Is Home Automation the Way to Simplify Your Life?
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 with Home Automation Ever leave home and wonder if you locked the door? Many people do. But home automation can help! It gives you smart locks. This means you can lock your doors from anywhere. For example, if you go on vacation and wonder about your locks, you can check them. If any doors are open, you can lock them right away. This stops you from driving all the way back just to check. All you need is home automation and your 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 with Home Automation Home automation also greatly benefits the elderly or those with disabilities. Simple tasks can become challenging for some people. Automating the home makes a big difference in their lives. Now, they can complete certain actions by simply pushing a button. This reduces physical effort, making the home much safer for anyone who has trouble moving 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 buy a home automation system, you help the economy. You also use fewer resources. This happens because you cut energy use, only consuming what you need at that moment. Keep Tabs on the Kids You can’t always watch your kids every second. But with home automation, you can add home video cameras. This lets you watch your baby while they sleep or keep an eye on the kids in the playroom. This gives you peace of mind and can even help you get more done. You Move Into the Future When you install home automation, you step into the future. As technology advances, so can your system. This means you’ll always have the latest tech. Consequently, your system will improve with every upgrade. Contact A Rochester, Syracuse & Buffalo Smart Home Installer and Make Life Easier with Home Automation 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.
Identity Theft Shield: 5 Ways to Secure Your Information
How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft 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 for Signs of Identity Theft 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 ask for the last four digits of your Social Security number. However, only give it out if you already have an account with them. Otherwise, a thief can easily get your account details. Instead, ask for a callback number. Then, you can call them back yourself to give your information. This way, you ensure you’re really talking to your bank or credit card company. 3. Make Sure to Shred All Papers with Personal Information Get a paper shredder if you don’t have one. It’s a smart buy. Shred all papers with your personal details. This means things like account numbers, part of your Social Security number, and your address. Why? A thief can break in and steal this info to commit identity theft. So, putting in an alarm system can really scare thieves away. 4. Make Passwords Secure to Avoid Identity Theft 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 to Avoid Identity Theft 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 from Identity Theft 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.
Home Security Methods that Keep Valuables Secure
Protect Your Most Important Items with These Home Security Methods 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 Lock up important papers like insurance documents, Social Security cards, birth certificates, diamond ring paperwork, passports, tax returns, and other identifying documents. Thieves often search unlocked file cabinets and desks to steal these papers, which can lead to identity theft. Invest in a Home Security System No matter how many chain locks or deadbolts you have, a skilled thief can still get in. Unfortunately, many locks can’t do what a home security system can: alert the police when someone breaks in. Video cameras can capture their faceand even show what they stole, even if they get past the alarm sound. Often, a thief won’t continue once they hear the alarm go off. 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 Lock your valuable jewelry, like Grandma’s pearls or your most expensive pieces, in a safe. Thieves often look first in the master bedroom for jewelry left out or in a locked jewelry box. Many times, they just grab the whole box and run, so they can sort through it later. Video Surveillance We talked about video surveillance before, but it’s worth mentioning again. You can’t lock your flat-screen TV in a safe, and many electronics are light enough for thieves to easily steal. However, even if a thief keeps going after your alarm sounds, you can catch their face on video. It’s amazing how many burglars get caught because of good video surveillance. Your Mattress is Not One of the Good Home Security Methods 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’s tempting to hide things in those high kitchen cabinets. But burglars know this trick too. They also know your “junk drawer” might hide something valuable. Even if your kitchen has many drawers, expect a thief to search them, especially if no security alarm shortens their time to rummage. That Small Safe is Not One of the Best Home Security Methods Buying a safe is a great idea. It’s one of the best investments you can make. A good safe is secure and fireproof, protecting your belongings. However, a small safe won’t help if it’s not bolted down. You should buy a large safe you can bolt to the floor. It would be a huge pain for a burglar to unbolt a large safe. Plus, it would be too big for them to carry. They’d need a dolly to wheel it out, but even that’s almost impossible because of its weight. Also, someone would probably see them wheeling a safe out of the house, and they’d likely need several people. A giant safe just isn’t worth a burglar’s trouble. So, here are tips to keep your valuables secure. Even with a home security system, which usually stops burglars right away, don’t leave anything out that they can grab quickly. Yes, your home is safe, but anything can happen when you’re not there. It’s better to be safe than deal with a thief’s actions. Contact An Experienced Security Alarm Company Today and Review the Home Security Methods Available 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 Alarms, Fire Extinguishers, Fire Plans, 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 fire alarms were falsely tripped, would they know the security password to tell the alarm company? Monitored Fire Alarms Any fire department, home contractor, or security company will tell you: any smoke detector is better than none. If you have kids at home, monitored smoke detectors are best. This means if you burn toast or forget the cake, the alarm will sound and alert your alarm company. When the company calls, give them your security password. Then, you can explain it’s a false alarm so they don’t call the fire department. Monitored smoke alarms are better than simple ones that just beep, especially with children in the house. 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 needs a fire safety plan. People also call it a fire escape plan, or firefighters call it “Knowing Two Ways Out.” Your family’s plan can be as simple as you like. Practice it at least two or three times every year. This helps everyone in your family stay safe, especially kids. So, if you haven’t practiced your escape plan this month, make time to do it nowwith your family. If you have questions about monitored fire alarms, contact SPS Fire and Security. For fire extinguishers and where to get one, contact your local fire department. Both can answer all your questions. Contact An Experienced Fire Alarms 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.
Is Your Level of Home Security Enough?
Is Your Home Security Enough? Your home security matters most. After all, your home is where you and your family should feel safe. Without good security, you risk becoming a thief’s target. This can truly harm your sense of safety. Below, you’ll find a checklist that will help make sure your home is secure. The Home Security Checklist First, check your doors. Do you have strong deadbolts? Make sure they work. Next, look at your windows. Do they lock well? Add extra locks if you need them. Install a security system. This alerts you and the police if someone tries to get in. Use video cameras. Place them where they can see doors and windows. This helps catch intruders. Get a paper shredder. Shred all papers with your personal details. This stops identity theft. Buy a large, bolted-down safe. Keep important papers and valuable jewelry inside. Clean up your yard. Trim bushes and trees. This removes hiding spots for burglars. Use smart lights. Set them to turn on and off. This makes it look like someone is home. Ask a trusted person to check your mail when you are away. This avoids signaling an empty house. Finally, avoid posting vacation plans on social media. This keeps burglars from knowing you’re gone. Security Around the Exterior First, check all doors. Do they have strong deadbolts? Make sure they lock properly. Next, inspect your windows. Do all windows have good locks? Add extra locks or bars for ground-floor windows. Trim your shrubs and trees. Cut back tall bushes and low-hanging branches. This removes hiding spots for burglars near your home. Install motion-sensor lights. Place them near doors and dark areas. These lights surprise intruders and alert you. Get a security system. Choose one that covers your doors and windows. This warns you and the authorities if someone tries to enter. Add outdoor security cameras. Position cameras to watch entry points. They record any suspicious activity. Use smart lighting. Set outdoor lights on a timer or use smart bulbs. They can turn on and off automatically, making your home look occupied. Secure your garage door. Make sure it has a strong lock. Also, consider a garage door opener with rolling codes for extra security. Lock your sheds and gates. Don’t leave tools or equipment outside. Thieves can use them to break into your house. Finally, post security signs. Place signs from your alarm company in visible spots. This way, potential burglars know your home is protected. 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 choose a professional security check. A good security alarm company will visit your home. They will find weak spots for you. This way, you can install a security system that makes your home safer. You can add different things to your system. These include video cameras, motion sensors, and full home automation. You decide how much or how little you want. However, you can’t really put a price on keeping your family, yourself, and everything in your home safe. Stay Away from These Home Security 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: Hide your alarm clues. Don’t give burglars details about your alarm system. Instead, put up a general sign that says “Alarm” or “Monitored.” This tells them you have protection without giving away specifics. Don’t hide valuables in your bedroom. Professional thieves know people hide things there. Therefore, your bedroom is often their first stop. They look for jewelry boxes, money under the mattress, and other valuables. Use light timers. If your lights stay on all the time, burglars will notice you’re away. Instead, install timers. This makes it look like someone is home. Handle your mail. No mail at your house tells people you’re gone. So, ask a friend or family member to stop by daily. Give them a key to bring in your mail and your alarm code. This person can also come at different times, which stops burglars from seeing a pattern. Even better, a house sitter can stay there often. Consider a small dog. Big dogs are nice, but they don’t always bark as much as small dogs. Small dogs often make a big fuss when someone is at the door, which can scare off intruders. Increase Your Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse Home Security Today! So, now you have ways to keep your home as safe as possible. By using this checklist and avoiding mistakes, you can make your home feel truly secure. 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, home fires injure or kill many people. This happens because the smoke detector either failed or homeowners installed the wrong type. Knowing more about different smoke and fire alarms, and which kind best fits your home, will greatly increase your chances of survival if a fire starts. Where Can I Get a Smoke Detector? 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 about the different kinds of smoke detectors. However, each one serves a different purpose. Knowing the difference can save lives. A photoelectric smoke detector uses ultraviolet light, a special receiver, and a lens. All these parts sit inside a vented chamber, so air can flow through it. If smoke is present, it will move into this chamber. An LED light also sends a beam of light across the chamber. A separate part inside has a photosensor that detects this light. As smoke enters, it breaks the light beam. This makes the light scatter towards the sensor, which then makes the alarm sound. Photoelectric smoke alarms respond very quickly to fires. Some Stats The National Fire Protection Association says photoelectric smoke alarms are great. They warn you well about different kinds of fires. This gives you more time to leave your home when a fire starts. An ionization smoke detector has a tiny bit of americium-241. This sits inside a special chamber. It creates an electric current between two metal plates, which then sounds the alarm. This happens because these metal parts connect to a battery. The americium-241 changes air molecules into positive and negative parts. When smoke enters the alarm, these parts stick to the smoke, and that makes the alarm go off. Ionization smoke alarms usually react faster to active fires. This kind of alarm can find even a small amount of smoke. For instance, if food on your stove catches fire, the alarm will detect it. That’s why you often find this type of fire alarm in kitchens. However, this alarm might not sound fast enough for you to get out quickly. The Fire Alarm Verdict – SPS Fire & Security Can Help Now that you know about both types of smoke alarms, you should get photoelectric smoke alarms for your home. Photoelectric alarms respond faster and warn you to get out quicker during a fire than ionization alarms. Also, remember your security system has a fire alarm built in. This is another way to keep your family safe. If you don’t have a security system with fire and carbon monoxide detection, contact SPS at 585-770-0348. Ask us how we can make you and your home safer.
Halloween Home Security Checklist so You Don’t Get Tricked
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. Here is a Halloween home security checklist. 1. Inside and Outside – Candles You might want to light candles inside and outside your home for that spooky Halloween glow. However, trick-or-treaters can easily knock over lit candles outdoors. Similarly, indoor candles create a fire risk, especially if you don’t watch them. Instead, use LED tea lights or orange string lights. These safely light your home for Halloween. 2. Inside – Keep the Lights On (An Important Item for Your Home Security Checklist) When you trick-or-treat with the kids or attend that Halloween party, leave your lights on. This way, no one knows you’re not home. Even though many trick-or-treaters are around, thieves might try to enter through the back or a hidden area. 3. Outside – Surveillance is One of the Top Home Security Checklist Items 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 is an all-year-round Home Security Checklist Item 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 and Use This Home Security Checklist So here you have ten home security checklist 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.
How to Prevent False Security Alarms: Silence Your System
Prevent False Security Alarms Before They Happen Prevent false security alarms because they can irritate you and inconvenience others. They startle household pets and annoy neighbors. False alarms also bother emergency services and the people they need to serve. Too many false alarms can even make a person not want to use their alarm system at all. 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 Incorrect keypad codes cause many false security alarms. To prevent this, always know your code. Make sure everyone in your home can remember it. For businesses, employees choose and use their own codes. If you change a code, ensure everyone who needs to know learns the new one. You can also keep a list of codes in a safe place in your house. 2. Secure All Doors and Windows and Prevent False Security Alarms Entering incorrect keypad codes triggers many false security alarms. Therefore, memorize your code and make sure everyone in your home knows it. Likewise, in businesses, employees create and use their own codes. If you change a code, immediately notify everyone who needs it. Additionally, you can store a list of codes in a secure place at home for easy reference. 3. Let Visitors Know the System is Armed to Prevent False Security Alarms If house guests visit, tell them if you arm the system. This stops them from opening doors or windows. If a guest stays with you, make sure they know how to arm and disarm the system. Also, remember to show your babysitter, dog walker, or anyone else who enters your home how to arm and disarm it, and what steps to take. 4. Remove Stray Objects from Around Motion Detectors to Prevent False Security Alarms Before you arm your system, check for objects near motion sensors. For example, a floor vent might sit below a curtain. If that curtain is in the sensor’s view, and your heat or AC turns on, it could move the curtain and trigger the alarm. Shorter curtains can fix this. Likewise, move any plants near sensors that are also close to floor vents. 5. Manage Pets You can choose pet-immune sensors or keep your pets in a certain area. If a pet walks in front of a sensor, they might trigger your alarm system. Pet-immune sensors ignore pets up to a certain weight. If you don’t have a good place to put your pet when the system is armed, pet-immune sensors might be exactly what you need. 6. Replace the System Batteries Regularly Your system will warn you when its batteries are weak. Checking these batteries prevents false alarms. The good news is, system batteries last a very long time before you need to replace them. 7. Watch the Weather Mother Nature can also set off your alarm. Electrical storms, strong winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes can create enough movement to trigger your system. If you see bad weather coming, you can disarm your system until the storm passes. Although this rarely causes a false alarm, it’s still good to remember. 8. Damaged Equipment Could Cause False Security Alarms While about 70 percent of false alarms come from user error, equipment can also get damaged. If that happens and your equipment isn’t working right, contact your security alarm company right away. They can check the status and replace the broken parts. 9. Use Your System Regularly The best way to prevent false alarms is to use your home security system every day. When everyone uses the system daily, they become comfortable with it, and this greatly reduces mistakes. As people get used to their system, they avoid problems. Furthermore, you can use the tips we discussed earlier to further reduce your chances of a false alarm. Contact Our Experienced New York Security Alarm Company and Prevent False Security Alarms At SPS Fire & Security, your safety is most important. We want you to feel safe in your home or business. To learn more about our affordable, modern security solutions, call us at 585-770-0348.
Safety on Social Media: Unlocking Secure Travel Posts
Watch What You Share On Social Media Platforms Safety 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. Safety on Social Media During the Holidays 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? Many of us try not to use social media while on vacation so we can have family time. However, we know that doesn’t always work. You can choose not to go online at all. Alternatively, uninstall apps from your smartphone that could show your location. Of course, not bringing your phone at all is impossible, as your phone also helps keep you safe. You can also use your phone to remotely monitor your home security through a special app. Here are some tips to help you out: 1. Go on Vacation Quietly Don’t announce your trip on social media. Many of us like to share when and where we’re going on vacation, but that’s a bad idea. We might want feedback on local activities or events, however, you should still be careful. Safety on social media when you’re away is a top priority for most families. It doesn’t have to ruin your fun if you follow some simple rules. When you and your family are on vacation, don’t post any information or pictures until you get home. If you post on sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or others, burglars can use that information to target your home. 2. Stay Safe On Social Media When Going On Vacation If you must post on social media, consider who sees your accounts. Then, secure your profile. Smartphones have GPS trackers, so if you have yours on, turn it off. You usually find this setting under your phone’s location settings. Staying safe on social media during vacation should always be a priority. When your mail piles up for a week, your home becomes a target. This shows everyone no one is home to get the mail. You can ask the post office to hold your mail. Also, tell your newspaper to stop delivery for the week you’re away. If you don’t want to do this, make sure a friend, neighbor, or family member gets your mail daily. You may also want to put your lights on a timer. And, ask a friend, family member, or neighbor to watch your home. If you know anyone trustworthy who will house sit, that would be excellent. 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 media. Staying safe on social media when going on vacation, is something many of us don’t think that what we post on the internet through our Facebook or Instagram accounts is going to affect us later. Some individuals will get lucky to not have their home broken into, but others won’t be that fortunate. Safety on social media when on vacation is an area that takes little time and effort, but has great value to protect your home. Protect Your Rochester, Syracuse, or Buffalo Home It’s
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 experience break-ins while at home, and this creates a very scary experience. Imagine watching television or sleeping, and then suddenly meeting a burglar. Nothing ever feels the same after such an event. If a break-in occurs, a security system alarm can scare them off before they get any further. Most of the time, the alarm’s presence deters a burglar. They look for homes without security systems. Specifically, they seek homes without 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. Clearly visible video cameras strengthen this right. This tells people they are being recorded. If they don’t want to be on video, then they shouldn’t step foot on your property. Regarding audio, some states require both parties’ consent before you record someone speaking. Fortunately, New York is not one of those states. This means the camera’s presence alone is enough. Of course, placing a camera in a bathroom will create legal problems, but no one who wants to secure their home would ask a security company to do that anyway. You can place cameras around your home’s exterior doors and in areas like the kids’ playroom, living room, and inside entryways. This way, if an intruder comes in, you can record them entering your home from the inside. Naturally, SPS Fire & Security will advise you on what you can and cannot do, and where to best place your home security cameras. What Exactly Can Security Cameras See? High-definition video is important because you want the clearest picture possible. You’ve probably seen grainy video footage from convenience stores and banks on the news. However, the higher the camera quality, the better the footage. Nonetheless, a camera can see who enters and leaves your home. It shows what they hold in their hands, people who come to your door and knock, and even license plate numbers if you point the camera where people park in front of your home. Your camera can record a burglar’s face, what they take out of your home, the car they drive, and even its license plate number. Turn to SPS Fire & Security for Protection with Security Cameras 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.
