Home Automation: Making Your Smartphone a Home Security Tool
Smart Home Connectivity Today’s security systems differ greatly from those installed 10 or more years ago. These days, you can integrate your smartphone into the system through home automation. Security systems also offer much more intelligence than they used to; you can control everything from your lights to your thermostat from wherever you are. SPS Fire & Security can set you up with a smart home system that will give you peace of mind and freedom when you’re on the go A Rundown of Home Automation Here’s a rundown of how automating your home works: You have climate control capabilities that allow you to regulate the temperature of your home without using your thermostat. In other words, you can change the temperature from your couch or from a hotel in Hawaii. All you need is your smartphone and the applicable app. Watch your home security camera feed to monitor your home at all times. You can view multiple home security cameras simultaneously, and it’s all live! Want to see if the cat is climbing the curtains? You can do that. If you need to ensure no one has broken into your home, check your feed for anything suspicious. If a break-in occurs, video footage can help catch the culprit. When You’re Away: Turn on your interior and exterior lights to make it look like someone is home when no one is. You can also set rules for your lights so you don’t have to worry about remembering to turn lights on and off through the app. All this can be controlled through the app. If motion sensors are activated at your home, the app will send an alert to your smartphone so you are aware of what’s going on. You can arm and disarm your home alarm system remotely. This can give friends or family access while you’re gone. Instead of giving away your code, you can let them in when they need in. As you can see, home automation is amazing in that it gives you more flexibility, peace of mind, and control. One of the worst feelings is going on vacation and wondering if you adjusted the thermostat accordingly, locked the door, or set the alarm. If you have a smartphone, you have the control you need. Contact A Rochester Home Automation Security Company Home automation is becoming the way of the home security world as more homeowners want control. Even business owners are getting in on the technology. If you want in on this technology so you can secure your home and make your life easier, call SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 to request a free quote or complete the contact form below.
Reduce Household Hazards: Make Your Home Safer Today
Home Security Systems Reduce Household Hazards How do we reduce household hazards?. 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. It’s amazing how much you can reduce household hazards. 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 Home security stops break-ins. It keeps your things safe. Your system can be simple. It can have door and window sensors. Or, you can add cameras around your yard. You can also use your phone to check your system. This lets you see what’s happening at home when you’re gone. Just having the system helps. You’ll likely have a sign in your yard. A sticker on your door will say your home is safe. If a thief still breaks in, the alarm sounds. The monitoring service gets an alert. They send police to your house. If you use cameras, you can get the thief’s face on video. This video helps catch them. When they’re caught, you save many others from harm. Contact Your Rochester, NY Home Security Company to Reduce Household Hazards 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.
Don’t Fall for Bank Scams: Easy Tips to Protect Your Money
Protect Your Money from Bank Scams You’ve heard of door-to-door scams, and your home video system can even help spot those people. Also, many phone scams exist. Now, bank scams are a big problem. These bank scams happen in many ways. For example, you might get calls, emails, or letters that look just like ones from your bank. But remember this key thing: banks will never ask you for secret information over the phone. So, ifsomeone asks for it, it’s probably not your bank calling. This new bank scam makes many people very careful about sharing their personal details. The scammer on the phone will tell you there’s a safety problem with your account or bank card. They’ll also say you can fix the problem right then. However, normally, if there’s an issue with your account, you call 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, follow one quick rule: Wait at least five minutes. Then, call your bank using the number on the back of your bank card. Why wait five minutes? It’s for your safety. The scammer calling you isn’t your bank, so they won’t hang up right away. They want you to start dialing fast. If you dial right away, you might think you’re calling your bank, but the fake caller is still on the line! This could be very bad. Many problems can happen if you aren’t careful with your bank account and 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 Scams? Your bank won’t call you about problems with your account. Usually, you call them. So, remember this. Your bank will never ask you to move money between accounts. Again, you are the one who calls your bank or goes online to move your money. If someone calls and says they are your bank, wait five minutes before you call your bank back. Tell your bank what happened. They can then freeze your account. This stops the scammer from getting to your money, so you don’t lose money or become a victim of identity theft. Never give out any info to someone who calls and says they are your bank. This includes your name, address, phone number (they should have it if they called you!), secret questions, account numbers, Social Security number, and more. If you have older children who might answer the phone and know your bank info, warn them about these scams.Some kids might not know better and could accidentally tell a scammer your private details. Contact Your Rochester Security Alarm Company It’s important to keep every part of your life safe. You don’t just need to protect your bank accounts; you also need to guard your home and everything you’ve worked for. Luckily, home security systems help you do that. For example, if someone knocks on your door trying to sell you something fake or asking for your information, your home camera system can catch their face. Also, if someone tries to get into your home, whether you’re there or not, you and the security company will know right away, so you can deal with it fast. 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: Prepare Now, Stay Calm & Secure
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. This makes safety during power outages a must. A 2017 storm hit hard. For instance, hurricane winds left many in the dark for over a day. Some had no power for more than a week. RG&E reported big numbers. On March 8, 2017, at 2:30 PM, they said 31,000 customers in Monroe County lost power. That number grew all day. Many businesses closed early. School events were canceled. Then, on Thursday, many schools closed. By Sunday, March 12, 2017, 9,314 customers still had no 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. However, it lasts for a specific time. Know your battery life. If so, contact SPS Fire & Security today. Learn how an alarm system can protect your home during an outage. Remember, most outages last less than half a day. But also, burglars become more active then. They target empty places. Call today at 585-770-0348.
Staying Home Alone in New York: Your 5-Step Guide for Parent Peace of Mind
When Are Kids Old Enough to Stay Home Alone? Staying home alone has unclear rules for most people. Macaulay Culkin stayed home alone. He was eight in the 1990 movie “Home Alone.” But, that doesn’t make it right. Each state has its own laws. They cover proper ages for kids left alone. A child’s age and maturity matter too. These decide if they can stay home solo. So, it comes down to your choice and the law. Staying 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. Fortunately, there are guidelines that you as a parent should follow if you are thinking about your kids staying home alone: 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: Never leave children aged seven and under home alone. Also, do not leave them in a car, at a playground, or in the backyard without an adult. 8 to 10 years old: You can leave children aged 8 to 10 at home. However, do this only during daytime or early evening. They can stay alone for no more than 1.5 hours. 11 to 12 years old: You can leave children aged 11 to 12 at home. Still, do this for no more than 3 hours. They cannot stay overnight. 13 to 15 years old: You can leave children aged 13 to 15 unsupervised for long times. But, they cannot stay overnight. 16 to 17 years old: You can leave children aged 16 to 17 unsupervised. Moreover, they can stay home overnight for up to two nights alone. Keep Your Family Secure Through a Rochester Home Security Company If your children are old enough and ready to stay home alone, contact SPS Fire and Security. Call us at 585-770-0348. We can help you find the right security alarm for your home.
Winter Fireplace Safety: What You Need to Know
Tips for Safe Fireplace Use Many people buy a house with a fireplace, or they plan to add one. But if you get a fireplace, you should think about many things, especially if you have small children. Fireplace safety is important for everyone in your family. There are many fireplace safety tips to consider: First, get a pro to install your fireplace. Next, each year before you use your fireplace, hire a chimney sweep. They will check and clean your chimney. Also, as a homeowner, make sure your home has working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Check that each one works well and has fresh batteries. Furthermore, if you have a fireplace, keep a fire extinguisher close by. Crucially, never put anything near the fireplace. Flammable items should be at least three feet from the fire. If you have pets or small children, think about putting a gate around the fireplace. In addition, never burn anything that could make the fire too big. Don’t burn trash, Styrofoam, or plastic. These things can make your fire get out of control and become dangerous. Moreover, never use liquids that catch fire easily to start your fire. You can buy special fire-starting logs to help get your fire going safely. Also, make sure you have a fire alarm installed in case the fire gets out of control when you’re not in the room.That way, you and your family can be alerted right away, and the fire department can be called so they can take care of the fire as quickly as possible. Safe Fireplace Use Always open the damper before you light a fire. This makes sure smoke goes up the chimney and not into your home. Only use dry, seasoned wood. Wet wood makes more smoke and can leave sticky gunk in your chimney, which can cause fires. Never leave a fire burning in your fireplace when you leave the house or go to bed. Make sure all the embers are out. Always use a metal screen or glass doors in front of your fireplace. This stops sparks from flying out and keeps kids and pets safe. Finally, clean out ashes carefully. Hot ashes can stay hot for days! Always put them in a metal can with a lid, and move it far away from your house. Security Systems Have Fire Alarms Also, getting your fire alarm professionally installed in the right locations will properly update you when there’s a fire. That way, you and your family can be alerted right away, and the fire department can be called so they can take care of the fire 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.
The Most Common Phone Scams and How to Outsmart Them
Identifying the Most Common Phone Scams Scammers are everywhere. We deal with door-to-door, email, and internet scams. Now, scam artists use new tricks to cheat people over the phone. These common phone scams can even lead to robbery. Scammers might be checking to see who is home, if you have a security system, and other important details. Despite technological advances, the most common phone scams are getting more and more popular as a way to steal someone’s identity. Scammers find this type of fraud easier and safer for them. Unfortunately, it’s harder to catch a phone scammer because there’s no paper trail, unlike on the internet. Plus, they can manipulate caller ID systems to show false information. Can You Hear Me Now? Recently, a new phone scam called “Can You Hear Me Now?” has emerged. With this trick, the scammer tries to record your voice. After they ask, “Can you hear me now?” and you say “yes,” the scammer then claims you’ve agreed to something. As you talk, the scammer gains access to your personal information or anything else on your phone. They may also use many other questions to gather your information. Some other questions they might ask include: Are you the lady of the house? Are you a homeowner? Do you pay the household telephone bill? Scams like this are becoming more popular and there are many ways that you can protect yourself from them. Protecting Yourself From Theft Through Common Phone Scams Don’t Recognize Phone Number: If you ever see an unknown number calling, or if it says “restricted,” chances are it’s someone you don’t know. When this happens, simply let the call go to voicemail. Scammers never leave messages. If it’s a legitimate caller, they will leave one. Act Slowly: Don’t always rush to answer your phone. If you quickly pick up, thinking it’s someone you know, you could become the victim of a targeted scam. Always look carefully at all calls before answering. Let unknown numbers go straight to voicemail. Don’t Answer Any Questions Over The Phone: Answering questions over the phone often leads to information leaking to scammers. Even the smallest details can help a scam artist get your personal information. Never Give Out Information: No matter what, never give out your information when buying anything over the phone unless you initiated the call. If a company calls you about an item you’ve bought, you can ask questions to verify they are truly from that company. Don’t Pay: If you’re ever ordering anything over the phone, the company normally won’t call you to ask for payment. You, as the customer, always call them to pay for your purchases. Never give out your payment information or Social Security number to an unknown number. Scammers often ask for wire money transfers. If you ever hear the words “wire transfer,” you can be sure it’s a scam. Contact Your Rochester Security Company and Protect Yourself More! Take action now to be safer when answering the phone. You never know what scam artist is going to be calling next. If you have any questions on how to stay safe contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348.
Ultimate February Home Safety Checklist: Stay Warm & Secure
A Home Safety Checklist You Can Use Year Round Every year, we make resolutions like helping others or losing weight. However, some people forget about home safety. This is an important resolution, and it’s not too late to make it, as the year is still early. With a good home safety checklist, you can get through even the harshest part of winter. Below, you’ll find a home safety checklist you can use in February and year-round to make your home as secure as possible. Bedrooms and Other Living Spaces Practice an emergency plan with your family and create escape routes for everyone. Run through this escape route at least once a month so everyone knows it well. Make sure you have flashlights with working batteries in every storm kit. This way, you’ll be ready if snow or a general power outage knocks out your power. Hallway Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. If you have a home security system, remember that many include built-in detection for both. This means authorities are alerted even if you’re not interacting with the system when these dangerous elements are sensed. Make sure your fire extinguishers are full. The needle must point to the green zone. If it’s not, it’s time to replace or service the extinguisher. Also, check that the hose isn’t cracked and that the handle and locking pin are in place. Kitchen Keep a contact list on your refrigerator. Include all important numbers like Poison Control, your doctor, emergency services, and close family members. Check your range’s hood fan for grease buildup. This can cause a fire, so clean it regularly to ensure it works properly. Also, check your kitchen fire extinguisher to confirm the needle is in the green zone and that nothing is broken or out of place. Give your oven and range top a deep clean. For your garbage disposal, use vinegar, baking soda, ice, hot water, and some lemon or lime to clean it thoroughly. Basement Make sure you clean your circuit breaker to avoid outages and power surges. Also, cover your pipes properly to prevent them from freezing. If your basement temperature drops below 32 degrees, you risk frozen pipes. Remember to change your furnace filters every four to six weeks. Furthermore, dust your air vents regularly. Inspect your basement for cracks, leaks, or mold that could cause health hazards or other dangers. Finally, ensure any outside doors to your basement are secure. If you’re installing a security system, put a sensor on the outside basement door. This helps even if a thief would also need to go through an interior door to get into your home. Bathroom Make sure your first aid kit is full. Make sure windows have locks and that they are locked. This is something you should check throughout the entire house. Outside Check your outdoor lighting. Good outdoor lighting helps you and your visitors see where you’re walking. It also deters burglars. If you don’t have outdoor lights, get some installed. Motion lights are excellent additions. If you lack outside video surveillance, consider adding it. You can see everyone who comes to your home. This helps you identify unwelcome visitors. Additional Home Safety Checklist Items You can make your home safer with many steps, but checking fire extinguishers or cleaning garbage disposals won’t keep thieves away. Unfortunately, burglars break into homes daily across Rochester and all over New York, often because those homes lack security systems. This not only means losing belongings but also losing your sense of personal security. Contact Your Rochester Security System Installer and Finish Your Home Safety Checklist To make your home more secure, SPS Fire & Security offers a full suite of solutions. Just call us and ask about the best option for your home and your needs. Call us today at 585-770-0348 to learn more!
Children and the Internet: Another Type of Home Security
Children and the Internet: How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online You might not typically link children and the internet with home security, but they are connected. Recently, a very disturbing video of a young girl ending her life circulated online, and many young children across the nation accessed it. Because of this, many schools sent letters to parents. They stated they are doing everything possible to protect children by controlling what they see online. As parents, we can’t be with our children every minute. However, you can take many steps to ensure your child’s online safety during computer use. This helps prevent them from ever seeing another disturbing video. Children and the Internet: Teaching Children about Online Safety Online safety is another measure in home security because of the information that can be relayed on the internet. The most important rule for online safety for children is to set up a time with how long that children can go online. Your children should never give out personal information to anyone or at anytime. Giving out any information should be the decision made by the parent. Never give out your passwords to any one other then parents. Never allow children to post pictures without approval from the parents. It happens and people find a way to use pictures as a source to find out where you or your children are at. If messages come across the computer and you don’t know who the person is, don’t respond. Your child should close the opened app or window and tell an adult. Before downloading any software that might damage the computer, children should ask parents first. What Parents Can Do with Children and the Internet’s Risks If you have young children that are using the computer ,you want to do the following things to protect your children and the computer: Set up security guidelines (block all sites your children can not go on) on the computer. Your children should only be on age appropriate websites. Set up a timer to measure the length of time your children is on the computer. Some software programs have a timer that will allow the computer so shut off after a certain length of time. After your children has been on the computer, always be sure to check the browser history to see where your child went to. If you are not home and you don’t want your children to have access to the computer until you get home, there are ways to add a password to the computer. Make the password something that your children will never figure out. Contact Your Rochester Home Security Company This article gives you tips on how to deal with children and the internet. We, however, can make your home safer. Contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 to find out how you can make your life more secure.
Home Security in the New Year
Make Home Security Resolution The new year is almost here and so is the long list of New Year’s resolutions that you want to commit to so you can improve your life. One of the ways you can improve your life is through your level of home security. These are resolutions that can be applied to business security as well, such as adding surveillance cameras where they need to be or upgrading existing cameras to ones that have better picture quality. Regardless of whether you need improved security for home or business reasons, here is a list of home security resolutions that you can use to make life a bit safer for you, your family, your belongings, your business, or all your interests: Improve Your Habits Make sure doors are locked, the security system is set, batteries are changed in smoke detectors, and that lights are on when they need to be. Install timers for lights, especially before going on vacation, and make sure you have good outdoor security. A home or business that is lit up is one a thief is more likely to stay away from. Consider Adding Extra Home Security It may not be enough to have an alarm because thieves can strike other parts of your property. Surveillance cameras can capture who is outside. If someone breaks into an outbuilding or tries to break into your house, you can acquire footage that will help authorities catch the culprits. Replace Outdated Home Security Systems Homeowners and business owners should replace outdated security systems. If you have an old system, you can do better. Today, systems include fire and carbon monoxide detection. You can also add motion detectors and more sensors. Many possibilities exist. Just talk to a security company specializing in advanced systems. You can even turn your home into a smart home. This makes your life more convenient. In fact, home automation is very popular now. You can remotely arm your security system, unlock doors, turn lights on and off, and even adjust your thermostat. You can do all of this from your smartphone. Change Your Passcode If you already have a security system, it is good to change your passcode. Having the same passcode all the time is a security risk. In fact, it is good to change it a couple times a year. Now is a good time to change it for the first time this year. Make sure you give the new code to everyone who needs to have it and remind them not to share it with anyone. Lock Outside Buildings Lock your outside buildings. Add outside video surveillance for better security. You also want motion lights that turn on when someone enters your property. Light always helps defend against burglars. Buy a Fireproof Safe If you haven’t already, you need a fireproof safe. While the security system, motion sensors, video cameras, and window and door sensors are all designed to keep thieves out, having valuables in a fireproof safe can give them even more protection in case someone does get in. One of the first places a thief visits when inside a home is the bedroom. When inside a business, they will go to the office in hopes they can find money, catch a cash register on the way, or break into the safe. Call Your Rochester Home Security Company To make yourself safer this year, consider investing in a modern home security or business security system. If your home or business is ever broken into or someone attempts to do so, you will be very glad that you protected everything you care about in this way. Call SPS Fire & Security today at 585-770-0348 to learn more.