Extra Info about DIY Security Systems
Small business owners in Monroe County, NY and the surrounding areas strive to protect what they have worked hard to build. That’s why so many purchase a DIY security system. They’re looking for a quick install at a minimal cost. However, these systems aren’t as simple as you might think and have the potential cost more than a professionally installed security system. Below, is information on DIY security systems. The following is a list of dangers that come with DIY security systems: 1. The DIY Security System Lacks Professional Precision Professional security system installers in Monroe County have years of experience that can’t be obtained by reading a user manual or watching YouTube videos. Instead, the professionals bring priceless expertise. This experience lends itself to a precise install. It’s important for sensors to be placed in the correct locations and cameras to be angled properly. Additionally, doing a DIY install requires answers to these questions: What are the most vulnerable areas? How many cameras are needed to cover the vulnerable areas? Where should motion and glass break sensors be placed? Are you able to hide wiring so it isn’t accessible to criminals? Does installing equipment yourself void the parts warranty? How will an emergency be handled if you’re unable to tend to it? Another question to ask is what will happen if a motion sensor or camera stops working? Many DIY systems operate on a single frequency, so there isn’t a failsafe if it stops working. Fortunately, a professional security system company will take care of the details, installation, and set you up on a 24/7 monitoring plan so that emergencies are taken care of quickly. These are a few of the major differences between DIY and professional installation. 2. No or Minimal 24/7 Monitoring Since 24/7 monitoring was just mentioned in this article, it’s a good time to talk about it in more detail. This is one of the most important parts of working with a security company. Yes, the upfront costs of DIY security systems might be less, but 24/7 monitoring is a feature that is usually missing. Even if a system says that monitoring is available with a subscription, do your research. It’s typical to learn that it’s not the same monitoring you get with a professional installer. 3. Questionable Equipment Quality and Reliability Many people who have purchased security cameras from the local Costco or Walmart found that the systems have some issues. Common problems include cameras that freeze, false notifications, and complete equipment failure. Some common DIY security system problems include faulty sensors and no contact with authorities when a break-in occurs. One major issue is that these systems are commonly hacked. With a professionally installed system, you get high-quality equipment that comes with guarantees and service. Furthermore, the installation comes with great service and a commitment to the security of your business. It’s personal service you don’t get otherwise. With that said, it is worth the additional upfront cost to properly secure your business. In the meantime, you build a relationship with a reliable company. That in itself comes with many benefits. Contact A Monroe County, NY Security System Installer Having a DIY system isn’t better than having nothing at all. Such systems have vulnerabilities that can result in significant losses. Contact SPS Fire & Security today at 585-770-0348 today to learn more about the options available to you.
Video Surveillance Ethics & Legalities in New York
Can I Record My Nanny? Are Audio Recordings Legal Commercially? Home video surveillance is becoming more popular as property-related crimes have increased over the years. Another reason for its popularity is the need for parents to check in on their children, elderly loved ones, and pets when they’re not home. A lot of peace of mind can be achieved when all a person has to do is pick up their smartphone to see the kids coming home from school or that an elderly loved one with health problems is doing ok. Parents are also having their homes outfitted with video surveillance to check in on the kids and the nanny throughout the day, while employers use them to protect their business and employees. The many purposes of video surveillance bring up quite a few questions, however. The big question is what ethical and legal aspects should be followed when using residential and commercial video surveillance to monitor the well-being of family members, pets, employees, and businesses? The good news is that we have some answers for you. Protect Your Home or Business When You’re Away What to Know about Residential Video Surveillance When you opt for home video surveillance, cameras may be placed inside and outside of the property. When you want cameras inside so you can watch the kids, nanny, pets, or your elderly loved one when you’re not there, cameras cannot be legally or ethically placed in the bathrooms or the bedroom of a live-in nanny. Cameras also shouldn’t be installed in guest rooms since that would be violating the privacy of overnight guests. It’s fine if you want to place a camera in your own bedroom or the bedrooms of very young children. If you hire a nanny, it is best to do the following: Advise the nanny that cameras are used inside the home. Show the nanny where the cameras are located. Have the nanny sign an agreement in which he/she acknowledges the presence of video surveillance in the home. When cameras are hidden and used in secret, it creates a breach of trust. It’s understandable that parents want to protect their children and homeowners want to protect their property, but it can be very unnerving for all involved when a person discovers they are being videoed without their consent. Many issues can be avoided when proper notification is given. With that said, it is ideal to have anyone working on the property sign an agreement so that it is on paper that they are aware of the presence of the cameras. It’s also ethical and courteous to make sure non-employees entering the property are aware – through a sign or verbally – that they are under surveillance. What to Know about Commercial Video Surveillance Just as you would have a nanny or other residential employee sign an agreement, business owners and managers should have employees sign an agreement. This document should state that they understand that they are under video surveillance when on the property. This isn’t required by law, but it is a good practice to protect everyone, despite it being the business owner’s right to install cameras. Cameras are typically installed to monitor the safety of all people on the premises. Business owners also have the right to ensure that the business is being cared for properly when they aren’t there. Also note: Many of the residential rules apply here as well. For instance, cameras are to not be installed in restrooms, locker rooms, or changing rooms. This is a breach of privacy and could be considered voyeurism. It’s not a good day when an employer is accused of recording in areas where a reasonable amount of privacy is expected. From here comes the issue of “audio surveillance.” State-of-The-Art Systems That Meet Your Needs The Scoop on Video with Audio There are some states that protect against audio recordings without the consent of the nanny or other party entering the premises. New York isn’t one of those, but, again, it is common courtesy to notify the nanny, handyman, dog walker, or another individual that the video cameras can also record audio. When the person is an employee, written consent will be needed. The following video addresses video surveillance rules that must be followed by Realtors, but has valuable information that can apply to any property owner wishing to have home surveillance cameras installed: Commercial Audio Surveillance – Employees In regards to commercial video that is outfitted with audio, an employer can only use video-only surveillance when using cameras without the knowledge of employees. However, section 250.05 of the New York Penal Law states that an employer can’t eavesdrop on conversations by mechanical means anyway. Video cameras with the ability to record audio fall within this category and violation of the law constitutes a felony. But on the other side of this very complicated coin, New York allows recording a person’s voice with their consent. If you have employees sign an agreement in which they acknowledge their voice will be recorded in certain areas of the business when present in the building, then you protect yourself against eavesdropping laws. Commercial Audio Surveillance – Customers As far as recording the voices of customers, there are some establishments that may need audio recording for security reasons. These establishments include: Check cashing establishments Banks Educational testing centers Convenience store/gas station counters Nightclub entrances and exits If it is a must for audio surveillance to be present, posting a sign doesn’t necessarily excuse unlawful audio reception if it occurs. It is imperative to ensure that all audio recordings are carried out lawfully. Posting a sign that says, “Entering this facility implies that you consent to audio surveillance” may suffice. But don’t immediately opt for audio if you’re unsure about how your business can remain within the confines of the law. If you are ever in doubt, seek legal advice from an experienced attorney. Every business and situation is different, so it is important that you define your
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.
Business Security Systems and Their Role in Employee Safety
Commercial Security Systems Is the #1 Way to Protect Employees Employee safety is a very important aspect of business security. If you are wondering how this is possible, you may be quite surprised to learn the answer. Of course, robbery defense is one aspect. When business security systems are in place that include video surveillance, robbers are most likely deterred from following through with a robbery. Without such systems, Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse businesses would see more robberies than they do. SPS Fire & Security is an integral player in the business security system arena throughout the region, as the systems that are installed are state-of-the-art and reliable. Employee Protections Aside from protecting against robberies, business security systems protect employees in the following ways: If employee theft is occurring, the offending employee can be charged with the offense. Unfortunately, without good video surveillance and security measures, false accusations can occur. Business interests also suffer when unable to pinpoint exactly how the theft is occurring and who is behind it. More time and resources are required when a company has to buckle down on procedures for preventing employee theft when there is no idea who is behind it. Business video surveillance is good for when an accident claim is filed. If an employee is injured on the job, the video can show exactly what happened. If the employee did something to cause their injury, then this could be used if a workers’ compensation claim is filed. If the employee is injured due negligence that was not their own, the video will prove this as well. Merchandise Protection Business security systems can also contribute to shoplifting prevention. If a shoplifter knows there is a camera on them, they may not shoplift. If they do, the footage can be used to catch the culprit. If there is a burglary after hours, the alarm system will sound and alert the authorities. Once again, video can be used to try and catch the thief. Most of the time, the mere presence of an alarm system and video surveillance will deter a burglar. Furthermore, having security measures in place reduces monetary losses, which allows a business to not cut hours or freeze hiring in order to accommodate money lost to theft. This is another way in which employees are protected. Contact Your Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo Business Security Systems Company At SPS Fire & Security, we want to ensure the safety of your employees, your business, and your bottom line. Call today at 585-770-0348 today for more information or complete our contact form below.
Access Control Systems for Business
How Access Control Protects Your Business What is an Access Control System? An Access control System is a reliable, secure and convenient way to control the traffic flow of employees and visitors who enter and exit a building. Some of the facility types that integrate access control into their security include: Office buildings (17% of installations) Industrial manufacturing (13% of installations) Hospitals, schools, and universities (12% of installations) Government facilities (11% of installations) Financial institutions (9% of installations) Retail establishments (9% of installations) Warehousing/Trucking industry (9% of installations) Utilities (6% of installations) Gaming and hospitality industries (5% of installations0 Mass public transportation facilities (4% of installations) The other 5% of installations belong to residential applications. Access Control Systems allow companies to monitor the entrance and exiting of the employees. Through computer software, you can track and report dates, times and how many times employees or visitors have entered and exited the facility. Many companies nowadays are changing over to an access control system where the employees either need a secured registered ID card, a pin number or a fingerprint instead of sets of multiple keys to gain access to different parts of the facility. Converting to an access control system will allow more areas to be restricted to visitors or employees not authorized to enter those areas. Protecting Employees with Access Control It is always a sigh of relief to be able to work late in a safe protected environment. With this system, employers can relax knowing that their business is protected and employees can be ensured that unwanted individuals can not enter. If an unauthorized individual tries to access the facility, they aren’t going to be able to. Trying could also constitute a call to authorities to determine why the person was there trying to access the facility. If they did manage to enter, video surveillance can be used to determine who did it and what they did. Access control is almost always accompanied by security cameras. Low Maintenance and Customized To Your Company’s Needs Thousands of businesses can benefit from a customized easy low maintenance system. This type of system can easily be used with a register card, finger print or password. It all depends on what the employer finds works best for them. With many businesses having employees that have access to many different areas located in their businesses, with access control as the employer you can limit what areas employees can enter. Access Control for the Rochester Metro, Syracuse Metro, and Buffalo Metro Do you or someone you know have a business that would benefit from an access control system? If so, contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348.
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.
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.
The Lowdown on Motion Detectors
Motion Detectors and Motion Sensors The last thing any of us wants is for someone to be sneaking around outside or inside our homes or businesses. Believe it or not, a motion detector can have a snooping creep behind bars in no time. That’s pretty nice, isn’t it? Something as simple as motion sensors inside and outside your Rochester home or business can protect what is yours. Types of Motion Detectors There are different types of motion detection. There are alarms with motion detectors. They are a part of the system so that when someone infiltrates a door or window, the alarm system can be triggered and the authorities notified. There are also these types: Driveway motion detectors – If you get a lot of visitors, mounting a driveway motion detector will let you know when someone is in your driveway. Really, you can place this type of motion detector anywhere around your house. Many of these have a range of up to 400 feet. That type of range is good for someone who lives in a rural area. A shorter range can be used if you live close to a city street. When the detector is triggered, it sets off an alert inside the house. It can be a chime or even a light that comes on. Motion activated flood lights – A motion activated flood light works the same way as a driveway alert. However, you don’t necessarily have to be notified when it is triggered. Instead, the flood light comes on and it shines on whatever has triggered it. If it is a burglar, they will most likely run away because they don’t want to be seen. If it is the neighbor’s dog, it probably won’t care. The barking motion detector – This can give a burglar a good jolt in the chest as their heart jumps out of it. They step up on your doorstep and suddenly a dog starts barking at them. These motion sensors can be set to activate when there is motion in front of windows or doors. Some models can also be set to less threatening sounds, especially when you are home and expecting visitors. Security alarms – This is the type that is going to give a burglar a nice scare. If they dare try to enter a window or door, the motion detector is going to tell the alarm system, which is going to alert the authorities. The alarm sounding is usually enough to scare the burglar away. What is great is that the motion sensors can be wireless so they can be placed anywhere. How do Motion Sensors Work? They can be passive infrared, ultrasonic, microwave, tomographic, or the sensor types can be combined. Yes, there are some big words there. Passive infrared simply detects anything that is warm-blooded. So if you’re the lizard belonging to the boy across the street decides to come for a visit, it isn’t going to be detected. Friendly people, cats, dogs, rabbits, Bigfoot, your annoying cousin, and burglars are going to be detected. Ultrasonic listens for sounds like metal on metal or breaking glass. Passive sensors are extremely sensitive, but they can often cause false alarms. Active sensors emit ultrasonic waves. Because dogs, cats, and some species of fish can hear these frequencies, they can be disturbed. If you have never seen a disturbed fish, this is one way you could achieve that. Microwave sensors use microwave pulses and then measure the reflection of those pulses off of objects to tell whether or not they are in motion. It is possible for these sensors to detect things not in the target range. Tomographic uses radio waves and senses when those waves are disturbed. These are expensive, but extremely useful in warehouses, storage units, and other areas that need commercial grade security. Professionally Installed Motion Detectors To make sure motion detectors are facing the right direction, are in the best places for detecting intruders, and are the most effective, it is best to have them professionally installed. SPS Fire & Security has a wide range of options for you to keep your home and business safe, so call today at 585-770-0348 to find out how you can protect your space.
Video Surveillance Cameras in Schools
School Video Surveillance Tips Keeping our kids safe should be the school’s number one priority. Schools nowadays should have a good security system in place. Video surveillance is what every school should have between theft, accidents leading to lawsuits and unwanted visits. If a school doesn’t already have video surveillance camera system to keep an eye on areas where personnel may not be present at all times, administrators should think about contacting a security company to learn about the advantages of getting one. Best Areas for Video Surveillance There are many areas of a school that administrators can’t monitor all the times. Three potential areas that are should have video surveillance; parking, playground, and hallways. Parking lots: Many individuals (staff, parents, kids, bus drivers, deliveries and more) come and go from the school grounds. Many problems occur in the school parking lot such as car accidents, break-ins, fights or loitering, but having security cameras to monitor that parking lot allows the administrator in charge of the cameras to oversee and playback any problems that may occur. Many problems can be resolved, such as who was at fault for a car accident. Playgrounds: A great number of accidents occur on the playground that not every staff member who is outside with the children can monitor. If an accident ever occurs, an administrator can playback the video surveillance footage to see all the specifics of the accident. Video surveillance can also be useful when determining who started a fight or identify someone who was on school grounds who shouldn’t have been. Hallways: One of the most common locations for video surveillance cameras is all through the school in the hallways. These locations are high traffic by not only the students and staff but many individuals who come to visit the school, such as parents and delivery people. Between fights and conflicts that happens near lockers and bathrooms, video surveillance is important to have in the hallways. Keeping Students Safe Parking lots, playgrounds and hallways are all good places to have video cameras, but the staff at the school knows best other areas where video surveillance can be useful. If there is a high rate of fights near a certain bathroom or around a corner that is hard to see, then maybe that is a spot where video surveillance can be added for monitoring. Contact Your Rochester Security Company If you as a parent or staff member know that your school doesn’t have proper security systems or needs to upgrade to more contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348.
Rochester NY Motion Detectors 411
Everything You Need to Know About Motion Detectors Motion detectors are an important part of your home automation system and/or security system. Combined with door and window sensors, video surveillance, and the alarm system, This puts your mind at ease when you are at home and when you’re away. Motion detectors that use infrared technology, a 90-degree lookdown to make sure intruders are noticed, and a wireless signal range are highly effective in making sure the home has the security that it always needs. The best motion detectors have around a 50-foot range and a 100-degree wide-angle spread. The detectors are also tamper-proof and they are monitored so that suspicious activity can be detected immediately. When Motion Detectors are Triggered When a motion detector is triggered, the central monitoring station is notified. If you’re worried about your pets triggering the system, a pet under 55 pounds won’t trigger the motion detector. This removes the worry that a pet left at home is going to prompt contact with central monitoring. Nonetheless, when a motion detector is triggered, central monitoring can ensure the proper authorities are sent to your property so the intruder can be caught or so the intrusion can be investigated. Blends into the Home So there are no eyesores, motion detectors blend well into the home. They are small and usually not really noticeable. The only time a motion detector is noticeable is when you think about it or just happen to lay your eyes on it. Then there is the time in which you think about them and check them using a mobile application. This allows you to have even more peace of mind when you are on the go. Common Placement The common placements for motion detectors are around the front door, side door, back door, and off-street windows on the first floor. It also doesn’t hurt to have motion detectors and cameras near the basement door and stairs, garage door, and gates in the backyard. A good home security company in Rochester is going to know the common points of entry for burglars. It involves a look at your property so the points of vulnerability can be located. Other areas inside the home involve the master bedroom, living room, and home office as burglars look for important items to steal. Anywhere items of value may be kept are targets. Valuables include money, jewelry, and personal information that could be used for identity theft. Contact A Rochester NY Motion Detectors Installer It is important that motion detectors are installed correctly so you can get the most out of them. They need to face the proper angles and be placed in areas where intruders can be detected. Contact SPS Fire and Security today at 585-770-0348 to learn about motion detectors for home and business, how they can benefit the unique layout of your home and property, and to get answers to any questions that you may have so you can make an informed decision about motion detectors in your home or business.