areas of your home.
If your elderly parents have moved in, you might need to upgrade the system to include a panic button, just to name an example.
Upgrade Your Security System Now If Your System Depends on A Landline
This is a tricky one but important reason to upgrade your system.
Landlines used to be the standard way to install your security system, but criminals have learned to simply identify and cut landlines, leaving your home, and you, vulnerable.
Instead, your system should run on mobile technology on a secure and password-protected network you manage for all your computers and technology.
If you still have a system on a landline, call your security provider today and switch to a new system!
Upgrade Your Security System Now If You Have No Security Cameras
Security cameras have come a long way.
Security cameras used to be ugly, bulky and huge. In 2019, the choice is yours! Security cameras are sleek, small and hard to detect.
Adding cameras to your home or business is a smart way to monitor what goes on when you are away, from your smartphone or tablet!
Upgrade Your Security System Now If You Are Planning a Trip
Nothing like upgrading a security system right before a trip. Especially if it a long trip, or a far-away trip. Servicing and upgrading -where-needed before a trip will give you complete peace of mind while you travel.
If you get the right system installed, you will be able to monitor from afar, no matter where you are in the world, as long as you have Wifi! You could be Tahiti, Hawaii or Australia and still know and see what’s happening in your home or business from your device!
Are You Ready To Upgrade Your Security System?
We at Strand Security can upgrade your system, whether you are a current customer, or not (yet). We’d love to help you navigate the world of security, making sure you get the right equipment, the right system and perfect security set up for years to come!
3 Ways To Protect Your Business Property From a Hurricane
Hurricane Preparations Start Now!
If you live in the southeast, you should have a hurricane emergency plan.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 every year and while most hurricanes are active in September and October, a hurricane could develop in the other months.
Hurricane prep for your family, home and business should start now, while the skies are blue and the sun is shining and most people are enjoying the beach.
Doesn’t matter whether you read this in June, July or August – Hurricane prep should be done weeks if not months before a named storm heads your way!
Protecting Your Business Property During a Hurricane
Besides your home and family, your business property will also need looking after during a hurricane.
What steps can you take today, to make that happen and how can you best protect your business property when a hurricane comes to the Grand Strand, or to the place where you reside?
Let’s look at 3 ways you can make an impact today, that will help you secure your business property later!
1) Create a Hurricane Prep Plan For Your Business
Much like a family emergency plan, and a hurricane preparation plan for your family, your business needs one as well.
This written plan should layout how to prepare your building for a hurricane, different scenarios depending on the severity and strength of the hurricane, who will be in charge when the hurricane hits, whom to contact after a hurricane (electric company, water company, contractor, insurance agent), your insurance paperwork and suppliers information and other important details you will need, to keep your business afloat in times of inclement weather.
- Lists are your friend when things get hectic.
- Lists will help you stay focused in a time of chaos.
- Lists can keep you on track to complete all tasks.
You see, panic sets in once the local news stations merely hint at a possible storm, and supplies will be gone before you know it.
As business owners who’ve lived on the Grand Strand nearly 10 years, we’ve seen a few storms head our way and we’ve seen business owners (as well as local residents) be ill-prepared.
Don’t get caught without a plan!
2) Set Up Remote Monitoring For Your Business Property
How scary will it be if you have to evacuate and leave everything you know and love behind?
Super scary! We know first-hand.
However, there are ways you can still keep an eye on your home and business property in case of a storm when you need to hunker down or evacuate; remote monitoring!
We offer this service to monitor your business year-round to
- monitor employees
- prevent theft
- monitor for break-ins and fire
now add
- monitor during a hurricane
as another reason to get a remote monitoring system installed at your business property!
With this system in place, you can watch in real-time what is happening.
This monitoring becomes vital after a hurricane has come and gone as flooding and looting are two concerns that pop up afterward!
3) Order Hurricane Supplies Now
Last but not least, do the following as soon as you can, before any storm hits the Atlantic waters and stirs up the Grand Strand!
- hire a contractor or handyman to cut boards for your business property windows
- buy a generator
- test your current alarm system
- purchase extra batteries from your security company
- get your hands on sandbags (Amazon is great for that!)
We’ve been through several hurricanes since moving to the Grand Strand area from Maryland and each one is as unpredictable as the next.
It’s not just the wind and rain you have to account for, but also flooding afterward!
Your Security, Our Business
Come talk to us about hurricane prep!
What Are the Best Security Cameras for Your Home?
Does Your Home Need Security Cameras?
We assume you want (and need) safety for your family above all else.
You have
- locks on your door
- locks on your windows
You do not want uninvited ‘guests’ to join you in your home unexpectedly, correct?
Besides putting locks on doors and windows to keep unwanted guest out, what else can you do?
A security system would be next on our list, and with a good security system comes security cameras.
That leaves us with the following two questions; Does your home need security cameras and if the answer is ‘yes’, what are the best security cameras for your home?
When Your Home Needs Security Cameras
Here are some reasons to have security cameras. We think some of these reasons might resonate with you.
Your home is in need of security cameras if you
- live in a rural area
- live in a suburban setting
- live in the city
- have no nearby neighbors
- live in a high crime neighborhood
- don’t have family nearby
- live alone
- travel often
- leave the house for work every day
- have small children
- have teenagers
- have elderly parents that live with you
- have pets that are left unattended during the day
Do any of these apply to your living situation?
What Are the Best Security Cameras for Your Home?
It is tough to say what the best security cameras are for your home.
Your security alarm dealer can help you figure out what you need, but here are some parameters to work with.
- Will you need to, or want to access the camera feed live, remotely?
- Do you have a pool, hot tub or another outdoor area that needs to be monitored?
- Do you own expensive cars or a boat housed in a barn or garage on your property that needs to be monitored?
- Do you often get deliveries to your home while you are not home?
All these factors what type of cameras you need and where they should possibly be installed.
How Many Security Cameras Does Your Home Need?
The best person to ask this question to is your alarm system dealer. They have experience with this and can give you an estimated number of cameras needed to monitor your home, depending on the size, location and your needs.
The best part is that if you currently have an existing system without cameras, it is fairly easy to add cameras, and even easier to add additional cameras at a later date since you’ll be wired already.
How Can You Get The Best Security Cameras For Your Home?
Here are your steps.
- Write down the reasons you need cameras
- Research online for camera brands
- Set a budget
- Research your local security system companies
- Reach out to your local and locally owned alarm system dealer
- Have them install, monitor and maintain your alarm system and cameras
- Relax and know you and your loved ones are protected!
7 of the Most Common Business Security Issues
How To Keep Your Business Secure and Your Employees Safe
What could go wrong in your business?
The better question to ask is ‘what could not go wrong?’
Everything and anything can happen to your location, inventory, reputation, and staff – things that you should value the most if you’ve invested in your business.
We’ve collected 7 of the most common security and safety issues we see on the commercial side of our business and we also have some solid solutions for you to implement, stat!
1) Personnel Safety
The safety and security of your personnel should be priority #1 for you.
We at Strand Security value our employees, and so should you. That includes giving them direct access to emergency help when needed, lights in parking lots, and a safe working environment.
2) Fire Hazards
Fire safety starts with leadership. You as the business owner can not pass inspection for your building without adhering to fire safety codes. Keeping everything in working order and up-to-date is important, as well as going over fire safety procedures with your staff.
Last but not least, installing a security system that is monitored and fire alarms that are hard-wired ensures that help is on the way, no matter the circumstance.
3) Equipment Malfunction
Whether you own a butcher shop, a grocery store, an office or something in between, hazardous machines can be found everywhere in a work environment.
Making sure that all equipment passes inspection and having a first-aid station ready to go, as well as an alarm system in place to call for help when needed, are great ways to keep your employees safe. It goes without saying that routine safety checks and training for new hires address this potentially hazardous equipment
4) Drugs & Vandalism
No matter how hard you try, sometimes you hire the wrong people. You can’t always be aware, so installing and monitoring security cameras is a huge help in detecting vandalism and theft. Security cameras are both a deterrent as well as a solution.
5) Stealing
Theft! Oh boy – whether it is your employees or your customers who steal, it is extremely disappointing. Having instant access to security footage – a live feed – can help you detect patterns and catch a thief in the act.
6) Roberries
Not all robberies happen at banks. Other businesses can also be targeted – having a panic button for your employees to keep them safe is a must – just read this story of Heather who survived an armed robbery. This traumatic experience has made Heather a force to be reconned with as she is now spear-heading Myrtle beach Self Defense, but the sad part is that she has already begged her employers to install panic buttons for the safety of herself and her staff and they had simply refused.
Talk to us about protecting yourself and your staff.
7) Informational and Cyber Security Breaches
Last but not least, security breaches also involve internet breaches, WiFi hacking, and other online dangers. While we do not have a solution for cybersecurity at Strand Security, we do want to help raise awareness of this growing threat against your business. Not having a secure Wifi system leaves you open for all sorts of misery.
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
