Tag Archives: cameras

General Safety Issues

USE CAMERAS TO INCREASE YOUR SAFETY AND GIVE YOU PEACE OF MIND (GUEST POST)

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Vandalism and robbery in my area is a real concern. It was the type of problem I could do little to prevent, until I learned more about remote video surveillance – a simple, cost effective solution for those who travel and want peace of mind about leaving their home and belongings. 

I have important documents and family heirlooms in my home that are dear to me and I needed a way to protect them while I’m away. Remote video surveillance allows me to keep a watchful eye on my belongings 24/7/365. Imagine being on the road and having the ability to see what’s happening in and around your home at a moment’s notice, regardless of where you are. Sound impossible? Not with remote video technology. You can view live and recorded video at anytime from anywhere in the world. Here are some of the main advantages of home surveillance. 

Image Quality

High image quality is critical to capture an incident in progress and to identify those involved. Megapixel technologies allow network cameras to deliver better picture quality than an analog CCTV camera. Fully digital systems don’t use analog for transporting signals, which degrade in proportion to the distances of the cable. The signals stay digital, simplifying storage without image degradation. 

Fixed and Tilt Video Cameras

Depending on where you want cameras installed, there are two basic types of cameras to choose from: fixed and pan/tilt cameras.

  • The fixedcamera is used in the corners of rooms and is set to record whenever motion is detected. This is highly advantageous inside the home, when no one is supposed to be home and you don’t want endless hours of footage.
  • The pan and tilt camera, like the one Vivint includes in its home automation packages, allows you to perform a live look around via remote, observing your home in real time. You can change between camera angles instantly, allowing you to swivel the lens to take advantage of a broader view, giving you multiple angles with one camera. 

All you need is a high-speed internet connection and a power outlet for these built-in Wi-Fi or Ethernet cameras to be fully functional. 

Viewing

Some of the best features of remote surveillance are how you view the video. All you need is a web-connected device, like a laptop or compatible smartphone, to look into your home in real time. This can be from a single camera, one at a time, or all cameras at once through a single screen. 

Simple Scalability

Because remote surveillance systems are usually IP-based, expanding the system is a simple matter of adding new cameras to the IP network.  They can be placed anywhere and, because they use the internet, there are no cables to deal with. The system doesn’t even need a PC to operate.  

Security

With any security system, you may be wondering if someone can tamper with your new system. The good news is, IP networks are very easy to protect the files from being viewed or tampered with. Most cameras encrypt the video before it even enters the network and password protection can be utilized at different levels to prevent hacking from outside sources. 

Effective

One of the best advantages of video surveillance is the ability to avoid physical aggression. The high quality video and sound recordings not only help me prevent crimes from happening by calling in incidents to local police, but if required, the recordings can be used as evidence. Remote video surveillance not only provides me with better protection, it offers a proactive intervention solution, while remaining cost-effective. 

About the author:  Elli is a writer and expert in the home security industry.  She enjoys blogging about family and personal safety as well as how advancements in home security and home automation technology can simplify the ways we can keep our home and families safe.

 

 

General Safety Issues

PREVENTING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE (Guest Post)

 Over the last decade there were more than 7,000 homicides nationwide that occurred in the work place, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most of these homicides involved robberies by an unknown assailant, while 1,000 involved work colleagues. 

CCTV Cameras has become an effective means in the prevention of crime as well as supporting local authorities in identifying assailants. CCTV camera video is often used in the courtroom to assist in the determination that a crime was committed and by whom. 

Traditional robbery, which usually targets convenience stores, banks, etc., has caused an increase in security.  Too, the recession has driven potential thieves to even more desperate measures by targeting business offices. Offices can provide easy access to expensive items like laptops, cell phones and unattended cash. An employee’s sense of safety and security along with a company’s reputation can be destroyed from violence perpetrated by thieves, disgruntled former employees, angry customers and even bitter spouses. To prevent these occurrences, employers are installing CCTV Cameras to deter crime.  CCTV cameras include Bullet Cameras, Dome Cameras, Full Size Cameras and PTZ cameras, which are available with multiple features and are adaptable to any location, both inside and outside the property, in daylight or darkness.  In the event a crime occurs, CCTV cameras can capture the crime and suspects and replay it instantly. 

 Employers and employees working together should develop unified policies and procedures to help make their places of business safer. With everyone being involved and knowing there is a plan in place can in itself be a deterrent to workplace violence.  To start developing a plan of action here are few tips and suggestions to get started: 

  • Create policies and procedures for properly handling an incident and ensure your employees are well trained. If policies exist, review them periodically to ensure they are up to date.
  • Consider hiring a security agency to survey the workplace and identify vulnerabilities.
  • When hiring employees or contractors, complete a full national background check.
  • Install CCTV cameras to monitor and record both inside and outside of the building. It is a valuable tool for helping to identify perpetrators and aid law enforcement agencies before, during, and after a crime has been committed.
  • Implement an access control system and/or a visitor management system. 

Safety tips for employees: 

  • Stay aware of your surroundings.  Take note of unfamiliar people that may be acting suspicious or are without the proper identification, such as a badge or an I.D. card.  Immediately report them to your company’s security department.  Never approach anyone you think may pose a threat.
  • If you feel uncomfortable walking to and from your car, ask for an escort from the building security or a trusted co-worker.
  • Never leave your purse or other valuables in an unlocked drawer in your desk.  A majority of robbery related incidents in the workplace are related to personal theft.
  • Make a request to add CCTV security cameras in common areas that may be off the main path or in isolated areas.
  • Learn what your company’s policies are in the event of an evacuation or lockdown.  Know exactly where to go and what to do. 

The Security Product Depot is an established online provider of physical security products. As an innovative supplier of online security solutions, they are committed to offering the broadest array of CCTV camera systems, door hardware, locks, and safes for securing government, school facilities, commercial businesses and residents.  

Written by Mike Hassebrock from The Security Product Depot

 

 

 

 

 
 
General Safety Issues

HOW TO KEEP YOUR OFFICE SECURE (GUEST POST)

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HOW TO KEEP YOUR OFFICE SECURE

Whether you’re a boss or an employee, office security and safety is of paramount importance. You must protect your employees, information, and equipment, but what is the best way to do this? Here are some pointers.

CAMERAS 

You can hire a security firm to install cameras, or you can install them yourself. There are different kinds, too. Some of them take a picture every 5 seconds, some of them are motion sensitive, and still others take continuous pictures. The very presence of cameras can be a deterrent to theft and abuse. Some classroom teachers even purchase their own security camera for their classrooms so they have defense in case of accusations. The videos can be recorded over, or you can change out the disc or tape as needed to keep a record of all activity.

SECURITY CODES

Have a security company install security coded locks on your office doors – especially the exterior ones. You can either have one code for the entire office, or an individual code for each employee – an ID number. This way you can have a record of who has entered the office, as well as the time and the day they came in. This gives your employees security when they’re working late, and also gives you a record of traffic in and out of the office.

PARKING LOT LIGHTING

If you have a number of employees who must enter or leave your building in the dark, make sure there is security lighting in the parking lot and surrounding area. Keep any storage or trash containers away from the building so there’s no cover for a prowler, and have those employees park close to the building. Even if you have a security fence around the parking lot, people can still climb the fence, so do everything you can to keep the parking lot safe.

NIGHT WATCHMAN

Some companies use a  Security Training Website to source experienced officers to patrol the grounds. Having security professionals is an especially good idea if you are located in an area that has a high break-in problem. It will also provide an armed escort to employees leaving or arriving in the dark.

ALARM SYSTEM 

Have an alarm system installed. Yes, you know that employees are going to set it off now and then, but the old adage “better safe than sorry” is true. This is especially important if you have a lot of valuable equipment in your office, which could walk off if there is no alarm system to alert the police.

IT SECURITY

Most companies are computerized and networked. This can present extreme danger to private information if your system gets hacked. Be sure you have backup for everything, and some form of IT security.

And, this won’t make you popular with your employees, but you should have some kind of safeguard to keep employees from playing computer games at work. Some sites can be blocked at the server, so find out if World of Warcraft, Facebook, Pinetrest, and any pornographic sites can be blocked. This not only protects employees, it protects your company from being involved in scandal.

BIO

Josh enjoys writing and looking for  ways to save, and currently works
for a company involved in UK security jobs and training.

 

General Safety Issues

GREAT IDEA FOR COPS/BAD IDEA FOR CRIMINALS!

I saw this on t.v. the other night; then read about it today, so I am eager to see if you agree with me – I think  that body cameras for cops are a great idea!  (Of course, if I’m the “perp”, I may not think so.)  It seems that hundreds of police departments across the country are using tiny body cameras for their officers to wear to be able to record a traffic stop, hot vehicle pursuit,or an unfolding violent crime.

There are red-light cameras, dash-cams, and nanny-cams, so why not more assistance for our law enforcement officers?  This tiny camera can record, download and be replayed instantly, either for evidence or to help confirm police reports.  They act as a safety net to improve police accuracy.  At this time, they are not mandatory, and cost about $100 to $125 each.  Many officers are paying for them out-of-pocket.

Oakland, California and hundreds of other police departments across the U.S. are equipping officers with small body cameras to record incidents between themselves and citizens.  It serves as protection for officers, citizens and with investigations.  Instead of getting just one or two versions, it levels the playing field, acccording to Steve Tidwell, executive director of the FBI National academy Associates in Quantico, Virginia.  As he states, “it’s all there, in living color.”

The officers must turn on their cameras for traffic stops and possible searches.  They must download their video within a day, and they are not allowed to edit or manipulate it.  These videos can be stored up to five years.

Michael Risher, an attorney with the ACLU of Northern California says law enforcement agencies using body cameras need to have clear and consistent objectives.  It can’t be where they turn them off and on when they want to.  These cameras should greatly improve relations between the police and community, if done right.

We watch a lot of reality shows, many involving law enforcement.  With the types of crime that police are exposed to on a daily basis, any kind of technology that can help them should be at their disposal.  Many crimes are committed by people that have access to high-powered guns, and just might use one when an officer asks them to open their car door. Hopefully, this tiny personal law enforcement camera will prove to be a big help for our law enforcement officers to be able to catch the bad guys, and prove who the “bad guys” really are – not our lawmen.

General Safety Issues

DO SECURITY CAMERAS BELONG IN THE WORKPLACE?

TODAY’S POST IS BY REBECCA, WITH SPYTOWN.COM.  We welcome our guest author, and hope you enjoy reading about security at your workplace. 

There’s at least one news story every day about schools adding security cameras, public parks mounting security cameras on lamp posts, and working parents installing nanny cameras in their child’s room to see what both their little one and the nanny are doing during the day. But how about the workplace? Should security cameras monitor your movements while you’re on the job, especially if they could help prevent safety issues in the future? Or should the company trust its employees and conduct regular safety training to educate employees? The Security Camera Systems experts from SpyTown.com are here to shed light on this controversial topic. 

Business Security Cameras Look Out For Employees 

Many businesses have added security cameras to genuinely protect their employees from any kind of misconduct or verbal/physical abuse from other employees. Team building exercises help employees work with each other, but if there is a situation, security camera feeds can be the unbiased eye-witness on the scene. 

Security cameras also act as a safeguard to see where any safety mishaps are occurring or identify potential safety issues. Be sure to have each department manager review the tapes weekly and point out any safety concerns, and develop a plan to minimize those concerns for the future. 

Have quality control checkpoints? Security cameras act as just another step in your quality control route, and are your eyes in the sky to document what’s happening throughout the production process. Review the tapes often to see if they spark any ways to increase efficiency and safety for your employees. 

Companies Should Trust Their Employees, Instead Of Watching Over Them 

The other side of the coin says that businesses should invest time into choosing talented employees they can trust, eliminating the need to “monitor” these employees to ensure they’re doing their jobs. Regular performance meetings and quality reviews can also help to ensure the employees are performing up to the company’s standards. Savvy management and solid leadership can identify a top performing employee and have the know-how to spot an employee in need of motivation and additional training. 

Another argument against security cameras in the workplace is that regular safety training should educate employees on workplace safety best practices, and safety reviews should be conducted at regular intervals. In addition, management should also be looking out for gaps in workplace safety, rather than security cameras watching over the employees. 

What’s our take? We have helped many companies choose the business security cameras right for their business, and we’ve heard firsthand experiences where security cameras have been an invaluable tool. Of course, security cameras should complement safety training, quality control checkpoints, and employee performance reviews, rather than replace them.  In addition, it’s important to be open and honest with your employees as to the location of the security cameras and reasons you have installed them, rather than having them feel as if you distrust their movements or “big brother” is watching. This goes a long way in helping your employees feel like valuable contributors to your organization and doing their part to ensure their workplace safety is top notch.

(Thank you, Rebecca, for this invaluable information from SpyTown.com.)

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

SAFE CARS FOR EVERYONE!

There are so many technological advances being made by automakers, that someday, everyone will be able to drive safer cars.  After seeing a car that parks itself, it seems that they can almost run on automatic pilot!  Until these safety features become standard in all vehicles, however, we will still have to do the driving.  Consider the following innovations that have been made, such as: 

  • Blind Spot Monitoring.  This is always something that bugs me, because there just seems to be too many ways of not seeing someone in the lane you are trying to enter.  This type of monitoring uses sonar to keep tabs on the blind spots on both sides of the car.  Versions of this technology are already available on some makes of cars.
  • Lane Departure Warning.  It’s too bad all cars don’t already have this technology, as this can be very helpful when a driver becomes drowsy or otherwise distracted.  When the car reaches a certain speed, and wanders across lanes, the certified speed system activates an audible alert.
  • Bird’s Eye View Camera.  There are many backup and parking assist cameras available, but this particular type of system allows you to park safely by allowing you to have a view that virtually lets you seem to look down on the car from above the roof.
  • Smart Keys.  My car has smart keys, and they let me lock or unlock the car from pretty far away, without having to fumble around to find them.  There’s a new “smart” ignition key that allows a parent to program the key for their child.  Parents can set the maximum vehicle speed, activate a persistent seat belt reminder, and set the level for radio volume.  (By the way, this is an American-made car.) It would also be wonderful if it had a Breathalyzer, so the car couldn’t start if Junior had been drinking.  One German automaker has developed the Alco key, requiring the driver to blow into the key before driving the car.  If a Red LED light comes on, the engine will not start.
  • Another feature the same automaker has created is the Collision Warning System, which contains radar technology that performs a wide-angle search to detect objects in front and around your car, such as pedestrians or cyclists.  A red warning light displays on the windscreen.  If there is an increased risk, a panic brake is activated.  If the driver fails to brake and a collision is imminent, the brakes are activated automatically. 

The one thing I would love to see is a system that warns a person if they leave a little passenger in a car seat.  We have had too many innocent children that have lost their lives by being left in a locked car.  If cars can ding when you leave the keys in them, or you don’t have your seat belt fastened, why can’t there be some type of alarm connected to the back seatbelts that secure a car seat, or small child?  Hopefully, car manufacturers are already ahead of me on this, but please, consider this safety feature as a priority.  We have GPS systems, hands-free phone systems, stability control, air bags, and fuel efficient systems that have been developed for our safety, however, many of the new safety features that are now being built into vehicles are available only on the expensive models.  It is hoped that one day, all these sophisticated features are on every car when it leaves the manufacturer. 

And remember, even if you have all the fancy stuff, you still have to be alert behind the wheel.  Please don’t text and drive, don’t drink and drive, and wait on those phone calls until you get safely to your destination. 

 

Source: Cars.com