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.
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.
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.
Home Security Systems and the Elderly
Security Systems Protect the Elderly As we get older and our children grow up and move out, we may downsize our house or make other changes. While these changes occur, our home security systems must change as well. The alarm system that fits your family’s needs right now might not fit your needs as you get older. Whether it is the cold winter months when elderly people go to a place where it is warmer out of preference or medical reasons or any time of the year, alarm systems are always important to have. Elderly individuals and security alarms are like the four seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall) only they three seasons in life (medical, daily routines and second home). Three types of alarms that elderly people should have as time goes on are a medical alarm, home automation, and remote control access. Home Security Systems for Elderly Individuals’ Homes Medical Alarm Many elderly individuals as they get older will experience a great number of health issues. Some of the healthy issues will be either uncontrollable or cause individuals to fall. A medical alarm system won’t prevent bad health but will help an elderly individual in the case of an emergency. This type of alarm is easy for elderly people to access with just the push of a button. Because this alarm is available for elderly homeowners, it is great for them so that they are able to live on their own and live without fear longer. Home Automation Young people and elderly people are different when it comes to keeping a routine and, generally, it’s the elderly that do a better job. An elderly person who likes to stay in a daily routine will benefit greatly from having a home automation alarm. With this alarm, if they get up and go to bed at the same time, they can set the alarms for those times of the day. Home automation is also much more convenient for people of all ages because you can keep track of what is happening at all times. The technical things become a bit easier. Remote Control Access Elderly people remind us of birds. Once it starts getting colder out they both head south. While they are not home and if they don’t feel comfortable having someone come to their house, having an alarm system with remote control access can give them the ability to run their home without having to be there. Going south for warmer weather, visiting their children, grandchildren, friends or going on vacation any time of the year can give elderly homeowners the assurance they need to make sure their house is safe. Not only do elderly homeowners need certain alarms systems to ensure safety for health and their home but they need to make sure they get all the basics as well. Many elderly homeowners, when scheduling to get their security alarm installed, should make sure they get everything they need that will benefit them. Contact Your Rochester Home Security Company If you or any elderly homeowner you know may be looking for a security alarm system, contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348.
Home Security in the New Year
Make a 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 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 Security Systems It is good for homeowners and business owners to replace outdated security systems. If your system is old, you could do better. Systems now have fire and carbon monoxide detection built in. You can add motion detectors and more sensors. There are many possibilities. All you have to do is talk to a security company that specializes in advanced systems. It is even possible to turn your home into a smart home, which makes life more convenient for you. Home automation is becoming very hot with the ability to remotely arm the security system, unlock doors, turn lights on and off, and even adjust the thermostat. All of this can be done from a 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 If you have outside buildings on your property, keep them locked. Add outside video surveillance to give better security. You also want motion lights so that they are triggered when someone comes on the property. Light is always a good defense 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.
Protecting Your Packages During the Holiday Season
Don’t Be the Victim of a Porch Pirate It is that time of year again where many individuals get so busy that they are unable to make it to the stores to purchase their Christmas presents for that special someone. Since they are unable to make it to the stores, these individuals are heading straight to online shopping to make many purchases. Unfortunately, during the Christmas season, there have been reports of many package thefts happening all around the world. People will order their items online and then have them delivered. Chances are, they are unable to be home when that special item arrives. Leaving your items unattended all day and night on your doorstep will result in them getting stolen. According to ABC News, the average cost is $28 worth of packages stolen from your front door. Tips for Protecting Your Packages Major tip: Home security systems can come with video surveillance. Keep an eye on your porch and keep thieves away. If they still take the package, you have evidence. Here are other tips to protect your packages: Have your packages shipped to you at work if that is possible. If that is not an option, have a neighbor or friend wait at your house on the day your package arrives. When ordering online, keep a lookout for an email from the company you have ordered from for a link to the website with a tracking number. By watching the website for when your package will arrive allows you to plan accordingly for what day and time to expect the arrival. If you are sending a package to someone, pay the extra money if needed to have a signature requested when the package arrives. That way the delivery person cannot leave the package and you can feel more at ease to know it got to that special person. If the first three ways don’t make you feel comfortable then you can install a video surveillance camera. By doing so you can protect your home and packages. Plus you will have evidence of the package thieve. If you are a person that not only during the holiday season you have a lot of packages sent to you then you might want to take into consideration these helpful tips all year long. Contact Your Fire & Security Experts Also keep in mind that the holidays is a time for Christmas light hazards, tree fires, and break-ins. Consider contacting SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 to make an appointment to have a security system installed. There are many options to protect you and your home and family from fire, carbon monoxide, and burglars.
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.
Car and Home Security in Rochester
Keep Your Car and Home Safe No matter where you plan on parking your car, you should never leave valuable things inside. It doesn’t matter if you are holiday shopping, at a friends or relatives house, or at your own home, break-ins, whether it would be in a car or home, can lead to valuable items being taken and for identity theft. In the last few days, there have been many posts on social media about car break-ins in and around Rochester. One of the individuals that had their car broken into had their groceries (soda and Gatorade) stolen, and then another individual had their expensive hunting gear taken. All of this was done while the cars were parked in their driveways. Now let’s talk about security at your own home for your car. What is the best type of security to have if your neighborhood or any surrounding neighborhoods have a high number of car break-ins? If you must leave valuable items in your car overnight or for a long period of time, there are some security tips and equipment that you can buy to protect your car. 1. Car Alarm System The first smart thing to do when purchasing a car is to get a car with an alarm or, if the car you like doesn’t have one, get one installed. A car alarm will go off when the driver side door is opened and the keys are not in the ignition to stop the alarm. 2. Motion Sensors Motion sensors are an important aspect of home security because they can detect when there is movement in a certain area. These lights will turn on when someone or something is moving near the sensor. 3. Video Surveillance A video surveillance system is a system that your security company can install that will allow you to be able to go on your mobile device or your computer to see any activity that may be happening. If there is a lot of activity that involves a lot of people at your house and your car does happen to be broken into, then you can go and see if the video surveillance footage can tell you anything. Not only is it good to do the three things that are listed above, but there are many other things that you could do to protect your car when parked right in your driveway. Don’t make your car and the things that are in it available for people to want to break-in. Contact An Expert Security Alarm Installation Company If you are interested in installing a security alarm or upgrading your alarm contact SPS Fire and Security at 585-770-0348 so we can help you get the security alarm that best suites you and your needs.
New Parents: Using Home Security Products for a Safer Home
Using Home Security to Keep Babies Safe It is exciting to be a new parent. You have expectations and plans for your child. You want them to grow up to be a good person and to make something of themselves. You also want to keep them safe in every area of their life. Home security is where that safety starts. Keeping your child safe starts at home. There are several home security products that will help you make your home as safe as possible for your baby and you. This will give you what you need to be safe and feel safe. Peace of mind is a powerful thing when you are taking care of a new human being. The Usual Products in Home Security Of course, there are the usual products that you can use to make your baby safer. It won’t be long before your baby is crawling, so you want to put locks on toilet seats and covers for electrical outlets. You will also need safety gates to keep your baby from wandering all over the house. Pressure mounted gates can fit any size doorway and keeps you from having to permanently install hinges and latches in the door facing. It is entirely up to you, as babies eventually figure out how to knock down pressure mounted gates. You also need to childproof cabinets. There are some great locks you can buy at your local department store that are easy for you to figure out, but they aren’t so easy for the baby. This can keep them out of cleaning supplies and other harmful items. Lastly, a baby monitor that you can carry around the house with you while your baby naps or sleeps at night can help you keep your ears peeled. You know what’s happening in the room. Motion Detectors are Gold Motion detectors can be useful anywhere in the home. You can place them in your child’s room so that you know if anyone is trying to break into the house from that room. In fact, motion detectors can be useful around any doors and windows in the home. If you are a heavy sleeper at night and there is a possibility that you will sleep through the baby monitor, motion detectors are a good tool. Video Surveillance Video surveillance is another one of the best home security products you can opt for. This is because you can monitor your baby’s room while they sleep. As your baby gets older and begins sitting and playing on his or her own, you can monitor your little one in the room while you clean the house, do the dishes, or simply take a load off for a few minutes. Video surveillance is also useful for when you have a babysitter come to your home to watch your baby. You can keep an eye on things while you’re gone by accessing the system through your smartphone. If the babysitter doesn’t do their job or they are mean to your child, you can intervene or never hire them again. A video surveillance system can be just a camera or two or you can have many. Another area where video surveillance is useful is outside so that you can see who is at your door. This keeps your entire family safe. The Almighty Home Alarm System Motion detectors and video surveillance can be components of a full-scale home alarm system. If someone breaks into your home, you are going to know about it. The alarm will sound and it will most likely make the burglar leave very quickly, keeping your family safe. With video surveillance in place, you can get a glimpse of who the culprit is, increasing the chances they will get caught so they aren’t on the street to try and destroy another family’s sense of security. You can secure all doors and windows so that you have peace of mind, but also so you are much safer than you would be otherwise. Enjoy Your New Life With that said, enjoy this new life that you have with your bundle of joy. They grow up before your eyes and, of course, keeping them safe through every phase of their life is extremely important. With so many home security products that can secure the home and keep all of you safe, you take control away from anyone who would even think about interfering with your safety. SPS Fire & Security Can Help You with Your Security Needs To give your home the added security that it needs so you and your family can be safe, SPS Fire & Security offers state-of-the-art equipment and exceptional service so that you know you are much safer. To learn more about how we can help you, call us at 585-770-0348 for a free consultation.
How to Evaluate Your Level of Home Security
Is Your Home Secure Enough? Your home security is everything because your home is where you and your family should feel safe. Without the proper security, you risk being the target of a thief and that can seriously compromise your sense of security. Below, you will find a checklist that will help you make sure that your home is secure as possible. The Checklist Every door has a deadbolt Doors and door frames are free from damage caused by wear and tear and weather The construct of the doors is sound Lock doors when you are not at home and when you are inside the house Exterior doors should have hinges on the inside Sliding doors and French doors should have secondary locks Windows and window frames should be in good condition and not rotted Secondary locks should be in place on double-hung windows The door between the garage and the interior of the house should have a deadbolt Fence gates need to be locked, preferably padlocked Trees are trimmed back to prevent access to the roof Shrubs should be trimmed down to make it harder for trespassers to hide Shrubs should be kept below window ledges Lights around the perimeter of the house can deter trespassers Lights should be on inside the house and on timers when you’re away You should have a home alarm system integrated into your home Ensure you have 24/7 monitoring attached to your alarm system Make sure that those who need to access your house have keys instead of hiding keys around the exterior of the house Privacy fencing shouldn’t be easy to climb Fencing should not be broken Have home video surveillance cameras installed outside the home and inside the doors Motion detectors can trigger lights Strong locks should be placed on outside buildings and detached garages Attached garages should have additional locking mechanisms on the garage door Make sure outside valuables, such as lawn mowers, are locked away Windows should have window restrictors installed so they can’t be opened beyond a certain height If you are lacking in any of these areas, rectifying them can be the difference between being a target and not being a target. Get a Professional Security Check You can opt for a professional security check. A good security alarm company will come to your home and evaluate vulnerabilities for you so that you can have a security system installed that will make your home safer. There are different elements you can integrate into your system, such as video surveillance, motion sensors, and total home automation. How much or how little you opt for is up to you, but it is difficult to put a price on keeping you, your family, and everything inside your home safe. Stay Away from These Deterrents There are some burglar deterrents that don’t work so well. It is good that you know what these are so that you know not to use them. Those failed deterrents include: Posting company alarm signs – You don’t want to give a burglar any clue about your alarm system because that information can be used to bypass your system. Instead, you can post a general alarm or monitoring sign so they know you are being watched. Don’t hide valuables in your bedroom – Professional thieves know that you’re hiding your belongings in your bedroom. That’s one of the first places they will go. They know jewelry boxes, money under the mattress, etc. are there. Leaving the lights on non-stop – If the same lights are on all the time, a burglar that is casing the house will catch on. Installing timers is ideal. Stopping mail delivery – Not seeing mail delivered to your house is a clue you’re not home. Have a friend or family member stop by your house each day. Give them a key to take the mail inside. Don’t forget to give them the security alarm code. This person can also come at random times to avoid a pattern that a burglar catches onto. It is good to have a house sitter who can stay there much more often. Getting a huge dog – Big dogs are nice, but they tend to not always go crazy like small dogs. Small dogs are hard to calm down when someone is at the door. Protect Your Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse Home Today! So, there you have some ways to keep your home as safe as possible. By instituting the checklist and avoiding the things that you shouldn’t do, you can achieve the level of safety that you need to feel as secure as possible in your home. To learn about your security options, call SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348 for a free consult.