Is Home Automation the Smart Choice for Your Family?
How Does Home Automation Make Life Easier? Home automation isn’t an entirely new technology, but it is one that is making great strides in making life better for families. However, many homeowners question how convenient home automation really is. It does involve everything from remotely adjusting a thermostat to turning on a light, but is it really worth it? The following list gives you a glimpse into the conveniences and if they are will help make your life easier. Reduce Stress Have you ever left your home and wondered if you locked the door? If so, you’re not the only one. Home automation allows for smart locks, which means that you can lock your doors from anywhere. If you leave for vacation and you wonder if the doors are locked, you can find out. If any doors are unlocked, you can lock them from where you are. This eliminates the need to turn around just to check the locks. All you need is home automation and a smartphone. Keep Things Peaceful Smart lighting helps keep things peaceful and you can even save money on your power bill. For example, you can put countdown timers on the lights in rooms that are used for short periods of time. Bathrooms are the perfect example. The light will automatically shut off in five or ten minutes. This will prevent the light from being left on for hours and that will save you money on your electric bill. Motion sensors installed in rooms can result in the light being turned on and off as people enter and exit the rooms. Another thing you can do is set lighting schedules, especially when you go on vacation. The lights can be scheduled to make it appear as if someone is home. This will help deter burglars from entering the home. If they do enter, your alarm system can run them off and video surveillance can capture who they are. Your Home Becomes More Accessible Home automation can also be great for those that are elderly or have disabilities. Some of the simplest tasks can be challenging for some people. Automating the home can make a significant difference in a person’s life. Certain actions can be achieved by simply pushing a button. Physical actions are reduced and this can make the home safer for someone who may have difficulty getting around. Stay Aware When you add video surveillance into the mix, you can look at your video feed from your smartphone when you are at work, on vacation, or when taking a walk. You can see what the dog is doing, what is happening in your yard, and what is going on in your house. This gives you peace of mind because you know what’s happening. Save Time Home automation also saves time because you don’t have to run through the house turning off lights or locking all of the doors. You can do this straight from your smartphone. Stand in one place and get it all done. It’s as simple as that. User Fewer Resources When you purchase your home automation system, you are making a contribution to the economy. You are also using fewer resources because you are cutting energy consumption by using only what is necessary at that time. Keep Tabs on the Kids It can be difficult to hover over the kids at all times. Through home automation, you can integrate home video surveillance that allows you to watch the baby while he or she is sleeping or monitor the kids while they are in the playroom. This gives you a lot of peace of mind and can even help you get more done. You Move Into the Future When you have home automation in place, you are moving into the future. As technology advances, your system can advance. That means you will always be poised to have the latest technology. As technology improves, this means that your system will get better and better Every single time you upgrade. Contact A Rochester, Syracuse & Buffalo Smart Home Installer At SPS Fire & Security, we specialize in a wide range of security products, including home automation. If you are ready to turn your home into a smart home or you want more information, call us at 585-770-0348 for a free consultation.
Five Ways to Avoid Identity Theft
How to Protect Your Identity Many people over the years have found that with the busyness of family gatherings, it’s so much easier to do their holiday shopping online. Unfortunately, identity theft via a computer or internet is the easiest way to gain access to an individual’s identity. Yes, just like a home alarm system keeps out burglars, anti-virus and anti-malware software can keep out thieves. Nonetheless, you have to take precautions. Below, you will find five ways to avoid identity theft when using your computer to make online purchases. Also remember that identity theft can also occur if a thief breaks into your home and takes personal documents. Having an alarm system in place will help prevent this from happening and, if it does, video surveillance is a great way to identify the perp. 1. Pay Close Attention to Accounts Always make sure that you are watching your bank and credit accounts. If you notice any unusual activity, make sure that you report it right away. 2. Never Give Out You Social Security Number Most banks and credit card companies will ask you for the last four digits of your social security number. Don’t give it out unless it is a bank or credit card company that you are associated with. That is one of the easiest ways a thief can get access to your account information. You can ask for a callback number so you can call them back and give your information. This can ensure that you are really talking to your financial institution. 3. Make Sure to Shred All Papers with Personal Information If your home doesn’t already have a paper shredder, it would be a great investment. You should be shredding all documents that have any personal information such as account numbers, partial social security numbers, and home addresses. As referenced earlier, a thief can break into your home and steal personal information for the purpose of identity theft. Again, having an alarm system installed can be a major theft deterrent. 4. Make Passwords Secure Never make passwords words or characters that someone could easily figure out. Plus, don’t write your passwords down and leave them around the house so that anyone could get them. Make your passwords words and characters that only you know and don’t give out your passwords to anyone that you don’t trust. 5. Use Protection On The Computer If you do a lot of home shopping from your computer, make sure that you have some computer security installed. Some proper security that you could install on your computer would be firewalls and spyware. Each one of the programs can keep your computer and identity safe from viruses and hackers. Make sure that the programs are updated before shopping online to secure that you have the best safety. Having knowledge of identity theft could save you from any harm happening to you this holiday season. One other way to protect not only you but your children is to teach them about identity theft. Teach your children not to give out any information to anyone that they don’t know or to anyone online. While identity theft is certainly something to watch out for during the holiday season, it defiantly should not keep you from doing your holiday shopping at your own comfort of your home computer. By following these tips, you can continue to enjoy the internet from just about anywhere. And don’t forget that an alarm system is also a valuable component in avoiding identity theft. Protect Yourself Better with SPS Fire & Security Although SPS Fire & Security is a home and business security alarm company, our services can keep burglars out that can steal your personal information. Unfortunately, thieves will acquire credit cards, social security cards, and important documents for the purpose of committing identity theft. To learn more about how SPS Fire & Security can help you, call 585-770-0348 for a free consultation.
Keeping Your Valuables Secure in Your Home
Protect Your Most Important Items We automatically assume that our homes are the safest places for our valuables. This means putting things wherever they land instead of locking them away. Jewelry, for instance, may be stored in an unlocked jewelry box. Important documents that contain valuable information may be placed in a desk drawer or a file cabinet with no locks. Despite how secure you feel at home or how intense your home security methods are, you can never be too safe when protecting those personal belongings that are worth much more than what you paid for them. The following are some tips on how to keep your most valuable items safe: Keep Documents in a Safe Insurance documents, social security cards, birth certificates, the paperwork on that diamond ring, passports, tax returns, and identifying documents need to be locked away. Thieves look for unlocked file cabinets and desks to take documents that could lead to identity theft. Invest in a Home Security System It doesn’t matter how many chain locks and deadbolts you have on your doors, a skilled thief can find a way to get in. Unfortunately, a lot of locks can’t do what a home security system can do and that’s alert the authorities when an intruder comes into the home. Video surveillance can capture their face and even show what they stole if they get past the sound of the alarm. Many times, a thief doesn’t continue once they hear the alarm sound. Don’t Hide Your Spare Key Outside This is another area where an experienced thief is going to win. They know where to find those keys that are hidden under rocks, over top of door facings, around bushes, or under that flower bed ornament. Just don’t do it. Keep a spare with a trusted neighbor or friend. Keep Jewelry in a Safe Whether it’s grandma’s pearls or the most expensive piece of jewelry you have ever purchased, you need to keep them locked in a safe. The first place a thief will look is the master bedroom for jewelry that is lying out in the open or inside a locked jewelry box. Many times, they’ll grab the entire jewelry box and run so they can sort through it later. Video Surveillance Video surveillance was mentioned before, but it deserves another mention because you can’t lock your flat screen TV in a safe. The light weight of some electronics makes them easy to steak. Even if a thief decides to continue despite the sounding of the alarm, you can catch their face on video. It’s amazing how many burglars are caught because of good video surveillance. Forget the Mattress The mattress is another hot spot thieves will look. If you hide money or other valuables under your mattress, you can expect a burglar to find them. Kitchen Items Belong in Cabinets It can be tempting to hide items in those small cabinets that are up high in your kitchen. Burglars know this trick, too. They also know that that junk drawer may be hiding something valuable. Even if you have a lot of drawers in your kitchen, you can expect a thief to search, especially when there isn’t a security alarm shortening the amount of time they have to rummage. That Small Safe is Not a Good Investment It is fantastic to buy a safe. It is one of the greatest investments you can make. It is secure and it is fireproof so that your belongings are protected. However, the safe isn’t going to help you if it is small and not bolted down. You want to invest in a large safe that can be bolted to the floor. Not only would it be an extreme hassle for a burglar to unbolt the safe, but it would be too large for them to carry it. They would have to wheel it out on a dolly. Even that can be nearly impossible because of the weight. It can also be nearly impossible due to the fact that someone would see them wheeling a safe out of the house, and it would most likely involve multiple people. It’s not worth a burglar’s trouble to take a giant safe out of a house. So, here are some tips to help you keep your valuables secure in your home. Even with a home security system, which will most likely deter a burglar from the start, you don’t want to leave anything laying out that could be grabbed quickly. Yes, your home is the safest place you can be, but anything can happen when you’re not home. It is better to be safe than have to deal with the consequences of a thief’s disregard for you and your property. Contact An Experienced Security Alarm Company Today SPS Fire & Security cares about you and your belongings. To protect what is important to you, a quality and affordable security system is the answer. To learn more, call today at 585-770-0348 for a free consultation.
Fire Extinguishers, Fire Plans, Fire Alarms, and More
During Fire Prevention Week, which occurs each year in October, your children are educated at school about fire alarms, fire safety plans for their house, the do’s and don’ts of fire safety, and a whole lot more. One question that we as parents should ask ourselves is what would happen if there was a fire? Would your children know how to use a fire extinguisher? Or if the smoke alarm was falsely tripped, would they know the security password to tell the alarm company? Monitored Smoke Alarms Any fire department, home contactor, or security alarm company would tell you that any smoke detector is better than no smoke detector. If you have children at home, the best detectors to have would be ones that can monitor fires. This means that even if you burn toast or forget the cake in the oven, the alarm will sound and be signaled to your alarm company. When that happens, the alarm company will call you and you must provide them with your security password. When the company calls, you can give them your password and explain to them that it was false alarm so they don’t call the fire department. Monitored smoke alarms are better to have rather than simple standalone ones that only beep when triggered by smoke, especially when children are in the home. Knowing How to Use a Fire Extinguisher It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to fire safety. Plus, it is never too early to teach your children to use a fire extinguisher. If your home doesn’t already have a fire extinguisher, it would be a good idea to consider getting one. Some of the simplest fires can be put out with a fire extinguisher and save many of lives. You and your family can learn how to use a fire extinguisher by either contacting your local fire department and having someone from there show you, or you can watch the video below. Having your children know how to use an extinguisher will make you, as a parent, feel a little more at ease with them at home. Fire Plans Every home should have a fire safety plan. A fire safety plan is also known as a fire escape plan or, as firefighters call it, “Knowing Two Ways Out.” A fire escape plan can be as simple as you as a family would like it to be. Practicing it every year at least two to three times will help all members in your family be safe, especially when little kids are involved. If you haven’t already practiced your escape plan for this month, you should make a point to get your family together and practice. For any questions regarding monitored fire alarms contact SPS Fire and Security and, for fire extinguishers and where to get one, contact your local fire department. Both will be able to answer any questions you have. Contact An Experienced Fire Alarm Installer At SPS Fire & Security, fire safety goes well beyond Fire Prevention Week. We help you choose a system that works for your home and budget and then we install it for you. To learn more about our services, call us at 585-770-0348 and get a free consultation.
How to Evaluate Your Level of Home Security
Is Your Home Secure Enough? Your home security is everything because your home is where you and your family should feel safe. Without the proper security, you risk being the target of a thief and that can seriously compromise your sense of security. Below, you will find a checklist that will help you make sure that your home is secure as possible. The Checklist Every door has a deadbolt Doors and door frames are free from damage caused by wear and tear and weather The construct of the doors is sound Lock doors when you are not at home and when you are inside the house Exterior doors should have hinges on the inside Sliding doors and French doors should have secondary locks Windows and window frames should be in good condition and not rotted Secondary locks should be in place on double-hung windows The door between the garage and the interior of the house should have a deadbolt Fence gates need to be locked, preferably padlocked Trees are trimmed back to prevent access to the roof Shrubs should be trimmed down to make it harder for trespassers to hide Shrubs should be kept below window ledges Lights around the perimeter of the house can deter trespassers Lights should be on inside the house and on timers when you’re away You should have a home alarm system integrated into your home Ensure you have 24/7 monitoring attached to your alarm system Make sure that those who need to access your house have keys instead of hiding keys around the exterior of the house Privacy fencing shouldn’t be easy to climb Fencing should not be broken Have home video surveillance cameras installed outside the home and inside the doors Motion detectors can trigger lights Strong locks should be placed on outside buildings and detached garages Attached garages should have additional locking mechanisms on the garage door Make sure outside valuables, such as lawn mowers, are locked away Windows should have window restrictors installed so they can’t be opened beyond a certain height If you are lacking in any of these areas, rectifying them can be the difference between being a target and not being a target. Get a Professional Security Check You can opt for a professional security check. A good security alarm company will come to your home and evaluate vulnerabilities for you so that you can have a security system installed that will make your home safer. There are different elements you can integrate into your system, such as video surveillance, motion sensors, and total home automation. How much or how little you opt for is up to you, but it is difficult to put a price on keeping you, your family, and everything inside your home safe. Stay Away from These Deterrents There are some burglar deterrents that don’t work so well. It is good that you know what these are so that you know not to use them. Those failed deterrents include: Posting company alarm signs – You don’t want to give a burglar any clue about your alarm system because that information can be used to bypass your system. Instead, you can post a general alarm or monitoring sign so they know you are being watched. Don’t hide valuables in your bedroom – Professional thieves know that you’re hiding your belongings in your bedroom. That’s one of the first places they will go. They know jewelry boxes, money under the mattress, etc. are there. Leaving the lights on non-stop – If the same lights are on all the time, a burglar that is casing the house will catch on. Installing timers is ideal. Stopping mail delivery – Not seeing mail delivered to your house is a clue you’re not home. Have a friend or family member stop by your house each day. Give them a key to take the mail inside. Don’t forget to give them the security alarm code. This person can also come at random times to avoid a pattern that a burglar catches onto. It is good to have a house sitter who can stay there much more often. Getting a huge dog – Big dogs are nice, but they tend to not always go crazy like small dogs. Small dogs are hard to calm down when someone is at the door. Protect Your Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse Home Today! So, there you have some ways to keep your home as safe as possible. By instituting the checklist and avoiding the things that you shouldn’t do, you can achieve the level of safety that you need to feel as secure as possible in your home. To learn about your security options, call SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 for a free consult.
What Smoke Detector Better Suits Your Home?
Choose the Right Smoke Detector If you are like many people, you probably didn’t know that there are different kinds smoke detectors, which means you would probably go to the hardware store and get the first one that you see. Every year, there are many people either injured or killed due to home-related fires. The reason for that is because either the smoke detectors didn’t work properly or the homeowner didn’t have the proper smoke alarm installed. Knowing more information on the different smoke and fire alarms and which type best suits your home will have a better impact on saving your life in the chance that there is ever a fire. Where Can I Get Smoke Detectors? Smoke detectors can be purchased at any hardware, home supply or general merchandise store located near you. Some fire departments offer smoke alarms at little or no cost. Get High-End Fire Protection! Where Should Smoke Detectors be Located? Every home should have smoke detectors and they should be placed on every level of the home including the basement. The detectors should be placed outside every sleeping area and the bed should be no more than twenty feet from the alarm. If there is people in the home that sleep with the door closed, then a smoke alarm should be installed both inside and outside of that room. Two Different Kinds of Smoke Detectors Most people don’t know that there are different kinds of smoke detectors and that each one serves a different purpose. Knowing the difference will have a better chance at saving a persons life. A photoelectric smoke detector uses ultraviolet light, a photoelectric receiver, and a lens. All of the components are arranged inside a vented chamber so that air can flow. If there is smoke, it will move through this chamber. There is also an LED light that sends a beam of light across the chamber. There is a separate compartment inside where there is a photosensor that detects the light. As the smoke enters this area, the smoke interrupts the light, which causes the light to scatter toward the light sensor. This makes the alarm sound. Photoelectric smoke alarms are very responsive to fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, photoelectric smoke alarms are outstanding at providing proper warning for the different types of fires. They give homeowners more time to get out of the house when a fire begins. An ionization smoke detector contains americium-241 in a very small amount. It is housed in an ionization chamber. This produces an electric current between a pair of metal plates, which is what sounds the alarm. This happens because these metal electrodes are connected to the battery. When in contact with americium-241, air molecules are converted into positive and negative ions. When smoke enters the alarm, these ions bond with the smoke, causing the alarm to sound. Ionization smoke alarms are typically more responsive to an active fire. This type of alarm can detect a small amount of smoke. If food on the stove starts to catch fire, the alarm is going to detect it. That is why this type of fire alarm is currently found in kitchens. However, this type of alarm may not sound in enough time to allow a homeowner to get out fast. The Fire Alarm Verdict – SPS Fire & Security Can Help After hearing about both kinds of smoke alarms, a homeowner should get photoelectric smoke alarms for their house. Photoelectric alarms will respond faster in alarming homeowners to get out in the event of a fire than ionization alarms. Also remember that your security system has a fire alarm built into it. It is another way to make sure you and your family are safe. If you don’t have a security system with fire and carbon monoxide detection built-in, contact SPS at 585-770-0348 and ask us about how we can make you and your home safer.
Keeping Your Home Safe During Halloween
Easily Protect Your Home on Halloween It’s almost that time of year when the ghouls and goblins come knocking at doors, asking for a trick or a treat. If you aren’t home because you are enjoying Halloween festivities or taking your own children to knock on doors, the last thing you want is for the trick to be on you. Having a good home alarm system on your home is one way to protect it from tricksters with far less than pure motives. However, there are other things that you can do to make sure you’re keeping your home safe inside and out among the Halloween mischief. 1. Inside and Outside – Candles It can be very tempting to light candles inside and outside of the home in order to give it that eerie glow on Halloween night. Unfortunately, Trick-or-Treaters can easily knock over lit candles that are outside and lit candles can also pose a fire hazard inside the house, especially when they aren’t supervised. LED tea lights or strings of orange decorative lights can be great ways to safely light the home for Halloween. 2. Inside – Keep the Lights On When you are out trick-or-treating with the kiddos or you are at that Halloween party you’ve waited all year for, you should leave lights on so that no one knows that you aren’t home. While there may be a lot of Trick-or-Treaters around the house, thieves may try and make their way in through the back or an area they won’t be easily seen. 3. Outside – Surveillance If you don’t already have video surveillance outside, now is the time. This can be part of a good home alarm system. With outside surveillance, you can catch those that vandalize your property. Unfortunately, spray paint, toilet paper, and smashed pumpkin pranks are common on and around Halloween. 4. Outside – Jack-O-Lanterns There’s nothing like having a good old Jack-O-Lantern sitting on the front porch, but do you use real candles? You may want to replace those candles with LED lights so that you don’t have an unsupervised flame outside. Unfortunately, Jack-O-Lanterns can be kicked or tipped over and that means the flame within could escape. 5. Inside – Strange Visitors It is very important that you not let children and their parents inside your home during Trick-or-Treat. A thief may be counting on this because it helps them case homes. All it takes is one peek inside and your home becomes a target. Sitting outside at the bottom of your porch steps is best. It keeps children from having to walk up steps and keeps thieves’ noses out of your business. 6. Outside – Handing Out Candy You don’t necessarily have to stay home in order to hand out candy. If you are part of a church that does a “truck-or-treat” event or any other organization that sets up in a parking lot and hands out candy, that may be your best bet. It keeps thieves from seeing where you live. Just remember that you want to set your home alarm system before you leave so that your home is safe while you’re gone. 7. Outside – Outdoor Lights Make sure your outdoor lights are working. Having security lights and other exterior lights lit up means people with less than pure motives will most likely stay off of your property. If they aren’t working, replace bulbs accordingly. Better lighting also helps outdoor video surveillance pick up vandals and thieves that may come onto the property. 8. Inside and Out – Decorations Make sure that indoor and outdoor decorations are a reasonable distance away from lights. Even if a strand of lights seems safe, it’s just better to be safe than sorry when decorating. There is an unfortunate history of strand lights catching holiday decorations on fire. 9. Outside – Know Trick-or-Treating Hours Make sure you know Trick-or-Treat hours. No one should be trick-or-treating after a certain time. If they are and they are knocking on your door, don’t answer the door. 10. Inside – Lock it Up Even if you’re home, make sure you keep your doors and windows locked at all times. You could be handing out candy on your front porch and someone could be walking in your back door or climbing through a window knowing they have a few minutes without getting caught because you’re busy handing out candy. Let SPS Fire & Security Protect Your Home So here you have ten tips for keeping your home secure and safe during Halloween. It is a fun time of year and there is nothing like seeing happy children getting treated while wearing a wide array of costumes. What’s not so fun is realizing your home has been broken into and that you have become a victim. Remember some key points, which are to arm your home alarm system, keep it locked, never let strangers inside of your house, and keep everything safely lit up. To learn more about how to protect your home, call us today at 585-770-0348. We serve the Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo, NY areas.
9 Tips to Prevent False Alarms
Stop False Alarms Before They Happen A false alarm can be irritating, but can also result in others being inconvenienced. False alarms startle household pets and irritate neighbors. A false alarm is also an inconvenience for emergency services and others that they need to serve. Excessive false alarms can even cause a person to not want to use their alarm system in fear it is going to go off. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent your home security system or business security system from being triggered in a non-emergency. 1. Remember Your Codes A lot of false alarms are caused by users entering incorrect keypad codes. To prevent this, always know your code. Make sure it is something that every person in the home can remember. For businesses, employees are given their own codes and can choose something they remember. If a code changes, make sure everyone who needs to know knows. You can keep a list of codes somewhere in the house that is safe. 2. Secure All Doors and Windows Keeping doors and windows shut is a smart security process, but so is making sure they are closed before activating the security system. Before opening a window or door, make sure the alarm system is disarmed. You may also want to make sure that children aren’t throwing balls or hitting windows in rooms where the windows may have sensors. 3. Let Visitors Know the System is Armed If you have house guests over, let them know if the system is armed. This will prevent them from going out a door or opening a window. If your guest is staying with you, make sure they are comfortable with arming and disarming the system. Don’t forget that you will have to inform the babysitter, dog walker, or anyone else permitted to go in and out of your home of how the system should be armed and disarmed and what steps to take. 4. Remove Stray Objects from Around Motion Detectors Before arming your system, make sure there are no objects around motion sensors. For example, a floor vent could be below a curtain and the curtain may be within the line of sight for the sensor. When the heat or air kicks on, it could move that curtain and cause the system to be triggered. Shorter curtains can solve this problem. The same applies to any plants near sensors that may also be near floor vents. 5. Manage Pets You can opt for pet immune sensors or ensure that pets stay within a certain place. If a pet walks in front of a sensor, they may trigger the alarm system. Pet immune sensors will ignore a pet up to a certain weight. If you don’t have a good place to put your pet while the system is armed, the pet immune sensors may be exactly what you need. 6. Replace the System Batteries Regularly You will receive a warning when the system batteries are weak. Keeping the batteries in check means preventing false alarms. The good news is that system batteries last a very long time before they need replaced. 7. Watch the Weather It is possible for Mother Nature to set off an alarm. An electrical storm, strong winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes can cause enough commotion that the alarm system is sounded. If you notice the weather is going to be bad, you can disarm your system until the weather event is over. While this cause for a false alarm is rare, it is still something to keep in mind. 8. Damaged Equipment While around 70 percent of false alarms are due to user error, there are times equipment can become damaged. If that happens and the equipment is malfunctioning, you can contact your security alarm company immediately so that the status can be checked and the affected equipment replaced. 9. Use Your System Regularly The best way to prevent false alarms is to use your home security system regularly. When the system is used daily, everyone gets comfortable with it and the odds of user error is decreased exponentially. When people get used to using their system, they are most likely not to have problems. You can also utilize the aforementioned tips to maximize the chances of avoiding a false alarm. Contact Our Experienced New York Security Alarm Company At SPS Fire & Security, your safety is most important to us. We want you to make sure that your home or business is safe and secure. To learn more about our affordable state-of-the-art solutions, call us at 585-770-0348.
Safety on Social Media When Going on Vacation
Watch What You Share On Social Media Platforms Safety when posting on social media when going on vacation should always be at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Once again, school gets in session and there are many holidays that follow. There is Columbus Day, which has a three-day weekend for some; Thanksgiving; and Christmas, which can have a week or more of vacation. Each one of those holidays is about a month apart and takes a lot of planning. Starting with Columbus Day, many families will take a small three-day vacation to catch their breath from all the hustle and bustle of life. Some might go camping for the last time or just go to a family spa resort for some downtime. Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the biggest holidays where you have families that are traveling to see other families, whether it be in another town or in a different state. As much fun as we have during all three holidays, we have to be careful of what we post on social media. So many people look to social media as a way to communicate to their friends and families. While that is a good idea, it is also a good place for a burglar to grasp that your home is not being protected by another person or remote security monitoring. This is why safety on social media while on vacation is such a major issue. Social Media Tips for Protecting Your Home As a homeowner who loves social media, what can you do to protect your home from anything happening? Many of us, while on vacation, will try not to use our social media so we can have family time. However, we know that does always work. Some things to do include not going on at all, uninstalling certain apps from your phone that could peg your location if you have a Smartphone, or not bringing your phone at all. We all know that last one is impossible since your phone is also a way to keep you safe. You can also use your phone for remote security monitoring of your home through a special app. Here are some tips to help you out: 1. Go on Vacation Quietly Don’t broadcast on social media that you are leaving. Many of us going on vacation like to announce when and where we are going to be, but that’s just not a good idea. We like to be able to go on social media to get feedback on certain activities or events that are going on in the area we are vacationing. Safety on social media when going on vacation is always a priority for most families and doesn’t have to limit your good time, if you follow some simple rules of thumb. When you and your family are on vacation, don’t post any information or pictures until you get home. If you are making post on social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other sites, burglars can use much of that information as a target to your home. 2. Stay Safe On Social Media When Going On Vacation If you feel the need to post on social media, think about who can see your accounts. Make changes to secure your profile. Currently Smartphones come with GPS trackers, so if you have it on, it would be in your best interest to switch it off. This setting usually exists under location settings in your phone. Staying safe on social media when on vacation should always be a priority. When your mail gets backed up because you can’t get to it for a week, your home becomes a target because it makes it obvious no one is there to get the mail. You can have the post office hold your mail. You can also notify your newspaper and tell them to stop delivery for the week you’re on vacation. If you don’t want to do this, make sure a friend, neighbor, or family member can get your mail everyday. You may also want to consider putting your lights on a timer and ask a friend, family member, or neighbor to keep an eye on your home. If you know anyone trustworthy who will house sit, that would be great. 3. Don’t Post at All or Overpost Don’t check in to any location on your Facebook or Instagram. If you don’t want that to happen, you need to turn the location GPS off so it doesn’t automatically locate you. Plus, you don’t have to post every picture that you take while you are on vacation. Save all your photos and post the best ones when you get home. The more you upload to your accounts, the more you are leading a burglar to know that you are away. These are all great ways to stay safe on social media when going on vacation. The less you say, the more you and your home are staying safe. 4. Contact Your Security Company When you and your family are going to be away from home for an extensive period of time, contact your security company. If there is any unusual activity that comes through to your security company, they will get in contact with you and you can verify that it is someone that you know at your home. 5. Opt for Remote Security Monitoring You are going to feel a lot better if you can keep an eye on your home while you’re away. You can keep track of your security system and even video surveillance through your smartphone on vacation so that you know everything is okay. As we start planning our upcoming holiday vacations, let’s take a few minutes to think about what we want to come home to. We could either come home to a place that was well-kept and watched over by someone that is responsible or we could come home to our place being broken into. It all leads to what you post on social
What Can Security Cameras See?
The Answer Isn’t As Simple As You Might Think We live in a time where home security is everything. With the high number of break-ins that have been occurring all over the country while homeowners have been at work, vacation, or simply running a few errands, it is important to make sure the home is secure. Security cameras can help protect your home or business. Some homeowners have experienced break-ins while at home and this can make for a very scary experience. Imagine being at home watching television or sleeping and then suddenly being met with a burglar. Nothing is ever the same after such an experience. If a break-in occurs, a security system alarm can run them off before they get any further. Most of the time, the presence of the alarm serves as a deterrent for a burglar. They are looking for homes that don’t have home security systems. They are especially looking for the presence of home security cameras. Benefits of Home Security Cameras There are a number of benefits to home security cameras that you should be aware of. They are: They keep the bad guys away – Just the sight of an outdoor security camera will help keep the home from being a target. There is a good chance that a burglar will case a home before they rob it. If a camera is spotted, they will most likely have a change of heart, if you want to call it that. Evidence – Home security cameras record footage that can be used as evidence to help the police capture the burglar. The footage can also be used to recover the stolen items. Keep track of family – You can access your cameras remotely so that you can keep an eye on your kids or any elderly relatives that are in the home. Check in on Fido – If you have pets in the house, remotely accessing your cameras is a great way to see how your pets are doing. Dogs, especially, can get into some mischief. You can see exactly how your pet passes their time. Save money on homeowner’s insurance – When there are cameras present in and around the home, your insurance company will love it. It is possible to save 15% or 20% on your insurance rates just by taking this step to deter theft. Peace of mind – You get the peace of mind that you and your family will be safe and that you have a lesser chance of having to track down your belongings. As you can see, there are many benefits to having home security cameras in and around your home. The Legalities of Recording People Of course, you have the right to record people who come onto your property. That right is further enhanced by the fact the video cameras are visible. This tells them that they are being recorded. If they don’t want to be on video, then they shouldn’t step foot on the property. In regards to audio, there are states that require dual consent before a person is recorded speaking. Fortunately, New York is not one of those states and that means that the presence of the camera is enough. Of course, there are going to be legal issues if a camera is placed in the bathroom, but no person who wants to secure their home is going to ask the security company to do such a thing anyway. The cameras can be placed around the exterior doors of the home and in areas like the kids’ playroom, living room, and the area inside the outside doors so that if an intruder comes in, they can be taped coming into the home from the inside. Of course, SPS Fire & Security will advise you on what you can and can’t do and the best places to locate your home security cameras. What Exactly Can Cameras See? Hi-definition video is important because you want the clearest picture possible. You have probably seen video footage from convenience stores and banks on the news that is grainy. The higher quality the camera, the better the footage. Nonetheless, a camera can see who is coming in and out of the home, what they are holding in their hands, people who come to the door and knock, and even license plate numbers if the camera is pointed to the area where people park in front of the home. From a burglar’s face and what they take out of the home to the car they are driving and the license plate number can be recorded. Turn to SPS Fire & Security for Protection SPS Fire & Security integrates state-of-the-art technology into your home or business so that you are protected. We serve homes and businesses in the Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo areas of New York. To learn more about how we can help you, call us at 585-770-0348 for a free consultation.