How To Talk To Your Child About Online and In-Person Stranger Danger
While we as parents should be talking with our kids often about stranger-danger, it’s a subject that is often overlooked or dismissed as scary or as a difficult conversation to have.
Many parents rely on the school system to help educate their kids about imminent danger, both online and offline. Professionals encourage parents to keep the lines of communication open and talk with their children often about the dangers of befriending new people in-person and online.
This article provides tips on how to get this most important conversation started. Don’t stop there. Make it a topic of conversation often. Don’t think kids will know it all the first time the subject of stranger danger comes up.
How To Talk To Your Child About Online and In-Person Stranger Danger
Let’s start with the beginning.
Ask the School What They are Teaching and When
Know what the schools are teaching your child about sex, human trafficking, cyber security, human trafficking, abuse, self defense and more. Be aware what they are teaching, at what age, and what might be missing from this line up.
If you know your child has sex ed for a semester, lean in on that and have your own talk with your child. If the school is offering a self-defense class during PE, aks your child to demonstrate some moves and ask them when they should use self defense. Build upon what your child already knows about stranger danger and online danger to star the conversation.
Be Clear, Honest to the Point
Don’t go into too many details when talking about difficult subject. Be clear, honest and get to the point quickly.
Use Easy to Understand Words
At the same time, use easy to understand words and a vocabulary that matches their age. Don’t use hard to understand words unless you are willing to repeat yourself over and over. Explain things in simple ways.
Encourage The Kids To Ask Questions
Take time to listen: Once you’ve explained something about stranger-danger or cyber security, stop to listen. Ask the kids if they have any questions!
Make It an Ongoing Conversation
Talking about stranger danger and online predators is not a one-and-done conversation! Use news stories are a catalyst to bring it back up and to continue the conversation. Let your children read news stories that talk about cyber security, human trafficking, especially if the cases are about kids meeting strangers online. Talk about what went wrong.
Use Examples of What Can Go Wrong
Use real life examples to talk to kids about what can go wrong. Being abducted, opening the door for strangers, meeting someone online who is not who they say they are. Trusting strangers. Don’t ever lay the blame with the kids: always make sure your child knows to come to you with concerns for themselves or a friend.
Talk Not Just About What to Do, But Also About What NOT to Do
It’s easy to say “do this, do that”, but be sure to emphasize what NOT to do! Especially if you talk about using technology to keep kids safe: talk about using security cameras, an alarm system and the importance of phone tracking and being in touch with family members at all times.
Be in the Non-Judgement Zone
No matter what stories you read online about kids being kidnaped, hurt or deceived, don’t judge them in front of your child. Your child needs to know they can come to you even if they’ve made a mistake!
Keep Your Door Open For Follow up Questions
Last but not least – always, always, always keep your door open for follow up questions! Kids are curious and might need clarification. Stranger danger and the danger online predators pose won’t disappear just because you’ve mentioned them to your child. As your child grows into their teenage years, continue education them about these topics.
Arm your child with knowledge, confidence and self-defense tactics!
Heather of Strand Security teaches self-defense classes to kids, teens and adults on the Grand Strand. Email heather@strandsecurity.com for details, and check out Myrtle Beach Self Defense today!
After-School Home Safety Tips To Keep Families Safe and Protected
Kids are going back to school and that means parents who work outside of the home, will have help with caring for their kids after-school.
Whether it’s a babysitter, family member, neighbor or whether your child teenager is old enough to come home to an empty house, it’s important to go voer home safety rules every so often. Take the month of August to reevaluate your family safety plan.
Being aware of potential danger is the first stop to preventing harm!
The Ride (or Walk) Home
School bus safety and rules come from the school district. Take the time to go over the school bus rules with your child so that they know what to expect. It is important to tell your child(ren) to let you know that the ride to and from school isn’t safe any longer for a variety of reasons (bullying, unsafe driver, unruly students, heat or cold)
If you child walks home alone, or with a group of friends, make sure you have a system set up to check on them each day right after they arrive home. Go over the rules (no lingering, don’t bring friends home) so that you both know what to expect!
Kids Home Alone
When is your child ready to stay home alone after school? It depends on each child as well as the area you live in, technology you currently have installed in your home, the maturity level of the child and the state you live in (law)
Read more about how to know your child is safe to stay home alone after school.
If you think your child might be ready to be home alone without a babysitter or after-school care, read this!
Babysitters, Tutors and Neighbors, Oh My!
If you do need to give a babysitter, tutor or neighbor access to your home, it’s important to have a security system installed with a mobile app so that you can have a visual of what’s going on at home!
Hiring a babysitter should not stress you out , instead focus on creating a back-to-school family safety plan!
Strangers at the Door!
Tips about how to handle a stranger at the door, from a previous article here on the Strand Security Blog. We suggest you share the following with your teenager who might be home alone!
1 Take a look at the Stranger.
Try to get a look at who is knocking on your door. You may need to find a window in the house that makes your front door visible or use the peephole if you have one. You must have a way to see who is at the front door without opening it!
2 Keep Your Phone on You.
Have your phone visibly on you for the knocker to see. If a situation should occur you will have easy access to call 911.
3 Call Out to Someone in the House.
“Can someone get the door?” or “I’ll get it”
Maybe you are alone but the knocking stranger does not have to know that! Make it evident that there are others in the house with you. This can deter any planned unwanted activities.
4 Do Not Ignore Them.
Sometimes the first reaction is to just ignore a stranger’s knock all together. However, in doing so, you are silently announcing that your house is empty and now is a good time to break in. So, it is better to say something no matter the time of day. A majority of break-ins occur during the day when people are thought to be at work.
5 Request Their Identity.
If a utility worker knocks at your door, ask for them to prove their identity with the company they work for. You can always call the subject’s company to check if they have sent someone to your house.
6 Do Not Share Information.
Strangers may take advantage of you by saying they are in trouble, hurt or in need of help. As much as we all would like to help our fellow citizens, it may be a better choice to let them know you are calling 911 and help is on the way.
Technology can help in this situation! Read more about which devices can help here.
Cyber Safety at Home
THIS is the time to talk to your kids and teenagers about online safety: cyber security! Not when they start to act strange, not when they are upset, scared or sad. Talk to them before leaving them home alone for extended periods of time!
Cyber safety and security should take an important, prominent place in your back-to-school family safety plan.
Set rules, boundaries and check in often!
House Rules
Last but not least… house rules are house rules whether you are home as a parent, or not! Make sure you instill a sense of responsibility in your child or teenager, to build mutual trust. Respect goes both ways. Always be sure to tell the kids you’ll be checking the cameras remotely if they are home alone. They need to know you can see them or talk with them.
Safety rules about pool usage, opening doors for strangers or or operating dangerous tools are all important enough to warrant a frequent reminder!
Your house, your rules, and that includes rules for friends and rules for pets, too!
After-School Activities!
We wish you, your family, your kids a fantastic 2021-2022 school year. We are here to help you navigate it all. If you need smarthome solutions to keep your family safe, need (additional) security cameras, or a panic button for your employees or elderly parents, we can help you with all of that!
If you are thinking a home theater would be great to have at home, we can help with the design, installation and servicing for that as well! Just give us a call!
3 Tips to Keep Your Staff and Customers Safe in the Parking Lot
Myrtle Beach Crime on Businesses
The crime rate in Myrtle Beach, the Grand Strand, Horry County and Georgetown County is high. Business owners on the Grand Strand and in the Myrtle Beach area need to stay vigilant to keep their staff and customers safe from harm.
Crime on businesses include
During some of these incidents, the safety of staff and customers was in jeopardy.
What is a business owner to do?
We have 3 tips to share with you today. Tips that will simultaneously deter criminals and will give your staff and customers peace of mind.
Parking Lot Safety 101
First, let’s go over some basic parking lot safety tips for those who park their cars.
- Do not talk on the phone while walking through a parking lot. Instead, stay alert.
- Do get out your keys before you approach your car and be ready to enter your car.
- Do not sit in your car in the parking lot. Instead, start your car and drive away.
- If the parking lot is empty when you enter it, park underneath security lights.
- If you are approached in a parking lot, immediately return to the building and ask for an escort to your car.
- Always lock your car.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Don’t park next to a large van or truck.
- If you feel unsafe, return to the building.
- If you notice loitering, report it to management.
1) Commercial Security System with Cameras Keep Staff and Customer Safe
The first and best tip we have for you to keep your staff as well as your customers safe it to hire a security company to install a complete commercial security system.
A professionally installed system will allow you to keep tabs on inventory, customers and staff as they work for you.
Such a system would include security cameras and a mobile app integration, as well as smart technology to keep all the part working together to allow you to monitor from afar.
Having video recording of a possible crime will help speed up the stolen product recovery process. Cameras as well as security signs with a “monitored by XYZ Security Company” help to deter criminals from even approaching your business!
2) Add Security Lights in Strategic Spots in the Parking Lot
Not all security systems include lighting: we highly recommend installing security light systems in your parking lot. Some of the lights should include sensor flood lights that are activated as criminals approach the building.
Other lights should provide ample light for customers and staff to feel safe enough to walk to their car in the dark.
3) Offer Self Defense Classes for All Your Employees
Last but not least, we give you one more tip to keep your staff and customers safe in the parking lot.
Organize a self-defense class for your staff. This can be a powerful way to make your staff feel more secure, more confident and more self-assured when working late at night or alone. Self-defense classes are a great team building activity!
Don’t Wait Until it’s Too Late: Offer Staff and Customer Protection TODAY!
Many of our customers come to us as victims of crime. We are always so sorry to hear about their ordeal and their trauma. Some, not all, crime is preventable. Putting safeguards in place before a crime takes place can prevent a lot of heartache, headaches and trauma, and we aren’t even talking money yet!
Please contact us today and we’ll get your staff and customers the best protection we can offer!
Control your Home Security with this Updated App | Honeywell
Summer Vacation, Here We Go!
As we write this article, springtime is quickly taken over by summer weather, and summer activities are here to stay for the next few months in South Carolina. Myrtle Beach is a great place to work and live and even if you don’t travel far to take a break, there are plenty of gorgeous places to visit on the Grand Strand.
Last year, during our 10th business anniversary, we highlighted South Carolina and the Grand Strand on grand scale! We love this community : we live and work right here alongside you, our customers.
Summer is one of the best times to ‘play’ and be out and about. But before you do, make a safety and security plan. There is no sense in going out to play only to come back to a home that’s been burglarized or vandalized!
Keeping an Eye On Your Home While On Vacation
In this recent blog article on the Strand Security blog, we gave our readers and customers 5 ways to prevent a break in while away on vacation. Preventing a crime is always better than a clean up afterwards.
A home invasion, or a burglary will bring forth all sorts of headache, least of all the feeling of your home and privacy being violated by criminals.
Take these 5 actionable tips before going away this summer!
Monitor a Home While On Vacation with a Mobile App
When you do go away this summer, due to a vacation (or an unexpected hurricane!), monitoring your home from any location will give you peace of mind.
In order to monitor your home, you will need security cameras installed – Strand Security is happy to consult with you on what type of cameras are best for your home, or business.
Wouldn’t you love to know what’s happening in-real-time in and around your home?
You can!
Get the New and Updated Honeywell Total Connect App
Isn’t it time to check out all you can do with the Honeywell Total Connect 2.0 App? Download it today to control and remotely manage your garage doors, thermostats, lights, locks, video doorbell, cameras, and more.
Do you have questions about Honeywell, smarthome technology or any other integration? Our doors are always open. We will be happy to help you monitor your home from afar, or we will monitor it for you!
Prevent Home Break Ins While on Vacation
Summer 2021 Is (Nearly) Here!
As we publish this, summer 2021 is fast approaching. Spring weather has turned into summer weather. Pools are open. School are nearly done for the year. And as the USA is slowly opening back up after a pandemic year, families are most ready than ever to hit the road and take a vacation.
Go on Vacation Without Worry
Homeowners who travel leave behind a huge asset: their home that they love, care for and have invested a ton of money into. This is why protecting the home you love and everything in it is important. A burglary, or break Ins will leave you feeling violated and attacked!
Who doesn’t want to go on vacation this summer, without worry?!
We all want this right?
Reduce the Risks and Make Your Home Less Attractive
In order for a burglar to ‘skip your home’ and move onto the next, you need to be proactive! Make your home less attractive to a potential criminal.
Reducing the risk of a break ins and making it harder and less attractive for a burglar to target you, is not a difficult task. It does take a bit of planning and action on your part. We are going to give you several actionable ways you can help prevent a home break in while on vacation.
How To Prevent Home Break Ins While on Vacation
In previous blog articles, we’ve shared our best summer security tips. It’s always good to revisit some of these tips and hints as we enter the next summer. We know as you do, that family circumstances changes quickly!
Going on Vacation? Read this Today!
The following 5 action items should be high on your list of things to do to prepare before going on your next family vacation. Whether you go away for the weekend and stay close to home, vacation somewhere for two weeks in South Carolina or take a cross-country trip, these tips apply to you! It takes less than a minute for most burglars to get into your home and only 8-12 minutes to get back out and get away!
1 Make it Look Like Someone is Home
When you leave your home unattended for an extended period of time, make it look like someone is home. Leave a dog toy or two out, a child’s ball, and put your indoor and outdoor lights on timers! Arrange with a neighbor or friend to come pick up mail, packages and return your garbage can back to your home. Alternatively, you can have the USPS hold your mail. Don’t forget to notify your newspaper delivery person too because nothing says ‘we are on vacation’ like a bunch of unread newspaper on your front lawn!
2 Clear Shrubbery That Is Close to Your Home
Large shrubs and trees that aren’t trimmed, can hide a person (i.e. a criminal) making it easier for them to enter your home undetected. Before going on your next trip, cut back branches and trim that shrubbery!
3 Activate a Monitored Alarm System
If you have an alarm system, activate it. This might seem one of the ‘silliest’ action items, but you’d be surprised home many homes with alarm systems are broken into undetected because the system wasn’t activated! Make activating your system a habit and a priority! Teach everyone who routinely enters your home to activate your system: it will little room for error!
4 Install Deadbolts on Front and Back Doors
Making it harder for a determined burglar to breakin usually results in the burglar moving on to the next (read: easier) target! Therefore, investing in new deadbolts might make a lot of sense. The longer it takes for someone to enter the home, the more likely they are to move on to another home.
5 Utilize Security Cameras and Monitor with an App
We recommend (and install) security cameras for your home. Ideally, your cameras should be strategically placed in and around your home and be connect to your monitored system. While a monitored alarm system should give you the highest level of comfort and security, monitoring your own cameras at the same time, allowes for additional visual queues of potential danger!
Take That Family Trip and Enjoy It!
We wish you and your family a gorgeous summer and a wonderful and memorable trip, no matter where you go. Go with peace of mind, knowing your assets are protected and monitored by the best!
As always, let us at Strand Security know how we may help you.
Keeping Kids and Pets Safe and Secure at Home
Families Need to Feel Safe and Secure at Home!
Do you have kids? How about pets? Are you expecting a new addition to your family soon? Many of our blog readers and customers have families. We do too! We have three teenagers and we an adorable dog named Henry: you might have visited our office and met him.
During the pandemic, many families adopted new pets as they had more time to spend at home! Having a new family pet brings joy and laughter, but also new responsibility and safety and security hazards.
While we as adults can certainly have accidents at home, we generally know how to keep ourselves safe and secure. It’s a little different for kids and pets: they love to explore new things, and by nature, are curious about the world around them. It’s even more important to set some safety rules and guidelines when you have both kids and pets!
In honor of National Kids and Pets Day on April 26, 2021, we present this article with tips to keep your kids and pets safe at home.
National Kids and Pets Day is April 26, 2021
From National Day Calendar:
“National Kids and Pets Day on April 26th raises awareness of the importance of picking the right pet for children at the right time. It’s an important decision that can lead to a lifetime of bonding between pet and child.
The day also celebrates the bonds children and pets can share and a day remember safety where our pets and children are concerned. There are many benefits of having a pet in a child’s life. From fostering natural nurturing abilities to developing responsibilities, pets have a lifelong impact on a child’s development.
It is also important to remember that small children as well as the pets may not know their limitations and should not be left alone with each other. They should always be supervised to prevent injury to both the child and the animal.”
Safety Rules and Guidelines To keep Kids and Pets Safe at Home!
Never leave kids and pets alone, unsupervised.
This includes indoor as well as outdoor play time! Kids and pets needs to have an adult nearby to supervise their playtime and while it’s tempting to leave the room to take care of chores, don’t. Pets are unpredictable and they can get triggered by your child’s behavior. Take your child with you when moving from room to room, or separate the child and animal (crate or gate, or even closed room) when you are not able to supervise.
Outdoors, always supervise around pools, and in the yard!
Teach your child to not disturb your pet when the pet is sleeping, eating or chewing a toy.
A pet needs to feel safe and secure and when their sleep, feeding time or playtime is interrupted, they can get annoyed, or even aggressive. To avoid this happening, teach your child to leave the pet alone during these activities.
Don’t allow a child to touch (or play with) a pets’ waste as it carries disease
Cat litter boxes look like fun sandboxes to young children. Cat’s waste carries disease and you do not want your child to play with the cat’s waste. At the same time, a dog carries diseases as well: teach a child the proper way to dispose of a dog’s poop.
No rough housing or teasing
While you may play games with your dog or cat that can be labeled ‘roughhousing’, don’t allow your child to play those same games. It is most likely that you as the adult in the home are the alpha. A dog or cat will accept certain dominant behavior from you, the alpha, but not from a child that is smaller. To avoid this happening, avoid playing these types of games in front of the children, as they often emulate what they see! Games to avoid include tug-of-war, picking up the pet and spraying it with a hose.
Dog Bite Statistics To Wrap your Head Around!
It’s hard not to mention dog bites when we talk about kids, pets and safety. Prevention is so very important and that is why supervision of kids and pets at all times is THE MOST important rule to stick to!
Here are some crazy statistic to wrap you head around.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Humane Society of the United States, there are about 4.7 million dog bites every year in the U.S. These bites result in approximately 16 fatalities.
- Approximately 800,000 people seek medical attention for dog bites in the U.S. every year — about 1,000 people require emergency care for dog bite injuries every day (according to a study produced by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality).
- About half of those injured in dog attacks are children. The rate of dog bite accidents is highest for those between the ages of 5-9 (according to the American Veterinary Medical Association).
- Nearly 2/3 of injuries among children ages 4 and younger are to the head or neck region, because of their height. Injuries are higher for boys than for girls.
- According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the number of Americans hospitalized for dog bites nearly doubled over a 15-year period. The average cost of a dog bite-related hospital stay was $18,200. There were 4 times as many dog bite-related ER visits and 3 times as many hospital stays in rural areas than in urban areas.
Prevention is the Key to Keeping Kids and Pets Safe at Home
Installing security cameras is one way to help the adults in your home keep an eye on kids and pets, but it should not replace in-person supervision.
Teaching children the right to play and care for a pet is another important safety measure.
We love our children and we love our pets. We know you do too! Stay safe and secure in your own home at all times!
Who Installs the Best Grand Strand Commercial Security and Automation Systems?
Commercial Security Systems for Grand Strand Businesses
Did you know that Strand Security has been installing Commercial Security Systems on the Grand Strand for over 10 years?
We are not only experienced, we have well-trained staff members who know exactly how to get the job done right! If you need a commercial system, choose Strand Security.
Automation Systems for Grand Strand Businesses
Technology keeps changing: new businesses opening up don’t just need a commercial security systems, they also want automation, the latest security cameras, the best technology and the most reliable brands!
We at Strand Security have been installing Smarthome technology for years, and that includes automation for commercial sites as well. We have installed URC technology for many happy customers along the Grand Strand.
URC technology connects all systems, including POS, audio/stereo, security cameras, security systems.
Learn more about URC here.
Commercial Security Cameras
Why would a new business invest in high quality, well-performing security cameras?
There are many reasons including:
☆ to ensure staff safety at all times
☆ the prevention vandalism of property
☆ safety of guests and customers
☆ real-time notifications of break ins
☆ monitoring of building for fire
and more!
Smart business owners get smart technology and security cameras!
Prevention is the key!
New Business Development in North Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach has been a hotspot for new business development for years! In the past, we’ve worked with several new businesses particularly some that have taken up ‘residence’ at Barefoot Landing. We are thrilled that once again, one sich new business has chosen Strand Security for all their commercial security and automation needs.
Are you looking for a business to partner with? Give us a call today!
Crooked Hammock Brewery in North Myrtle Beach
Last but not least, a HUGE shoutout to Crooked Hammock Brewery in North Myrtle Beach! It was an honor and huge pleasure to partner with you on all systems.
If you are in the area, make sure to go check out this new business – Spring is here: enjoy it!
Come Talk Commercial Systems with Us!
We are here to help you navigate all things commercial security and automation.
Call us for a quote or with any questions!
Crime Happens: How To Deter a Criminal From Targeting You
Crime Happens in Myrtle Beach!
If you live in South Carolina or the Myrtle Beach area, it should come as no surprise to learn that crime happens in our area. We are a transient community with millions of tourists who flock to our shores, and golf courses. That tourist activity invites criminal activity.
Crime happens.
In this article we will give a few tips on how to deter a criminal from target you!
Take Safety and Security Precautions
If a burglar really wants to clean you out and rob you, s/he will and not much will stop them. However, more often than not, criminals will ‘case’ a house and if they see security precautions in place, they will skip you as a target and move on to the next house!
Ways to deter a criminal from targeting your home:
- install an alarm system
- install security cameras
- post a security company sign!
- trim landscaping around the windows and doors
- install motion-detecting lights near the front and backdoors
Ways to deter a criminal from targeting your car:
- install a car alarm
- lock the doors
- park it inside your garage
- or park it on your driveway and install motion-detecting lights.
Next, let’s talk about personal safety!
To Deter Being a Target to Criminals: Look and Act Confident
Always, always, always be aware of your surroundings. Whether you are in a parking lot, busy mall, or going for a run: know who is near you and know where you are going! Looking and acting confident is a good way to deter a criminal from choosing you as their next target.
We further recommend self-defense classes for anyone and all.
The first lesson in self-defense is awareness of your surroundings. Keep your head up, no headphones or talking on your phone while walking in busy places, and know where you are going.
Stopping a robbery or preventing one starts with awareness!
Partner Up with Neighbors and Friends
Last but not least, criminals want an easy target and prefer a lonely target.
When running, or shopping, try to team up with a neighbor or friend.
At the same time, starting a neighborhood watch program is a great way to look out for one another. Sharing information with neighbors about potential criminal activity, and letting your neighbors know when you are away can also prevent crime. Partnering up is a smart way to keep yourself safe and secure.
When Crime Does Happen
If you have an alarm system, and it’s monitored, even if a crime does happen, you have the peace of mind that help is on the way! We highly recommend a monitored system which will alert authorities, in the event you are incapacitated. This can save lives as second, minutes count when crime happens!
If you have concerns about your security or personal safety, comes talk to us. We can customize a system that works for your home, your family or your business!
We are only a phone call away.
Home Security Trends To Watch for in 2021
Happy 2021! While we may not all be happy where we are in this pandemic, at least we can say there seems to be a light at the end of the (long) tunnel.
The 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic has affected everything we do.
How and where we
- work
- learn
- shop
- live
The housing market is booming, and so is marketing, outdoor equipment sales and home improvement, just to name a few industries!
In contrasts, the airline industry is in trouble, along with travel and restaurants.
We are seeing new trends and new technology take hold because of the changed circumstances we live in. Today, we’d like to look at 4 home security trends to look for in 2021!
1. Increased Demand for Home Security in 2021
Indeed! This trends that started in 2020 due to the Pandemic will continue far into 2021. As people spend more time at home, they want to improve their home. Increased demand for home security systems will continue far into 2021. Combine this with the increased home sales as people move out of cities to new places due to the ability to work remote and you have a ‘perfect storm’ and more people looking to connect with a local home security company!
2. Increased Demand for Home Smarthome Technology
As we all continue to spend more time at home, we want smarthome technology! Why not, right? What does this mean? Automation for daily tasks, mostly.
Connecting things like your thermostat, lights, security system, security cameras, shades and audio system so that you can automate through programming, as well as use voice commands to complete tasks. Amazing and smart!
3. Demand for Simplicity and Integration of Smarthome Devices
While the demand for smarthome technology has increased, so has the demand for simpler ways to use and integrate these systems. As children, teenagers as well as elderly relatives are home alone more, the need to keep things simple is evident. Brands are looking to simplify technology with the end user in mind.
It has to be simple and easy to use. User-friendly apps, easy-to-read screens and technology integration for technologically challenged seniors are all ways brands are leaning into this trend.
4. Increased Demand for Health-Related Features To Combat Germs Spread
Last but not least, we continue to see an increased demand for health-related features in our home and home security systems, as well as commercial security systems. We’ve seen the need for increased voice-command features so we can be hands-free and germ-free and temperature screening solutions for businesses. As parents continue to work from home and children continue to learn at home, this demand shall continue to increase and evolve.
2021 Home Security Trends
While this is not a complete list, we are confident that these trends are on-point. Most likely we will see an increased demand in home security systems as more people are relocating. The Myrtle Beach and South Carolina Real Estate market has exploded. So many people who used to be geographically bound due to jobs, are now free to live wherever they wish. Many are choosing the Grand Strand for their new home.
We welcome you and your family!
How to Connect With the Right Home Security Company
Are You Looking for a Home Security Company?
When moving to a new town or state or when you purchase a new home, it might be time to find a home security company to help you navigate the security and safety concerns of your new home.
How do you go about vetting the many choices of home security companies to find the one that is right for you?
This article will give you a few tips to get you moving in the right direction. Ultimately, it’s up to you to find and connect with the best fit and the best company to protect your home and family!
Connecting with the Right Home Security Company
When it’s time to choose a home security company to install and maintain your security system, understand you should always focus more attention on customers service and brand quality, than on price.
Ultimately, just about anyone with a screwdriver can hang a security camera – but it’s the knowledge and years of experience that will tell a professional where to hang that camera and to what system to connect it, as well as diagnose system failures or service interruptions.
Connecting with the right security company means connecting with a company that is interested and invested in your community and will serve your community for years to come.
Here is how we would start a search to connect with the right home security company.
1 Research ‘Local Home Security Company’ Online
Before leaving your home, and don’t we all want to avoid that these days, start your research online. Google ‘local home security company’ and add your location if needed.
Look for websites, Google reviews, social media presence, online reviews and images.
Create a list of several local home security companies.
2 Ask For Referrals from Friends and Neighbors
Next, ask your friends and neighbors for referrals. Don’t just ask ‘Who do you use?’ but ask them questions about WHY they picked that local business and what they love about working with them. Ask them what services they’ve contracted for and how responsive that company is when an emergency arises!
3 Keep an Eye Out for Service Vehicles and Signs in your Area
Last but not least, keep an eye out for service vehicles in your neighborhood. When you take your dog for a walk, try to find signs. When you take a bike ride with your family, look for those service vehicles. take note of which ones are helping your neighbors with their home security needs!
4 Pick Up The Phone and Call
Now that you have developed a list of potential local home security companies you want to give your business to, pick up the phone and call! There is no substitute for a phone call inquiring about services!
You will know pretty quickly if you are getting what is ‘advertised’ so to speak!
Does a human answer the phone? If you got the answering service or a machine, how quickly, if at all, was your call returned? Did you get answers to your questions and a friendly human on the line? Move this company to the top of your list!
5 Prioritize Your Needs and Wishes
Once you have a top 3 of local home security companies you potentially want to work with, make a list of services you need now, and additional services they offer that you are interested in for a future project.
That could includes additional services like
- smarthome systems
- central vacuum
- security cameras
- commercial security
- home theater installation
- and more!
Choose Locally Owned and Locally Operated!
One more point to drive home. We highly recommend asking each potential business if they are locally owned and locally operated. Supporting your local businesses in 2021 is more important than ever.
If you are in the Myrtle Beach area, in Horry County or in Georgetown County, we invite your to give us a call!
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