Your Source for Security Cameras & Other Security Equipment
Safety Tips For Halloween 2019
While Halloween is a family-friendly holiday, it can also be a very dangerous night. With more pedestrians on the road and people concealing their identities with costumes, the risks are higher. Before partaking in the Halloween fun, review these Halloween safety tips.
Pick A Safe Costume
- Costumes, wigs, and accessories should be made with fire-resistant materials.
- Avoid masks that may obstruct your child’s live of vision.
- If your kids will be out after dark, or their costumes are hard to see at night, use bright, reflective material or adhere reflective tape to your child’s costume to increase visibility.
- If you are using makeup, be sure that is it nontoxic and that it is removed before bed to avoid irritation.
Know Where They Are
- Kids 12 and under should be chaperoned.
- If you are not chaperoning, be sure you know who your children are going out with, where they will be going, and that you have the contact information of the adult chaperone.
- If your children are older, be sure that they trick-or-treat in a group with friends and that they stick to familiar, well-lit routes.
- If your child has a cell phone, you can set up a GPS tracker together so that you know where they are.
Be Aware Of Surroundings
- Road safety is especially important on Halloween night as more kids are walking around, usually excited and distracted, and drivers may not be paying attention, or even worse, driving home after a night of celebrating. Here are some important reminders:
- You and your children should only cross the street at corners where there are traffic lights and crosswalks.
- Always check left, right, and left again before crossing.
- For both kids and adults, make sure heads are up and alert, not looking at phones or electronic devices.
- Walk, don’t run, when crossing the street. If you can’t make it across the street in time, wait for the next green light.
Pumpkin Safety
- Small children should not carve pumpkins. Instead, have them use a marker to draw a face and an adult may carve it for them once they are done. Or they can simply decorate the pumpkin with markers, paint, etc.
- Consider using a flashlight or glow stick to illuminate your jack-o-lantern. If you opt for a candle, votive candles are the safest choice.
- Pumpkins should be securely places on table tabletops and away from flammable objects and should not be left unattended.
Candy Safety
- Feed your children a good meal before heading out for trick-or-treating so that they are less tempted by the treats when they’re out.
- Although tampering is rare, it is important to inspect and sort candy with your children when you get home. Discard old, spoiled, or unwrapped treats.
- If you child has allergies, be mindful of the houses you visit and inspect candy labels carefully. If you are unsure, err on the side of caution and toss it.
Share your own Halloween safety tips with your peers and us at Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Visit SecurityCamExpert.com to shop our selection of quality surveillance cameras and equipment or call 888-203-6294 to request a FREE quote!
Get Ready For Fall
The Fall Season is upon us and it’s a great time to review these safety tips to help you transition from the summer to shorter days and cooler autumn nights.
- Check around the furnace before turning on the heat for the first time – always be sure that there is nothing flammable around it. Also, before winter arrives, have your furnace inspected. And for your own reference, be sure that the flame is blue, not yellow or orange. And check the pipe from the furnace to the chimney for rust spots and ensure that both ends are securely connected. If you have radiators, be sure to remove anything that’s sitting on top of them before the heat turns on.
- Choose light-colored clothing for your kids so that they are more easily seen by drivers. On Halloween, it’s especially important to ensure your kids can be seen. Equip them with a flashlight and glow stick, and if their costume is dark, add some reflective stickers or tape.
- Remember to change batteries when you “fall back.” It’s a good rule of thumb to replace batteries for smoke alarms and CO detectors twice a year when the time changes (or when the alarm “chirps” for low battery).
- Practice a family fire escape plan. Don’t have one? Now is the time to devise and practice one. Again, this escape plan should be practiced at least twice a year.
- Use space heaters safely. Keep any combustibles “three feet from the heat” or “a meter from the heater.” If you’re using a fuel-powered heater, allow fresh air to circulate by opening a door or window slightly. And remember to turn off your heater when you leave the house and before you go to bed.
- Add outdoor lighting to dark places. Not only will this deter intruders, but it can help to protect against falls. Motion sensor lights are especially beneficial around doors and near steps.
- Clean out your gutters weekly. If your gutters are hard to reach, you can install a leaf guard to keep most of the leaves out.
- Have your chimney inspected before you fire it up. If you use your chimney yearly, you should have it cleaned every year to prevent a chimney fire. And if your chimney needs repair, leave it to the professionals.
- Get your car ready for the winter. Aside from checking tires and fluid levels, you should stock your car trunk with winter essentials. You can benefit from having a blanket, hat, gloves, a bag of salt, sand, or non-clumping kitty litter for traction, extra windshield fluid, and ice scraper, and shovel. In case you get stuck, you should have a brightly colored cloth on hand to tie to your antenna, along with snacks (granola bars, unsalted canned nuts) and bottled water (keep them at about two-thirds full in case they freeze).
Share your own tips with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Visit us online at SecurityCamExpert.com to shop our stock of quality security cameras and surveillance equipment. You may also contact us at 888-203-6294 to learn more about our products and services and to request a free quote.
Back To School Safety
As summer vacation draws to a close, back to school season is here again. If your children have started school, or will start school shortly, be sure to review and apply these school safety guidelines from the National Safety Council.
Transportation Safety
Proper safety precautions are crucial for the trip to and from school. You want to ensure that your kids arrive at school and return home in one piece.
• Walkers
Review family’s walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child.
• Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available. When walking on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic.
• Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right, and left again to see if cars are coming. Proceed if the roadway is clear.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.
• Stay alert and avoid distracted walking.
• Bike Riders
Teach your child the rules of the road and practice riding the bike route to school with your child.
• Ride bikes on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file.
• Come to a complete stop before crossing the street and, when clear, walk bikes across the street.
• Stay alert and avoid distracted riding.
• Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing.
• Bus Riders
Teach your children school bus safety rules and practice with them.
• Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus.
• Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb.
• If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus. Your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other.
• Driving Your Child To School
Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.
• Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s drop-off procedure.
• Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street.
• Never pass a bus loading or unloading children.
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children – stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus.
• Teen Drivers
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. Fortunately, there are ways to decrease this risk.
• Crashes can be attributed to teens’ inexperience. Practice with new drivers every week, before and after they get their license.
• Set a good example by driving the way you want your teen to drive.
• Set up an agreement between you and your teen driver that helps define rules and expectations of both parties. As time goes on, responsibilities and restrictions can be adjusted accordingly. This is sometimes referred to as a Parent-Teen Agreement or New Driver Deal.
School Safety
Many School-related injuries are completely preventable. Here are some ways to ensure your child’s safety at school.
• Backpacks
Your child’s backpack should have ergonomically designed features to enhance safety and comfort.
• Ask your children to use both straps when wearing their backpack to even distribute the weight on their shoulders.
• Don’t overstuff a backpack – Backpacks should weigh no more than 5% to 10% of your child’s body weight.
• Rolling backpacks should be used cautiously since they can create a trip hazard in crossed school hallways.
Playgrounds & Sports
• To reduce strangulation hazards on playgrounds, keep necklaces and jackets with drawstrings at home.
• A few bumps and bruises can be expected when your child plays sports, but head injuries should never be ignored.
Share your back to school safety tips with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Shop our stock of quality CCTV security cameras and surveillance equipment online at SecurityCamExpert.com. To learn more about our products and services, or to request a free quote or site survey, please call 888-203-6294.
Protect Your IP Surveillance System
These days, IP security cameras are much easier to use and are more commonly utilized for home security. Whether home owners want to watch their property or their pets, IP security cameras seem to be the surveillance solution of choice.
Unfortunately, these home security systems are often targeted by hackers and bots. To better safeguard your IP cameras and privacy, check out these helpful IP security camera tips.
Update Firmware
Modern IP security cameras provide user-upgradeable firmware. When a security vulnerability is found, the manufacturer will fix it by issuing a firmware update. If your cameras are operating with an older version, they may be vulnerable to exploitation from hackers or online voyeurs. Always be sure that your firmware is up to date and routinely check for updates to protect your system.
Keep Cameras Local
The concept is simple – If you are worried about your live feed ending up on the internet, do not connect your cameras to the internet.
To protect your privacy, keep your security cameras on a local network and assign them non-routable internal IP addresses (ex. 192.168.0.5 or the like). But even then, your cameras may still be exposed by camera software that sets up port forwarding or uses UPNP to expose your cameras to the internet. Make sure your cameras are set up on local-only mode – consult your installer or check the manufacturer’s website to learn how.
Assign Passwords To Cameras
All too often, users forget to add password protection on their IP cameras, and sadly, this is not usually turned on by default. Without this, IP cameras are left wide open and vulnerable.
Luckily, most cameras offer at least some form of basic authentication, and although it may not be much, it is better than nothing. Remember to protect your cameras by assigning a username and strong password and changing it periodically.
Change Defaults
We cannot stress this enough – Always, always, ALWAYS change the default usernames and password for your devices. In case you didn’t know, the default admin name and password for your IP camera is usually available on the manufacturer’s website in the support section. That said, if you don’t change these defaults, anyone could potentially access your security system, view your feeds, and control your cameras.
WPA2 Encryption
If you’re using a wireless camera, you should only connect it to a WPA2-encrypted wireless network. This will minimize the risk of wireless eavesdroppers connecting to your network and accessing your video feeds.
Be Mindful Of Locations
Don’t place IP security cameras in areas of your home that you wouldn’t feel comfortable with strangers seeing. Regardless of the security measures to protect your camera feeds, there is always a possibility of getting blind-sided by a Zero-Day vulnerability that hasn’t been found by the manufacturer yet.
Share your own tips and experiences with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. For a wide selection of IP security cameras and more, visit SecurityCamExpert.com or call 888-203-6294 today!
Safety Tips For 4th Of July Holiday
With Independence Day fast approaching, many of us are making plans to celebrate. Whether it’s a family outing to the beach or a fireworks show, or simply a backyard barbecue at home, heed these safety tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Fireworks Safety
Fireworks are safest when admired from afar (at least 500 feet). Look for local public fireworks displays and try to secure a prime spot early (as these tend to be crowded events). If your city allows fireworks and you decide to light them at home, please follow these safety precautions:
- Keep fireworks away from small children.
- Follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Keep a water supply close by (better safe than sorry).
- The person igniting the fireworks should always wear eye protection.
- Light only one firework at a time.
- Never attempt to relight a “dud.”
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place and away from children and pets.
- Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, or flammable materials.
- Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
Grilling Safety
What is summer without backyard barbecues? As much as we love grilling under the sun, injuries are all too common when using backyard charcoal or gas grills. To prevent injury and maintain safety, follow these tips:
- A barbecue grill that is in use should always be supervised.
- Never grill indoors (ex. inside a house, camper, tent or any enclosed area).
- Make sure everyone (including pets) stays away from the grill.
- Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
- For the chef’s safety, use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill.
- Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.
Beach Safety
If your beach visit includes swimming in the ocean, be sure to learn how to swim in the surf within the designated swimming area and only when/where a lifeguard is present. In addition, be sure to obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
- Check local weather conditions and look for any warning signs or flags that may be posted.
- Always swim sober and with a buddy.
- Young children and inexperienced swimmers should wear Coast Guard- approved life jackets.
- Protect the neck – don’t dive head first. Walk carefully into open waters.
- Keep a close eye and constant attention on children and adults while at the beach. Waves can cause someone to lose their footing, even in shallow water.
- Watch for aquatic life – water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants and leave animals alone.
Rip Currents
Rip currents are relatively strong, narrow currents flowing outward from the beach through the surf zone, posing a potential hazard to swimmers. In fact, rip currents are responsible for many deaths and lifeguards rescues on our beaches. Any beach with breaking waves may have rip currents, so be aware of the dangers and remember these things:
- If a person is caught in a rip current, it is advised to swim parallel to the shore until out of the current. Once free, turn and swim toward the shore. If they can’t swim to the shore, they should float or tread water until free of the rip current and then head toward the shore.
- Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties – permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.
Sun Protection
You should limit exposure to direct sunlight between 10am and 4pm and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15 (reapply often). Remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water regularly (thirsty or not) and avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that will absorb 100 percent UV sunlight. Also remember to protect your feet – hot sand can burn them and glass and other sharp objects can cut them.
During hot weather, watch for signs of heat stroke – hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing. If it’s suspected someone is suffering from heat stroke:
- Call 911 and move the person to a cooler place.
- Quickly cool the body by applying cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin (or misting it with water) and fanning the person.
- Watch for signs of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the individual lying down.
Share your own safety tips with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!
Don’t forget! We will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 for Independence Day. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. From everyone at SecurityCamExpert.com, we wish you a safe & happy Independence Day!
Text-To-911: What You Should Know
Imagine getting a notification from your security camera system that movement is detected in your home. If you are out of the house, you can check the feed and call 911. But what if you get the notification when you are home alone? You can try to escape, but if that is not feasible, your next best bet would be to lock yourself in a room and hide. In this situation, calling 911 could possibly give your location away, but what if you could send a text to 911 to discreetly summon law enforcement?
If you live in Pomona or elsewhere in the Los Angeles County, as of December 1, 2017, you are able take advantage of Text-To-911. This convenient option gives hearing and speech-impaired individuals, along with those in situations in which it is too dangerous to call 911, a potentially lifesaving option. But the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reminds everyone to “Call if you can — text if you can’t“.
Here are the FCC’s guidelines for contacting 911:
- If you can, always contact 911 by making a voice call.
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled, and Text-To-911 is not available, use a TTY or telecommunications relay service, if available.
- If you send a text to 911 and the service is not yet available in your area, you will receive a bounce-back message advising “text is not available please make a voice call to 9-1-1” or use telecommunications relay service (for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability). Note: Bounce-back messages are intended to minimize your risk of mistakenly believing that a text to 911 has been transmitted to an emergency call center.
- Location accuracy varies by carrier and should not be relied upon. Be prepared to give your location.
- Text-To-911 service will not be available if the wireless carrier cannot ascertain a location of the device sending the message.
- Text-To-911 is not available if you are roaming.
- A text or data plan is required to place a text to 911.
- Photos and videos cannot be sent to 911 as they cannot be received at the 911 center at this time.
- Text messages should be sent in plain language and not contain popular abbreviations (SMH, LOL, ICYMI) or emojis, as they will not be recognized.
- Text-To-911 cannot be sent to more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 911.
- Text must be in English only – there is currently no language interpretation for text available (still in development).
- Remember that the FCC’s Text-To-911 rules do not apply to text messaging applications that do not support texting to and from U.S. phone numbers.
- Text messaging applications that only support texting with other app users or texting via social media are not required to support Text-To-911.
As we all know, texting can be extremely dangerous in certain situations, but in others, such as Text-To-911, it could save lives.
Protect your property with quality CCTV surveillance cameras and equipment from SecurityCamExpert.com. Browse our stock online or call 888-203-6294. Find us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for the latest news and updates.
Intruder Emergency Plan
Unfortunately, home burglaries happen more often than we would like to believe. While the thought of someone breaking into your home, violating your privacy, and stealing your valuables is disheartening, encountering an intruder while you are home can be far more frightening. Panic and fear may set in, but here are some helpful tips if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Stay Calm & Stay Put
This may be easier said than done, but remaining calm rather than panicking can keep you safe. First, listen very closely to the sounds which lead you to believe that someone else is in your home, whether it is the sound of breaking glass, footsteps, or shuffling around. Try to make sure that it is not another family member or a pet without charging toward them or making your presence known.
If it is, in fact, an intruder, you don’t know if they are armed or how aggressive they will be so it is best to avoid engaging and remain undetected.
Call The Police
Dial 911 immediately if you sense an intruder in your home – the emergency operator will be able to contact and dispatch police to your location. Remember to stay calm and whisper slowly and clearly so that the dispatcher can understand you and the intruder does not hear you. If you feel that you cannot talk without being heard, you can try using the Text-To-911 help function, implemented to assist the deaf and hearing impaired persons.
This is a perfect example of why you should always have a charged cell phone nearby and accessible. While burglars may be able to cut a telephone line, cell phones are wireless and cannot be compromised by the intruder. Also, resist the urge to call a friend or family member before dialing 911, and try to stay on the line until the police arrive as the dispatcher can help guide you through this emergency while you wait.
Stay Quiet
As mentioned, staying quiet is key. For the most part, burglars don’t want to linger, they want to get in and out as quickly as possible. Any sudden movements or noises can alert the intruder that someone is home. These noises may scare them away, however, a brazen burglar may take forceful action, putting you and anyone else in your home in danger. No material possession is ever worth risking your life, so try your best to stay quiet and hidden until the burglar leaves or the police arrive.
Quietly Alert Other House Members
Always call for help first before alerting others in your home. The emergency dispatcher can guide you about informing other family members or housemates. The average police response time is 10 minutes nationwide. If you can, wait for help to arrive, but if you must, alert others carefully and quietly.
If children are home, lock their doors if possible to prevent the burglar from entering their rooms. Screaming or crying children can make a burglar aware of your presence so remaining calm can help you keep the kids quiet. Creep slowly, whisper and use hand signals to communicate.
Evaluate Possible Escape Plans
You may immediately think that escaping is your only option, but it might not be the best solution. If you can, alert authorities while remaining undetected. But if you fear that this encounter may turn violent, you should seek the nearest escape route. You know your house best so think of a window or door you can use for a quick getaway. If no escape routes are easily accessible or available, try to find a safe place to hide until help arrives or the intruder leaves.
Protect Yourself If Necessary
You must do what you need to do to protect yourself and your family during a home invasion. Material possessions are not worth risking harm or fatality, so, if forced to do so, surrender your things and use any means you can to defend yourself against the attacker.
Feel free to share any experiences or advice with your peers and us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Protect your home and loved ones with a CCTV surveillance system. Browse our selection of security cameras and more online at SecurityCamExpert.com, or call 888-203-6294 to discuss your options.
Residential Security Tips
Concerns about the security of your home and loved ones can be especially high during the holidays. With increased risk of thefts and burglaries, it is important to employ the proper security methods to put your mind at ease. Here are a few ways you can secure your home and protect your assets.
- Perform an all-hazards residential risk assessment.
By completing this assessment, you can recognize any threats that may not be detected by even the best alarm system. Some things to consider include who may have access to your home, how prepared you are for a natural disaster or civil emergency, and whether there is any online or public record information that could possibly compromise your security.
- Install a customized home security system and use it.
A home security system, complete with a backup power source, is a crucial component to protect your property. If you own any vacation homes, be sure to secure and monitor those as well.
If a security system came with your home, you may need to reevaluate how it suits your needs. If needed, invest in upgrades or a whole new system. Assess your risk points and go from there, but be sure that it is user-friendly as well, so that your family members can access and easily operate it.
Annual follow-ups with your security provider are recommended. Update contacts, information and make any adjustments as necessary.
- Develop and practice an emergency response plan.
You should be prepared for a variety of emergency situations. While most commonly associated with natural disasters, emergency plans can also be implemented for other situations, such as home invasion, storm evacuations, and other crises.
In case of emergency, be sure to have secure locks and the proper emergency supplies. In the event of your home security being compromised, you should have a rapid response plan. Prepare a “grab-and-go” packed with essentials, including communication tools and meeting information.
Aside from having these plans in place, you will want to rehearse with all family members so that they know and understand their role in keeping everyone safe. Try to practice these at least once a year so that the appropriate steps stay fresh in their minds.
- Know who has access to your homes and properties.
Your biggest threat could be someone you know, who knows your residence and schedule. These people can include domestic staff such as housekeepers or child care providers. Be sure to follow best practices before hiring home employees.
Prescreening
For prospective domestic employees, be sure to do a professional background check – do not rely on a simple Google search. Ask trusted friends or an attorney to recommend a private investigator or third-party service that can pull up critical information using the candidate’s name and date of birth. If you are using a placement agency, be sure their background checks are comprehensive and legitimate.
When hiring, include a pre-employment application which authorizes criminal and credit checks, and always check references and conduct in-person interviews with potential candidates.
Employment Agreements
Firm employment agreements are important and can protect your security during (and after) a domestic employee’s service. Work with an attorney to draft a secure contract that encompasses, and include the following:
- Nondisclosure language
- Clear terms and expectations (including restrictions)
- Provisions for transportation and expenses (use of car, credit card, phone, computer)
- Provisions for periodic re-screening of credit and criminal records
- Reasons and provisions for termination of employment
While there’s no obligation, be prepared to provide severance pay upon departure of a terminated employee. Thoughtful treatment at termination can go a long way toward preventing a disgruntled former employee from retribution.
Restrict Access To Bank Accounts
Despite the fact that most domestic employees often need money for home-related expenses, you should never give an employee your personal ATM car or password. Use a separate account for household expenses and designate the employee as an authorized cardholder, or consider using prepaid debit cards, which can put a limit to the amount spent. Both options allow limited access to your personal accounts while allowing you to track spending.
Contractors
Remember that anyone who has access to your property can present a security risk. This includes any building contractors, landscapers, electricians, and the like. Before proceeding with any services, speak with the principal of the company and find out if they are licensed and insured, whether they do background credit and criminal checks and periodic drug testing on employees, and ask for a roster of people who will be at the property on a regular basis. If any information seems questionable to you, look for services elsewhere.
- Manage your public presence.
Despite your efforts to keep your personal information private, there is information about you that is publicly available. One piece of information about you may seem harmless, but when it is combined with other public information, it can be used to gain insight about you (ex. income, properties) which may attract criminals. Luckily, there are ways you can control your public presence.
Responsible Online Behavior
Enlisting an online security consultant should be the first step. They will evaluate your public “footprint” by doing a thorough search of the Internet and present you with the results. From there, you can work together to assess and manage any and all threats. Ensure that the whole family is on board, especially children who are active on social media. Everyone should understand how to engage in responsible online behavior.
Public Institutions, Private Information
Beware of whom you share your information. Your information can still end up online through reputable third parties (ex. charities, schools, civic groups). These public entities often mean well, but most lack strict cyber security systems and protocols to keep your information secure.
If you are going to make a major donation or real estate purchase, use a trust account to protect your identity and any other sensitive information associated with it. Choose a trust name that is different from the family name and associate it with a nonresidential address such as a P.O. Box.
Inadvertent Footprint
Commercial and public sites can reveal details about your home you would rather keep private. For example, your realtor’s website may still contain photos of your home long after the close of the sale, while other sites may list pricing history of your property. Most of these sites will remove your information per request. You may want to discuss these issues with your real estate agent as they may have more insight on how to keep your information private.
While it is not ideal to think about the possibilities of something going wrong, it is beneficial to be prepared. Aside for the aforementioned measures, what else do you do to ensure your security? Share with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
To invest in quality CCTV surveillance cameras and security systems for your home, please visit SecurityCamExpert.com or call 1-888-203-6294. Inquire about a free quote, site survey or our installation services.
Beware Of Holiday Scams
While the holidays are a great time for deals, it is also a prime time for scams and fraud. To avoid falling victim to these deceptive offers, watch out for these common tricks.
Unfamiliar Sites Offering Steep Discounts
If you come across any of these, proceed with caution. Often times, these websites promise incredible deals on brand names or gift cards as a bonus for purchasing a product, but they don’t deliver. You submit your payment, but never receive your order, and there’s no way to contact the business. You are left giving away money, personal information, and potentially compromising your identity. In addition, you should always be careful with unsolicited emails promoting these too-good-to-be-true deals, which usually contain phishing links that put your information at risk.
And if you’re shopping online, never wire money for a purchase. Once a money transfer is received, it cannot be recovered. Also, be sure you are shopping on secure sites and use two-factor authentication and complex passwords for customer accounts. While online shopping and checking out, make sure that the URL remains at the same domain. If it changes, this may be a sign that you are being redirected to a fraudulent site. Bottom line: Err on the side of caution and stick with known retailers and manufacturers.
Fake Charities
During the holiday season, generosity is usually high and charities often reap these benefits. Scammers tend to prey on the kindness of others by creating fake charities or misusing the names of well-known charities.
Before you donate, do some research and verify that the charity and web address are valid. Also, use a check or credit card, rather than a wire transfer or cash, when you donate. In case the charity is fraudulent, it would be easier to recover your donation if a check or credit card was used.
Seasonal Employment Scams
Seasonal employment allows for workers to make some extra cash during the holidays. Scammers see this as an opportunity to offer fake jobs that require prospective employees to pay for “training” or a “start-up kit.” Consider these red flags, as well as job listings that state “no experience necessary” and “work from home” (especially if they are used in the same post).
Social Media Mishaps
Social media can be risky in many ways. Scammers may use social media to post deceptive links to install malware or viruses on computers. To cut down on your susceptibility to this, avoid accepting friend requests from people you don’t know well and refrain from clicking on suspicious posts.
You can also make yourself an easy target by sharing too much information on social media. You may enjoy checking in and posting your location on your profile, however, this can give thieves an upper hand by inadvertently promoting the fact that your home is vacant. Avoid posting concert tickets and trip accommodations as well, since they can be printed and sold to someone else. Tip: If you must share your tickets on social media, refrain from sharing the barcode and event date.
Smartphone App Scams
Be careful when downloading apps. Apps disguised as games and offered for free can be used to steal personal information from your device. Look for third-party reviews before downloading from an unknown source, and if anything seems suspicious, skip it.
Do you have any other advice or tips on avoiding holiday scams? Share with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
To protect your home with quality CCTV security cameras and surveillance equipment, visit SecurityCamExpert.com. We also offer site surveys and installation services – call 1-888-203-6294 to learn more.
Halloween Safety Tips
This year, Halloween falls on a Monday night. Whether you’re trick-or-treating with the kids, enjoying a night on the town, or simply commuting home, be sure to be vigilant and heed these safety tips.
Adjust To Your Surroundings
Drivers should turn headlights on by dusk, and watch for pedestrians and cyclists. Remember, there is more foot traffic on Halloween.
Pedestrian Safety
If you are the pedestrian or cyclist, do your best to make sure drivers can see you. For dark costumes, try adding something bright or reflective so that they are easier to spot. Cyclists should wear bright, reflective clothing and utilize flashing bike lights if possible.
Trick-Or-Treating
Children age 12 and under should travel with adult supervision. Those going door-to-door should remember to cross the street at corners, using the designated crosswalks and obeying traffic signals.
Strength In Numbers
Those mature enough to celebrate without a chaperone should stick to familiar and well-lit areas. If you will be celebrating outdoors, it is better to travel in groups.
Driver Safety
Popular times for trick-or-treating span from 5:30pm until 9:30pm. You should always be alert for pedestrians, but especially during this time, practice extra caution.
If you have any other Halloween safety tips to mention, please share them with us and your peers on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Everyone from SecurityCamExpert.com wishes you a happy and safe Halloween!