Minimizing False Alarms with Video Verification

False alarms aren’t just a nuisance; they can become very costly, both for police departments and security companies. In fact, the state of Delaware general assembly passed a bill 16 years ago to enforce penalties on security companies that send false alarms to police. Fortunately, technology has advanced significantly since then; today, we have a false alarm-fighting tool called video verification.

How Video Verification Helps Reduce False Alarms

Door and window sensors power the majority of alarm systems – and yet, relying on these alone can cause a business to run the risk of sending a false alarm to the monitoring center. This can lead to fines for the business and wasted law enforcement resources. While call verification is valuable service, some clients authorize people who are not located at the business site to verify the alarm. These people may not always be able to verify whether the alarm was legitimate.

For those reasons, we recommend that businesses consider taking advantage of video surveillance with video verification, a service which is designed to cast a set of digital eyes on the premises and allow the company to verify whether what was captured was suspicious or not before police are called. It can greatly reduce the risk of false alarms at your Delaware business, sparing you from lost revenue in city fines.

How Video Verification Works

Video verification replaces the system’s traditional alarm function with intelligent alerts that include 1) a signal from intrusion detection devices, and 2) live video and/or recently recorded clips. The alerts are then sent to:

· The monitoring center, first to determine the cause of the intrusion signal

· An authorized user at the business to confirm or deny the intrusion with the monitoring center

If verification of suspicious activity has been achieved, the police will be notified so they can dispatch someone to your site. The goal is not only to minimize false alarms; more pointedly, it’s designed to minimize false dispatches, which are a harmful drain on local police departments. When these are minimized, police departments can do their jobs more effectively for the communities they serve. For more information on minimizing false alarms at your Delaware business with video verification, contact Security Instrument for a free security analysis.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security company, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA

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How Does IP Video Surveillance Work?

The widespread adoption of IP video surveillance has allowed organizations to abandon traditional cabling networks in favor of using their existing data network infrastructure, which is a far more streamlined approach to surveillance. In fact, larger enterprises are taking this one step further by upgrading to high performance wireless networks so they can provide IP video surveillance to their expansive campuses, linking the dozens or even hundreds of cameras via a single network. But these are just a couple of ways IP video surveillance can work at your Delaware Valley enterprise; depending on the specificities of your application, there are other potential benefits to consider.

IP Video Surveillance Mesh Deployment

Enterprises that take advantage of IP video surveillance may be able to deploy their wireless networks as a “mesh,” which means they contain multiple nodes (also known as links) of access. This is a practical procedure because if one node fails, then the network is able to find the next best path of data transmission in the network. The goal? Keeping recorded video in the system so that no event goes unseen and no breach of security goes unproven. And isn’t that the reason organizations invest in video surveillance in the first place?

Streamlining Costs with IP Video Surveillance 

IP video surveillance can be a great solution for organizations looking to restructure their security technology in a more budget-efficient way, because it eliminates the costly requirements of cabling.

Cabling is an expense that can add up quickly, whether it’s Ethernet or the even more expensive fiber optic cabling option (which may require monthly, quarterly or annual leasing from a third-party provider.) If cost is a concern (and isn’t it always?), then IP video may be a valid consideration.

Faster Installation with IP Video Surveillance 

If some type of fixed infrastructure is required in order to support video surveillance, it can be costly to create, retrofit or upgrade – but equally important is the amount of time it takes to complete the installation. Rather than waiting for an expensive infrastructure project to be ready for launch, an IP video surveillance solution is virtually plug and play. This can make it a better option for many types of enterprises, but it can also make it an ideal solution for a temporary deployment – say, a public event. To that end, municipalities are turning to IP video surveillance in droves.

This barely scratches the surface of how IP video surveillance works and what it has to offer. To learn more, contact Security Instrument with your questions; we will be glad to provide more information.

About Security Instrument

In addition to being a trusted provider of IP video surveillance in the Delaware Valley, Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security company, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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CO Poisoning Prevention and Home Security

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous, mostly undetectable poison that can kill both people and pets. Everyone is at risk of being exposed to carbon monoxide by virtue of the fact that it can be produced in common household mechanisms: refrigerators, clothes dryers, ovens, and furnace heaters.

When these appliances have a defect that prevents proper air circulation, carbon monoxide can emit from them and enter the environment of the home. This puts everyone inside in immediate danger, and many times they are unaware of it until they begin to experience symptoms like faintness, dizziness, stomach upset and confusion. In some cases, people are unaware they have been exposed until it’s too late. In fact, approximately 400 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year.

Preventing CO Poisoning with Your Security System 

The good news is, your security system can help prevent CO poisoning in your home if you have upgraded to a smart home system. This type of system is designed to act on your behalf automatically in the event of an environmental hazard; if there is a carbon monoxide leak you are unaware of, it can shut off your HVAC to prevent the gas from emitting throughout the house.

You will also receive a mobile notification that CO is present, which allows you to send the family outside, ventilate the home and unplug appliances before anyone experiences any symptoms. If anyone is experiencing symptoms, you can and should call 911. In any case, no one should re-enter the home until emergency personnel gives you the go-ahead.

This is how your upgraded security system can prevent CO poisoning head-on. To learn more about the features of a smart home security system with a CO poisoning detector, contact Security Instrument in Delaware. We will be happy to answer your questions.

In some cases, people are unaware they have been exposed until it’s too late. In fact, approximately 400 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security company, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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Using IP Video Surveillance to Defeat Intruders

Delaware is no stranger to smash and grab burglaries. Two years have not passed since two Philadelphia, PA men were sentenced to 20 years in prison for committing a string of them, including one crime that involved stealing a $2 million ruby sculpture from a Wilmington jeweler. Furthermore, smash and grab burglaries don’t only happen to high-end businesses; they happen to retail establishments of all kinds. With that in mind, what can you do to reduce the risk of a smash and grab burglary happening at your business? We recommend tapping into the power of IP video surveillance.

What IP Video Surveillance Is

Internet Protocol (IP) video surveillance is powered by the web, which enables the video to be accessed from virtually anywhere with a wifi connection. IP video is no longer the “next big thing” in video surveillance; it is now the normal thing, and eventually, it will be the only thing. An IP video surveillance system goes beyond the last generation of video storage (DVR) in terms of economic feasibility, image quality, and security system integration. Much like your smartphone streamlined your communication and time management, an IP camera system can streamline your business security protocols.

What IP Video Surveillance Does 

IP technology makes it easier for businesses to copy, share and transmit video, which is great for businesses with multiple locations – or, businesses where the ownership is offsite much of the time.

If a burglary occurs, a business owner can view the video from anywhere – and if criminals are “smart,” they may see the advanced camera systems in full view and may be deterred from acting in the first place. To that end, IP video is a powerful tool for businesses that are serious about loss prevention.

IP Video Surveillance is Flexible

IP camera systems offer greater flexibility than the legacy systems in many established businesses. For example, a business on a tight budget may opt to replace only the most obsolete equipment with IP cameras, and only at key zones throughout the property. Incorporating IP video surveillance into your building’s security agenda, even incrementally as budget allows, can be a good way to minimize the risk of smash and grab burglary. For more information, contact Security Instrument.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security company, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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