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.
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!
Does Your Home Need A Security and Safety Tune Up?
Conduct a Home Audit To Get a Security and Safety Tune Up!
How secure and safe is your home for your elderly relatives, your teenagers, your baby or your pets?
If you aren’t sure what to answer, maybe it’s time for a home audit!
An audit is an official inspection.
To conduct a home audit for security and safety means conducting a thorough check up on the overall security and safety of the inside and outside of your home, identifying any problem areas to address.
Have you ever done a home audit?
This article will tell you how to do a home audit for security and safety.
Weekend Project To Make Your Home More Secure!
Are you ready to make your home more secure?
Here is how to do your audit.
- Create a spreadsheet, or use a clipboard with paper to document your findings.
- Find a partner to help you!
- Divide your home in sections.
- Start from the bottom and go up, or start at the top and go down, or start on the inside and go out.
- Check for possible security issues; check windows latches, deadbolts and locks, hatches, screens. Push, pull and pretend to break-in to your own home!
- Check the location of your security cameras if you have any, and look for blindspots.
- If you do not have security cameras, note what areas in your home you might need them installed.
- Test your home security system.
- At night, check all lights and sensors.
- Outdoors, check the entrance to garage and position of bushes and trees near the home that could be used as hiding spots
- Check your outdoor shed, and any equipment. Is it secure?
With the findings of this audit, make a plan to update or replace broken locks, replace burnt out light bulbs, adjust sensors and talk to an expert about security cameras.
Weekend Project to Make Your Home Safer!
The same way you conducted a home audit for security, you can conduct a home audit for safety.
Get started the same way with either a spreadsheet or a clipboard with paper to document your findings.
Then do this:
- Find a partner to help you!
- Divide your home in sections.
- Start from the bottom and go up, the top and go down, or the inside and go out.
- Look at your home from the perspective of being elderly and less-mobile, a teenager, or a crawling baby.
- Check for possible safety issues; sharp objects, fire hazards and places someone could trip and fall.
- Test smoke detectors and CO detectors.
- Make an appointment to have your chimney swept.
- Kitchen are often a safety hazard! Check for a fire extinguisher.
- Check your home for things left out that could pose a safety risk to elderly family members, teenagers, small kids and pets: matches, knives, guns, cleaning agents, prescription drugs, alcohol, poison and more. Note the location of these items!
- If you have a pool, make sure all gates lock securely and you have a pool alarm that works.
NOTE: This is not a complete list. Be a home detective and really look around for falling and tripping hazards and bend down and look up for things that could be hiding in plain sight.
Make a list or repairs and spend a weekend completing them.
Implement Changes and Be Safe and Secure in Your Home
While small changes are just that, small changes to your home for security and safety reason could end up saving your life of that of a person in your family.
You never know what might happen!
Home Safety and security first!
Let us know if you need help with securing your home.
We install alarm systems, security cameras and complete smarthome systems to help you keep those you love safe.
How To Be Safe at Home During a Pandemic
Social Distancing, Self-Quarantine, and Shelter-in-Place
No matter where you live or work, chances are that you’ve been affected by COVID-19. “In times like these” isn’t a phrase we can use because none of us have ever seen a time like this before. We are in this together, whether we like it, or not.
As South Carolinians, we have dealt with floods, hurricanes and lengthy school closures, but nothing of this magnitude.
Whether you are practicing social distancing, self-quarantining or have been asked to shelter in place, please know we feel anxiety, stress and worries just like you are.
Everyone is Home; How to Stay Safe!
Now that everyone in your household, and perhaps with an extra family member, college student or elderly parents who moved (back) in, is home – how can you keep everyone safe?
Physical Safety
Unless you’ve opened your pool early this year, or you are using power tools, staying safe at home during this Pandemic means practicing and adhering to safety protocols as usual.
Test and change your smoke alarm batteries, tend to fires, and be sure to alarm you home when you are in it!
Watch your kids as you normally would – and remove known safety hazards.
Mental Health
This is a bit trickier. Your mental health is important to be able to function at home for the long haul of being quarantined. Make sure to use technology to connect with loved ones, pick up new hobbies and above all, eat healthily and exercise! If you have a pet, taking care of your pet’s needs or walking your dog also helps relieve stress.
Health
It’s easy to fall into bad habits; while we can’t go out and eat, this is a great time to cook, bake and enjoy some home-made recipes. Do go to the store once per week if possible to buy fresh produce; it’s more important than ever to take in as many vitamins and minerals as possible to boost your immune system!
Everyone is Home; How to Stay Sane!
As far as occupying your time and entertainment goes, we have some ideas to share.
Sound System
Hold family dance parties, create TikTok videos and just move! Use your Sonos sound system to wake up the house and sing!
Home Theater
Pull out old family movies, watch long-forgotten classics or stream the latest Hulu, NetFlix, Disney or Amazon Prime shows and movies. Home theaters at a time like this can offer great relief at the end of yet another quarantined day!
Technology Saves The Day
As far as technology goes, the sky is the limit. Imagine it and you can do it!
- Chat with friends through Facetime
- Jump on a Zoom family call and see Grandma and Grandpa
- Play Bingo with cousins
- Start a game of Cards against Humanity with friends
- Have ‘dinner and wine’ with your neighbors via Facebook Portal
- Go on a virtual museum tour
- Check out remote place with Google Earth
We’ve seen the gamut and encourage you to ‘think outside the box’ to stay connected while distancing.
After all, we really should call it physical distancing, not social distancing!
Stay safe, healthy and connected and give us a call if you need anything.
Locking Up At Night; What You Need To Know Right Now
Home Safety Tips For Families
If you are a parent, there comes a time in your life when your teenager(s) comes and goes without you – this often happens once they get their driver’s license and start driving themselves!
(If you have younger children – rejoice you’re not there, yet.)
Once teenagers get a taste of this independence, they come and go at odd times, often working after school, playing sports or meeting with friends for fun or schoolwork.
When the kids are younger, parents are in charge of locking up at night.
Locking up the home.
Setting the alarm.
Locking up the cars.
Locking the garage door.
However, when you add teenager(s) to the mix, and their ability to forget everything your tell them in about 5 seconds…
Now is a great time to set up a few safety rules for your family’s overall safety and security; call a family meeting!
Who Is Responsible For Locking Up At Night?
Who will lock up at night?
Before you can make that determination, you need a family meeting and a family calendar.
Once you know everyone’s schedule you will know who will come home last and should at least close and lock up the garage.
Don’t forget to include a discussion about locking up the house and setting the security alarm each time they come and go, during the day or night. Teenagers can and should shoulder that responsibility along with you. If they arrive home to an unarmed home, their security and safety is at risk. Always teach your children how to arm the home before leaving and how to disarm it once coming home. They should also know how to speak to the operator of the monitoring company in case they set off a false alarm.
Two more things to discuss with teens about home security.
- Don’t leave your home key laying around anywhere. If you lose your key, it will cost a lot of money to change the locks.
- Don’t give your alarm code to any friends. Never, under any circumstance.
How Should You Lock Up At Night?
For your family’s safety and security, you need to do a perimeter check every evening.
This includes checking all entry and exit points, making sure windows and doors are not just closed, but locked as well. Don’t forget your glass sliding doors, your porch doors and your garage doors.
We also recommend checking your children’s windows to make sure they are still locked as sometimes kids play with those locks and unless you check, you’d never know whether they have stayed locked, or have been unintentionally unlocked.
Once the indoor perimeter check is done, arm your home.
Even if not all your family members are home yet, it’s a great habit to get into; to arm the system even when you are home, and especially at night.
It Is Better To be Safe (at Home), Than Sorry (A Criminal Made It Into Your House).
If you’ve purchased an alarm system, have paid for installation and are paying a monthly monitoring fee, why NOT use the system to keep your loved ones safe and sound at home, right?
It’s just plain smart!
You’d be surprised how many homeowners fail to set their alarm systems on a daily basis.
Don’t be caught unaware!
Be safe and secure at home, always!
Smart Home. Safe Home. Secure Home.
How Smart Is Your Home?
What do you think; are you smarter than your home?
Guess what?
You do not have to be!
Technology is so advanced and has come so far that your home can do many things you might forget, don’t want tot take care of or just don’t even know how to do!
Imagine that…
We offer several products that can make your home smart!
Z-Wave
Z-wave is the wave of the future.
With over 1700 certified Z-Wave products on the market, it’s no surprise the leading US security companies look to Z-Wave to help families stay connected to their homes and to one another. Z-Wave provides a new level of connected security and peace of mind knowing your investment and your loved ones are safe. If you already have a smart device in your home, it may already have Z-Wave inside. Other smart devices can be added to a Z-Wave network by using a smart hub with Z-Wave inside. If you have questions, just ask us at Strand Security as we are here to help you build the smart home of your dreams.
Universal Remotes
If you are forgetful, or easily aggravated with the total number of remote controls in your home, may we suggest you are ready for a universal remote?
A universal remote is a remote control that can be programmed to operate various brands of one or more types of consumer electronics devices.
Check it out! You can ditch the remotes for your
- TVs
- DVR
- Cable Box
- Stereo System
- Blueray Player
- Fans
- Lights
and get ONE REMOTE that does it all!
Best deal? We will PROGRAM your UNIVERSAL REMOTE for you!
Yes. We will.
Hassle free!
SONOS
What is SONOS?
Sonos is a speaker system that streams your music to any room, or all of the rooms in your house. Small or big, Sonos has a speaker that will compliment each room. The speakers are wireless and deliver a smooth and crystal clear HiFi sound that will help produce magic. This speaker system can stream music from your personal music library or from your favorite music services. Sonos have a versatile design and can easily fit anywhere in your house that you want music. Control the music with the Sonos app on your tablet, PC or smartphone.
Check out these three articles on the Strand Security Blog about SONOS!
Home Surround Sound(s) Better With Sonos Speakers
6 Awesome Sonos Tips for Sports Fans Everywhere
How Safe is Your Home?
Do you know if your home is safe for your family and pets?
Let’s look at the ways we at Strand Security can help you have the safest home for your loved one.
Fire Safety
If your fire alarms are NOT wired into your home security system, you run the risk of being caught unaware when your batteries die and thus being caught without a fire alarm. With a wired alarm attached to your security system, you have the peace of mind to know that authorities will be called in case of a fire, even if you aren’t home, or if you are caught in the fire yourself.
Read “Keeping your family safe from fires – Fire Safety 101” to learn more.
Fire Place Safety
Fire places can provide heat and comfort in those long winter months. They are also a potential hazard if not cared for properly.
The byproduct of enjoying a crackling flame is creosote buildup (the major cause of chimney fires) and soot, which can restrict air flow and damage the fireplace chimney. Even a gas fireplace chimney can become blocked by a bird’s nest or other debris. Prevent problems with an annual chimney inspection.
Read about Chimney Inspections here.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Last but not least, carbon monoxide is a truly silent killer. You home isn’t really safe without a carbon monoxide detector/alarm, again hardwired into your security system!
Do you want to know why that’s important? Do you want to know how to prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Read THIS.
How Secure is Your Home?
Last but not least…
Answer this question for us: How Secure is your home?
Can someone easily burglarize your home?
If you aren’t sure, come talk to us at Strand Security!
We can evaluate and give you a few ideas, tips and security system recommendations to secure all that you love!
Even if you live in a so-called safe neighborhood, crime happens and we want to make sure you are “Smart, Safe and Secure” in your home!
Don’t Become a Victim of Holiday Package Thieves!
Have You Been Holiday Shopping From Your Couch?
It seems that no matter where you live; Myrtle Beach, Maryland or Massachusetts the delivery trucks know where to find you this time of year. I bet like us, you rely on UPS, FedEx and the United States Postal Services to deliver the packages loaded with the gifts you shopped for online!
Are You Home When Those Packages Arrive?
If you leave for work early in the morning, these packages will be delivered to your home and left unattended on your doorstep until you come home.
There are TWO PROBLEMS with this.
First off, this alerts would-be-thieves that you aren’t home. Packages left on a doorstep signals to them that the house is empty – not just empty now, but empty aaaaaallllll day.
Second, packages left on doorsteps also signals to them that you have money to buy packages and that you are holidays shopping online. This might spike an interest in your home for ‘future reference’ meaning you might be put on a criminals’ home invasion hit list!
Holiday Packages Get Stolen Right Off Of Doorsteps!
Watch how this happened to a family in St Louis County, Missouri and how savvy the 65 year old thief was! She was caught of course, because of the home security cameras installed in and outside this home, and police have this to say as a warming for others.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Police are cautioning: Tis the season.
“You just think ‘Two-day shipping, I’ll pick it up when we get home from work that night,’” said St. Louis County Police Sgt. Shawn McGuire. “This time of year is really known for this type of stuff. Criminals know that packages are being delivered to people’s houses for Christmas.”
You may expect all those packages to draw criminals, but maybe not a criminal like this one.
“The (surveillance) video shows an elderly woman, almost looks like someone’s grandma,” said the victim, who asked not to be identified. “She just bends down, grabs them like they’re hers, and walks away.”
The victim had three packages stolen from his front porch in Oakville late Wednesday afternoon, just before 5:00 p.m.
His home surveillance camera caught what he and his wife missed: the same black, H3 Hummer passing their driveway four times in less than five minutes. Two minutes after the Hummer’s last pass, the thief walked onto the porch and took the packages.
“If you see any suspicious vehicles following a UPS truck or FedEx truck or you see a car non-stop circling around a certain neighborhood or a street, going back and forth at a slow rate of speed like they’re checking out a house, please get that license plate and call us immediately,” McGuire said.
“No one would expect an elderly (person), whether or not it’s a disguise, it sure looks like it’s just an elderly woman to me,” the victim said. “I would love for people to know and be aware this does happen. You see it on the news and you don’t think it’s going to happen to you. I’m just thankful we were able to have cameras and get some evidence for the police.”
Police suggest having packages dropped at your back door or arrange to pick up them up at the Postal Service, UPS, or FedEx, and let trusted neighbors know when you have an important delivery coming.
Prevent Your Holiday Packages From Being Stolen!
Here is another – local Myrtle Beach – cover story by ABC News about packages being stolen and crime prevention.
Prevention tips:
“If you’re having a package that’s going to be shipped to you, one, make sure that you’re home if you’re able to. If you’re not, try to have it shipped to your place of work or, if possible, have someone that’s a close friend or relative accept that package for you so that it’s not sitting outside,” Crosby said.
FedEx and UPS allow customers to re-route or reschedule their packages, which can be a good option for some people, Lisa Bradford said.
Bradford owns JerriBob’s Mail Service, and she said about half of her customers ask about their packages’ safety.
She has some advice for everyone who shares the same concerns: “Require the signature, especially if there is anything of value. You want to make sure that somebody is home to sign for it. You can also do the scheduling of the delivery.”
The St Louis police also had several good suggestions:
Here are a few things you can do to prevent your holiday packages from disappearing
- Ask to have them delivered to your back door
- Arrange to pick up your packages at the delivery warehouse
- Ask a neighbor to keep an eye out for them and put them inside their house, or yours.
We can add ONE MORE suggestion to this list
- Install a security camera pointed at your front door and use the Honeywell Total Connect App to check in to see if your packages have been delivered. You can then ask your neighbor to put them inside, or drive home to do so yourself!
We Wish You Very Merry Christmas!
We wish you a happy, healthy, safe and secure Merry Christmas.
How Safe and Secure Are Your Home and Business?
Safety First
Where have you heard this phrase ‘Safety First’? We think it’s everywhere. At schools, day camps, day care, at work…
How about your home? Is your home ‘safe’?
Did you know that many accidents happen at home? Did you think that home is safest place for babies, toddlers, kids and adults alike?
Think again!
“Did you know that more than 18,000 Americans die every year from injuries that take place in the home? This makes it the second most common location for such fatalities. Why are home injuries so prevalent? Most Americans are unaware that they are able to prevent such accidents.” via A Secure Life
Prevention starts with identifying the dangers, then improving those hazards, as well as monitoring what’s going on while you aren’t there (keeping an eye on teens, babysitters, older adults and pets!)
Accidents in the Workplace
The same way you might have thought that home is a safe place, many people assume that they are safe at work. Work-related injuries are prevalent however. Here is a list of the top 10 most common workplace injuries! Preventing work injuries will always be a two way street for both employers and employees.
How Safe and Secure Are Your Home and Business?
There are many ways you can prevent injuries at home and at your place of business.
We found this helpful article about How a Remote Security Camera System Can Help Your Business. They include the following three reasons security cameras can help keep your business secure.
Security Cameras will
✔ Prevent theft and break-ins
✔ Improve employee performance
✔ Ensure employee safety
In one of our own articles we read that security cameras can
✔ Monitor Staff
✔ Monitor Customers
✔ Monitor Property
thus adding to that layer of protection for your staff!
Home Sweet Home
Whether you protect yourself, your staff and your loved ones with a security system and security cameras, or not, all comes down to your level of comfort as well as your pocketbook!
We’re always happy to speak with you regarding your options.
Be safe, not sorry!
For a handy security checklist for first-time homeowners, click here.
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