Integrated Custom Electronics
  
   
 

12/01/2018

Video Doorbell

Cyber Monday has come and gone. Those packages are on the way and so are the people looking to steal those packages. 

Video doorbell systems have become popular to prevent this kind of theft.  In addition you can see who is at your door when you are not there, check on the kids when they are coming home from school, or just see what’s going on outside.

Video doorbells can be integrated to many security systems or be a standalone app on your smart phone.  For more information on the best product for you please contact your security provider.

New Advances in Cellular Technology

Remember when the first cell phones came out?  There have been many advances in cellular technology that our cell phones have now become mini computers for our day to day lives.  Cellular technology also affects other technology mainly security systems. 

Though the security industry tries to keep on top of the newest and latest technology, it is important to know if your current system is compatible with the technology in your area.  We have gone from 4G to LTE to very soon 5G. Some of the older systems and even some within the last few years may become obsolete as 5G becomes available. 

How do you know if your system is compatible?  By doing your weekly system check.  A communication fault will appear on your alarm keypad if it is not.  Contact your security provider immediately to fix the problem and upgrade as necessary.

Check Up For Your Security System

How do you know that your security system is working? Are your cameras picking up the images you need? Is your DVR recording?  Security equipment needs to get a frequent “check up” to assure it is working correctly.  It is important that home and business owners do frequent “check ups” on equipment and inform your security provider when repairs are needed. 

1.  Check your security system weekly and before a trip or holiday. 

2.  Cameras can be damaged by the weather, movement, electrical surges, during construction, or even just being old.  Check your cameras routinely that they are working.

3.  DVRs can run out of hard drive space.  Check your DVRs for hard drive space and that they are recording. 

4.  Residential owners check your smoke detectors at least twice a year.  This regularly happens during daylight savings time.

5.  Business owners work with your local ordinances for your fire alarm system checks and your alarm system provider.

Most importantly when something is not working please let your security provider know so we can fix it. 

Maintenance packages are always available.  Please call Jeff Sample if you are interested 847-471-5670.

  

09/01/2018

Halloween Safety

Fall is full of trees changing colors, cool breezes, crunching leaves and for kids trick or treating.  Always remember some simple safety tips to keep your home and family safe during Halloween. 

1.  Keep your lights on.  Is it a trick or treat?  Keeping your lights on will let potential vandals know you are home and is a great deterrent for crime.

2.  Install motion sensors.  It will keep the little ones safe as well as keep those vandals away.

3.  Install a Ring or camera doorbell.  You can answer the door even if you are not at home.

4.  Park your car in the garage.  What a vandal can’t see they can’t destroy.

5.  Bring in toys and yard equipment.  Storing everything out of site will prevent someone from stealing.

6.  Sit outside during trick or treating.  Being proactive eyes and ears helps to keep the community safe.

7.  Know what houses your kids are trick or treating at.  Do you know all your neighbors?  Do you know who are registered sex offenders in your neighborhood?  Visit the state sex offender site to make sure your kids are safe while going to houses on Halloween.

9.  Be a good neighbor.  Talk to your neighbors and be a watchful eye for each other and report any suspicious activity to the local police.

Whether you are participating in the festivities or not simple things will help deter the tricksters and keep you and your family safe.

Daylight Savings Time

DST ends on Sunday, November 4, 2018, at 2:00 a.m . At this time, we “fall back” in the fall by setting clocks back one hour (i.e., gaining one hour). Here are some things to do when we “fall back”.

Change batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors as well as your remotes.

Change light bulbs outside and make sure your exterior lighting is intact.

Turn off exterior faucets.

Put your security system in test and test them.  Call your security company with any problems.

Make sure your seals are tight on your windows and doors.

Check your furnace.

Make sure your fireplace is clean and functional

Most importantly enjoy the extra hour of sleep!

Business Safety – Employee Safety

Access control, intercoms, camera systems are all ways you keep your employees safe.  There are some ways your employees can also maintain that safety.

If an employee is entering through a secure area, train them to not let just anyone in with them.  Only those who are authorized to enter should be allowed.  All other visitors should follow the regular process of entering a building. 

Educate employees on how to access security for their safety.

Keep parking lots and entry ways well lit.  Replace light bulbs immediately when not functioning.

Review with employees safety plans.  Employees are an active part of our daily safety and will help keep your business a safe place to work.

 
6/5/18

Keys to a Safe Backyard Oasis

As the weather warms up we venture again outside our homes to our outdoor space.  Our outdoor oasis becomes a place to entertain, play and relax.  It is also a place that is vulnerable to home intrusions.  

Did you know that  according to the U.S. Department of Justice, household crime rates tend to be 11% higher during the summer months than during the winter?  Your backyard is out of the main view and has vulnerable entry sites into your home.  Here are a few tips to help keep your home safe. 

1. Outdoor video cameras help to monitor areas for potential intrusion, monitor kids and safety, and allows you to review images at any time.  Areas that are recommended for video surveillance are basement windows, doors, pool areas, and garages.

2.  Apply sensors at all points of entry to your home.  Glass breaking detectors, motion sensors, and window/door contacts are some types of sensors that can detect an intrusion.

3.  Install motion lights around your backyard above doors, decks, walkways, patios, and pools.  It helps to prevent hiding places that burglars like to use.

4.  Keep supplies such as ladders, garbage cans and tools out of sight to avoid assisting an intrusion.

5.  Maintain the landscape to eliminate potential hiding places or access to upper level windows.

6.  Secure your windows and with locks and covering to protect your privacy.

By following some simple guidelines you can have a safe backyard oasis.

6/5/18

Business Safety – Event Safety

Company picnics, outdoor celebrations, benefit dinners are ways you celebrate your employees and the work you do.  A safety plan should be part of your planning for these events. 

A safety plan helps to provide a safe environment for staff and visitors, prevent the disruption of the event, and protects property against damage or loss.

Some components of an effective safety plan consists of security guards, first aid facilities, shelter, pedestrian flow, solid infrastructure for the event, & good signage.

By having a clear safety plan in place you can have a safe event for your business.

6/5/18

Vacation Home Safety

It is certainly nice to have a vacation home to escape to when you need to get away.  But what happens when you aren’t there?  Just as you would secure your main home, you also need to keep your vacation home safe.  Keep these five tips in mind to prevent vandalism, trespassing, or even burglary at your vacation home.

1. Have a burglar monitoring system installed.  Today’s technology makes keeping your home secure possible and you can even check on it when you’re hundreds of miles away.  Security cameras often prevent theft before it happens.  Many burglars will skip right over your property when they see cameras mounted outside.

2. Secure your windows and doors. 

3.  Don’t leave a spare key outside.

4.  Get to know your neighbors.  Neighbors help keep an eye out for each other.

5.  Make sure your home appears lived in. Timers and lights help to keep the appearance up.

3/01/18

Spring Ahead    

It’s that time of year again. On Sunday March 11th at 2 am we set our clocks ahead. It’s also time to do some routine maintenance on your equipment.

1. Change out the batteries in smoke detectors.

2. Test your smoke detectors/Fire alarm systems.

3. Change out batteries in your remotes, alarm system, wireless sensors, key fabs, and garage door openers.

4.  If you have outdoor cameras and speakers, clean the covers and cases.  Check to make sure your cameras are working and call for maintenance if needed.

5. Test your burglar alarm on a weekly basis to make sure it is functioning.

6.  Check the date of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Smoke detectors are good for approximately 3-4 years and carbon monoxide detectors for 2 years from manufacture date.  Change out your detectors if they are outdated. 

7.  Trim trees and bushes around outside cameras.

8.  If planting bushes around windows consider some easy theft deterrent plants such as rose bushes, holly, and other thorny plants.

By doing regular maintenance on your equipment it will help it last longer and you will have peace of mind.

We can assist you in maintenance, replacing batteries, and replacing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Call to set up an appointment. 

3/01/18

Business Safety

How are you keeping your employees, legal documents, private records, inventory and money safe in your business?  Here are some tips to keeping a safe business environment:

Assess your visitor and access policies on a yearly basis. Implement an access control system and visitor policy if you do not have already in place.

Upgrade security on your doors. Use electronic access control to allow access to only those authorized.

Add video surveillance to your security system. 

There are many options to meet your individual business needs for ensuring a safe workplace.

3/01/18

False Dispatch Prevention

False dispatch of your alarm system is an annoyance to you, your business, and the police and fire department.  Here are a few ways you can help to prevent this happening to you:

Make sure everyone knows how to use the alarm system. 

Use temporary passwords for cleaning services, repairmen who may need it.

Keep hanging objects away from motion detectors.

Before arming your system make sure all doors and windows are closed and locked.

Regularly service and maintain your system.  If you think it’s not working contact Integrated Custom Electronics to assess your system.
 

There are many reasons a false dispatch can occur.  The above are just some ways to help prevent a false dispatch.  Remember that above all you are responsible for your alarm system and by maintaining your system can help to decrease and eliminate false dispatching.