How To Integrate Your Home and Your Car Systems for Security and Safety
Smarthome Technology for your… Car?
Say what? Can you really integrate your car alarm system with your home security system?
Yes, now you can with Alarm.com and the latest smarthome technology. The program is called ‘Connected Car’. Learn more about it here in this article!
Connect Your Home And Car System
Why would you want to connect your home and car systems? Well, let us count the reasons!
- Track a vehicle’s location
- View engine status
- Analyze fuel efficiency
- Connect car and home on one easy-to-use-app
Real Time Car Status
Want to know what is happening with your car, in your car and where it is?
Connected Car offers customers 24/7 awareness—even when the car is parked and the engine is off—thanks to a dedicated cellular connection and backup battery. Now when your elderly parent, the babysitter or your teenager drives the car, you have the data you need for peace of mind!
Driver Safety Alerts
Next, you can monitor your car as it drives. This is great for parents with a new teenaged driver, or an elderly parent, a nanny or if you are a business owner with a fleet of cars driven by employees. You can monitor speed, mileage, location and more.
Trust us, this will be worth every penny!
The Alarm.com Mobile App Connects It All!
Connected Car allows customers to easily track their vehicle’s location, monitor its diagnostic health and receive alerts for speeding, towing and more—all from the Alarm.com mobile app.
APPLE: Download on the App store
ANDROID:Get it on Google Play
How Can You Get Connected Car from Alarm.com?
If you already have an Alarm.com system, it’s as easy as connecting with us at Strand Security. You need a car device that connects with your home system. Easy-peasy. let us know you want it and we will order and install it for you.
3 Valentine’s Day Tips To Secure Your Home While You Are Celebrating
Do You Have Plans for Valentine’s Day?
Happy Valentine’s Day! We wish you a wonderful day with the one you love. How will we spend Valentine’s Day? We will take time to be with our family!
Valentine’s Day is a great time to stop and thank those we love and those who have a daily impact on our lives.
At Strand Security, we love our customers, we love our staff and we love our community.
Valentine’s Day is a great time to let someone know you care. And what says ‘I care’ more than helping someone stay safe and secure? Here are 3 tips to secure your home while you are celebrating Valentine’s Day, or not!
1. Don’t Announce Your Valentine’s Day Plans Online
It seems so simple! Yet many people, teenagers and adults, make this mistake: they will announce their plans to go somewhere, online! Criminals do monitor social media and someone might see your post and know you are away for the day or the evening!
Posting your Valentine’s Day plans online is just not a smart move. Instead, wait until you are home to post pictures or a status.
It’s a simple way to secure your home and we certainly don’t wish a burglary on anyone! Holidays are prime days for criminals: they know people are excited, distracted and often let their guard down. Don’t be that person that is targeted!
2. Arm your System When You Leave
If you have plans to go out and celebrate Valentine’s Day, please remember to do this one thing! Nothing will spoil your day or night quicker than coming home to a home that’s been burglarized!
Before you leave for the day or evening, remember to arm your system. It’s a simple thing to do but an equally simple thing to forget as you rush out the door to make it to a romantic dinner. 😉
Arm your system before you leave and have a fantastic date, worry-free.
3. Arm Your System When You Stay In!
Now if you have prepared a lovely backyard Valentine’s Day dinner, or any other home cooked family meal, don’t forget to arm you home! If you are distracted and busy in the home, you still would want your home to be armed, especially if you are in the backyard, or occupied somewhere in the house not near a entrance way. It’s a good habit to get into: arm your home when you are home!
Valentine’s Day Is All About Love!
Nothing says “I love you” more than keeping those you love safe and sound and caring enough to to action.
If you do not have an alarm system in your home, we encourage you to consider the possibilities! Come talk to us and protect those you love.
10 Reasons To Love Working with Strand Security
Hi there, thank you for reading our blog!
This is our last installment of a year-long 12-part series of blog articles to celebrate our 10th business anniversary. The “10 Reasons to Love…” idea came to us long before this pandemic struck, yet has sustained us through it.
Positivity goes a long way when things seem dire.
Check out our previous 11 “10 Reasons to Love…” articles published this year!
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
With these articles, we’ve spread love about community, South Carolina, the Grand Strand, security cameras, security systems, home theatres and much much more!
It’s only fitting that we close out this year with this last article in this series, titled:
10 Reasons To Love Working with Strand Security
We love working with you, our customers! Our wish is to always strive for excellence through service and products choices. here are 10 reasons, you too will love working with Strand Security, now in 2020, or in the years to come!
1 We Serve Residential and Commercial Customers
No matter you security needs, we can meet them! Whether you own a home, a business, a boat or huge mall, no job is too big or too small. We will customize service to what your needs are. We only use brands we trust to protect our own families.
2 Strand Security Is Locally Owned and Locally Operated
We love where we live and we love where we work. We are not a large corporately-owned business, directed by someone who doesn’t understand the needs of our community. We live here, work here and play here. We know when hurricane season arrives, floods or other tragedies strike and where crimes happen. (spoiler alert: crime happens all over Horry County and Georgetown County!)
3 25+ years of Experience in the Security Industry
When you combine the experience of our staff we have a lot of years of experience under our belt in the security industry. We have seen huge changes, particularly in technology used. We started integrating smarthome technology years ago and are thrilled that so many local businesses on the Grand Strand have embraced that technology to further their business and to keep their staff and customers safe!
4 Experienced Smarthome Installation Crew!
We are so very proud of our growing crew of installers! They truly understand smarthome technology and do an excellent job of installing and servicing smarthome systems like the URC system. Their experience goes beyond installation – they are frequently seen helping homeowners and business owners get the most out of their systems! We are all for demos and education!
5 Strand Security Offers Superior Customer Service
Don’t take our word for it, check out our Google Reviews! Our customers love that we deliver what they’ve asked for and that we often go above and beyond. We take pride in serving our customers as your security is our business!
6 We Work With the Most Trusted Brands
If you’ve been an reader of this blog for the past few years, you have seen us recommend brands we trust and use. This is not just an endorsement due to our business relationships. We use these products and we stand by them; they protect the ones we love each and every day in our own homes! We only use the best and the most reliable products on the market!
7 Best value For Your Money!
Strand Security offers great value for your money. We only work with the best brands, the best monitoring system and hire only the best technician to install your systems. We offer the best value for your money on the Grand Strand.
8 The Fastest and Most Reliable Monitoring System
We continue to sing the praises of COPS monitoring for all our customers. Their response rate to emergency calls is one of the highest in the country. In an industry where every second matters, this is an important sign of reliability!
9 A Growing Team with Experienced Staff
Over the years, we added several staff members to our team. We are still growing as we take on more clients on the Grand Strand. No matter who comes into your home to install or service your security system, you will get the best service and care possible.
10 No Job is Too Big or Too Small!
Last but not least, let us repeat that no job is to big or too small for Strand Security! We are only a phone call away and we pride ourselves on excellent customer service. Our customers always come first.
Happy New Year from Our Crew to Yours!
Wherever you may be and whatever 2020 has brought you – good or bad – we wish you all the best in 2021 and beyond!
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
How To Feel Safe and Secure In Your Own Home
Do You Feel Safe and Secure in Your Own Home?
Listen to this ad and let us know how you feel!
Strand Security Radio Ad on WRNN 99.5!
If you can’t feel safe and secure in your own home.
That’s a problem!
Because your home is supposed to be your castle, right?
But the statistics say otherwise!
There are more than 2 millions homes burglarized every year in the United States. That’s about one every 13 seconds.
Home without alarm systems are three times more likely to be targeted than home with alarm systems.
So what does that tell you?
Get an alarm system; feel more secure!
If you don’t have an alarm system, talk to Strand Security. They’ve helped u out here at the radio station.
Our security system? That came from them!
You can go as far into this as you want and make your home or business a smarthome or business, with touch screens, remote control, they got keypads and mobile apps.
They got 24 hour monitoring available, security cameras, commercial, residential. Whatever is is, they’ll take care of it for you and again, make you more secure, well, make you hav one less thing to worry about.
Get a free quote today! Call the people at Strand Security. Free quote at 843-318-6392.
Strand Security Celebrates 10 Years in Security Business!
We started our business in Murrells Inlet in 2010 and this year in 2020 are celebrating 10 years in business! It seems like it was yesterday that we celebrated 5 years – which was about the time we started this blog, as well.
In honor of our 10th anniversary, we are celebrating all year long.
Each month, we will be publishing a new ’10 reasons to love…’ article!
Check out our first 4 articles:
10 Reasons to love the Grand Strand
10 Reasons to love our Community
10 Reason to love a Home Theater
We Are Here For You Now More Than Ever!
During this time of uncertainty, businesses in the Carolinas come together as a community, to help our neighbors.
Here is how we as a local business are ready to help you and your family.
5 Reasons To Never Install A Security System
Are You Wondering (and Researching) Whether You Need a Security System for Your Home or Business?
Stop. Wonder no more! Research no more!
You’ve found it! The answer to many of your questions and the place to ask more questions. We are right here in the Myrtle Beach area. We are local and we have the answers to your security questions!
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of 5 reasons you might have never thought of! These are 5 reasons you do NOT need a security system! How cool is that?
We know that many (new) home owners struggle with this issue – to install or not to install and we decided to make this easy on you. Just check off any of the reasons and if even just one applies, don’t get an alarm system for you home or business.
1) You Don’t Care About Your Stuff
Everything you own can be replaced, including your antiques and heirlooms. It doesn’t matter how much you’ve worked for it, or how much money you spent on it, or who gave it to you – you are perfectly willing to part with any and all items in your home. Whether you lose them because of a home invasion, a burglary or a fire, you are good!
2) You Love Working With Your Home Owners Insurance On Claims
You don’t mind dealing with your home owners insurance to try to replace stolen valuables and broken windows, locks and doors. You don’t mind having to pay your deductible out-of-pocket and you honestly don’t mind spending hours arguing with your insurance over claims.
3) You Carry A Weapon On You Everywhere, Including in Your Home
You have a concealed weapon’s permit and you carry your weapon on you at all times, wherever you go, even in your home. You carry it on you and even when you sleep it’s on your person. You have it loaded – ready to use even in the dark of night. You don’t need a security alarm to sound if an intruder where to enter your home. You sleep on one ear for the very reason!
4) You Trust Everyone Who Works for You
You trust every single employee you hire right from day one; you trust them with merchandise, your customers and your money. Without training your staff, you just know they will do right by you and your company. You also know they would never (unintentionally) leave a door or window unlocked when they lock up for the night because you know they care as much about your business as you do!
5) You Never Ever Go on Vacation or a Weekend Trip
You are home every night of every week of every year and you just never leave your home unattended at night. Why would you ever leave? You work from home so your home is never unattended. How cool is that? Grocery trips and shopping trips to the mall are short and sweet because you know, your home needs you!
All craziness set aside…
You need a security system if you value your home, your business and your family!
Security systems do more than ‘alert you’ when your system is breached!
✓ Call for emergency services when you are incapacitated
✓ Call for emergency services in case of a fire
✓ Call for emergency services in case of carbon monoxide poisoning
✓ Alert the home owner when not home
✓ Alert the business owner when not at work
✓ Allow you to monitor your property via your smartphone
✓ Can turn your home into a Smart Home
- Do you have questions?
- Are you ready to get started?
Give Chuck a call today!
We Have The Best Priced Security Systems on the Grand Strand
‘The Best Priced Alarm System’ – That’s a BOLD Statement, Right?
Well… we at Strand Security are bold, and we are correct!
We certainly do have TWO of the best priced security systems on the Grand Strand – each one of these two alarm systems will set you back exactly $0!
Say what?
Yes, check out what is going on at Strand Security this holiday season!
We are giving away TWO security systems to two lucky recipients and they each will pay all of $0: Nothing. Nada. Zero.
This is our 2nd annual security system give-away because we love to give back to the community!
Our tagline is ‘Your Security. Our Business’ and we mean it.
We love our customers!
Meet Last Year’s Alarm System Winners
Here are the THREE lucky families who received a free alarm system from Strand Security in Myrtle Beach as well as a full year of monitoring by C.O.P.S. last December!
Will your face and name be on one of these announcements THIS year?
Who Do You Know on the Grand Strand That Needs a Security System?
Enter To Win or Nominate a Deserving Friend or Family Member!
This can be a residential or a commercial system.
If you don’t enter, you don’t get a chance at a FREE system and FREE monitoring!
Who Needs A Security System?
Your friend who lives in a secure neighborhood.
Your neighbor who owns a small business.
Your brother who runs a restaurant.
If you are curious if you can afford a security system, check out this article.
Anyone who needs an alarm system or wants one, should be able to have one!
Security (and safety) is our business!
Won’t you nominate someone today?
The give-away runs until December 14 and as stated before TWO lucky recipients will receive a security systems as well as a full year of free monitoring!
Free is good, right?
Think You Can’t Afford a Security System?
How Much Does a Security System Cost?
We get this question often, both here in Myrtle Beach and in Maryland. People just like you want to know if they can afford to have a security system installed. Our answer is
If you want a security system for your home or business, we can help make it happen!
The first step is always taken by the customer – you as the customer have to understand the value of a security system. Once you understand how a security system can protect your family, how it can help you save money in your business and how it helps deter and prevent crime from happening in the first place, you can come talk with us, the experts on security systems!
Think You Can’t Afford a Security System? Think Again!
Many Americans have some sort of disposable income. A disposable income is
“income remaining after deduction of taxes and other mandatory charges, available to be spent or saved as one wishes.”
How are you spending your disposable income? Are you keeping track of the movie tickets you buy, the Mocha Lattes you purchase and drink, the new jean you bought, those candles you loved and purchased for your home…
Do you have a general idea where you are spending the majority of your disposable income?
Take a look at this #infographic to see if you can find ways to come up with a bit of extra cash each month.
We’ve identified 5 places where you could possible save a bit of money to pay for an alarm system if that’s what you are determined to do – and we sure hope you see the value in a home security system like we do!
Coffee
Instead of stopping at those expensive gourmet coffee places on your way to work and purchasing a Mocha Latte, buy a pound of coffee and brew your own! You can save big money doing this consistently – enough to pay your monthly monitoring bill!
Out To Eat
The average bill for eating out is $12.17 p/p per meal! Stay in one night per month instead of going out to eat as a family of four and you’ve more than covered your security system bill!
Alcoholic Beverages
A bottle of wine or a case of beer; whatever you are drinking isn’t cheap! Cut back a bit each week and by the end of the month you’ll have the money you need to keep your family safe!
Smoking
This is where you can save big money! Cutting back certainly will do the trick but quitting will not only give you enough money to install a security system, you’ll be able to afford the best system money can buy including cameras, and still have money left over!
Shopping
Most of us set a budget for ourselves when we go out to ‘shop’. Whether that budget is for clothes, food or fun, we bet there is plenty of wiggle room. Think about the things you want but don’t need and replace some of the ‘wants’ with ‘I need a security system to keep my family safe’ and this should be an easy choice!
You Can’t Afford NOT to Have a Security System!
The way we see it is this; when disaster strikes it is (almost) too late! Why wait to protect what you love most?
Give Chuck a call today at 843-318-6392!
Security Alarm System Give Away
Strand Security Gives Back
What better season for the gift of giving? Strand Security loves Myrtle Beach, the Grand Strand and our friend in Maryland! That is why we want to give back and help keep our community safe!
With the Christmas season upon us, we are giving away three FREE security alarm systems in the month of December! The most exciting part?
We will pick the winners by your nominations.
To nominate someone that is deserving of a free security alarm system, click the nominate button!
You can nominate one person for the give away, or ten! Let us know why your person deserves a system, how you know your nominee, and how to contact you if you nominee wins.
Nominations will be accepted for residents of Maryland, as well as Horry and Georgetown Counties in SC.
Protect Yourself With Strand Security’s Give Away
“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads,
And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap-
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.”
We all know how this favorite Christmas poem ends. But what if you arose to such a clatter and instead of our beloved Santa, it was a burglar wanting to take your gifts while breaking in with a ladder.
Crimes such as burglaries and theft rise as a result of people’s increased financial needs during the holidays. Nearly 400,000 burglaries happen in the U.S. during the months of November and December, according to the FBI. Motives related to thefts in terms of financial need may be a result of wanting to be able to provide gifts and food for their family during the holiday season.
Strand Security would like to provide you with a few key points on protecting your house during the holidays.
10 Tips For Protecting Your House At Christmas
- Display holiday gifts and valuables away from windows. Burglars are looking for gifts under the trees! Do not leave empty gift boxes on the curb for pickup.
- Keep some lights on (best to use timers or motion sensitive lights) to make it appear as if someone is home.
- Install a security system and advertise the fact that you have one.
- Install security cameras. If you are lucky, maybe you will get some footage of Santa and his reindeer.
- Leave the tv or stereo on while gone. Play your favorite Christmas classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
- Keep the garage door closed and locked.
- Add stoppers to the windows and deadbolt locks to the doors.
- Do not make it obvious if you are going to be traveling during the holidays. This includes not announcing your plans on social media!
- Do not allow for mail and newspapers to build up.
- Keep shrubs and trees trimmed back to prevent hiding spots.
Now that Strand Security has given you some tips for protecting your home from a grinch, take the next step and nominate a friend (or yourself) for a FREE security alarm system!
When it Comes to Shoplifting, is Your Retail Store at Risk?
Protecting Assets in Your Retail Store
Retail theft may have a severe impact on your business! According to The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention more than $35 million worth of product is stolen from retail stores everyday. This number is astronomical. That is why it is important to stay aware and be prepared to stop the theft from happening in the first place. Here at Strand Security we want to make sure our local Myrtle Beach and Maryland businesses know what it takes to win this battle. The following statistics will hopefully open your eyes; we believe every retail owner would want to know everything we are about to share with you.
Don’t be a Statistic, Protect Your Assets!
- Over $13 billion worth of goods are stolen from retailers each year.
- Approximately 27 million shoplifters are in our nation today.
- Employees steal more than the customers.
- Only 3 percent of shoplifters are professionals. Shoplifting is not usually planned out.
- Shoplifting can account for about a third of inventory shrinkage.
Protect your Assets by Knowing the Profile of a Shoplifter
There is no actual physical profile of a typical shoplifter. They come in all ages and genders, sizes and shapes, and all ethnicities. Shoplifters steal for many different reasons; some steal out of necessity, some out of peer pressure, desire, and some because it may be a business transaction.
Although you may not be able to pinpoint a shoplifter by their physical appearance, here are some traits and signs to look for in a potential shoplifter…
- Appear nervous
- Wanders the store without buying
- Returns to the store repeatedly
- Avoids eye contact
- Constant watch over store employees
Once you understands the signs, you can now train your employee’s in general shoplifting prevention techniques.
Have your staff
- Greet all customers.
- Stay alert.
- Ask lingering customers if they need help.
- Be aware of where shoplifting is most likely to occur in the store.
Protect Your Assets by Reducing Employee Theft
It is unfortunate that when we hire people we think we can trust, that trust gets broken. Employee theft plays a large role in retail loss. The following ideas and solutions will help prevent or at least, reduce in house theft.
- Make periodic unannounced visits to your retail store.
- Spot-check inventory and cash registers.
- Use a POS system (inventory-tracking system) that tracks inventory automatically.
- Train employees on theft prevention, both employee theft and shoplifting. Let the employees know the company is prepared to detect either.
- Encourage anonymous tips.
Protect Your Assets and Prevent Shoplifting
- Hire Secret Shoppers that blend in with other shoppers.
- Video surveillance cameras. Place cameras at all entrances, cash registers, and throughout the store. You can’t put cameras inside to the dressing rooms, but you can put them just outside. If security systems are put in place, you will protect your investment, your employees, customers and your overall sense of well-being.
- Electronic Article Surveillance is a method that attaches special tags (security tags) to the merchandise. If merchandise exists the store without being removed by a store associate, an alarm will sound.
- Maximize Visibility by using mirrors to eliminate any blind spots. Also, use shorter cases to make sure merchandise is completely visible. Keep your shop tidy and neat, so at one glance you can tell if something is missing or out of place.
- Limit access to display cases and dressing rooms by locking them. This requires associates to be present when opened.
- Implement a bag check policy, which does not allow customers to bring bags into the dressing room area.
- Create a shoplifting policy and post that policy publicly. Post signs with statements such as “SHOPLIFTERS WILL BE PROSECUTED”.
Don’t let shoplifting have a negative impact on your business!
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