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Tag: new emc
Professional vs Self Alarm Monitoring
One of the most important decisions when buying a home security system is whether to pay a monthly fee for professional monitoring or save money and self-monitor your system.
Although self-monitoring is a cheaper option, there are reasons to consider a professionally monitored system from EMC Security:
1. The EMC Security central monitoring service is watching around the clock, every hour, every minute, every second your alarm is armed, to ensure authorities are notified as quickly as possible. Average response is 14 seconds!
2. Two words – Fire Protection. Did you know that EMC Security monitors customers homes for smoke and heat at no additional monthly cost? Simply add an EMC Security smoke detector and integrate with your security system and if there’s a fire, you’ll be notified whether at home or away.
At home or away, awake or asleep, EMC Security’s got your back. Call today to set up professional monitoring at your home today.
Stop Thief!! Prevent a Burglary at Your Home
A break-in can be extremely scary and intrusive.
If you’ve ever talked to someone that’s experienced a break-in they will tell you they almost feel….violated. And afraid. I talk from first-hand experience.
My goal is to help you to prevent this from happening at your house. So we’ve compiled a list of lesser-known tips to prevent break-ins before they happen.
list #1:
1. Prevent boxes from leaking info
Leaving the electronic boxes (for a TV, laptop, ipad or phone) on your driveway delivers the message to criminals that you have valuable things in your house. An improvised home security idea you can adopt is to tear down the boxes to store inside the trashcan or haul them to the dump right away.
2. Use window film for added privacy
Front doors with side pane glass look nice but add a home security complication: privacy. At night, you can see right through these windows into your yard. While it’s good that you can see other people, it’s bad that they can see you. For just a few dollars, add decorative window film to solve the problem.
3. Place car keys near your bed
Keeping your car keys near your bed while you sleep is one of the lesser known but effective tips. In case you hear any abnormal sound in your garage, you can press the car alarm panic button to scare away the potential thief who tries to break into your car.
4. Avoid hiding things in the bedroom
The master bedroom is one of the first places burglars look after entering a house. Take a quick inventory of what you keep in your master bedroom. Is there jewelry, electronics, cash, or credit cards? Anything of value that can easily be moved should be relocated to somewhere unexpected. Few criminals would think to check for valuables in these places. Doing the unexpected can save you in the long run.
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Stop Thief! Stop Burglary at Your Home #2
A break-in can be extremely scary and intrusive.
If you’ve ever talked to someone that’s experienced a break-in they will tell you they almost feel….violated. And afraid. I talk from first-hand experience.
My goal is to help you to prevent this from happening at your house. So we’ve compiled a list of lesser-known tips to prevent break-ins before they happen.
list #2:
1. If at all possible, keep your car in the garage.
Don’t leave your car in the driveway with the garage door opener inside. Cars are easy to break into. You put your home security at risk by leaving a key to your home in the vehicle.
2. Keep blinds shut
Lights on, dark outside? Keep your blinds shut. You’d be surprised by how many burglars (and, let’s face it, creeps) take advantage of that time of night when they can see straight into your home.
3. Trick intruders with noise
Trick intruders with noise. Burglars generally look for empty houses. If a burglar hears a sound in your home, there’s a good chance they’ll hightail it. There are inexpensive products on Amazon that mimic the lights of a television. You could even play clips of people talking with a smart speaker like Echo or Sonos.
4. Install a safety door
Install a safety door. Screen doors, like glass doors, are what they sound like. They can be cut or punctured for easy entry. Every screen door needs a safety door to go with it. That puts an extra layer between an intruder and the screen.
5. Avoid leaving ladders outside
A ladder in a yard is a thief’s best opportunity to climb up and reach your windows. You should always be careful about not forgetting any ladder outside!
The Master Bedroom – A Burglar’s #1 Go-To
“If you can get guns, they are easier to sell,” said Jerome Gilgan, a former burglar who now works as a rehabilitation counselor.
Some burglars admitted to seeking out the safe or lockbox first.
“A safe to me, is my goal item to locate. I would leave everything else to get this, nothing means more to me than the safe.”
Where can all these items be found? The Master Bedroom.
Burglars will go to any length to scour this room full of valuables. The jewelry box, guns in the closet, cash in a drawer, and even things under the floor boards. Our sactuary, our safe-place is actually the most vulnerable to thieves.
How can you keep your valuable safe?
- Use a LARGE, HEAVY safe. It is not easy to carry.
- Use smart-lighting and cameras to deter criminals.
- Be a good neighbor. Watch your neighbor’s house and ask for it in return.
- Install and arm your security system. A burgler is 3 times as likely to break-into a home without one.
Jewelry and guns are almost as good as cash.
As a follow-up to a previous blog, What Burglars are Looking For, Let’s expand on the Master Bedroom.
The main item a burglar is looking for in your home is cash, or something that can be sold for cash.
“The first thing [I look for] is anything of monetary value,” a burglar wrote in a 2017 poll of 86 convicted burglars.
What to Expect from EMC Security This Year
As with most important electronic products, giving your alarm occasional “check-ups” goes a long way.
Based on the length of service, click below for a list to make sure things continue to work properly down the road.
Choose how long you’ve been a customer from the images below:
Is It Time to Upgrade Your Security System?
Most homeowners experience excitement when installing their first home security system but as time goes on, they tend to overlook the evolution of truth – in order for home security to be and remain efficient, they need to be upgraded every so often.Nevertheless, some homeowners keep their same security systems for decades and tend to think as long as it functions, there’s no need for a new one. In some ways, you could argue that they have a point, right? As the old adage goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But if there’s anything that life has taught us all it is that change is inevitable, which is why it’s important to consider essential options to raise the efficiency of your home security system by upgrading.
One of the biggest threats for any homeowner with an older security system is that most of them still rely on a landline in order for them to work properly. Savvy burglars can easily disable the entire unity by severing the line, thereby leaving your entire house unprotected. Upgrading to a modern home security system would bring your home security up-to-date and make it independent from the landline by using wireless monitoring via cell towers instead.
In addition to making your home safer, newer security systems provide unparalleled convenience compared to their predecessors.
For example, upgrading an older alarm panel board will allow you remote access to your home security system via smartphone.
Even small things like keypads can be upgraded to a whole new level. Say goodbye to those plain rubbery buttons and exchange them with new features like fully colored touch screens, date, time, and even weather forecast.
Cameras are also a popular addition to a security system. Add a video doorbell or few cameras around the house and never wonder what’s happening again.
Security System Upgrade with EMC Security
Ready to take the plunge into the latest advances in home security? Contact EMC Security to schedule a visit from one of our technicians or shop our line of smart home security devices by visiting us online.
3 Ways to Use smart Home Technology for Pets
For many Americans, pets are not simply viewed as animals but rather family members instead. Our cuddly friends deserve all a world of love, and technology makes caring for them easier and better than ever. In the same ways that smart home technology improves our lives, it can also improve the day-to-day life of our four-legged friends. Although smart home technology was invented to make life more convenient for humans — there are some practical benefits for your precious little wonders that can help you keep an eye on your pet when you’re away, and provide them a safe, fun, and clean environment.
Here are the 3 best ways to use EMC Security’s smart home technology to make life sweeter for pets:
1) Use the EMC Security smart camera to keep an eye on them while you’re away from home. Make use of the camera’s two-way voice communication to make them feel like you’re there with them.
2) Monitor, automate or adjust the room temperature to keep them comfortable year-round.
3) Sure — cats and dogs can see well in darkness but that doesn’t necessarily mean they like it. Use motion sensors to trigger lights in their eating areas at night, and schedule lights to come on after dark on nights when you’ll be home late.
Our pets would do anything for us, so it’s our job to care for them the best we can. EMC Security’s high-tech, pet-friendly home devices can help keep your best buddy happy, relieve boredom, and make your life just a little bit easier.
7 Things To Do If Your Identity Is Stolen
Each year, millions of Americans fall victims to identity theft, resulting in loss of money, but also a huge consumption amount of time and energy on their behalf.
So what should you do if your identity gets stolen? Here are 5 simple things you can do to reduce the damage.
File Reports
You will need to file two reports to the officials — one with the Federal Trade Commission and one with your local police department. The FTC does not have the ability to pursue criminals but law enforcement agencies like the FBI use information collected by the FTC. So this is an important step in helping protect others from criminal activity. Then, file a report with your local police department. Filing a report will likely not assist the police in the event your identity was stolen online, but it does protect you.
Begin a paper trail
Once you’ve verified your information has been compromised, take an account all of the steps you’ve taken in an attempt to clear your name. This includes noting emails/phone calls by date, time, contact, and resolution status. Mail documents with a return receipt request so you have a record of those transactions. Some types of fraud have a timeframe for reporting, so create a calendar to ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines.
Tighten security on your accounts
Cybersecurity experts recommend changing your passwords often and never using the same passwords or variations of a single password for all sites. Using a password manager is a great way to generate passwords that cannot be easily guessed and save them so that you do not need to remember each one. You can also invest in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your web browsing while on public WiFi. If you really want to protect yourself, shred documents with your personal information and invest in a home security system like Scout Alarm. Also delete any personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, and birthdays off of public profiles on social media and other sites.
Contact Credit Reporting Agencies
Contact one of the three major Credit Reporting Agencies: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. It does not matter which agency you choose because any agency is required to contact the other two and share information. However, it doesn’t hurt to contact all three since that will place them on alert as soon as possible. When you contact them, you’ll want to request a fraud alert. This alert, which lasts one year, will make it more challenging to open new accounts using your information.
Consider a credit freeze
For maximum protection, you may want to put a freeze on your credit, which means potential creditors can’t get your credit report and no new accounts can be opened in your name. Putting a credit freeze in place doesn’t impact your credit score, and this simple identity theft tip can block identity thieves more effectively.
Review your Credit Reports
After placing the fraud alert but before freezing your credit, you need to obtain copies of your credit report. Looking at all three reports is a good way to make sure you are not missing anything important since each agency’s report can be different. Go over any accounts or transactions you do not recognize. There many websites that promise free credit reports but the official site to request them is AnnualCreditReport.com. You should also scan credit card and bank statements for other unauthorized charges
Tighten security on your accounts
Cybersecurity experts recommend changing your passwords often and never using the same passwords or variations of a single password for all sites. Using a password manager is a great way to generate passwords that cannot be easily guessed and save them so that you do not need to remember each one. You can also invest in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your web browsing while on public WiFi. If you really want to protect yourself, shred documents with your personal information and invest in a home security system like Scout Alarm. Also delete any personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, and birthdays off of public profiles on social media and other sites.
Additional Things to Do If Your Identity is Stolen
Now that you know the basics of what to do if your identity is stolen, it’s a good idea to implement some additional safeguard in your daily routine such as: using cash rather than credit cards, only giving your social security number when necessary, and 2-way factor authentication on your social media accounts.
Finally, to help avoid future theft, you should ramp up protection. Hackers have been known to retarget the same victims, so getting hit once doesn’t grant you immunity from future theft. Follow these tips. Remember, having your identity stolen is a serious security breach, but you can recover and come back stronger than ever.
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.
