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Month: January 2021
The Importances of Updating Your Home Security System
Your home should feel safe and secure with your security system installed. If you don’t keep your security system updated, however, you may not have that peace of mind. Residential security systems are crucial to keeping your home protected and staying prepared for the worst.
New security systems give you even more power over the cameras and sensors in your home than before. Home security can become outdated in less than a decade, and recent advances have been made that will improve your security experience dramatically. Here are some of the reasons it is vital to update your security system and get the latest surveillance technology.
Implement New Technology in Your Home
The current wave of technology means that cameras and security systems are quickly being replaced by newer, more advanced versions. If it has been many years since you’ve upgraded your security system, it’s time to consider an upgrade that could benefit you and your family.
When you upgrade an existing system, you have a lot of control over what changes in your system and what stays the same.
Wireless Monitoring
If you have a very old home surveillance system, it might still operate via a landline. This means that someone could cut or rearrange the wires controlling your security system to disable it. That is a vulnerability that is very easy to avoid when you use wireless monitoring.
Monitors can be set up to alert you to less urgent circumstances than a break-in. For example, if you, like 40% of Americans, have concerns about leaving your garage door open, wireless monitoring can let you make sure it is shut.
Replace Outdated Components
If your security system is getting older but already runs on a cellular transmitter like modern systems, you can improve functioning by replacing the control panel.
Older systems run on slow transmitters that operate at 2G or 3G, which means that data is transmitted more slowly. Updating components such as the control panel can provide an instant improvement in your security.
Monitor Remotely
One of the biggest advantages of modern systems is their compatibility with smartphones. All you need to do to get constant insight into what is going on in your home is an application on your phone. Put your mind at ease whenever you feel the need, from fear of burglars to worries about household appliances leaking.
Better Cameras
One key feature of modern security systems is the improvement in camera strength. Cameras have come a long way in a short period of time, and even the smallest cameras can now take much clearer pictures.
This feature is important for keeping your home safe and identifying suspicious individuals. In the worst-case scenario, if a break-in does occur, your surveillance system may be able to capture the faces or distinguishing details of suspects.
EMC Security has modern, affordable home surveillance systems available for you to choose from. Whether you upgrade your old system or start from scratch with a brand new one, you can expect excellent service from our staff and improved performance from your security. Contact us today to get more information on the options available to you.
Four Ways to Use a Smart Video Doorbell
The first electric doorbell was invented in 1831 by Joseph Henry, an American scientist who later went on to serve as first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Fast-forward 170 years later and it’s evolved to a video camera, and a two-way communications device all wrapped into one. In light of the modernization of this nifty invention, it’s hard to imagine being confined to the basic functions of the original device. Here are five really useful things you can do with today’s smart doorbell.Answer the door from virtually anywhere.
The video doorbell chimes like a traditional doorbell but you also receive a notification on your smartphone which allows you to see a live video of your visitor. You can even converse with your visitor through the doorbell’s two-way communication system.
Monitor for any suspicious activity.
The video doorbell is a great way to keep an eye on activity around your front door, porch, and driveway. If your camera catches something suspicious, you can download the clip as evidence to share with your local police department.
Keep an eye on the kids.
You can use your EMC Security video doorbell to alert you when your kids arrive home from school. As well as knowing they’re home safe, you can see exactly who they’re with when they arrive.
Protect your delivered packages.
Package delivery has become a way of life. The average person in the United States receives 21 packages each year. And for many people, that number is much higher. If a delivery driver is dropping off a package, you can ask them to leave the package inside, unlocking your front door with a smart lock. When they step outside again and close the door, you can lock up just as easily.
5 Clever Places to Hide Home Valuables
Home theft is more often than not — a crime of opportunity and burglars don’t want to waste a lot of time rummaging through a home to find things to steal, which is why they tend to check obvious places first. Knowing this information makes it a bit easier to outsmart them by hiding your valuables in not-so-obvious places, and sometimes even in plain sight.
Depending on the type of item you’re trying to protect, the best places to hide valuables are in areas that burglars are not likely to search — places that are inconvenient, messy, or uninteresting.
Here Are the Top 5:
Inside a false wall outlet.
Make sure it’s not a live receptacle or in the way of any electrical wiring
Hollowed-out books.
Criminals tend to be uneducated, otherwise, they wouldn’t make a living by engaging in crime. This makes books a potentially great place to stash valuables. However, if you have only one or two books on a bookshelf, this may be a telltale sign that they’re actually concealing your valuables, so make sure your library is large enough to serve as a time-consuming place to search.
A false container in the kitchen cupboard,
under the sink, and in the bathroom, such as fake food cans and boxes, false cleaning product bottles, and personal hygiene items, and even in a heavy tub of “cat litter.” Some false containers available on the market today actually look like false containers, so you might want to save yourself the expense and create your own.
Wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil and stored in the back of the freezer.
This is also a good place to store documents and paper currency in case of a house fire.
Inside a house plant.
Using the same method as for trash containers, a plant’s soil can be contained in a waterproof liner that can be lifted up to hide items underneath. Just make sure the items you’re hiding are in a waterproof container, too.
For valuables that you can’t hide or lock up, such as TVs, laptops, and gaming consoles, make sure to insure them through your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. You can take precautions to password-protect and GPS-activate laptops and smartphones so that their recovery is more likely, should they be stolen.
Unless you invest in a home security system (and sometimes even if you do), it’s not possible to protect every item in your home. In short, do what you can to make your home a difficult, inconvenient, and time-consuming target that will deter a would-be burglar.
January, 2021
What to Expect From EMC Security in 2021
Your Security System
You will receive an email in February with a guide for maintaining your security system and account. This will help keep your home security system in tip-top shape all year.
Certificate of Monitoring*
Later this month, you will receive via email, an annual Certificate of Monitoring for your homeowner’s insurance company to receive any insurance discounts available.
Upgrade to the Latest Technology For Less
Want a shiny new touchscreen security keypad to control your system, view your camera footage, and control your smart-devices? Is it time to add cameras, auto-locks and lights?
We can help! Call 770-963-0305 to integrate with your security system today.
Security System Guide
Coming Soon!
Check emcsecurity.com for a quick and easy reference if your system is experiencing a trouble signal (often expressed in a series of beeps and keypad alerts). Simply look up your system in the guide and follow the steps to troubleshoot. Call EMC Security if further assistance is needed.
Referral Programs
Moving this year? Refer the buyer of your home to EMC Security. Once they become a customer, we’ll send you a $100 e-gift card
Refer another customer and receive 2 months free service.
Update Your Contact Information
It’s important to keep your contact information up to date. Submit contact information changes and revisions to your emergency contact list quickly and easily. Available now on our website, emcsecurity.com.
Some alarm companies hire traveling agents to go door-to-door, making unsolicited “cold calls” on homeowners.
We have received reports over the last few weeks, that some of these agents have tried to get inside EMC Security customers’ homes, without an appointment, by implying they are a representative of EMC Security. We can assure you, they are not.
Once inside the home, the agents use high-pressure to deceive our customers into signing a contract with a company that is not, in reality EMC Security.
If one of these scammers knocks on your door pretending to be from EMC Security, contact the police and then once you feel safe, let us know by calling 770-963-0305.
EMC Security will never send a representative to your home without an appointment.
5 New Years Resolutions For a Safer Home
Eating healthy or quitting smoking are typical New Year’s Resolutions, but what about installing a home security system to protect your family? Keeping you and your family safe is a worthy addition to the list, which is why we’ve put a few ideas together to help you compile the perfect “Security New Year’s Resolutions” list. Following these tips can make a big difference in making your home more secure:
Make Your Home Appear Occupied
Smart home devices allow you to schedule lights to turn on and off at different times or even activate a TV in the evening hours as though you were at home. Most home burglaries occur between 10 am to 3 pm, when most of us are at work, so seeing house activity during these times can deter unwanted trespassers.
Remember to Set Your Alarm
Many people purchase an alarm system but fail to set it and use it routinely. Forgetting to set your alarm prevents it from alerting you when something happens. With a system from EMC Security, you’ll get alerts through our home security app which lets you set and deactivate your alarm system from your phone.
Use a Professionally Monitor System
There are many benefits of a residential alarm monitoring system. The biggest of them is peace of mind. Having an alarm monitoring service ensures that someone is monitoring your home security system 24/7. It’s like having a watchdog who never sleeps or gets tired. A home alarm monitoring service can ensure that in case of emergency, police or other help is just moments away. You can have complete peace of mind when you are away from home. There is always someone monitoring your property and ready to help if need be.
Avoid Leaving Keys in Your Car
Leaving these in your vehicle makes it very easy for burglars to gain access to your house. Make sure to keep these in a secure location or entrust them to a close friend, neighbor, or family member.
Remember to Monitor Other Door
Burglars are extremely savvy, so don’t forget about your porch door, French doors, or even large windows. These can prove easier entryways for would-be criminals than the front door, so make sure they are properly secured. EMC Security systems can ensure all entry points are monitored and tracked, so you’ll know when anyone comes in at any point in your home.
If you have any questions on home security systems or want to get a head start on your security New Years Resolutions, don’t hesitate to reach out and have a security system installed.
