Who Knew Home Security Could Reduce Household Hazards?
Home Security Systems Increase Safety To answer the question the title asks, we knew. We know how home security systems can reduce personal injuries and their complications and environmental issues in addition to break-ins. Once upon a time, the home security system was installed to keep burglars from breaking into homes and only for that reason, but systems have evolved into something much more. These systems detect carbon monoxide, smoke when there’s fire, and you can even contact emergency services at the push of a button. This makes the home security system a pretty amazing thing to have! SPS Fire and Security can install these systems so that you can make your home a much safer place than it is now. Reducing Personal Injuries It’s unfortunate that there are times when a minor accident can result in a serious injury. This is especially true for the elderly. The CDC says that one in five elderly people experience serious injuries like broken hips and other broken bones from simple falls. Children are also at high risk for accidents in the home. They are curious and get into everything. Here are some ways to minimize personal injury risks in the home: Invest in a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS). This is a bracelet that can contact emergency services at the touch of a button. This allows elderly people to have more independence in their homes. Add more security in high-risk areas. This is where we come in because we can add additional video surveillance in pool areas, around gates, in garages, and in areas where accidents could happen around the home. An alarm system can sound if certain doors are triggered. If you want the pool gate to trigger an alarm so you know if your child infiltrated the area, you can have that. Reduce Environmental Issues As mentioned before, home security systems can detect smoke when there’s fire and that invisible poison called carbon monoxide. Both can be deadly. Being notified in plenty enough time can save your life and the lives of the rest of your family. To reduce these environmental matters that could be life-threatening, you can do the following: Turn to a security provider that you trust and who will answer your questions when you have them. Make sure your security system is always up-to-date. Having the latest technology is a big deal. SPS Fire & Security will ensure your system is a great system. You can also keep your software up-to-date when prompted so that you don’t risk a security breach and so you can keep track of your home’s environment. Combat Break-Ins Of course, home security is aimed at eliminating break-ins so that everything you’ve worked hard for stays exactly where it is supposed to be. Your security system can be as simple as sensors on doors and windows or can be as involved as cameras placed around the property. You can also remotely access your system via your smartphone so that you know what’s going on at home when you’re away. Simply having the system can thwart break-ins, as you will most likely have a sign in your yard and a sticker on your door that says your home is protected. If a thief still gets brazen and they break into the home, the alarm will sound and the 24/7 monitoring service will be notified so authorities can be sent to the address. If you make video surveillance as a part of your system, you can catch the burglar’s face on video and it can be used as evidence. When they’re caught, it is hard to tell how many potential victims you saved. Contact Your Rochester, NY Home Security Company Protect your home and your life with a quality and technologically up-to-date home security system that will help reduce hazards and complications stemming from personal injury, from the environment, and from thieves that want to take what’s yours. To learn more, call SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 or complete the contact form below and we will get back to you ASAP.
Farm Security: Security Alarms, Motion, Video & More!
How to Keep Your Farm Secure Farming season is not just one season a year but all four seasons. As a security company, we know that your farm is not only your business/job but also your way of living. SPS Fire and Security can help you protect what you’ve worked so hard for through comprehensive farm security. We realize that your farmland most likely has a wide range of functions. These functions may involve horses, barns, crops, large farming equipment and more. That’s a lot to protect! As you provide for your family, there are a few security measures you should take. Tips for Farm Security Install fences and post “Do Not Trespass” signs on the fence. If you want to make your farmland harder for a thief to access, installing a fence is one security measure you can take. Once you have installed the fence, have a motion sensor alarm added. This alarm will go off if a thief tries to gain access to a certain area. If they gain access, they can only go so far before the alarm sounds. You may also want to consider having security cameras installed. By having these cameras installed, it will allow you gain access to video surveillance footage while at home and away. Install motion lighting. Your video surveillance camera footage will be able to show you proof when the lights go on and what made them trigger. Invest in a complete wireless security system. By having wireless security, you are providing yourself with the comfort of being able to maintain the security of farmland that is farther away from your home. When you have multiple structures on your property, you can secure each one. If you only want authorized people entering the horse stable or a barn, you can invest in access control for those buildings. Another area that you may want to keep secure is the grain bin. Unfortunately, grain bins have a history of being the sites of trespasser accidents. Motion lights can be placed around these areas, as well as motion detectors so an alarm can be triggered. The idea of securing the grain bin area is to keep trespassers from climbing the ladder affixed to the outside of the bin. They could fall off the ladder or open the upper door and fall into the grain bin. A bin full of grain can be difficult, if not impossible, for someone to get out of, but falling to the bottom of an empty one almost always ends in tragedy. Contact A Rochester Security Alarm Company Protecting your farm isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but with SPS Fire & Security you can bet that we will do the best job we can to get you and your farmland all the right security alarms, sensors and more. If you have any questions regarding any kind of security contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 and we will get back to you ASAP.
Home Security: Keeping Your Garage Secure this Spring
Keep Burglars Out of Your Garage Springtime is when break-ins start to increase in Rochester and all around the country, making home security a bigger priority. The warm weather and lack of snow make it easier for a thief to go unseen, especially at night when you are curled up in your bed and enjoying a good night’s sleep. One of the most common areas a thief will break into when the residents are home is the garage. This is especially true when the garage is detached from the house and the thief is confident no one is home or that the residents are asleep. Some thieves are so brave they will break into a detached garage when they know the people inside the house won’t notice. It’s scary to believe someone can be violating your property while you are watching your favorite TV show or reading the kids a bedtime story. Keys to Keeping Your Garage Secure There are some keys to keeping your garage secure. They are: Don’t leave the garage door opener in your car. If your car is parked outside of the garage, the burglar can break into your car to access the remote. If the car is unlocked, they can just reach in and open the door. If you can park your car in the garage that is one way to prevent access to the remote. You can replace the large remote that clips onto your visor with a smaller keychain remote so the remote goes in the house with you. If your garage door isn’t automatic, make sure it is locked from the inside and that any other entrances are locked. If windows open easily, have locks on them as well. Even if you believe the window is too small for someone to crawl through, that isn’t always the case. Burglars come in all shapes and sizes. Cover your windows so that burglars can’t see what is inside the garage. It is common for a burglar to case a target before acting. Looking in windows is one of those things. If they can’t see anything, they’re less likely to break in. However, there is the occasional curious thief that will decide to take their chances and see what’s inside. Still, doing everything you can to reduce the odds of a person breaking in is a good thing. Bring on the exterior motion lights because those are going to turn on if they detect motion. The only problem is that they will detect every little bit of motion. If the neighborhood stray makes its way in the sensor’s path, the lights will come on. The lights can scare away a thief and, hopefully, the cat that won’t stay out of your flower bed. The Ultimate Garage Security Measure: A Security System The home security system is the ultimate method of making sure you keep burglars out of your home and any structures on your property. Whether the garage is attached or detached, you can extend the capabilities of your home security system to your garage so that you, the 24/7 monitoring center, and the authorities are alerted to the break-in. Add in video surveillance and you can get a peek at the face of the person who attempted to take what’s yours. It is true that just the presence of a security system can make a burglar turn around and say “no way.” The bad news is that they will move on to a new target and that could be someone who doesn’t have a security system. With video surveillance, you can see their face and, hopefully, they will be caught before they can victimize someone else. Think of video surveillance as a way to protect your home, but also as a way to protect someone else because the footage can be used to catch a trespasser who was just seconds from turning into your thief. Video cameras can be placed in various places around the property so you can keep track of things. You can even watch things via your smartphone while on vacation or at work. It’s all about peace of mind and protecting everything you’ve worked for. A complete security system will give you those things and much more. SPS Fire & Security has the expertise to install that system so you can protect your home, garage, sheds, and whatever you have on your property that needs to be protected. Filling out our contact form or giving us a call will put you in touch with a security expert who can evaluate your property and suggest a protective solution. Contact Your Rochester Home Security Company At SPS Fire & Security, we make it our mission to ensure homes in Rochester NY and the surrounding areas have state-of-the-art security systems that protect. You want to secure what is yours and this is a cost-effective way to do so. Avoid costly homeowner’s insurance increases due to claims and the monetary loss that can occur when you aren’t reimbursed enough to replace what was taken. Sometimes, the items taken can’t be replaced. Fortunately, we have solutions that can help you. Call us today at 585-770-0348 to talk about your wants and needs for your home or business’s security.
Hardwired Security Systems
Everything You Need to Know About Hardwired Security Systems In most homes and businesses there are hardwired security systems. These systems have a control panel that is normally located right next to the most commonly used entryway. There are some individuals or businesses that will put their control panel in a hidden location such as a closet or an area away from the door so a burglar can not see it. However, the presence of an alarm system can reduce the chance a burglar will enter a home or business, making the alarm alone a good deterrent. Everyone has their own reasons behind where they place their control panel. Different Components to a Hardwired Security System Hardwired security systems do not come in one package, as there are many different areas in homes and businesses that might need to be secured. Smoke Alarm – Will detect smoke. Ionization and photoelectric are two different types of smoke detectors. Heat Detectors – Works side by side with smoke detectors. This type of detector detects heat. Indoor and Outdoor Motion Sensors – these sensors will detect the motion of people and animals. Indoor and Outdoor Sirens – A siren alarm will alert the homeowners and neighbors of any sort of alarm interference. Panic Button – This button is normally hidden and can be pushed whenever the homeowner or individual at a business is feeling threatened. This button is connected to the security alarm company and the police. Going With A Hardwired Security System Hardwired security systems can be cost-effective. With this being said, it can be an intensive installation process. Homeowners and business owners can add and remove components. In the event of a power outage, the hardwired system has rechargeable batteries. Just for having the security system in your home, you can get a discount on your homeowner’s insurance. Contact An Experienced Rochester Security Alarm Company Not only is it a good idea to have a security system in your home or business but it is also a good idea to have a security system installer come to your house to make sure that you are getting all that you need to protect your property. If you or any one that you know is considering getting a security system contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348.
Wireless Home Security Notifications Explained
What Do All of These Notifications Mean? The best wireless home security systems can now inform you of anything happening in the home. You can receive an alert if there is an unwanted intrusion. You can even be alerted when the kids get home from school or when the dog walker has come to take your dog for a walk and how long they were gone. If the dog walker isn’t walking the dog long enough, you will know it. Yes, there have probably been a few dog walkers fired for not exercising the dog for the agreed upon amount of time. How do these alerts happen? You can get them through text or email on your smartphone. The moment something happens, you are going to know about it. SPS Fire and Security can set you up with a wireless home security system that alerts you when there is activity. Call 585-770-0348 or complete the contact form. You can also have multiple recipients receive notifications. This means you and any other adults living in the home will know what is happening. You can even set it up for a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member. If you have a caretaker for the property or a handyman, they can receive notifications as well. By customizing the notifications, you can determine which sensors send notifications and who will receive those notifications. If you only want to receive alerts at a certain time, you can do that. You can also determine what type of signal will trigger a notification. It’s very easy to set up and also change your notifications when you need to. Examples of Security System Notifications Here is a list of the types of wireless security system notifications that you can receive: Know what door has been opened and when. Have a sensor placed on your gun safe so that you know if the gun safe has been opened. Have a sensor placed on a regular safe so that you know if anyone has tried to access the contents. Place a sensor on the medicine cabinet to ensure children or others stay out of it. If an elderly parent is living alone, keep track of doors opening and other doors throughout the home. If a garage door is left open too long, you will know it. Know every time the alarm is armed or disarmed. If you leave home and forget to arm the system, you can receive an alert before you get too far from home. You can arm the system remotely using the system’s app. When there is a power outage, the system will let you know. When the power comes back on, the system will alert you. Add thermostats to your smart home configuration so you can operate them remotely and keep track of them. If someone manually changes thermostat settings, you will know about it. As you can see, a wireless home security system is about more than knowing if someone has broken through a window or a door. Home security is about having complete control over your home, even if you aren’t there. You know what’s going on at all times so that you don’t have to worry. It’s amazing what can happen to your day when you don’t have to worry about your home. Imagine being on a vacation and not worrying about whether or not you turned off an iron or unplugged the things that needed unplugged. Imagine knowing everything that is happening so you can enjoy your vacation and not worry about what is happening at home. Call Your Rochester Wireless Security Company Today At SPS Fire & Security, we want to give you peace of mind. You deserve a safe home and one that you can have complete control over. With our home security solutions, you will have just that and more. To learn more, call us at 585-770-0348 and let us give you a free quote on the system you envision for your home.
Tips for Dealing with Bank Scams
Protect Your Money Not only has there been door-to-door scams (in which your home video surveillance system can identify the individual) and many different kinds of telephone scams, one of the most recent scams that have come about is the bank scam. These bank scams happen in many different ways such as telephone calls and emails or letters similar to the ones the bank may send you. One important source of information to remember is that banks will never ask you for confidential information over the phone, so they are most likely not the ones calling you. This newest bank scam has many individuals super careful about the way they gave out their personal information. The person that calls will inform you that there is a safety or security problem with your account or your bank account card. They will also tell you that you can fix the problem right over the phone. Normally, when there is a problem associated with your account, you, as the account holder, are the one that contacts the bank, not the other way around. While keeping your bank accounts secure, don’t forget your home by contacting SPS Fire & Security. Consequences of Bank Scam Calls If this ever happens to you, one fast rule of thumb is wait at least five minutes and then contact your bank at the number on the back of your bank card. The reason for waiting five minutes is for security proposes due to the fact that the person calling you is not your bank and therefore they have not terminated the call. They are waiting for you to start dialing right away. What will happen is your think that you have dialed your bank when really the fake bank caller is still on the phone? It could be very bad. There are many things that could happen if you do not be careful about protecting your bank account and your bank account cards. Your account will become empty. The bank account card that has certain limit on it will be used to the max. You will and could become a victim of identity theft. Chances of other accounts you are associated with being hacked increases. What Can You Do to Avoid Bank Fraud? Your bank will never call you when your bank account is having issues. Normally you are the one that is calling the bank. So keep that in mind. Your bank will never call to ask you to transfer any amounts of money from one account to another. Like stated above, you are the one that is calling the bank or going online to transfer your own money. If for any reason someone calls you and claims to be your bank, wait five minutes before calling your bank. Let your bank know what has happened and they can put a freeze (put a stop to having access to your account for a period of time) on your account. That way the scammer can have no access to your account and you don’t loss money or become a victim of identify theft Never provide ANYONE that calls and claims to be your bank with information such as: name, address, telephone number (they should already have that one since they are the ones that called you), security questions, account numbers, social security number and more. If you have younger children in the house that might know any information associated with your bank account and they are old enough to be answering the telephone, make them aware of this bank scam and any other scam that is going on. Some children don’t know any better and might slip, telling the scammer personal information. Contact Your Rochester Security Alarm Company It is important to keep all elements of your life secure. Not only do you need to protect your bank accounts, but you need to protect your home and everything that you have worked for. Home security systems are a way to do that. If someone knocks on your door, trying to sell you something that isn’t legit or they want information from you, you can capture their face on a home surveillance system. If someone tries to enter your home, whether you are there or not, you and the central monitoring center will know so that the matter can be addressed promptly. If you have become a victim in any bank scams contact your bank you are associated with for help. If you have any questions associated home and phone security contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348.
Safety During Power Outages
What to do When the Power Is Out Every year, Rochester, New York sees some of the craziest wind. In some places, it has been known to reach speeds over 80 MPH which is considered hurricane force wind. One storm in 2017 had hurricane force winds that left many in the dark for a little over a day. Others had no electricity for more than a week. RG&E stated that on Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 2:30 PM there were an estimated of 31,000 customers in Monroe County without power and that number grow over the course of the day. Many businesses even closed early, and school events were canceled and rescheduled. The next day, Thursday, many schools closed. As of Sunday, March 12, 2017 there are 9,314 customers without power. During weather-related power outages like Rochester, New York faced, there are many residential and commercial security factors that should be kept in mind. Power Outage Safety Tips Keep in mind that if you lose power that you should contact a neighbor to see if they have also lost power. Sometimes it might just be a blown transformer or fuse from the power lines. If your neighbor tells you that they don’t have power, then go head and contact your local electrical company to report an outage. They will be able to look into the outage and send an employee out to assess the situation. If possible, check the local weather on the internet or a battery powered radio. To prevent overloading outlets, unplug any unnecessary appliances such as microwaves, coffee makers, and refrigerators and electronic devices such as computers, TVs, etc. Once you have unplugged the refrigerator and freezer, keep the doors closed as much as possible. If it is cold outside, think about getting a cooler or two and filling them with ice for the items that you might have to take out of the fridge. Food will last no more than 24 hours if you minimize the door being opened. If the outage is due to windy weather, don’t use outside grills or go outside for any reason because it could become dangerous with falling trees, falling power lines, and airborne debris. In the event that you ever experience an outage contact your local electrical company (RG&E 1-800-743-1701 or NYSEG 1-800-572-1131). Contact Your Rochester Alarm Company Today! Alarm systems have backup battery power that can last up to a specific amount of time. Know your battery life. If you want to keep your home secure during a power outage, contact SPS Fire & Security today to learn about how an alarm system can still protect your home even while the power is out. Remember that most power outages last less than half a day, but power outages can also be a time when burglars become more active around places they know won’t be occupied. Call today at 585-770-0348.
Home Security and Home Automation for Seniors
Smart Homes Protect the Elderly Home security systems protect anyone of any age, but there are different features that, while they benefit all people, can especially benefit seniors. Most of all, a home security system, especially one with home automation, can put seniors more in charge of their own security. That also goes for those that may not be as tech savvy. A professional home security company installs the system and teaches the homeowner how to use the system using a smartphone. Yes, the elderly now carries smartphones, as they have become a way of life, and they use them well. Fortunately, security systems and automation apps are very easy to use. The learning curve is very small. Protecting the Elderly from Burglars The good news is that the violent crime rate is lower among seniors than younger people, but, unfortunately, burglars will target the elderly because they may be in search of pain medications or other medications they can use to satisfy a drug problem. They also believe that senior citizens have money stashed under their mattresses. This means that seniors tend to be the target of property crimes. One out of five burglary victims are over 65 years old, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. They are seen as easy targets, which is why it is important to lock down the home as much as possible. Dealing with Environmental Threats Burglary isn’t the only threat to the elderly. Floods, fires, leaks, carbon monoxide, and other events don’t care about how old someone is. Home security systems can have built-in fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors so the authorities can be notified as soon as possible. A panic button can also be used when there is an emergency and a phone can’t be accessed. There are different environmental protections put in place to make sure everyone inside the home is protected. Peace of Mind Through home automation, seniors can also have control of their home while on vacation. For those that travel a lot, they can have peace of mind that their home is safe through video surveillance that allows them to watch remotely. If there is ever fear that the doors haven’t been locked, they can be locked remotely. If certain lights need to be turned on each night, they can be. If pets are left at home alone, the thermostat can be controlled. The sky is the limit when it comes to giving the elderly more control over their homes and lives. Call A Qualified Rochester Home Security Company If you are ready to see how home automation and security can make life easier, call SPS Fire & Security today at 585-770-0348.
Age Guidelines for Staying Home Alone
When Are Kids Old Enough to Stay Home Alone? Age guidelines for staying home alone, is a very gray area for most people. Just because Macaulay Culkin who was eight years old at the time was able to stay home alone in the hit 1990 movie Home Alone, doesn’t mean that it is the right thing to do. Each state has their own laws about the appropriate ages to be left at home without supervision. The child’s age and their maturity also play a huge part in whether or not they can stay home solo. Basically, it comes down to discretion and the law. Home Alone with Home Security First, you want to have good home security in place to ensure your child has extra protection. If something goes wrong, the authorities can be alerted. This will give you added peace of mind. There are also many guidelines that you as a parent should follow if you are thinking about leaving your children at home by themselves: Age of the child Maturity level of the child The length of time the child will be home unsupervised Are other children being left home with your child The safety of the neighborhood Are there neighbors that can check in on the child Does the child feel safe staying home by themselves? Guidelines considering the age range for leaving a child home alone: 7 & Under: children that are seven years old and under should never be left alone at home for any length of time. This also includes never leaving them unattended in the car, at a playground, or the backyard. 8 to 10 years old: Children that are 8 to 10 years old can be left home only during daylight and early evening hours but only for no more then 1.5 hours. 11 to 12 years old: Children that are 11 to 12 years old can be left home for no more than 3 hours at a time and not overnight. 13 to 15 years old: Children that are 13 to 15 years old can be unsupervised for long periods of time but not overnight. 16 to 17 years old: Children that are 16 to 17 years old can be unsupervised and can stay home overnight up to two nights alone. Keep Your Family Secure Through a Rochester Home Security Company If you have children that are age appropriate and are ready to stay home alone consider contacting SPS Fire and Security at 585-770-0348 to learn about a security alarm that would be right for your home.
Fireplace Safety in the Winter
Tips for Safe Fireplace Use Many individuals buy a house with the added feature of a fireplace or buy a house with the intentions of putting a fireplace in. When getting a fireplace installed in your home, there are many things that you as a homeowner should think about, especially if you have small children in the house. There are many fireplace safety tips to consider: Your fireplace should be installed professionally. Every year before using your fireplace, you should hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimney. As a homeowner, you should make sure that your home has the right smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure that each detector works properly and has new batteries. When owning a fireplace, you should make sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby. Never place any kind of material close to the fireplace. Flammable materials should be three or more feet from the fire. If there are pets or small children in the house, you might want to consider getting a gate to put around the fire place. Never burn anything that could cause the fire to get out of hand. Don’t burn trash, Styrofoam or plastic. Burning these things could lead to your fire getting out of control and becoming dangerous. Never use flammable liquids to get your fire started. There are fire starting logs that can help with getting your fire started easier. Also make sure you have a fire alarm installed in case the fire does get out of control when you are not in the room. You and your family can be alerted immediately and the fire department called so the fire can be taken care of as quickly as possible. Contact Your Fire Safety and Home Security Company For more information or questions regarding your fireplace or need to have smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors installed in your house, you can contact SPS security and Fire at 585-770-0348.