How to Host a Safe Black Friday Event in Your Retail Store

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Black Friday draws large crowds of eager shoppers to retail stores seeking incredible deals and discounts. It kicks off the lucrative holiday shopping season, which, for many retailers, accounts for up to 20% of annual revenue. Black Friday also presents unique challenges, particularly in ensuring the safety of both customers and staff. Below, we’ll explore essential tips for managing a Black Friday event in a retail setting safely. Strategies include staff training, crowd control, store layout optimization, security measures, communication, and emergency response planning.
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IP Video Systems and Commercial Security

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Internet protocol (IP) video cameras are a popular alternative to analog cameras because they use a local area network (LAN) to send and receive footage to an internet or video server. Data is stored such that nothing is lost if the system is tampered with or damaged.

IP video systems are incredibly beneficial in commercial settings. The footage can be used to monitor employees and oversee quality control during daily business operations. They are helpful for loss prevention and protection as well. In case of a break-in, vandalism, or any other illegal activity, referring to the video footage may assist the authorities in identifying the perpetrator. Video cameras also provide peace of mind in the event of on-site injuries. They provide a clear picture of an incident and avoiding instances of false injury claims. 

Below we’ll look at the elements of an IP video network and see how they work together.

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Residential Construction Site

How to Secure a Residential Construction Site

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Residential Construction SiteResidential construction sites are vulnerable to threats like burglary, vandalism, and false injury claims. Whether you’re overseeing a small home renovation or a brand new residential construction project, it’s essential to keep the site secure from unauthorized personnel and closely monitor your construction team. Here are some simple tips for securing your residential construction site.

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How to Improve Security in Your Business’ Parking Lot

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Between drivers admitting to being distracted while navigating parking lots and an 11% increase in car theft nationally, parking lot security at your business should be top of mind. Help your employees and customers feel safe and comfortable coming and going from your business by taking measures to reduce the risk of accidents and the threat of criminal activity on your property. Here are some simple tips for improving your business’ parking lot security.

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An image of a bank building exterior, relating to a theme of bank security

Three Top Bank Security Challenges and How to Overcome Them

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An image of a bank building exterior, relating to a theme of bank securityBanks are responsible for protecting precious financial and physical assets for their customers. What may seem like a straightforward task can be complicated by complex system requirements, outdated technology, and evolving needs. Here are some of the top bank security challenges and how to solve them.

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An image of banking ATM machines, suggesting a theme of bank security

Four Lesser-Known Bank Security Considerations

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An image of banking ATM machines, suggesting a theme of bank security

While features like access control, surveillance, and emergency response protocols are likely the first things that come to mind when you think of bank security, there are many nuances to an effective system. Using the latest technology can fortify and streamline security systems in financial institutions, making it easier to stay proactive against security threats. Here are some less-obvious bank security considerations.

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Preparing for Smash-And-Grab Burglaries

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A recent increase in instances of smash-and-grab burglaries throughout New England has resulted in thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise and property damage. If you sell high-value items, these unfortunate events serve as a reminder to audit your existing security system. 

The most effective security strategies incorporate elements that prevent, limit the impact, and assist in the aftermath of a robbery. Here are our suggestions for preparing your business for smash-and-grabs. Read more →

An image of someone shoveling snow, part of snow and ice removal

Preventing False Injury Claims with Video Monitoring

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An image of someone shoveling snow, part of snow and ice removalNortheast winters bring snow and ice and with it many hazards. According to Massachusetts law, residential and commercial property owners may be held liable for injuries related to snow and ice on their property. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to lower the likelihood of winter-related accidents. To prevent false injury claims, couple these actions with a video surveillance system so you can verify that the appropriate steps were taken.  Read more →

Packages left on front porch, a reminder of holiday shopping security topics

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Holiday Shopping Security Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Packages left on front porch, a reminder of holiday security topicsBlack Friday and Cyber Monday both bring opportunities for great deals—and the potential for theft. As more shoppers switch from in-person to online shopping, the opportunities for package theft and fraud increase. In addition, more shopping activity means more possibility of credit card fraud or identity theft. To stay protected from theft of all kinds, follow these tips for holiday shopping security.

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Two people discussing a business security CCTV project. Video security equipment and blueprint on a table.

The Importance of a Commercial Security Needs Analysis

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Two people discussing a business security CCTV project. Video security equipment and blueprint on a table.There are an average of over 400,000 commercial burglaries each year. For some business owners, this information is enough to convince them it’s time to install a commercial surveillance system on their property to boost their business security.

However, according to David Oles, Integrated Systems Consultant for American Alarm, a surveillance system all on its own won’t bring business owners the security they’re after. “[Business owners] think they need to install cameras for security to catch people when they break in, but that’s not [always] the right solution.”

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