Hot Home Automation Trends for 2018
Technology That is Getting Smarter Home security has become a hot topic, especially in 2017 since more homeowners have become aware of how much a security system can protect them and what these systems can do. A home security system is much more than a device that sounds an alarm when an intruder comes into the home. They are even more than the 24/7 monitoring services they are attached to (although the authorities being called for you is a great feature to have) thanks to home automation. Security systems have evolved so much that they have entered into the realm of home automation. You don’t have to have a home specially built to be a smart home, but you can take what you have and transform it into something that is safer and more convenient for you. Read on for a rundown of what is expected to happen to home automation in 2018. More Talking and Less Button Pushing 2017 marked the emergence of the voice assistant. Amazon’s Alexa is the perfect example. However, it’s possible that Google Assistant and Siri could get in on the action. Imagine being able to control an alarm clock, the lights in your home, or appliances just by talking to Siri. Currently, the apps to control these home components are there, but through manual control rather than voice control. As for why Siri is in the running for voice-controlled home automation, Apple relaxed the requirements of its HomeKit. It’s no longer required that compatible products contain a HomeKit chip. This means that Siri could be integrated into existing smartphone setups installed by security companies. Home Appliances Will Get Smarter Currently, Whirlpool and Samsung have a few appliances that can be controlled by a smartphone app. And here’s another possibility: appliances connected to smoke detectors that turn off tan appliances if smoke is detected. This could prevent a terrifying and life-changing fire in the kitchen. More Robust Security Systems And just as they always do, security systems will come with faster processing speeds and other features. For instance, video surveillance is always improving. One of the goals is to further improve images captured in the dark. Complete Security Solutions All in all, it’s not just about the security anymore; it’s about having more control over what is yours. It’s also about having control over the scale of security. Some people like a simple security system, while others want the entire package. The flexibility is there to get what you want and it looks like 2018 is going to bring even more options for those getting new systems or upgrading their existing ones. Contact Your Rochester, Buffalo & Syracuse Home Automation Installer At SPS Fire & Security, you determine the level of security and convenience that you need. From regular security systems to automating different areas of your home, we have the tools and experience. To find the best solution for you, call us at 585-770-0348.
Get Started on Your Home Security New Year’s Resolution Now
Have Your Best and Safest Year Yet! The New Year is fast approaching, which means it’s time to make your New Year’s resolutions. One of those resolutions should involve enhancing home security. Fortunately, making this resolution a success is easier than you may think. Tips for a Successful New Year’s “Security” Resolution Making a “home security” resolution isn’t as difficult as sticking to a diet or a financial plan. Here are some tips that will keep you and your family safe in 2018: If there is a flyer on your front door, remove it as soon as possible. Sometimes, burglars will put flyers on doors to see if a person is home. If a flyer isn’t removed after a day or so, the burglar sees that as a sign that the occupants are long gone. Arrange for family or friends to pick up your mail and remove any flyers or other items that make it obvious you’re not home. Install timers on indoor and outdoor lights so they come on at night. However, you can change things up with a home automation system that enables you to control your lights from wherever you are. For instance, turn on and off different lights at different times to make it look like someone is home. Take those leftover boxes from Christmas to a recycling center or make sure they are cut up into small pieces so they can fit inside a garbage bag. When a burglar sees that plasma TV box sitting out with the trash, they know there’s a plasma TV in the house. Even if you trust your social media connections, don’t post when you aren’t home or when you’ll be away for long periods of time. It’s tempting to post those vacation photos, but you need to wait and post them after you return home. Fix those loose door jams. Did you know that 70% of break-ins are successful because the burglars are able to kick in the doors? It’s inexpensive to reinforce the door jam. Come up with creative hiding places for your valuables. Never leave valuable items in places that can be seen through windows. If you can do it, a safe in the floor or hiding behind a picture on the wall may not be a bad idea. Get a home security system with 24/7 monitoring so that your home is always protected. Today’s security alarm systems also alert of fire and carbon monoxide. There are also smartphone apps that let you monitor your system yourself so you know what’s going on at any given time. If you’re REALLY feeling the need for even more added security, video surveillance is an affordable option. Make sure the bad guys know that you have a home security system in place that will catch them if they even attempt to break into your abode. Your Rochester, Syracuse & Buffalo Home Security Experts At SPS Fire & Security, we want you to have an amazing holiday season and the best 2018 possible. By protecting your home, business, or anything else important to you, you are creating more security in your life. To learn more, call us at 585-770-0348, MAY YOU HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 2018!
Holiday Fire Safety Tips
From Lights to What’s in the Oven – Avoid Holiday Fires It’s that time of year where everything is chaotic. It can be easy to forget what’s cooking on the stove or to turn off the lights on the tree at night. The last thing you want is to become a fire statistic, especially during the holiday season. Unfortunately, December is one of the most dangerous times of year for household fires, which is why it’s important for you to know how to reduce the risk. In the Kitchen According to the USFA, cooking is the primary reason for holiday fires. Food that is left unattended is the most common cause because of how easy it is to get distracted. To remember there’s food on the stove, carry a potholder or other kitchen utensil with you when you have to go to another room. If you’re deep frying a turkey, do it outside on a flat service at least 10 feet from any structure. Christmas Trees If you have a live tree and it’s too dry, it goes up in flames faster than firewood if it catches on fire. According to the National Institute for Standards and Technology, turpentine is made out of pine trees, which makes it very explosive. To prevent the fire, don’t leave Christmas lights on overnight. If the tree is dry, the lights could cause it to catch fire. Even if using LED lights that stay cool to the touch, it is better to be safe. You also don’t want to put a tree of any kind near heating sources. Although a well-watered tree is very difficult to ignite, keep it away from heat. Also, a real tree will start to dry out after 4 weeks no matter how well it is watered. Christmas Lights Broken, frayed, or cracked light strings should never be used. Out of all the holiday fire safety tips, this is one that you really need to pay attention to because it can be easy to just take the lights and put them up if they are working. When hanging lights outside, don’t use nails or staples because they can damage the wiring. Instead, you need to use UL-rated clips. Lights should be taken down within 3 months of being put up. Leaving them up year-round makes them susceptible to damage by animals. Instituting Other Preventative Measures There are ways that Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo area residents and even business owners can prevent holiday fires. One way is to upgrade existing security alarms to those with fire detection. If you don’t already have a security system in place, it is good to get one because it can immediately notify emergency services of a fire. You also want to put fire detectors throughout the home. The kitchen, near bedrooms, and wherever possible can be the difference between life and death. Contact A Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester Security Company SPS Fire & Security can help you institute safety measures to protect you, your family, your business, or anything else that is important to you. To learn more about how we can help, call us at 585-770-0348 today.
7 Christmas Home Security Tips: Beat the Burglars
Top 7 Tips to Protect Your Home This Christmas Black Friday is over and that means there are gifts in homes waiting to be revealed on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, burglars expect this. They expect that a majority of people did a great deal of shopping on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Here are 7 Christmas home security tips to help beat the burglars. What’s the first thing a burglar looks for? A home without a security system. What’s the second thing they look for? The occupants to not be home so they can get inside and see what’s under that tree. The closer you get to Christmas, the higher the odds of becoming the victim of a burglar become, especially on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is when you leave your home to celebrate with family, which means gifts are left under the tree unattended for a long time. Fortunately, you can protect your home and purchases. Home Security Tips for the Christmas Season Motion sensors, flood lights, video surveillance, or a home security system throughout your entire home can make all the difference in the world. When a burglar sees cameras or evidence that a home security system is in place, they move on. Don’t feed extension cords through windows because that leaves them partially open Ensure doors and windows are secure when leaving. Install dead-bolts if you don’t have any. Keep blinds, curtains, or drapes closed, especially when the tree and the presents underneath it are visible. Valuables should always be out of sight of windows. Don’t hide keys under door mats, in flower pots, or under stones. Burglars know this trick very well. If you are going to be gone for an extended period, have a neighbor park their car in your driveway or arrange for gifts to be stored with someone you trust. You may want to keep receipts until after the holidays, so lock them away in a safe, file cabinet, or fireproof box. Burglars have been known to dig through the trash. If you must throw away receipts, shred them. Rochester, Syracuse & Buffalo Residents – Protect Your Home All Year Round! At SPS Fire & Security, we can help you protect your home at Christmas, New Year’s, and all year round. While burglaries climb during the Christmas season, they can happen anytime. It’s good to always be prepared. Call 585-770-0348 to find out how you can affordably protect your home.
Video Surveillance and Fighting Porch Pirates Before the Holidays
Tips to Protect Your Holiday Packages The holiday shopping season is here, which mean it’s that time of year when we begin conveniently ordering gifts online and having them delivered to our door. Many of us are at work when these packages arrive and, as home video surveillance systems have revealed, some delivery people don’t knock at all because they have so many packages they have to deliver this time of year. Unfortunately, approximately 23 million Americans have had packages stolen from their front porches after delivery. These thieves are called “porch pirates” and their antics are on the rise as e-commerce sales increase. According to the Porch Pirate Report by Shorr.com: 92% of consumers have their packages delivered to their homes 5% of consumers have their packages delivered to their businesses 1% have packages delivered to a friend’s house, 1% to a neighbor’s house, and 1% to a parent’s house 53% of people have changed plans to ensure they’re home to receive a package, although they aren’t required to sign for it. Protecting Your Packages One way you can truly protect your packages is through the installation of a home surveillance system. When there is a camera right outside the door where deliveries are left, you can get all the details. For instance, you can see when the package arrived. This ability doesn’t just help you see a porch pirate in the act, but can also help you solve delivery disputes. Unfortunately, packages can be delivered to incorrect addresses. If the package is marked “delivered” by the delivery company but never arrived, you can guess that someone else received it and initiate a claim with the delivery company. Simply having the outside camera can deter a porch pirate. If they see a camera pointing right at them, they are more likely to turn around and move on. Other ways to protect your packages include: Having the package delivered to your work if you are allowed Having the package delivered to a friend, neighbor, or family member who will be home Instructing the delivery company to leave the package at a back door or hidden area Your Rochester, Syracuse & Buffalo Video Surveillance Experts There are different ways for protecting your packages, but having a camera by the door is something that can serve you all year round. You will always know who has come to your porch, can be aware if anyone attempted or succeeded to get into your house, and can keep an eye on activities outside of your home. To learn more about you can protect your family and your home, call SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.
Bizarre Crimes Solved by Video Surveillance
Video Surveillance That Sees Everything Improving video surveillance to solve crime is something that has been on the agenda for many years. Thanks to improved technology, that has become possible. Today’s home and business surveillance systems have much clearer images, which helps authorities catch thieves and other people up to no good when they enter a property. In fact, ABC News reported in 2013 that private surveillance cameras were catching more criminals. Below are some of the most bizarre crimes that were ever caught on security video cameras. Drive-By Pizza On July 9, 2017, an 18-year-old teenager was arrested after he threw an entire pizza from his car at a pedestrian. That pedestrian happened to be a homeowner standing on the sidewalk within the range of his residential security camera. Although the pizza didn’t hit the man, the teenager was hit with an assault charge. Armed with Hot Dog Tongs Armed robbery can be a very traumatic experience for the victim, but imagine being a convenience store worker and the robber’s weapon of choice being a pair of hot dog tongs from the store you are working in. This really happened in 2012. Instead of a finger gun, banana, or a bottle of water, the robber armed himself with hot dog tongs. The robber proceeded to threaten customers and demand money from all of them. The police arrived and arrested the man for armed robbery. Kidnapping of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither While this one doesn’t produce the giggles like assault by pizza or armed hot dog tong robbery, it does show you the serious business of good video surveillance. Carlesha Freeland-Gaither was a 22-year-old nursing assistant who was taken right off the street. Video caught footage of the vehicle the assailant was driving. Authorities found out who they were looking for and this wasn’t his first crime. Shootings, Assaults, and More Outside surveillance cameras have also caught shootings, assaults, people cashing fraudulent checks, and so much more. It’s important for homes, banks, convenience stores, gas stations, retail establishments, and office buildings to be outfitted with the proper video surveillance. Not only does the footage protect each of these establishments, but can protect others outside within the perimeter. Contact Your Rochester Video Surveillance Experts You can protect yourself and others with the installation of a good residential or business camera system. SPS Fire & Security has helped many homeowners and business owners throughout Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse protect their homes and businesses, as well as others in their neighborhoods. Call today at 585-770-0348 or complete the contact form below and we will get back to you ASAP.
It’s Fall Y’all! Time to Prep Your House Against the Elements
7 Tips to Help You Get Your Home Ready for Fall The weather has been unseasonably warm, but can you feel it? It’s still there – it’s Fall! The leaves are changing, pumpkin spice is everywhere, the Fall events are in full swing. However, the change of seasons can take its toll on your home. That’s why it’s important to get your home ready for fall, which will also put you on the road to getting your home ready for winter. Fall Home Preparation Tips Here are some tips to help you prep your house: Prevent flooding by cleaning your gutters. Water that flows over the gutter’s edge can pool around the foundation and enter cracks and crevices. Over time, the pooling can create those cracks that can allow moisture into your basement. A gutter leaf is a good way to keep debris out of your gutters to make cleaning much easier. Clean the fireplace, chimney, or chimney pipe of debris so that a fire doesn’t occur. You can hire a chimney cleaner who will ensure a properly closed damper and that all charred wood and ash is removed. Outdoor faucets need to be drained to avoid freezing. An outdoor faucet with water still in it could freeze up and crack, which can cause a leak. Hoses should also be removed and shutoff valves turned to those faucets. Gaps around windows should be sealed up so you can keep home energy costs down. Plus, you’ll be a lot more comfortable if you don’t feel cold air from outside blowing in on you when you’re trying to cozy up on the sofa. Have a roof inspection performed. This is the perfect time of year to have a roof inspector come and check for small bits of damage so that the damage doesn’t worsen over winter. Roof inspectors can also see if you are at risk for ice dams. Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse get cold and ice dams are common and damaging. Prevention is key so you’re not calling an ice dam removal service in the middle of winter to take care of a problem. Check vents to the furnace to make sure they are not clogged or covered up by furniture or rugs. Blocked vents are fire hazards and can affect airflow. Upgrade your security alarm system if you haven’t yet. Systems can now detect fire, flood, and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a bigger danger in the fall. Carbon monoxide is a bigger danger in the fall – protect your family! Call Your Rochester Security Company Today! At SPS Fire & Security, we have helped people throughout Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo keep their homes safe and secure. These tips, along with our business security and home security services, will keep some money in your pocket and keep you and what’s yours safe. Call today at 585-770-0348 for a free estimate.
Top Home Security Systems Can Increase Your Home’s Worth
How Home Security in Rochester, Syracuse & Buffalo is Increasing Home Values There are many things that we do to our homes to increase their worth, such as hardwood flooring, modern bathroom fixtures, and other types of renovations. But did you know that home security systems and home automation products can increase your home’s value as well? Let’s take a look at the different elements of a home security system that can make your home worth more: 1. Smart Thermostats Anything that helps your home save energy can give your home value a boost. When energy is saved, energy bills are reduced. Most smart thermostats pay for themselves within 24 months. This means that a return on investment is produced for the lifetime of the thermostat. You can tell the thermostat to adjust the temperature at certain times during the day or control it through your mobile phone or tablet. 2. 24/7 Security System Monitoring 24/7 monitoring is becoming more popular because it is like having a security guard at your door every single day and night. The rising popularity in home alarm monitoring is resulting in more professional security system installations than do-it-yourself security systems. This is good since do-it-yourself systems may just be an alarm with no monitoring and no way to notify you if there is an emergency. 3. Fire and Carbon Monoxide Protection A security system can also provide you with fire and carbon monoxide protection. If you decide to sell your home, this is something that a potential buyer could find very appealing. Added protection is always a plus. A top security system can also be outfitted with the capability to detect flooding in the basement, which will give you a notification if a pipe bursts or a flooding event happens in your area while you’re out of town. 4. Smart Lights Imagine being out of town and controlling your lights through your phone. One of the biggest pieces of advice that people receive when going out of town is to leave a light on. With smart lights, you can alternate lights each night to make it appear that someone is home. Contact An Experienced Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse Home Security Alarm Company At SPS Fire & Security, we want to help you increase your home value by installing a top security system within your home. Not only does this give you peace of mind in the way of keeping you and your family safer, but brings more value to the home in a unique way. To learn more, call us at 585-770-0348 for a free consultation.
Home Security – Securing Your Home for Winter Vacation
Home Security and Home Prep Tips If you’re like many people in the Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo area, you go south for the winter or travel during the holidays. According to the AAA, more than 103 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. That’s a lot of people! That also means there are a lot of homes left vulnerable to thieves looking to take advantage of the situation. The following points are tips for securing your home for your winter vacation, whether it’s a week or a few months: 1. Prevent Water Issues Since you won’t be home using hot water, you can turn down your hot water heater to reduce the amount of energy it consumes. This will save you money. You can also turn off your main water supply so you don’t have to worry about unexpected leaks. The last thing you need is to come home to a flood or receive a very high water bill. You can also keep your heat on to prevent the pipes from freezing, but keep it no higher or lower than 50 degrees. This is just warm enough to prevent the freezing of pipes and still save you money on energy costs. 2. Prevent Electrical Issues When it comes to appliances and other electrical devices, there is one rule to follow: unplug it if you aren’t using it. There’s no need for the computer, blender, microwave, or even the television to be plugged in. All of these things have electricity moving through them even when they aren’t being used. You also reduce your chance of having an electrical fire. 3. Make the Empty House Less Obvious Next, make sure the house doesn’t look empty. You can do the following to make the house look occupied: Keep a few key lights on in the home, preferably those that are on the most anyway. This is to ensure nothing looks out of place. Have a friend or neighbor pick up your mail and newspaper each day so the mail doesn’t accumulate in the mailbox. Have someone on standby to shovel your sidewalk, porch steps, and/or driveway if it snows. Keep on a radio so voices can be heard through windows or doors. 4. Properly Secure Your Home The last area to consider is the security of your home. With a properly installed home security system, there are many things you can achieve: View your home while you’re away via an app on your phone that can see what your home video surveillance cameras see. Control the lights in the home so you can turn lights on and off no matter where you are. You can also control your thermostat. What better way to make a burglar believe someone is home than to turn your home into a smart home? If a pipe bursts, the alarm system can detect it and notify you of a problem so you can send someone to your home to see what is happening. If there is a fire, the fire department will be notified. If someone breaks in, the alarm will sound and the 24/7 monitoring center will be notified so the authorities can be called. A home security system with all this functionality can help you manage parts of the other areas you need to do to make sure your home is secure while you’re gone. An Experienced Rochester, Buffalo & Syracuse Home Security Company At SPS Fire & Security, we want to help you protect everything that you have worked so hard for while you’re gone. If you don’t have a security system and you travel, now is the time to talk to us to see how you can better secure your home. Call us today at 585-770-0348 or complete the contact form below.
3 Steps Toward Solid Small Business Security
How to Protect Your Small Business Running a small business comes at a cost, so every dollar you make counts. The cash flow problem tends to be the first reason why a business fails, so it is very important to be smart with limited resources. When cutting cost, however, one of the first things business owners cut is small business security. Of course, this isn’t recommended because securing your small business is an investment that pays off over time. It protects you from losses. In fact, your security should grow as your business grows to protect everything you have worked for. Securing Your Network One of the things that you must do is secure your network. Small businesses are sometimes the target of hackers. Something as simple as a virtual private network (VPN) can make a difference in how safe data is or isn’t in your business. With a VPN, a layer of privacy is added to the network so that your data is kept safer than it would be otherwise. Securing Your Facility This is where small business security systems, access control, and other types of security measures come in. You can monitor the access points of your building through an access control system. This is a system where employees or other authorized people can only enter if they have a card or a code. This protects the building from people not authorized to come inside without approval from a front desk clerk or security guard. Surveillance cameras are also important because they allow you to see the faces of people that come into the building. Many shoplifters, trespassers, and burglars are caught because of video surveillance. Many times, malicious acts are prevented because video cameras are present. Malicious acts are also prevented when security systems are present. At night, when the business is closed, the presence of a security system can deter someone from breaking in. If they break in anyway, the system will sound and law enforcement will arrive. Protecting Against Environmental Hazards A small business security system can also protect the business against environmental hazards like flooding. Alarm systems are also outfitted with fire alarms, which can prevent significant losses because of the prompt warning.. If you want to take it a step further, you can turn your building into a smart building so you can remotely access locks, thermostats, and the security system. You could have complete control of the building from anywhere in the world. Rochester, Syracuse & Buffalo Small Business Security You Can Count On At SPS Fire & Security, we can give you everything you need to keep your New York small business secure. We can install small business security systems, access control systems, video surveillance, and turn your building into a smart building so you can feel more secure when you aren’t there. To learn more, call us at 585-770-0348 or complete the contact form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.