The Best Hiding Places For Valuables In Your Home

/in , , , , , , /by

Installing a home security system in your home is a great way to ensure you and your family stay protected. It also ensures any valuable possessions you have are also secure. But it never hurts to add those extra layers of security. Especially when considering the best hiding places for valuables in your home.

It may feel a little overcautious or paranoid. And in some cases, hiding your possessions seems like something out of a heist or spy movie. But for those precious family heirlooms, expensive jewelry, or prized collectibles, why risk the possibility of losing them at all?

Check out this list of great hiding spots and ideas that you might not have thought of.

The ‘Safest’ Bet For Hiding Places For Valuables

Outside of storing your most precious valuables somewhere outside of your house, like a bank safe deposit box or a secure storage facility, investing in a high-quality safe is a great place to start. Some things to consider when buying a safe include:

  • Size and location – you want to be able to conceal it while also practically storing what you need to protect.
  • Type of lock – combination, lock, and key, or electronic keypad. Your choice will depend on your protection needs, frequency of use, and how many people will need access.
  • Consider bolting your safe to a floor or wall for added security.
  • Hidden safes like vent safes and safes built into the wall.
  • Some safes offer dehumidifiers and fireproof capabilities to protect sensitive materials further.

But depending on your living situation, a safe just might not be that practical to have and use. Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to store, hide, and protect your valuables. Just be sure to avoid the obvious places. Forget about under your mattress, in a sock drawer, under a mat, in the cookie jar, in a desk or nightstand drawer, or fake rock by the front door. And keep valuables out of the master bedroom if possible.

Sometimes, the best hiding spot is the one that seems like it would be the last place you’d choose. Consider a few of these locations, which may even spur a few ideas of your own.

Find A Picture Frame

Not the back of the frame but rather the part between the frame and the picture. Most burglars won’t open up the frame to see what is inside. It’s a great way to hide important documents that you don’t need to access regularly. Now your favorite picture serves even more purposes!

Under The Carpet

Just like the picture frame idea, a small, accessible area of your carpet can be a useful hiding place. Simply pull back the corner of a room’s carpet and put cash or paper items underneath. And for even more protection, put heavy furniture over the area.

Use The Freezer

If you have a large storage freezer, you might also consider using it to store more than just food. Wrap valuables in aluminum foil and put them in the freezer with other frozen foods. Burglars probably won’t go through all the items in a freezer. Just be sure the items can’t be damaged by the cold!

Consider Lesser Used Rooms

Do you have a cluttered office room, storage attic, or even the laundry room? Obviously, you want to do everything in your power to prevent burglars. But sometimes it’s unavoidable. Instead, think about your defense as areas that potential thieves wouldn’t think to look in.

Fake Containers And False Bottoms

The ultimate trickery is to hide items in other items. Sometimes, those items can be decoys or fakes. Think fake canned goods that double as stash jars, in line with the real food in your pantry. Or even a garbage can, suitcase, or other storage container with a false bottom. From medical bottles to hollowed-out books, the possibilities are truly endless!

For More Security  Tips And Solutions, Stick With Boyd & Associates

Obviously, avoiding a burglary or home invasion altogether is favorable. And you should never confront a  burglar directly. This is why your best bet is always a monitored security system. But staying one step ahead of would-be criminals with some of the best hiding places for valuables never hurts your peace of mind!

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

How to Prevent Home Invasion: 5 Important Tips

/in , , , , , , , /by

Burglaries and home invasions are a primary fear for any homeowner. Your home should be a place of peace and comfort, and no one likes to think of their neighborhood as unsafe. But of the 2.5 million burglaries that occur in the United States, 66% are home invasions. Luckily, there are important steps you can take to learn how to prevent home invasion.

In general, if your home is clearly secured and well protected most burglars will likely bypass the home for an easier target. Especially if you’ve invested in a home security system. But it never hurts to over-prepare. Check out our round-up of tips to prevent home invasion and make your home as safe as possible.

  1. Secure Your Doors

Since doors are the primary entrance points for burglars, it makes sense to invest in the proper protection. And consider doorways beyond just your front door. Garage doors are often the easiest to breach, followed by the back door simply because they may be less monitored in general. Once hidden from view a burglar has more breaking-and-entering options available to them. Some general reminders to consider:

  • Replace rotted door frames so thieves cannot pry the door off its hinges. Use heavy-duty strike plates with 3-inch screws into wooden door frames.
  • All entrance doors should have a solid core (preferably metal).
  • Use heavy-duty, quality deadbolt locks with a knob-in-lock set and dead-latch mechanism.
  • Prevent fraudulent entry by installing door chains and wide-angle peepholes mounted no higher than 58 inches off the ground.
  1. Watch Your Windows

Of course, doors are not the only entry option for burglars. Since windows can also provide easy access for an intruder, it is essential that you take the proper measures to secure them. Particular attention must be paid to ground floor windows and windows visible at street level. Even upper floor windows can present a threat to your home, especially if they can be accessed from a stairway, tree, fence, or by climbing on balconies. The following are some general recommendations to better secure your windows:

  • Use blocking devices to prevent an intruder from being able to slide a window open from the outside.
  • Block the window open no more than six inches and make sure you can’t reach in from the outside and remove the blocking device, or reach through and unlock the window.
  • In sleeping rooms, any window-blocking devices should be capable of being removed easily from the inside to comply with fire codes.
  • Use anti-lift devices to prevent intruders from lifting your windows up vertically.
  1. Lights, Camera, (No) Action!

Luckily, as technology has advanced, there are new ways to integrate exciting new features into your home. Simply put, home automation has changed the game. With amazing features like smart lights and door cameras, you not only add an incredible degree of convenience to your home, but you also provide an extra layer of safety. With lights that you can set schedules to, your home appears occupied no matter where you actually are. Plus all that light eliminates any potential opportunities for burglars to hide.

Cameras are a little more obvious in their benefit to home invasion prevention, but that’s a good thing! In many cases, a door camera can ward off a potential burglar before a crime ever occurs. And if it does happen, there’s video evidence to provide evidence in the event you need to recoup the value of anything lost.

  1. Lock It Up

Another upgrade to consider adding to your front doors is a brand-new electronic smart lock. Electronic locks for your front door are more secure and reliable than traditional keyed deadbolt locks. Additionally, they provide an abundance of other benefits like:

  • Coded keypads for safe, secure, and convenient keyless entrance for you and your family.
  • Control (and monitor) your locks from anywhere through a single app.
  • You can also assign unique and temporary codes for guests and workers when needed.

Smart locks have better durability than traditional locks that wear and tear from constant key use. Plus, keypad locks do not use traditional locking mechanisms, which adds to their overall security. Without the mechanical key and tumbler system, keyless systems are unable to be picked or bumped like a traditional lock. This gives your home an added layer of security and protection from potential intruders.

  1. Monitored Alarm Systems

At the end of the day, one of the best ways to secure and protect your home is to invest in a quality security system. But alarm systems are at their most effective as a deterrent to burglars when used properly, and when properly maintained. Get the most out of your home security system:

  • Keep your yard sign visible and put alarm company decals in your windows and doors.
  • Do not write your alarm code anywhere near your keypad or entryway.
  • Be sure to update your alarm company and central monitoring station with pertinent information including your response call list.
  • Test your alarm regularly to ensure all access to your property is protected.

For More Security And Home Automation Tips And Solutions, Stick With Boyd & Associates

It’s impossible to be 100% safe in anything, but with the right precautions and proper maintenance of your home security features, you can position your home and family to be as safe and protected as possible.

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

Establishing Safety and Security Policies at Your Business

/in , , , , , , , /by

A comprehensive commercial security system is an essential part of running your business, regardless of its size. In addition to your system it is important to establish safety and security policies.

These will ensure that your customers and employees are kept safe, as well as prevent the loss of valuable products, equipment, and supplies.

There are many different aspects to creating safety and security policies. Here are a few things to consider when designing them for your business.

5 Things to Remember When Establishing Safety and Security Policies at Your Business

  1. Do An Overall Assessment To Determine What Needs To Be Protected

It’s essential to walk through your business to evaluate what assets you have that need protecting. This includes identifying exterior doors and windows that could be used as entry points for thieves, as well as making notes of sensitive areas of your business that need to be off-limits to customers or only accessible to specific employees. Safety and security policies should also be put in place to help protect against cybersecurity threats to digital assets and sensitive data.

  1. Utilize Smart Devices And Access Control

Years ago, many business owners used traditional keyed locks and gave keys to trusted employees. This can prove to be a risky security strategy, as keys can be lost, misplaced, stolen, or disappear when an employee no longer works for the business.

Today, many companies utilize access control devices as one of their safety and security policies. This means that there are no keys to lose. It also means that business owners can keep track of who comes and goes from the building at any time of day or night. These devices can also be programmed to only allow specific employees (or certain employees during certain times.) This is helpful in a business like a pharmacy that sells controlled substances that are frequently the target of thieves.

  1. Make Cybersecurity A Priority

As people increasingly rely on “smart” devices that are connected to the internet, enterprising hackers and cyber thieves are taking advantage of increased opportunities to hack in to wreak havoc, gain sensitive information, or even gain physical access to the premises being controlled by a smart door lock, for example.

This is of particular concern to business owners, and it’s one of the reasons why it’s essential to work with a team of professionals when installing a commercial security system. They’ll help ensure that all smart devices — from door locks to thermostats and beyond — are well-protected from cybersecurity threats such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi hackers.

  1. Develop An Emergency Evacuation Plan

Creating safety and security policies is one of the five keys to a successful business security plan. Another one of those keys is preparing for a disaster. An emergency evacuation plan is one policy that no business should be without.

Your evacuation plan should cover any natural disaster or emergency that could potentially happen in your area, whether you live in a place that’s prone to earthquakes and wildfires or if you live in a coastal area that gets hit with hurricanes. Fires, active shooter situations, and medical emergencies are other events that should be covered in these types of plans.

  1. Use Proper Training To Put Everyone On The Same Page

Business safety and security policies are no good if no one actually uses them. This is why it’s important to make them part of every employee’s training. From not sharing or giving out access control or digital device passwords to having a good understanding of what to do if an emergency strikes, taking the time to train your employees on safety and security policies in advance will help protect all of your assets — both human and otherwise — should something unexpected happen.

For More Security Tips And Solutions, Stick With Boyd & Associates

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your business safe, check out our commercial security and automation services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of security options to protect you and your employees. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

 

 

Back To School Safety Tips

/in , , , , , , , , /by

Back to school is always one of the busiest times of the year. The change in routine—or the return to one–can be difficult for your entire family. Follow these safety tips to help your children and family stay safe during back-to-school season and throughout the new school year.

Use An Alarm System With Remote Alerts

If you don’t already have one, consider installing a home security system. You’ll receive alerts when your child enters their code into the alarm system, letting you know that they’ve arrived home safely. You can also set up sensors in sensitive areas of the house such as near gun cabinets, liquor cabinets, or medicine closets. With home automation, you’ll always be able to monitor the activities of your household through your phone.

Remind Your Kids To Lock The Door

Your children should know how to lock the door and know to do it every time they leave or enter the house. Educate your children about never opening the door to strangers, especially when they are home alone.

Show Your Kids How To Use The Alarm System

Ensure that your children know how to arm and disarm your alarm system. Show them how to hit the panic button and tell them what to do in case of an emergency. They also need to know the difference between burglar, fire, and carbon monoxide alarms.

Plan A Safe Route To School

If your child walks or bikes to school each day, plan a safe route to and from school. Avoid as many street crossings as possible and remain in areas that are highly populated. Encourage your children to refrain from using their cell phone while walking but to always have it on them in case of an emergency. If they ride a bike, be sure they have a properly-fitting helmet and always wear it.

Use And Teach Safe Driving Habits

While driving, always pay attention to the road. If you have children in the car, be certain that their seatbelts are buckled. Never use your cell phone while driving. It is important that you teach younger teen drivers these safe driving methods as well—and modeling good behavior is one of the best ways to instill it in your kids.

Help Children Memorize Important Numbers

Teach your children to memorize their home address, their home phone number, your cell phone number, and an emergency contact. It is important that they know how to contact someone in case of an emergency.

Teach Children About Strangers

Kids shouldn’t talk to anyone they don’t know. They should never accept a gift or a ride from any strangers. In case such an incident arises, children should also know whom to go to for help, such as a teacher or a police officer.

Get A Video Doorbell

With a video doorbell, you’ll be able to see who is at the door as well as answer it even when you aren’t home. This device also allows your children to see who is at the door, and talk to them, without having to answer the door.

Know Your Child’s Routine

Make sure you and your child know their routines before, during, and after school for each day of the week.

Keep Lines Of Communication Open

Ask your children to check in with you as they move through their daily routine so that you know they’re safe. Let them know it’s okay to call you at any time.

Practice Safety At Home

Decide whether your children are old enough and mature enough to use certain appliances or have visitors over while you’re not home. Be clear about your expectations. Children can’t follow the rules if they don’t fully understand them!

Review Social Media And Internet Usage At Home

Let your children know that you will have access to their social media accounts and warn them about appropriate usage. Warn them about the potential dangers of online strangers and how to avoid online bullying.

Our team at Boyd & Associates wants you and your children to remain safe throughout the school year. Start this new school year right by preparing for anything and protecting your home and family.

How To Efficiently Review Surveillance Footage

/in , , , /by

Surveillance cameras help you feel secure that your business is always safe and protected. If anything happens on the premises, you can look at the footage and find the problem. But, while having the cameras and footage provides you with security, it can feel tedious to have to sort through hours or even days of footage to find a specific incident.

Fortunately, there is a much easier way. Learn more about how you can better review your surveillance footage and video surveillance to keep your store protected and safe.

Look For The Telltale Signs

You don’t want to miss anything while skimming through your video surveillance footage, so it’s important to know what to look for so you can spot it quickly. Some telltale signs can help you identify potential moments of crime. Remember, these are potential signs, so they do not guarantee that something suspicious or criminal is happening.

  • Loitering– For each business, there is a different amount of time that is reasonable for customers to stay around before it becomes suspicious. Anyone who is hanging in or around your business with no apparent reason should be considered suspicious.
  • Attempts to Conceal Identity– Excessive headwear, sunglasses at night, sticking to shadows, avoiding eye contact with your cameras, and avoiding being seen by any employees can be signs to keep an eye out for when you are reviewing your surveillance footage.
  • Multiple People– Many criminals do not work alone, rather they work as a team. If a group of people comes in together and exhibits some of the other telltale signs, it could be a red flag you will want to keep your eye on.

Time Stamps

Having accurate time stamps on all surveillance footage lets you narrow down your review to a specific date and time.

Not only are time stamps effective tools in reducing the hours you have to spend looking through footage, but if anything does happen, they make the footage admissible in court. Footage without accurate timestamps that include the date and time may become inadmissible in a court of law.

Can Customers Request Surveillance Footage?

You might start to have customers requesting footage. Legally, there is no obligation for a business to provide any security footage to a customer. You can ignore the request as long as it is only a customer requesting the footage. As soon as there is a warrant or subpoena involved issued by the government, you are legally obligated to hand over the surveillance footage.

Some customers might have this law confused with public entities. It is possible to obtain video footage from public entities under the freedom of information act. However, private entities, like small privately-owned businesses, are not subject to that law.

How Long Should I Keep Surveillance Footage?

It is best practice to keep your footage up to 90 days. In some situations where multiple cameras are recording for longer periods and at higher quality levels, you can go down to 30 days. It is recommended to keep footage accessible for a longer amount of time because the legal process might be slower in some locations and not realize there is vital footage or even a crime, until after the first 30 days.

Boyd & Associates Live Video Verification

With Boyd & Associates, we have live operators available at a moment’s notice to review any suspicious activity in the event that an alarm is triggered. Our trained professional can quickly review your live feed and provide important information to first responders so they can prioritize your business security—likely resulting in a higher priority emergency dispatch. This gives you the peace of mind that a helpful eye is always looking out for you, so you can spend your time focusing on growing your business.

Check out our commercial security services to help secure your small business today.

 

Tips To Keep Children Safe When They Are Home Alone

/in , , , , , /by

It’s hard for a parent to feel comfortable leaving their children home alone. Luckily, we’ve gathered some child home safety tips to help you be sure your child is home alone safely and responsibly.

One of the easiest solutions that provide peace of mind is your home security system that’s already in place. You can rest assured knowing your home surveillance system and security cameras are there to keep them safe. And you can even monitor them while you’re away, no matter where you are.

Child Home Safety Tips: Home Alone Age Guidelines

But is your child even old enough to stay home alone? You know your child better than anyone and the responsibility they may or may not be able to handle. But for reference, there are some general age guidelines to keep in mind.

7 Years Old And Younger

These children are too young to be left alone for any period of time. They should never be left unattended in cars, playgrounds, backyards, or even inside your home.

8 To 10 Years Old

These children should not be left alone for more than an hour, especially at night. If you plan to leave your 8 to 10-year-old home alone, make sure it is during the day.

11 To 12 Years Old

These children are capable of being left alone but should not be left home alone at night. It is recommended to leave them only for around 3 hours at a time.

13 To 15 Years Old

These teens are safe to leave unsupervised but probably not for an entire night.

16 To 17 Years Old

This is the age where they can be left at home alone for longer periods of time. They are old enough to take care of themselves and capable of taking care of any issues that may occur. Additionally, they likely have a cell phone and can get in contact with you if need be.

Child Home Safety Tips And Rules To Teach

Aside from teaching them the basics of your home security system, it’s always good practice to teach some basic home safety practices. No matter what their age, here are some safety tips to go over with your kid whenever the time does come to leave them by themselves.

  1. Tell Them To Lock The Doors

Even if you have a home security system, you should always remind your children to lock the door as soon as they’re in the house.

  1. Never Open The Door To Strangers

This rule applies even when you’re at home. Your child should never open the door for anyone that they do not know. Remind them to always look through the peep hole or window before opening the door for anyone, even if they are expecting someone. This includes anyone with a delivery as well.

  1. Talk About Telephone Rules

It’s important to teach your children how to communicate on the phone. Most importantly, they must never tell anyone that they are home alone. Teach your children to tell whoever is on the phone that you are busy and to take a message, even if you aren’t there.

  1. Use Social Media Responsibly

Social Media is becoming more and more common among younger children. It is important they never post about being home alone. Teach your children to be cautious with what they are sharing online. And be sure to brush up on your cyber security practices as well!

  1. If They Leave The House, They Need To Tell You Where They’re Going

Many parents are okay with their children heading over to a neighbor’s home or playing in the neighborhood. However, you need to teach your children to communicate with you when they reach their destination and whenever they plan to leave where they are. This is important because if something were to happen, you would have an idea of what your child was doing and where they were.

  1. Teach Them About Fire Safety

If you plan to leave your child home alone, make sure they are old enough to understand fire safety. Let them know that if they see or smell smoke, to immediately leave the house and call the fire department. Find a trusted neighbor that they can go to in case of an emergency such as this.

And be sure your home is always protected with monitored smoke and CO detectors.

For More Security Tips And Solutions, Stick With Boyd & Associates

Talk to your kids about staying safe in your home. Make sure they know what to do in case an emergency does happen. The more you teach them about safety, the better off they’ll be when left home alone. Again, you know your child better than anyone, especially in terms of what they can comfortably and responsibly handle by themselves in the home. But it never hurts to be sure your child knows and understands basic home safety practices!

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

 

Do I Need Fire Alarm Monitoring?

/in , , , , , , /by

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. Fire Departments respond to a house fire every 86 seconds, or more than 1,000 fires in U.S. homes each day.

While a fire monitoring system cannot necessarily prevent house fires, it does offer early detection due to photoelectricity and heat sensors. Not only can this increase your chance to get your family out safely, getting the fire department there quickly can minimize the damage to your home. These monitoring systems offer several very important benefits to home fire safety, including:

Fire Alarm Monitoring Ensures Immediate Action

A fire alarm monitoring system guarantees that any signs of a fire are immediately identified. This is particularly important since a fire can spread through a house in only minutes. Fires that start while residents are asleep or when no one is home can be especially dangerous. Fire alarm monitoring with Boyd & Associates ensures the earliest detection possible, and monitoring ensures that the authorities are quickly dispatched. It is also important to have your CO alarm monitored, too. As an odorless, colorless gas, Carbon Monoxide often goes undetected unless an alarm sounds.

Special Needs Residents

When Boyd & Associates receives an alert that the fire alarm monitoring system has detected signs of a house fire, fire responders are dispatched to the location as soon as possible. If anyone living in the home is physically impaired or elderly, firefighters are informed by the monitoring service, that maintains information about the residence, to help make sure all family members get out safely.

Leave It To The Professionals

When reacting to a fire in your home, every second counts. A fire alarm monitoring system ensures that you can focus on following your family’s fire escape plan to get everyone out as quickly as possible. Rather than calling authorities yourself as you would need to do with a traditional smoke alarm, a monitored system does that step for you, resulting in an earlier notification and a faster response.

In need of fire alarm monitoring? Boyd & Associates provides fire monitoring solutions to ensure your home security is covered. Talk to us today to learn more.

Restaurant Safety and Risk Prevention

/in , , , , , , /by

If you own or operate a restaurant, you know there are many inherent risks to the trade. Restaurant safety should always be a primary concern for both patrons and employees. Cultivating a culture of safety and risk prevention can better protect your business in the long run.

Think through the five steps below in the customer’s journey to identify safety gaps that could lead to major business losses.

  1. Keep Entrances Safe

The entrance is the first impression for many visitors to your restaurant. Welcome your guests with a slip-free and safe entryway. To ensure all-around safety throughout the year, here are a few things to consider:

  • Ensure proper outside lighting so customers feel safe when arriving and leaving.
  • Highlight steps with yellow paint or plastic detailing to catch customers’ attention.
  • Invest in absorbent walk-off mats to avoid slippery floors and catch outside water and dirt.
  • Consider installing video surveillance cameras in high traffic areas inside and outside to monitor and document slips and falls, as well as theft or intruder incidents.
  1. Make Exit and Employee-Only Signs Clear

Having clearly marked signs are important for any restaurant, especially for patrons dining there for the first time. In the case of an emergency, patrons must know where to exit quickly to ensure the safety of themselves and others. There are also huge liability risks for not having clearly marked exit signs.

Likewise, you must clearly mark off employee-only areas. There are a lot of moving parts in a restaurant kitchen, and a lot of things that could lead to injury. Other employee-only areas could include a surveillance room, manager’s office, break room, etc. It is essential that patrons know where they can and cannot be.

  1. Food Safety

Food safety is arguably any restaurant’s biggest safety risk. According to Foodsafety.gov, millions of Americans get sick from contaminated food each year. Just one large outbreak at your restaurant is a PR nightmare that could potentially destroy your business.

To mitigate the chances of foodborne illnesses, here are some key tips for monitoring food safety:

  • Constantly monitor the cleanliness of your establishment, especially your kitchen. This includes instituting a proper refrigeration program and food storage method, keeping consistent track of food expiration dates, and maintaining high sanitation standards in food preparation areas.
  • Keep your kitchen well stocked with clean towels, aprons, and anti-bacterial wash. Hold employees accountable for handwashing and proper hygiene.
  • Train staff in proper food preparation safety and health department compliance.
  • Monitor your staff remotely with cloud-based video solutions. These cameras can be installed in prep and food areas to ensure employees are following proper guidelines and training.

When preparing food, commercial kitchen fires are also a large risk. According to the United States Fire Administration, there are on average over 5,900 restaurant building fires reported each, causing an average of 75 injuries and $172 million in property loss. Prevent fires with the tips below:

  • Proactively train your team on equipment that uses heat or flames.
  • Establish an evacuation and crisis control plan in case of a fire.
  • Have the fire department or a security provider inspect your building to ensure all fire hazards are addressed.
  • Install a fire suspension system, such as sprinklers.
  • Keep fire extinguishers in place.
  • Install a fire alarm to ensure emergency response teams can reach your property as quickly as possible.
  1. Hire Employees You Can Trust

A solid team is your business’s best asset. Everything from the head chef to the host, to the busser, is a vital part of your business. Being successful means hiring the best you can get. But what does it take to ensure you hire top-quality, trusted employees? Consider the following:

  • Seek out experienced restaurateurs—few know how challenging the foodservice industry can be.
  • Start your employee selection process with a thorough background check and conduct live interviews.
  • Require recommendations and follow-up with former employers.
  • Request all candidates complete a drug test.
  • Consider a trial-run period, in which you can discern the candidate’s ability to work successfully with existing staff.
  1. Secure Your Finances

You want your customers to become loyal guests. The last step to protecting your eatery, in the long run, is financial viability.

Employee theft is more common than you might think. Studies indicate that employees steal over $50 million annually from businesses in the United States and an astounding 75% of employees have admitted to stealing from their company at least once. Consider the following for optimal protection:

  • Use access control to know when your kitchen staff arrives in the morning and when your bartender locks up at night. Assign employees unique codes or keys to keep tabs on individuals. For example, if five steak filets go missing from your outdoor refrigerator, you can reference a log to know who accessed the unit.
  • Install a video surveillance system. Being a restaurant owner is a round-the-clock job, including many holidays and almost all weekends. Your video monitoring system is on the floor when you can’t be, check-in at any time from your smartphone.

When it comes to restaurant safety, partner with the security experts you can trust. If you would like to learn more contact a Boyd & Associates expert today.

Video Surveillance Security Tips For Businesses

/in , , , , , /by

Video surveillance is a vital and effective security solution that protects all business types. It acts as a crime deterrent and can help identify suspects in the event of a criminal incident.

To ensure your business video surveillance system is operating at peak performance, we have compiled a list of five fundamental video surveillance tips:

  1. Secure Your Surveillance System From Hackers

Advancements in technology have made it possible for hackers to gain access to security cameras. Today, many businesses utilize Internet Protocol (IP) cameras that require an Internet connection for operation. Consider the following practices when securing your video surveillance system from cyber criminals:

  • Change your surveillance system password every three months and utilize proper password management.
  • Always change default usernames and passwords. These factory-preset logins are often readily available online, making it easier for hackers to access your system.
  • Secure your business network. An unsecured network risks leaving open access points in your system, giving hackers the opportunity to compromise your surveillance cameras.
  • Never connect your cameras to a public network. Hackers can easily access information, like video surveillance credentials, through shared networks.
  • Choose cameras with encrypted signals. Encryption disguises information sent over the Internet, making it challenging for hackers to identify valuable data.

  1. Avoid Video Surveillance Legal Liabilities

Your business’ safety is a top priority, but so is the privacy of your employees and customers. When installing cameras throughout your business, be sure to avoid areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. This includes:

  • Bathrooms
  • Dressing rooms
  • Exam rooms
  • Locker rooms
  • Hotel rooms

Additionally, understand the laws around video and audio recording so you don’t invade anyone’s privacy. Laws vary from state to state, so visit your State Labor Agency website to learn about camera privacy laws in your region.

  1. Strategically Place Cameras

Strategically placed cameras help business owners easily identify and promptly respond to potentially hazardous situations. Video surveillance cameras are most effective when they are:

  • Installed above all entrances and exits, to see who is coming and going.
  • Capable of watching over areas with high-value items, like office technology, stockrooms, and cash registers.
  • Placed under sufficient lighting for higher-quality video footage.
  • Positioned to capture wide angles for fuller surveillance coverage.

  1. Store Video Footage in the Cloud

Cloud solutions can help businesses increase storage capabilities and more easily access surveillance camera footage. Cloud-based systems offer a strong alternative to traditional analog systems. If properly installed, cloud storage can boost your business’s overall security measures because it is:

  • Cost-effective: IP cameras can eliminate the need for an onsite digital video recorder (DVR) or network video recorder (NVR).
  • Accessible: When housed in the cloud, surveillance footage can be viewed via smartphone, tablet, or a desktop web browser at any time.
  • Flexible: New users, locations, and cameras can be added to your existing infrastructure without rewiring.

  1. Increase Business Security with Additional Camera Features

You can also improve the effectiveness of your business surveillance system with some additional features, including:

  • Adjustable angles: Cameras that are mobile and can tilt or zoom for multiple views.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) technology: Cameras hosted on monitoring platforms powered by artificial intelligence can automatically monitor all footage and alert users about unusual events.
  • Day/night capabilities: Cameras with night vision use infrared LEDs to provide clear images in near low-light conditions.
  • High resolution: Higher resolutions give the best quality image.
  • IP-based versus wired: Video cables are not required with IP-based systems.
  • Weatherproof: Cameras that can withstand outdoor conditions.
  • Remote access: Sync your video surveillance system to your mobile security app to control settings and view footage on your mobile device.

Do you have questions about ways to enhance your video surveillance system? Talk to our security experts today!

How Does A Motion Sensor Work: Best Placement Practices

/in , , , , , , /by

Outside of the physical structures of your home, motion sensors are often the first line of defense for your security system. But how does a motion sensor work? Basically, motion sensors trigger alarms and direct the home security feed to wherever the alarm was triggered. This is usually based on motion or intrusion (hence the name!)

This is why taking the time to plan out motion sensor placement for your home is so important. If your motion sensors aren’t in locations where they work the most effectively, your entire system may be flawed. Check out these helpful tips for motion sensor placements:

How Does A Motion Sensor Work: The Most Effective Motion Sensor Placements

Motion sensors work to detect movement in an area where there shouldn’t be. When thinking of the best placements for your motion sensors, consider important access points and any potential vulnerabilities in your home or business that an intruder might exploit.

Corner Spaces

Put a motion sensor in the corner of each room, aimed toward the doorway. That way, if the door opens or someone passes through, the sensor will detect the motion and set off the alarm.

Near Valuables

What exactly are you looking to protect with your motion sensors and security system? Place motion sensors directly at your most valuable items. Or, in the case of a small business, consider where you keep or display any important products or business profits. No one will be able to get close to them without you knowing.

Second Floor Bedrooms

Even if you feel as though a burglar couldn’t enter the house through the second floor, it is a good idea to keep a motion sensor near the bedrooms in your home. As a general rule of thumb, all entry points should be accounted for. This way you’ll be alerted if anyone approaches while you’re asleep.

Ceilings

When an intruder enters the home, they may already be looking for motion detectors. A great place they wouldn’t immediately look is the ceiling. Sensors work from any angle, so this is a great way to keep a thief from easily avoiding detectors. And these days, sensors are made to fit discreetly wherever you place them. So, they won’t be an eyesore in your home either.

Within Decorations

A great way to hide motion sensors is by making them part of your household decor. Hide them amongst photos and knickknacks so they aren’t easily spotted by intruders. Plus, they won’t detract from your home’s look and feel!

How Does A Motion Sensor Work: The Least Effective Motion Sensor Placements

Motion sensors are designed to detect motion, which means any kind of motion. Placing your motion sensors in certain areas can not only detract from the functionality of your system, but it can also cause false alarm triggers. Avoid placing motion sensors in the following locations:

Near Windows

This is a bad location for a few reasons. The first is that heat-activated motion sensors can be confused by direct sunlight, which most windows receive a lot of! The second is that the sensor works best when a burglar walks parallel to them rather than straight ahead. Finally, you wouldn’t want a false alarm trigger from every single passerby, or even just an innocent visit from the neighborhood cat!

Near Heat Sources

A heat source could potentially create a false alarm, so it is a good idea to keep motion sensors away from hot air vents and radiators. Any change in infrared heat could trigger the alarm. Plus, extended exposure to high temperatures could potentially damage your equipment as well.

For More Security Tips And Solutions, Stick With Boyd & Associates

Ensure that your security system is working to its full potential by strategically installing the motion sensors that are included with it.

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.