How to Avoid Getting Locked Out of Your Home or Business
Prevent Lock Outs How to avoid getting locked out of your home or business, is a question that everyone asks. Have you ever walked out of your house and accidentally locked the door without meaning to? Maybe you left the keys lying on the kitchen table, got to your car, and realized you had no keys to start the car. It’s a nightmare because you then have to call a locksmith or crawl through a window (which should be closed and locked). Even if you leave a spare key outside to avoid getting locked out of your home, that in itself isn’t safe because burglars look for keys. Perhaps you’re a business owner or manager who arrived at your business and realized you left the keys at home. This can happen, especially among those that keep their keys separate from their personal keys. However, personal keys can get lost or, like the scenario above, be locked in the house or even, somehow, locked inside the business. It would be awful to lose business due to not being able to open on time because of misplaced or locked up keys. Worse: what if your key broke? That happens and it’s not a pleasant situation at all. How to Avoid Getting Locked Out of Your Home or Business There are some basic ways that you can keep from getting locked out of your home or business: Give trusted friends and family members spare keys. It’s ideal if they live nearby so they can arrive quickly. The downfall to this is that you might not get fast help if they are busy with something else, such as work. Keep a spare key in your car. The only issue with this is that your car should be locked when it is parked and not in use. If you lock your keys in the house, you can’t unlock your car. This can work better for business keys since you need your car to get to work. Consider the Smart Lock The safest solution out of them all is to install smart locks. You don’t have to have a key to control the locks on your home or business when you have this high-tech solution in place. A smart phone or tablet can be used to access the home or business remotely. We are all more likely to forget our keys than we are to forget our phones, although it goes both ways at times, but having a good service behind your smart lock can ensure you are taken care of if your keys and your smart phone decide to hang out somewhere you’re not. Plus, multiple people in the household can have the app. That way, they can remotely unlock the door for you if you’re locked out. This is a much more affordable solution than having to call a locksmith, break a window, or dangerously crawl through a window. Contact A Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse Security System Installer At SPS Fire & Security, your safety is #1. We carry and install the latest security systems so you can have the peace of mind you need at home and at work. To learn more about our products and services, call us at 585-770-0348.
Love Dogs? Here’s How Alarm Systems Help Dog Families
How Effective are Dogs as Alarm Systems? Being a dog parent is hard work, but the effort is well rewarded by the love that you and that cuddly bundle of fur have for each other. A result of this love is your desire to protect your furry family member because you don’t want anything bad to happen to them. What’s amazing is that alarm systems can be instrumental in providing this protection But wait… Aren’t dogs great at protecting their homes? Yes, they can be, but a dog isn’t always sufficient in keeping an intruder away. A dog is merely an inconvenience to a burglar and that can bring more harm to the dog than the dog brings to the intruder. A Few Startling Facts Here are some eye-opening bits of info that might interest you: 34% of burglars state that a dog inside the house changes their mind before breaking into a home. This means that 66% are still not deterred. According to the Department of Justice, a dog is a theft deterrent if a burglar is afraid of dogs. As evidenced by the previous statistics, that’s not the majority of burglars. Dogs that bark at the right times can be effective at scaring off intruders, but dogs that bark at random things tend to not scare off intruders that have cased the house and know the dog’s habits. Habitual barkers are also more likely to be ignored by neighbors. Unfortunately, intruders can calm a dog easily with treats or meat containing a tranquilizer. In some tests, trained guard dogs failed to resist this distraction. Intruders have been known to harm dogs or take their lives. Here is an Inside Edition investigation that put dogs to the test: Getting to the Bottom of Dog Senses The fact is that dog senses aren’t always foolproof. They have fantastic senses of smell and hearing, but some breeds of dogs can fall short when it comes to making certain decisions. As illustrated in the Inside Edition investigation, the smallest dogs in the test were the ones that displayed the greatest guard dog characteristics. Unfortunately, their small size still makes them targets. Reliable Intruder Alarms Monitored 24/7 We just have to face the fact that dogs are vulnerable. This in itself is frightening considering you want to protect your dog and your property. You can have the smartest dog on the planet, but something as simple as dangling a tasty treat in front of them can be a game changer. It simply isn’t fair to put them in charge of home security, as they are family members that want to relax, play, and make you happy. The Right Tools for Protecting Your Home and Dog So, what you need to do is put the right tools in place and that starts with a professionally installed home security system. Many residences throughout Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo have these systems in place. Seeing that a system is installed deters 60% of burglars, but a majority of 86 burglars interviewed by KTVB said they would immediately leave if an alarm system began sounding. Basically, a good combination of video cameras, 24/7 monitoring, alarms, and motion sensors can give you a greater degree of security, protect your dog, and give you better peace of mind. Plus, cameras installed inside of the home can be monitored remotely via your smartphone, allowing you to keep an eye on your home and your dog. Contact An Experienced Rochester Alarm System Company All-in-all, you can take the pressure off of Fido and let a professionally installed alarm system do the work for you both. The reliability and level of security are outstanding. To learn more about how SPS Fire & Security can help you, call 585-770-0348 or complete our contact form and we will get back to you. Also serving the Syracuse and Buffalo areas.
Video Surveillance Camera Types, Lens Types & Why You Should Care
A Quick Guide for Choosing the Right Surveillance Camera for Your Home or Business So why should you be concerned about security cameras and lenses not being created equally? How does this impact your specific situation when choosing a video surveillance system for your home and business? It can be easy to look at the cost of a camera and make that the only deciding factor, but it goes much deeper than that. When choosing a security camera for business or home, there are important decisions to be made. The first is the type of camera you need. Of course, this decision is application- and budget-based. The lens types each camera uses can also weigh heavily on the decision. Perhaps the area you need to monitor doesn’t change much. In that case, you aren’t going to need the same type of lens the cameras in a bank or department store require. If the scene is an active one, you may need something more advanced. While this may sound a little overwhelming, don’t get too anxious. The decision is much easier than it seems. Below is a breakdown of cameras and why you should care about those differences. The Security Camera Rundown Box Security Camera The box camera is the standard camera type and, of course, it gets its name from its shape. Aesthetically speaking, it doesn’t have anything extravagant going on, but it’s what’s inside that counts. For instance, the lens can be customized based on what is needed for the indoor or outdoor application. Despite the misleading primitive design of this camera, fixed lenses and the more advanced varifocal are two of the lenses that can be used. These cameras are thought to be primarily analog, but they are available as IP cameras as well. Why you should care: Plenty of reasons! This is a common type of video surveillance camera used in residential and commercial indoor and outdoor applications. This also makes it more affordable compared to some camera types. In addition, it’s good to have a camera that allows lens customization so the right one can be chosen based on environment and lighting conditions. Mini Dome Security Camera You’ve most likely seen the mini dome cameras installed in the ceilings of department stores. The overall function is just like any camera; it’s the housing that is different. The dome housing is ideal for warehouses, department stores, kitchens and any indoor or outdoor application that could cause the camera to get excessively dirty and dusty. Why you should care: The mini dome surveillance camera is frequently used in commercial applications. If you own or manage a facility of any type, this is a great way to keep tabs on what is happening at all times. Available in both analog and IP models, the IP models give you better system management and resolutions. However, you have options depending on need and budget. Bullet Security Camera The bullet camera is a type that looks to be straight out of a science fiction film because of its modern aesthetics. These surveillance cameras are also called “IR illuminators.” The design of the housing reduces the need for servicing. Plus, these cameras tend to take up a smaller footprint than others. The IR illuminator is the type of camera you want in a low light situation. This camera is also available in analog and IP versions. Why you should care: The bullet surveillance camera is tough and doesn’t require separate housing to protect it from the environment. When looking for the right camera, you may need an IP or analog model that takes up very little space, needs servicing less often, and operates well when lighting may not be optimal. PTZ Security Camera If you think the bullet camera has a bit of a sci-fi feel to it, the PTZ surveillance camera has a higher level of functionality. This is the type of camera that allows you to remotely pan, tilt, and zoom using software or a joystick. Surveillance patterns can also be preset so areas of interest are recorded automatically instead of with manual manipulation. This type of security camera helps you survey a wider area with a single camera versus having a camera fixed on one location. You can even zoom in on specific details in real-time. This camera type is available in analog and IP. Why you should care: The PTZ camera gives you more control so you can see what you need to see with a single unit. If you prefer to not be at the mercy of a camera that is fixed on one area of interest, then this may be precisely what you need for your home or business. Quality cameras that keep an eye on your home or business Choosing the Right Lens There are two types of lenses used in video surveillance cameras. They are the fixed security camera lens and the varifocal lens. You may remember seeing these mentioned earlier since the box camera is one type that can use both. But what’s the difference? The fixed lens is a monofocal lens, which means the focal length of the lens is permanently set and can’t be changed, so it tends to have a fixed focal point. This leads to your next very important decision: do you choose a narrow-angle camera lens or a wide-angle lens? Of course, the decision depends on what you need the camera to look at. The varifocal lens allows you to adjust the focal length based on what you need. The PTZ security camera, for instance, uses a varifocal lens because of its motorized controls. You can zoom in and out as needed on an object or area. If you need to get a clearer and more focused image, a PTZ camera with a varifocal lens will make that possible. Fixed lens applications: A fixed lens is ideal for interior spaces because the lens can’t be adjusted, so it has a fixed focal point. Some applications include a baby’s
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.