Home Security Companies Emphasize Back-to-School Safety

In Greenville, SC and throughout the country, children are heading back to school, and that's a great opportunity to turn our attention to back-to-school safety and security considerations.

Buddy System

The best way to keep children safe is to have them perform these activities in pairs or even larger groups of likeminded kids. Ideally, the buddy will be a family member, neighbor or friend. If possible, establish the agreement that the buddies will do everything together on the way home as well. Don't be afraid to perform these activities alongside the pair to and from school until you're confident they're able to handle it on their own.

Walking to School or the Bus Stop

For grade school children, it's important to sit down and talk about the protocols for walking to the bus stop or school. Cover all the basics, including not talking to and accepting rides from strangers. The National Safety Council and local home security companies also stress establishing rules. If no sidewalk is present, always face the traffic and walk on the left side of the road. Never use a phone, handheld game, ear buds or headphones while walking near traffic.

With older children in particular, it's crucial and difficult to impart on them the importance of bus stop behavior. Bus stop accidents kill thousands of children every year, and many of those deaths could have been avoided if the child was paying attention to his or her surroundings.

Bicycling

If the child uses a bicycle instead, a helmet in a good condition is paramount. Local home security companies also advise having a bike chain that will allow the bicycles and all accessories to be secured. If the child is 12 or older and rides a scooter or similar vehicle, it's also necessary to have heavy footwear, gloves, kneepads and pads for the elbows. Keep in mind that helmets can actually become hazards on playgrounds and in similar environments. Make sure the child understands the importance of stopping and removing the helmet when transitioning into one of these areas.

Backpack Safety

Backpack safety is a growing concern, and it's recommended that you choose a backpack that has padded shoulder straps. It's also important that when loaded the backpack not weigh more than 10 percent of the child's total weight. Use a zippered compartment for emergency numbers and similar information. You may be surprised to know how many children don't know their own home phone numbers, and a cheat sheet can be invaluable.

Home Alone

It's very important that you're child be familiar with the security system in the home and all emergency protocols. This is particularly true if the child will be home alone for any period. Educators of fire safety in Greenville SC recommend that you go over the evacuation plan each quarter. Parents might also want to consider Internet-enabled surveillance, which most home security companies can install and link to your smartphone.

Reward Programs and Consequences

Establishing good habits among children will require some work. Those who educate about fire safety in Greenville SC recommend using a reward system. Children respond very well to positive reinforcement. There should still be consequences when the child ignores the rules, but the emphasis should always be on the positive aspects and how these allow us to be safer and have more fun.

​What Small Business Owners Need to Know about Commercial Security in Greenville

No small company can risk losing its valuable data and inventory to thieves, making it very important that independent overseers invest in business security systems. In fact, security options are so important that any would-be business owners would be wise to educate themselves about security equipment, cost, and various options before cutting that grand opening ribbon.

Available options for commercial security in Greenville can vary quite a bit, with various features and functions available on a business-by-business basis. But which is best for your company's needs? Fear not, for a reputable business security systems vendor like Priority One Security will be able to survey your business site and make recommendations for how best to move forward. After all, a plumbing supply store won't need to take the same precautions that a jeweler would, would they?

There are, however, a few actions you can take and some tips to consider as a future consumer of commercial security in Greenville.

Stake Out Your Local Area: By pulling up crime statistics, you'll be able to better discern whether or not your business needs all the bells and whistles offered by many commercial security units. This is especially important if your company doesn't keep any cash on hand and you're wondering whether you need a security system at all. It should be free and simple enough to determine whether your neighborhood is problematic in terms of crime.

Visit Your Neighbors: Confer with other local business owners and find out whether they've suffered any vandalism or theft. Ask what kind of security systems your neighbors employ and get a better idea of what your company requires.

Exercise Common Sense: Leaving your company stock, including computers, data stores, and safes, completely alone at night can be a risky business. If your company would sink if these items happened to be stolen, it's time to invest in a quality security system. If your business space is full of dark nooks and crannies, consider lighting them with motion-activated lights at small cost to your business.

Be True to Your Finances: If you need a security system, you don't have to break the company bank to secure one. Purchase the system that's right for your finances, no matter how little you have to spend. Remember, it's better to have a little something to keep thieves at bay than to practically invite them to take over your electronics and data collection.

Ask Questions: Don't hesitate to ask Priority One Security any of the questions you may have about procedures and how the system works. Discover how your security system will be connected and how alarms can be triggered. If a security system is only connected to a main phone line, your business might be in trouble as this is the first line that experienced thieves will take down. These days, many security systems can send messages to a Smartphone. Find out whether a security system can be accessed using different pass codes – one for each employee, for example.

Determine How to Shop: On a basic level, a well-outfitted security system will monitor all entrances, exits, and windows. Shop for a security system that won't cause you any extra hassle and can be easily maintained through a security provider.

​Five Reasons to Choose an Alarm Monitoring Service

As a home owner, you make many decisions to protect your home. One of the most important decisions you make will be the alarm system you choose to keep your home and family safe. While there are many options when it comes to home security, including a variety of do-it-yourself options, a monitored security system has many benefits over more basic security options. Following are perks of a alarm monitoring service:

1. Professional installation and monitoring

While do-it-yourself home security systems may be appealing in the short term, a complete monitored system offers a level of protection other security options cannot. Additionally, a security professional will be sent to your home to access your needs. Professionals have years of experience, they can help you choose the right security system and options for your family. Since correct installation is vital for your new system to work properly, you can rest easy knowing it was done right the first time.

2. Save money on your home insurance

Insurance companies deal with fires, burglaries and other disasters every day. They know how quickly tragedy can strike, and they know the difference that monitored home security systems make. You may be able to save money on your home insurance premiums if you choose a professionally-installed monitored security system over an unmonitored system. Talk to your insurance company about possible discounts.

3. Peace of mind

When you choose a monitored service, your home and family are protected 24 hours a day, even when you are not home. While there are many items in a home that would be expensive to replace, your family members and their safety is beyond value.

If you experience a home fire, elevated carbon monoxide levels or other emergency, your first responsibly should be getting your family to safety. A monitored system allows you to focus on your family, while the alarm monitoring station calls for assistance.

4. Assistance when you need it

Unfortunately, thanks to over-sensitive car alarms, our modern society has become immune to loud, blasting alarms. You cannot assume someone will be nearby to hear your home alarm, or that they will know what to do. One of the greatest benefits of a monitored alarm system is that someone is there to assist you, whenever you need it, even if you are not at home.

In the event of a home invasion, intruder or other suspicious activity, someone from the monitoring station will stay on the line with you until help arrives. Your alarm monitoring company will give you branded stickers to put in your home's windows. Statistics have shown that homes displaying decals stating that the home is protected by an alarm monitoring service are less likely to be the victims of burglaries.

5. More than just a security system

Today's monitored security systems are more than simply a loud alarm. When you choose a security alarm with an alarm monitoring service, you have variety of options available to you. Discreet wireless security cameras can be used to monitor entrances, in-home caregivers and remote areas on your property. Water and smoke alarms can save you thousands of dollars in damage if disaster strikes and you are out of town. Portable panic and medical alert buttons ensure that help is on the way the moment you need it.

Home Security Systems and Prudent Social Media Practices Keep a Home Safe

Going on vacation and want to tell your social media friends about it? That may not be a good idea. Thieves are always looking and listening to find opportunistic targets. Since the goal of a thief is to steal without injury or being caught, a home that’s empty due to family vacation time can be irresistible. A home security system along with enforcing rigid social media practices are necessities in today's crime-ridden world.

Social Media Targeting

In many cases a burglar is someone the family knows. It may even be a family friend, relative or the neighbor right next door. They often see burglary as a victimless crime thinking that insurance will replace what is lost. This altered thought process can push even a close relative into breaking into the home of family members.

This is why social media as well as direct communication control is crucial. Even for social media sites that allow full control of who sees posts, there is nothing stopping someone who sees a post from casually mentioning the planned vacation details in conversation. Since there is no way to control who hears what, it is important to use discretion when revealing the details about your vacation to others.

Enforcing this with teenage children is likely going to be difficult. Growing up in the culture of sharing by social media has many teens not seeing anything risky about posting even the most intimate of details. With some social media feeds being fully open to public searches, it is good to restrict the posting of photos and details about the vacation adventure, at least until after it is over.

However, if this seems like something that is impossible to do in certain families, then regular posts about a friend or relative staying at the house to do routine tasks while everyone is away lets potential thieves know that the house is not empty.

Home Security System Installation

The basic protection is very affordable with home security companies, and some of the more modern systems offer some great options like surveillance cameras that securely connect over the home's broadband Internet connection. This allows the homeowner to check on things at the house from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection, using a smartphone, tablet or computer. Some systems also allow you to connect remotely to different appliances in your house (such as the lights), enabling you to control a lived-in home facade.

Home security companies install systems that are monitored around the clock. When anything from intrusion to smoke sets off a sensor, the appropriate authorities are dispatched even though the family may be visiting another country on vacation.

Even the best security system available can be compromised if you share too much private information over social networks, so to be safe, the best practice is to not post anything about an upcoming or in-progress vacation on any social media site. There is plenty of time to share afterwards. Because it may be hard for everyone in the family to resist posting (even unintentionally), a home security system as a Plan B is an excellent investment for protection.

The Best Home Security System Accounts for Your Pets, Too!

Most residential security systems are designed and installed based on the needs of the family and the home. Family pets, however, such as dogs and cats, are part of the family ecosystem as well, and in order to achieve the best home security system possible, they should be factored into the equation. Ideally, the alarm technician will recognize the presence of the animals and design the system accordingly, but that isn’t always the case and is likely to come up short of a more proactive design.

Motion Detection

The most common false alarm received by alarm monitoring services is a motion alarm. False motion alarms can trigger because someone forgot to deactivate the alarm system or because an open window lets the wind rustle a curtain. The most common reason, however, that these false alarms occur is that a household pet sets them off. That occurrence can usually be avoided simply by raising the angle of the sensors.

Plan Your Security System with Pets in Mind

When you contact a security company about installing a system in your home, let them know what pets you have and what pets you plan to own. Ask them to configure the system with those pets in mind, and talk to them about the products and services for pets that are available from their company. If your pets are currently causing accidental alarms, have the company come out and adjust your sensors. Also, ask about what your other options are about pet-oriented products and services.

Home Surveillance System

Modern surveillance systems no longer need a dedicated console, and you can access them from any computer device in the home. If someone’s at the front door or there’s a noise downstairs, you can check the surveillance system first. A surveillance system also allows you to keep an eye on your pets wherever they may be in the house. This way, you know if they’re getting into any trouble or accessing areas they’re not supposed to be.

Remote Access

A surveillance system will be much more useful if the home security system also has remote access capabilities. With remote access, you’re not limited to viewing the video feeds from devices that are locally connected to the system. You can instead watch those video feeds from any Web-enabled devices, including laptops, smart phones, tablets and even dashboard systems. Imagine checking in on your beloved family pet as you sit in traffic on the drive home.

Smart Access

Most of the best modern systems also integrate smart capabilities, which mean that the security system is part of an overall home automation system. The automation system can allow you to control your entertainment devices, access points, thermostat, lighting and so forth, remotely. If you have remote access, that integrates as well. If you forgot to shut off your lights before leaving for work, you can do that from your cell phone. With smart access, you can even control the temperature for your pets.

Special Detection

The best home security systems for pets also take into account their well being. Consider the area you use to store household cleaners and other poisons. Now, imagine an alarm that alerts you or the alarm monitoring service when that area is compromised while you’re away from the house. Other popular options include water sensors for aquariums and monitoring for heat/AC failure.

The Best Home Security System for Your Carolina Vacation Home

Many homeowners wouldn't consider having anything less than the best home security system for their primary home yet leave their vacation home essentially unprotected. Not surprisingly, vacation homes are far more likely statistically to be broken into than primary residences are. In addition, most burglaries of vacation homes that lack a proper security system go unsolved, and the standard homeowners' insurance policy usually isn't enough to offset losses and damages.

Home Security

The most important step to protecting one's vacation home is to install the very best home security system possible and have it operational around the clock and throughout the year, even during those periods when the vacation home isn't lived in. Ideally, the home security should use wireless technology so that there are absolutely no limitations and it can be upgraded with ease and without great cost.

Monitored Service

Keep in mind that a basic security system isn't enough. Local alarms don't do anyone any good when there isn't anyone there to hear them. Instead, hire an alarm monitoring service that will watch the system throughout the year and respond to alarm notifications. Let the service know that this home is a vacation home, and consider entering into an agreement where the service has a spare key and access to the home in case of an emergency.

Video Surveillance

The best home security system for a vacation home also has interior and exterior video surveillance. Consider that when burglaries and similar crimes do occur, positive closure is much more likely to occur if local law enforcement has access to video evidence. In addition, it can be a great help to the alarm monitoring service if they're allowed to tap into the video surveillance system when an alarm triggers during those periods where you're family doesn't reside at the vacation home.

Remote Access

Consider also opting for a security system for your vacation home that has remote access. With remote access, you can monitor and control the system from a smart phone while on the road or from your desktop while at your primary residence. Remote access technology also allows you to add home automation features, such as programmable and remotely controllable thermostats and lights.

Lived-In Facade

It's also important to maintain the appearance of being lived in throughout the year. To do this, have mail and newspaper delivery rerouted or picked up regularly. Additionally, put lights and televisions on timers. Lights with window access can have sunlight switches in case of power outages, and exterior lights can operate on both a light sensor and a motion sensor.

Caretakers

Consider hiring caretakers that can maintain that lived-in appearance even further and inspect the home in person on a regular basis. The most basic caretaker necessary is a lawn service. For would-be thieves, an unkempt lawn is one of the most obvious signs that a vacation home is easy pickings. Keep in mind that vacation areas are often targeted and that criminals will be on the prowl and looking for these signs.

Priority One Security

If you have a vacation home in either North Carolina or South Carolina, consider contacting Priority One Security. Priority One is a leader in the residential security field. It specializes in designing and installing custom security solutions, and it has its very own alarm monitoring service with an impeccable record of performance.

Grilling Fires: The Best Security System is a Well-Informed Homeowner

Summertime means a chance to slow down, unwind, and fire up those steaks on the barbecue. However, before you take the grill out of the garage and purchase new coals, you should know about some statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). According to them, the months of June and July are peak times for home fires to occur. An average of over 8,000 homes suffered fire damage from outdoor grills in 2006-2010 alone. Read on for tips on barbecue safety and what you can do to protect your home and loved ones from fires this season.

1. Test Your Home Alarm System

Whether or not you have any cookouts this summer, there should be a working fire detection system in your home. Install a smoke detector in every room of the house, including hallways. Replace batteries in smoke detectors and test them for operating capacity. The best security systems also can detect for carbon monoxide and will work even through an electrical power outage.

2. Clean Grills Before Operating

Both gas and charcoal grills should be cleaned and inspected every year before use. Check for grease deposits in the grill pit and around handles and dials. If using a gas grill, clean the hose with soapy water and check for possible propane leaks. Do not use if you smell gas or see soap actively bubbling.

3. Keep Your (Grill) Distance from the House

Outdoor grills should be at least ten feet away from the structure of your home. This way, if fire or excess smoke does occur, you will have time to extinguish it before it has a chance of catching onto a flammable structure. Keep grills away from low-hanging vegetation and shrubs for the same reason.

4. Never Leave the Grill Unattended

Even the best security systems won't protect you if you don't exercise precaution. Always stay near a lit grill and never allow children or pets to come closer than three feet from its location. Keep a phone on hand in case you need someone from inside the house to bring grilling items out to you.

5. Do Not Mix Starter Fluids

If using charcoal fluid on a grill, stick with one type only. Mixing starter fluids or adding other flammable compounds can lead to a combustion or release harmful chemicals into the air. In addition, do not add more starter fluid to an existing fire. If the fire is dying down, let it extinguish or turn the grill off (if using electric) before reigniting it.

6. Let Your Grill Cool Down Completely When Finished

Never bring a warm grill indoors or close to the home immediately after using. Wait until the coals have died down completely or, in the case of an electric grill, unplug and wait a few hours for the grill to be cool. When disposing of charcoal, make sure that they are completely cooled beforehand. Dampen them with water as a further precaution.

Employing these tips, as well as using a home alarm system, can significantly reduce your chances of having a grill fire accident this summer. For more information on fire safety tips, as well as knowledge of the best security systems, consult the professionals at Priority 1 Security.​

The Best Security Systems and Preventatives for Summertime Crime

Unfortunately, crime rates rise dramatically in the summer months in all states. While reasons for high summer crime are still largely unknown, a leading suspicion is vacation for juveniles and college-aged individuals who find temptation all-too alluring. July and August are the months when burglaries and violence occur the most, and according to the FBI, crime rates rise up to 16 percent. For homeowners to feel safe at all times, they need to remember to stay especially cautious and take preventative measures in the summer months.

Summer usually brings warm weather, and warm weather invites activity into communities. People go on vacation, others party the night away, and parents take it easy outdoors. It's this easygoing atmosphere that creates a perfect setup for crime. To stay protected, it's important for homeowners to always enlist the best security systems in both their homes and vehicles so they can keep predators at bay at all times. Security systems should include alarms, technology that alerts the local authorities when a break-in or theft occurs, and security cameras so thieves and predators can be caught on tape.

The best security systems begin with knowledgeable homeowners who are aware of their surroundings and are prepared with a plan of action. A homeowner should know how his or her home alarm system works and have a family plan of what to do including where to go and who takes what action in the event of a break-in, violent attack or other crime. If children are in the home, the plan should be reviewed regularly so they memorize the course of action.

A home alarm system can help a family feel safe, but it’s not the only recourse a person has against burglary. Leaving some lights on during day, keeping windows closed, making sure doors are locked at all times, setting the alarm every time you leave (even if for a short period of time), and keeping cars in garages are all tactics to help to deter thieves and predators during the summer months. If you’re on social media, keep your vacation plans private or among friends only, at least until after you return. When opening the blinds, be sure to keep valuables out of sight of anyone who might peek in and keep the outside of your home well-lit so as to deter criminals from hiding in surrounding dark areas.

This is also the season when scam artists peruse neighborhoods, looking for people in their yards or knocking on doors offering some kind of service at a bargain price. Be aware of these scams! The service itself can be illegitimate with shoddy workmanship or stolen materials and even if you initially turn down the service, letting the salesperson into your home gives them a chance to scope it out to possibly return to later.

A homeowner can never be too safe, and even with the best security systems at their disposal should always be prepared to protect themselves in the event of danger with a plan of action. With proper precaution, preventative measures and care, a homeowner stands a greater chance of not falling victim to the seemingly inevitable summertime crime increase.

Summer Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

When the cold weather recedes and families start spending more time outside again, it's vital to consider common safety topics to make sure that the family knows the best way to stay safe with various outdoor activities. No matter what type of pursuit the kids might enjoy, whether it's playing on the swing-set in the backyard or swimming in the neighborhood pool, there are a few safety tips for kids that children need to know to enhance summer safety in SC before taking part in those fun activities.

Helmets and Biking

A helmet is as necessary to bike riding as a seatbelt is to sitting in a moving car. A child should always associate riding a bike with wearing a helmet, and the best example a child may see are his parents wearing helmets, too. Helmets are also necessary when a child is on a skateboard or scooter.

A helmet needs to fit correctly, and when making the purchase of a child's helmet, it's important to try it on to make sure it's not going to move around too much or fall off. There are also subtle differences in helmets which might require a specific helmet purchase depending in the activity in which the kids might participate.

Streets and Vigilance

One of the first safety tips a child will hear in school is that he or she shouldn't talk to strangers. The second set of safety tips for kids will usually involve a lesson on how to cross the street correctly. Kids should stay out of the street as general practice, but it's necessary that each time the street requires crossing, young children have a partner with them.

In addition, it's vital to make sure kids don't run across the street, and that eye contact is always made with the drivers of stationary vehicles to determine whether that person is aware of a pedestrian. Children should also refrain from hurtling out into traffic from between cars or bushes.

Tick Bites and Hiking

Although the danger of ticks wasn't considered too serious several years ago, recent increased rates of Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever have made it necessary to warn kids about the danger of wooded areas and overgrown brush where ticks might hide.

In areas where there may be dense concentrations of ticks, it's a good idea to consider wearing long pants and socks to create a barrier between the ticks and the legs. Using a bug repellent is also advisable for the kids and pets. Lastly, reducing contact with overgrown areas makes it easier to improve summer safety in SC and avoid tick infestation.

Water Safety Lessons

Jumping in the pool on a hot summer's day is one of the best activities for children and their parents, but water safety is essential for keeping everyone safe in the water. One of the most important elements of summer safety in SC actually impacts parents the most, since it's vital to consider that it doesn't take a deep pool to create a danger for drowning.

Unfortunately, even very shallow pools represent a drowning danger, so parents must be exceptionally vigilant when their kids are in the pool. It's also important for parents to remain within a few feet of their children at all times while the tykes are swimming.

The preceding topics represent just a few of the safety tips for kids parents should share with their kids when the summer arrives. Even though kids think of the summer as a time to play, it's also the perfect time for valuable lessons in safe behavior.

Priority 1 Security is dedicated to keeping families in SC safe year round. For more information on security systems for your home or business, please visit www.priority1security.com.​

Be Secure with Honeywell in South Carolina

When it comes to security in SC for your home or business, you need to make protection your top priority. With Priority 1 Security, we put your safety at the top of our list. We are an authorized dealer for Honeywell in South Carolina: Honeywell being a top worldwide manufacturer of security systems technology. You'll have access to the latest advances in security to protect both residential and commercial properties. We make security in SC our mission, ensuring that are clients are given the best monitoring systems when it comes to burglary, vandalism, fire, and medical emergencies. Take advantage of Priority 1 Security and Honeywell in South Carolina for peace of mind. Safeguard your property, your belongings, and most importantly of all, make sure someone is watching over your loved ones at all times.

Don't Let Theft Get the Best of You
Statistics are alarming when it comes to burglary. According to the US Department of Justice, there are over two million incidents of theft on an annual basis. The National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association warns that homes without any type of security system have three times the risk of a break in. Whether these thefts happen at home or work, the figures don't lie. Add the fact that nearly two million violent crimes take place on the job site each year, and you'll want a security system to provide assurance that employees and valuable equipment are protected. With Priority 1 Security, not only will a top of the line security system provide eyes that are always watching, the labels alone will deter criminals from taking action.

One Can Never Have Enough Protection from Fire
Fires are terrifying, whether they occur in the home or business. The National Fire Protection Association has estimated that over 10 billion dollars has been lost in property, due to fires. When it comes to residential properties, the figure is close to 7 billion dollars. While Priority 1 Security cannot prevent fires from happening, we can ensure that are advanced technology will detect any fires at the earliest stage and make sure there is a speedy response from fire rescue crews. Let us help watch over your home or business, bringing timely help when it is needed, saving lives and property.

Be on Guard for Medical Emergencies
When a medical emergency takes place, time is of the essence. Should a loved one suffer from a stroke, cardiac arrest, or diabetic coma, amongst many other health conditions, every second counts. With Honeywell in South Carolina, our technology will make sure that help is on the way as soon as possible, providing medical assistance for those you hold dear. The Center for Disease Control notes that the elderly are most prone to accidental death from falls. With access to the technology provided by Priority 1 Security, loved ones have a better chance of getting help before it is too late.

Don't wait another instant. Call Priority 1 Security in South Carolina or visit the web at www.priority1security.com. Let our competent representatives help you to decide what security in SC will suit you. Our technicians will come to you at your convenicence.​

Protecting your Family through Effective Home Security in South Carolina

Home security is one of the most important things that South Carolina families have to worry about on a day-to-day basis. The world can be a very dangerous place and there is no reason for you or your family to fall victim to an unfortunate event or disaster. Whether it's a burglar or a fire, there are a variety of threats that pose a danger to your home and family, and it's up to you to do the best that you can in order to keep these things out of your life and away from your loved ones.

One of the best ways to do this is by installing a security system. Having the right home security in South Carolina will go a long way toward improving your family's safety. While many people associate security system with a burglar alarm, they can actually protect you from a wider variety of threats than just human intrusion. Fire safety in particular is something that not a lot of families consider. After all, you hardly ever hear about house fires in the media. In reality, though, seven Americans die every day in house fires, a figure reported by the National Fire Protection Association.

The most vital piece of information related to fire safety in Greenville SC which will save your family in the event of a fire is knowing about the fire before it reaches a dangerous enough level to cause you any harm. Fire alarms do an impeccable job of this, alerting you when there is an above average presence of smoke in your house. This means that cooking or smoking cigarettes will not set off the alarm, but a house fire most definitely will. If you and your family are all asleep, that alarm might be the only thing that wakes you up before it is too late.

Once the alarm does wake you up, though, you have to have a plan to get out of the house and away from the flames. This is why many families have mock fire drills to determine the best path to take to get out of the house quickly and safely in the event of a fire. You should identify all of the doors and windows through which you can safely exit the home normally and then make a mental note of them all. In the event of a fire, one or more of those exits may be blocked, so knowing where to go next will save time and, possibly, your life.

So don't become a statistic. While technology has come a long way towards protecting homes from fire disasters, they are still a daily occurrence that must be avoided at all costs. Fire safety in Greenville SC is incredibly important, so get your home security in South Carolina taken care of as soon as possible. When you have alarms all set up and your escape plan all figured, you are exponentially reducing the chance that any harm will befall you or your precious family.

Priority 1 Security is a Greenville-based security system company serving both North and South Carolina. For more information about their home security systems, please visit www.priority1security.com.​

​The Features of Home Security in Columbia SC

The modern home security in Columbia SC provided by Priority One Security includes the following features.

Keypads

Contemporary keypads are programmable, backlit, easy to read and simple to use, including by children. TouchCenter is a keypad upgrade that includes a 640x480 screen and SD card support.

Interior Motion Sensor

An interior motion sensor is an important aspect of modern home security in Columbia SC. The feature detects movement within the house while you’re away, so the system can detect intruders even if they manage to bypass security at the access points.

Interior Siren

The interior siren is in addition to the keypad speakers and alerts your family when there is an intrusion or an emergency, such as fire, high CO levels or a flood.

Exterior Door Sensors

Exterior door sensors are two-part contact devices that safeguard your home’s doors. Installed into the door jam and the door itself, an alarm registers with any noticeable shit in contact occurs.

Key Chain Remote

A key chain remote is a convenient wireless product that lets you control the alarm system, garage door and even exterior lights. With one touch, you can access the system inside or outside your home without having to remember codes or reach a keypad.

TotalConnect — Smartphone

The TotalConnect system includes an app that supports Android and iOS and turns your smartphone or tablet into a powerful control panel for your alarm system. With TotalConnect, you can arm/disarm, lock/unlock, adjust temperature, adjust lights, set programming and more.

Medical Alert Pendant

A medical alert pendant is available for elderly and disabled family members. When pressed, the signal is sent to the central monitoring station, which then dispatches the appropriate emergency services.

Glass Break Detector

Breaking or cutting glass is a way to bypass a traditional intrusion detector, but with glass break detection, your system will know when any of the home’s glass has been compromised.

Dome Camera

Dome cameras are excellent security cameras because they’re economical, durable, vandal resistant, high performance and suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.

Monitored Smoke Detector

The limitation of a traditional smoke detector is that you have to be in a position to hear the alarm and react to it. With a monitored solution, there is no such requirement. The central station will respond on your behalf.

Monitored Carbon Monoxide Detector

In emergencies, unmonitored CO detectors are essentially useless because the people in danger are likely to lapse into a deep sleep and be unable to hear or react to the alarm.

Monitored Water Detector

Water detectors detect leaks and floods and can detect all manner of liquids, not just water. The monitored aspect is particularly helpful for basements floods that occur during the night.

Radio Communicator

The radio communicator is perfect when a traditional phone line is not available or if it fails, such as if it is cut. Using the radio, the system continues to communicate with the central station.

Wireless Asset Protection

With wireless asset protection, security systems in Columbia SC are able to add protection for a wide range of items, including electronics, machinery, paintings, family heirlooms and so forth.

Priority One Security

Priority One Security is the leading provider of security systems in Columbia SC. The company has an impeccable reputation for customer service and is a Honeywell-authorized dealer. security systems in Columbia SC

Priority 1 for South Carolina’s Security Needs

So​uth Carolina security company Priority 1 Security is about more than keeping people safe, it's about giving them convenience and the best technology, while helping residents and businesses alike feel safe 24/7. Priority 1, a top security company in SC, trusts Security Central for 24-hour home and business monitoring, and they strive to make sure their customers always have access to full protection.

A central monitoring system allows customers to have their homes or businesses protected at all times, and with Security Central, operators are always on hand to respond to alarms with skill and expertise. Security Central allows residential and business customers to have their security alarms connected to a monitor every second of every day. Customized to fit the needs of all customers, Security Central features traditional monitoring, GSM signal monitoring, Internet signal monitoring, and video verification. These added features help secure the safety of a home or business at all times.

Traditional monitoring is a basic central monitoring program in which monitored homes are placed on an on-call system where customers can call operators for assistance. Easy to use, many South Carolina security needs can be met with this system. When an alarm goes off, the central station is notified and an operator takes action immediately. Signals are transmitted via telephone lines, allowing updated security of a home or business to be available at all times.

GSM signal monitoring is a wireless connecting that allows users to be able to use radio signals to call for assistance in the event of Internet or telephone capabilities being compromised. With this great backup, customers can feel like they always have access to their emergency needs even if their main method of communication is unavailable. Priority 1 Security makes sure that, of all the security companies in SC, they are the ones to offer full backup protection to their customers.

Internet signal monitoring allows customers to communicate using broadband. Using the Internet rather than traditional methods (such as telephone wires), signals can be transported reliably and quickly allowing customers to get rapid feedback and assistance as they need it. This method, like GSM, comes in handy in the case of a power outage or a phone line being cut.

Finally, video verification allows customers to see exactly what triggered the alarms in their home or business so they can take greater security precautions where needed. This feature helps customers locate less safe areas in their home or business so they can more easily take measures to keep themselves better protected. It is activated by motion and sends a video of the occurrence. This is a big help in cases of burglary or employee theft, as the proof is on video.

With Priority 1 Security, customers can feel more in control of their security needs and know that their home or business is being carefully and accurately watched over at all times. All customers have access to the best technology that security companies in South Carolina have to offer, and feel confident that they are protected 24/7. For more information about Priority 1 Security’s monitoring systems and security solutions in SC, please visit www.priority1security.com

Horry Horror Ignites Fire Safety in SC

A recent house fire in Horry County turned horrific when the dispatcher inadvertently delayed a call reporting a fire and then accidentally transferred it to the wrong jurisdiction. It didn’t help matters that the first call came after the initial fire was well underway and that the call was made to the South Carolina Department of Forestry rather than 911.

Per protocol, the Carolina Forest fire department that received the call dispatched an engine. For all they knew, the local fire department had its hands full with multiple emergencies. However, since the call came through the forestry department, they expected a brushfire and arrived with a brush truck, which is standard protocol for that type of call.

When the first engine arrived, it was 5:17 p.m., a full nine minutes after the initial call was made. Seeing the home engulfed in flames, the firefighters immediately knew that they were underequipped and called for backup. By the time backup got there, the entire home had burned to the ground, but the firefighters were at least able to prevent the fire from spreading to other homes in the neighborhood.

Monitored Fire Detection

Cases like the one in Horry County illustrate why it is so important for optimal fire safety in SC to have a monitored system. Consider how much different the situation in Horry would have been if that home had a modern security system. The top South Carolina security systems would have detected the fire as soon as it started, and the monitoring station would have dispatched the appropriate emergency services. With time on their side, the firefighters would have saved that house.

Human Error

The Horry incident also illustrates the potential risk of human error. Standard smoke alarms require you to hear them and then respond. We all have a plan in mind, but when a real emergency happens, plans can be difficult to execute. Why did the untrained caller call the Department of Forestry rather than 911 or the local fire department? It is impossible to say, but in all likelihood, it was simply a mistake caused by the pressure of the moment, a mistake that a professional alarm monitoring agent would not make.

Priority 1 Security

Priority One Security is a leading monitoring service and installer of South Carolina security systems, and it has earned an impeccable reputation for integrity and customer service. Priority One is a First Alert provider and a Honeywell authorized dealer. Its flagship product is Honeywell’s Total Connect, which is the best way to ensure optimal fire safety in SC.

Total Connect

Total Connect is a networked and interactive system that can be customized to the specific needs of the home and client. Core features include intrusion detection, fire detection, remote control and push notifications. Other services include thermostat control, lighting control, entry access control, intercom and CCTV cameras with video feeds that are accessible remotely via your smartphone or computer. The system is redundant, able to identify issues before they become faults or failures, and Priority 1 is able to guarantee uptime. www.priority1security.com.

South Carolina Security for the Connected Home

Priority 1 Security is a South Carolina security company based in the Carolinas that specializes in both residential and commercial security. We offer several products for residential and commercial security needs. One of our top Spartanburg security products is called Total Connect by Honeywell. 

The Total Connect security system by Honeywell offers an assortment of amazing features. It helps users of the system feel safe and secure by granting them the ability to be in their homes or with their loved ones even if they are out of town or at work. It's also great for business owners, as it allows them to keep an eye on things at the office and make sure their employees are utilizing their time wisely while the boss is away. 

The Total Connect security system allows users to view their homes or businesses via a live stream from anywhere through an internet-enabled device, including smart phones, tablets, laptops, and PCs. This system also allows users to set up custom video recordings. You can set it up to start recording when motion is detected, or during any specific times that are set. These functions, as well as any other functions or options, are all controllable from the remote devices as well. You can change your thermostat or turn lights off from your phone.

One of the many features included in the Total Connect security system include its ability to send real time alerts. You can tell the system what to alert you to, as well as how to alert you. You can opt to receive these alerts via real time video messaging, text messaging, or email. So when your teenager arrives home from school, the front door sensor that detects when it is opened will send you a message. 

There are a host of reasons someone would want to be alerted to specific activities around your home. The system can alert you if anything valuable such as a television has been moved in your home or business. It can also alert you to extreme temperatures like a loss of heat – before your pipes burst - or if it detects water in your basement before serious damage occurs. You can be notified if any movement has occurred in a certain area or a specific door has been opened. You can also find out if a safe has been opened or if an elderly loved one has left the building or pushed a panic button.

There are also several ways to view the security cameras. You can choose to see all of them on a single screen, or only one or two on the same screen. Each camera can be panned and tilted, and covers multiple areas of one room.

The remote keypad or app feature that is available with the Total Connect security system offers many useful options. From it, you can arm, disarm, or silence your security system. You can also see any events that require attention, use it to track multiple Total Connect security accounts, bypass a door for an unscheduled visit, turn lights on and off, and control garage or warehouse doors.

For the latest in Spartanburg security and South Carolina security, Priority 1 is essential. The Total Connect security system provides many features in one package, providing you the quickest and easiest path to feeling safe and secure. You can find out more about Priority 1 and their home and business security systems in SC by going to www.priority1security.com.

The Advantage of Flood Detectors in SC

South Carolina is a beautiful, flourishing state and a popular destination for families. Even though South Carolina boasts low crime rates, it is still crucial to protect your home. Optimal SC home security includes house alarms, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. The top security providers in the area also provide remote access from your smartphone or even your car, and advanced services include mobile patrols, CCTV cameras, intercom systems, Internet security and even flood detection.

The Dangers of Floods in South Carolina

During the peak rainy season, South Carolina experiences significant rainfall, which can lead to flooding even in basements that are not seemingly susceptible to it. In fact, during the onset of spring, moisture from thaw can be enough to compromise the ground and lead to flooding in sound basements. Floods can also happen in bathrooms, laundry rooms and low-lying rooms, and the damage from even a minor flood can require thousands in repair and cleanup costs. The good news is that new technology can detect a flood condition when it starts, and contacting a specialist as soon as possible can stop the flood and limit the costs to only minor cleanup and repair.

Flood Detectors in SC

Flood detectors have become increasingly prevalent in South Carolina due to the commonness of floods. The technology is relatively inexpensive and only requires basic outlet access to work. How it works is the device is able to sense water, and when it does, it activates an alarm. You can use these sensors at the basement floor, at bathroom and kitchen plumbing, under the roof, at the drip pan of an HVAC system and so forth. A limitation of basic flood detectors in SC and elsewhere is that they require someone to hear the alarm and act on it. If the alarm goes off in the middle of the night, it could go unanswered.

Flood Detection and SC Home Security

The better solution is monitored flood detectors in SC. By being monitored from a 24/7 call center, an alarm will never go unanswered. The call center reacts on your behalf, and even if they cannot get into contact with someone at the house, they can dispatch emergency services, repair services and even locksmiths. This type of flood detection is a natural fit for an SC home security provider like Priority One Security. The company already has the infrastructure in place and possesses the personnel and protocols to ensure optimal flood detection and prevention.

Priority One Security

Priority One is a full-featured home security provider in North and South Carolina. They cater to both residential and commercial clients and offer customizable packages. For residential clients, the company offers house alarms, smoke/heat alarms, CO detectors, flood detectors, panic systems, nurse call systems, shed/garage systems, VoIP services, remote telephone access and radio backup systems. For commercial clients, Priority One offers all of that plus surveillance systems, access systems and digital recording systems. Priority One will help you protect your family, employees and assets.

Commercial Security with Honeywell in South Carolina

While many businesses choose to skimp on the protection a security system can provide, it is an area that should be given extra consideration and attention. Priority One Security, an Anderson, SC, security firm, believes businesses of all sizes can greatly benefit from discussing their security options with a qualified security consultant. A consultant should go over basic security system features as well more advanced features such as digital recorders, smart phone access and text notifications.

Due to their public nature, a hospital, school or commercial business have different security needs than a private residence. They each face possible security threats from a variety of sources and need a comprehensive security plan in place. A stranger noticing there are no security cameras inside a retail store may decide to plan a robbery. A burglar or car prowler who does not observe security cameras scanning a parking lot may decide to try his luck. A disgruntled employee may choose to express their unhappiness by stealing or damaging company property. A security system designed with a business’s needs in mind can prevent or mitigate these instances.

Beyond property theft and damage, violence in the workplace is also a concern. There have been several accounts on the news recently about the rise of workplace violence. While the causes may not yet be clear, violence in the workplace costs time, money and a company who is unprepared can lose the trust of their community. The FBI estimates that workplace violence, including all acts from robberies to bullying, costs American businesses $36 billion each year.

Although security systems are primarily used to prevent and reduce damage from theft and property crimes, many of the same systems can be used to protect employees from workplace violence situations. While there are many security options, Priority One Security uses Honeywell for South Carolina businesses. Honeywell is the most respected name in both home and commercial security.

Interior and exterior surveillance cameras are a standard part of Anderson SC security systems for good reason. They not only to monitor customers and visitors, but they can also monitor employee movements within a building. When dealing with personality conflicts, security cameras can provide proof of interactions between employees. Any business that regularly deals with the public should have systems in place to protect their employees. Recording common areas is one of the best ways to ensure nothing goes unnoticed.

Properly monitoring the property surrounding a business is also important. Since an empty parking lot or seldom-used stairwell does not require constant supervision, placing motion-activated security cameras in those areas is the most cost-effective option for businesses. Surveillance video can be recorded to a digital recording device for future review or for use in a trial, if necessary.

A panic alarm programmed into a control panel can quickly alert authorities and call for help. For further safety, portable panic alarms are also available. These small devices can be easily activated from anywhere in the building. Priority One uses Honeywell across South Carolina because reliable security is too important to trust to anyone else.

Priority One Security provides commercial and home security systems to South Carolina and North Carolina residents and business owners. www.priority1security.com
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Security in Orangeburg, SC, With Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Every year, carbon monoxide poisoning kills roughly 500 people and sends an additional 15,000 to the emergency room. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that is created when any kind of fuel is burned. These fuels include gasoline, oil, wood, propane, natural gas and charcoal. Homes that have furnaces and other kinds of fuel burning appliances, such as stoves and ovens, are at risk for carbon monoxide exposure.

The appliances are designed to vent the gas away from the home, but as the appliances age, they can leak carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide gas in the air deprives the body of necessary oxygen and can be fatal even in relatively small amounts. Since the gas has no tell-tale odor, it is nearly impossible to detect without a special carbon monoxide detector.

Orangeburg, SC, security company Priority One offers monitored carbon monoxide detectors that will protect your home and family.

Basic carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased from home improvement stores. Do not confuse a smoke detector with a carbon monoxide detector, they are two very different devices and cannot be used interchangeably. A carbon monoxide detector bought from a home improvement store will beep when unsafe levels of carbon monoxide are detected in the home.

However, a monitored carbon monoxide detector is a better choice for protecting your family since an alarm sounds in your home as well as at a monitoring station. Priority One Security in Orangeburg, SC, offers monitored carbon monoxide detectors as well as installation. This means your home is monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for carbon monoxide. If unsafe levels of carbon monoxide are detected, Priority One Security can alert you and call for help if required.

Reports of carbon monoxide poisoning increase during the winter months, as people stay indoors and rely on their furnaces to keep them warm. Although all fuel-burning appliances produce small amounts of carbon monoxide, the levels are generally considered safe for humans. However, a malfunctioning furnace or other appliance can quickly fill a home with deadly gas. In addition to a monitored carbon monoxide detector, it is important schedule regular furnace and appliance maintenance, cleanings and inspections to reduce the risk of possible problems.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include disorientation, headache, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms. Higher levels can cause nausea and confusion. If the gas is allowed to build up, it can be fatal after only a few breaths. This is the reason a complete security system should include a monitored carbon monoxide detector. If gas has built up in the home while the home owner is on vacation or away at work, there would be no way to know if the home is safe to enter. However, with a monitored detector, Priority One can alert the home owner or call for assistance if the home owner is unresponsive. Your family’s health and safety are worth the investment.

Home owners that use monitored carbon monoxide detectors as part of their overall security in Orangeburg SC can rest easy knowing their family is protected at all times. Priority One is one-stop shop for home security services, and serves North and South Carolina.

Fire Safety in SC Should be a Priority When Using Alternative Heating Sources

During winter, the high cost of furnace fuel, natural gas and electric baseboard heating forces many homeowners to search for alternative methods that will warm their homes and save them money. Wood stoves, electric space heaters and fireplaces are usually chosen as the top alternative choices. Unfortunately, these heating sources are more likely to cause fires and burns. Fire safety experts from Greenville SC recommend using these alternative sources with safety in mind. Statistics indicate that over 80 percent of home heating fire fatalities are caused by interaction with an alternative heating source. Portable space heaters cause almost 50 percent of those fires and about 30 percent start from escaping sparks and flames from wood stoves.

Wood stoves produce toasty warm heat for a home. They also start over 4,000 residential home fires each year. Wood stove owners should follow the recommended installation and maintenance materials for their wood stoves. Cast iron metal or plate steel construction is solid and a durable choice when deciding on which wood stove to buy. Wood stoves should be checked for cracks, smooth joints and secure hinges. If the stove is sitting on legs, they should be sturdy and have the ability to keep the wood stove safe from falling. Seasoned wood is best burned in wood stoves as fuel. Green wood produces moisture and builds up flammable creosote. An annual inspection and cleaning of the chimney and pipes should be completed as well as a monthly check for damage or obstructions around the stove.

Fireplaces are notorious for creosote buildup in their chimneys. Frequent cleaning of the chimney should be done if it's used regularly. At a minimum, a yearly inspection should be completed by a professional that knows where to look for cracks that could produce a deadly roof fire. Dry woods should always be used as well as a heavy screen. Sparks should not be able to escape from a fireplace, and a fire should never be left unattended.

Electric space heaters should be certified heating appliances if they are going to be used in the home. These types of heaters should never be used for drying clothes or for any other purpose except to warm a room. Using power bars and electrical extension cords with these type of units is frowned upon by fire safety Greenville SC experts. Units such as these should be plugged directly into wall outlets.

If a fire does start, a security SC fire alarm can come in very handy. It can even report a fire when the residents of a home are away. Fortunately, winter doesn't last all year and soon turns to Spring. Staying safe by following simple tips can help homeowners avoid dangerous fire situations and keep security in SC a top priority. www.priority1security.com.