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Month: February 2019
Guide to Purchasing Home Security
In a world full of options purchasing home security can be confusing.
- “I have a system but I don’t know what to do with it…”
- “I need something but I’m not sure what…”
- “Do I need a full system or can I just get cameras?”
- “And more…”
We’ll help you cut through the clutter so you can make a good home security purchasing decision.
Click below to download our Guide to Buying Security now.
Top 10 Places to Put Security Cameras
Security cameras seem to be the way of the future for home security, but just buying a camera isn’t enough to keep you, your family, and your home safe.
OUTSIDE
By the Front Door
Whether you have a doorbell camera at eye-level, or an outdoor camera mounted above the door-frame, having a security camera near your front door allows you to:
- See when the kids get home from school
- Tell if that person at the door is a solicitor, a neighbor, a friend, or someone you just don’t want to talk to
- Keep an eye on your packages to make sure they arrive on time and safe
- And get a headstart on the dogs when you have visitors
By the Back or Side Door
Especially if your back entrance faces the woods, it’s important to keep an eye on what’s going on behind your house. After all, a woody backyard makes the perfect cover for someone trying to break into your home unseen. You can also watch what the kids or pets are up to from a much more comfortable location, like your couch.
On the Gate or Fence-Line
If your property is gated, and especially if your fence-line is out of sight of the house itself, posting a camera on or near the main and side entrances will ensure that you and EMC Security can see your whole yard, including where intruders are likely to enter. And in the case of an emergency like a fallen tree, wildfire, or other unexpected damage, you’ll be able to spot the danger before it causes serious harm.
In First Floor Windows
Windows on the ground floor are one of the most common entrances for burglars, so a visible security camera will go a long way in deterring criminals…and catching them if they do attempt to break in.
Up High
Wherever you place your cameras outside your house, try to mount them at least 10 feet above ground level. That way, they will be much harder for burglars to tamper with, disable, or cover up.
INSIDE
In the Foyer
Even if you have outdoor security cameras, having an extra set of eyes in the entrance to your home will let you see who comes in, when, and what they do when they get there.
In the Living Room
The living room is the heart of the home, and that makes it the perfect place for you to place an indoor camera to watch the comings and goings of your house. Children, spouses, pets, and criminals will all pass through here at some point or another.
In the Garage
If you don’t have a door sensor on your garage entrance, it is especially crucial that you keep an eye on the area. Plus, your garage houses what is likely your most expensive possession: your car.
Facing Medicine and Liquor Cabinets
Prescription drug theft is extremely common in not just burglaries, but also
friend and family theft. In fact, medicine cabinets are overwhelmingly more likely to be raided by someone you know than a stranger. That’s why it’s important to have all drugs, whether over-the-counter or prescription, securely locked away and monitored. The same is true for alcohol.Facing Basement Stairs
Because basement entrances and windows are often not as well maintained or secured as the rest of the house, basements can be the perfect entry point for a would-be criminal.
To learn more about purchasing security cameras for your home, visit this page or talk to an EMC Security Customer Representative at 770-963-0305.
EMC Security Monitors Smoke Detectors at No Additional Cost
When it comes to home security, fire is often an afterthought — but it shouldn’t be.
According to the NFPA, a home fire is reported every 90 seconds in America, and fires destroy almost half a million structures every year.
So it’s safe to say fire protection should be top of mind for all homeowners. It’s imperative to have measures in place to not only protect your home and
possessions, but also to save your life in the unfortunate event of a home fire.EMC Security knows all too well that devastating fires are a reality for many families around Georgia — even to those who think it won’t happen to them. But with careful planning ahead of time, you can dramatically lower your risk of injury or loss from a fire by taking certain precautions.
The most important first step is to install monitored fire alarms and smoke detectors in your home.
Reduce your chance of loss due to a home fire is by installing fire alarms and smoke detectors throughout your home. Early warning systems can help you control a fire before it has the opportunity to spiral out of control, and smoke detectors can help alert you to get out of your home in time, which could save your life. In fact, the NFPA reports that three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, and test each alarm once a month to make sure it’s working.
Fire protection through EMC Security is a simple addition to your comprehensive alarm monitoring service. Our 24/7 monitoring center team is technically trained to handle the detection of a fire in a way that minimizes its effect. Faster detection results in faster emergency response times.
Add EMC Security’s smoke detectors with your security system and monitor for
fire at no additional cost. This means your monthly monitoring cost won’t change if you decide to add residential fire or carbon monoxide protection to your home security system.Additional safety measures to help protect your home from a fire include:
Store fire extinguishers throughout your home
Fire extinguishers are reported to effectively put out 80% of all fires. Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and on each level of your home, near bedrooms, as well as near the exits
Plan an escape route
Walk through your home to inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Consider drawing a floor plan and mark the exits for each room, including doors and windows. The NFPA suggests practicing your escape plan twice a year.
Inspect your chimney/fireplace
Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires every year. These fires are often caused by creosote buildup in chimneys. All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently, so have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
Regularly check appliances
Faulty appliances cause an alarming number of home fires each year, so in addition to making sure you properly use and turn off appliances, check to make sure they are cleaned properly and there are no recalls against them.
Contact EMC Security today about adding fire and carbon monoxide protection at no additional cost by giving us a call at 770.963.0305.