Smartphone Apps for Security and Safety

Here are some of the top iPhone and Android smartphone apps for home security and safety.

Life360 Family Locator

Keep track of your family at all times with this helpful app. Using GPS technology, the Life360 Family Locator can help you find family members any time. It also allows you to track lost and stolen phones. This app costs $4.99/month. It’s available for iPhone and Android smartphones.

Red Cross First Aid App

This free smartphone app comes in handy for first aid emergencies around the home. The app includes important first aid and safety tips. The app also has fully integrated 911 capabilities so you can call EMS. The Red Cross First Aid app is available for iPhone and Android smartphones.

iHouseWatcher

This free app allows you to turn webcams and cameras on your iPhone and iPad into security cameras. It’s a great way to keep an eye on things when you’re away from home. It’s always better to have security camera surveillance. However, this app isn’t bad to use for spot monitoring. It’s available for Apple iOS devices.

Sex Offender Search

This free smartphone app allows you to scan the National Sex Offender Registry to check the safety of nearby schools and playgrounds in your neighborhood. The app includes email alerts notifying you of new activity in your area. It is available for iPhone. Android phones have a similar app.

OSHA Heat Safety Tool

Want to know if it’s too hot outside to be doing yard work? This free app from OSHA calculates the risk level of potential heat-related illnesses on any given day. It’s also a great resource to help you know when the kids should stay inside. It’s available for iPhone and Android phones.

Home Security Control Apps

We saved the best for last. There are numerous apps that allow you to control home security systems. They are typically through the manufacturer of your security system. Controlling your security system from a smartphone has many benefits including:

• Remote arming and disarming of system
• Viewing security cameras remotely
• Controlling lighting, heating/cooling and other home automation

The important thing to do is to discuss these options with your home security system provider. At Hue & Cry, Inc., we can help you explore these options. We’ve been helping homeowners in Northern California and Oregon for more than 30 years. To find out more, visit www.HueAndCry.com or call us at 1-800-762-3196.

What to Do If You Lose Your Smartphone

Losing your smartphone is a big threat to your personal security. Many people’s smartphones contain sensitive information that could lead to identity theft and bank fraud.

Every year, more than 60 million smartphones are lost. According to a study by Symantec, 96 percent of lost/stolen smartphones contain sensitive information that is easily accessible.

So what should you do if you lose your smartphone? Following these tips will significantly help you.

Password protect your smartphone.

If you haven’t lost your smartphone, password-protect the lock screen. This will make it difficult for individuals to access information on your smartphone. Here are some password tips for locking your smartphone.

• How to password protect iPhone
• How to password protect Android
• How to password protect BlackBerry

These how-to guides will help you in password protecting your smartphone.

Install and activate smartphone finder app.

Many new smartphones including newer iPhones have apps that allow you to search for your phone’s location based on GPS. Apple has the Find My iPhone app. Android has the Plan B app. Be sure these apps are installed and activated on your phone.

Call your smartphone and retrace your steps.

If you just realized that you’ve lost your smartphone, try giving it a call. You might have just misplaced it. If you still can’t find it, retrace your steps. If you’ve visited any businesses, check their lost and found.

Call your phone company.

When you’ve exhausted your search, call your phone company. Let them know that you’ve lost your smartphone. They will be able to disable phone service. This will help protect you against call billing charges. If you didn’t password protect banking or other paid services on your phone, be sure to contact those services about the missing phone.

Following these tips will help you find your smartphone and protect your privacy. You might even want to consider getting insurance for your smartphone. This could help with the replacement cost of the smartphone.

At Hue & Cry, Inc., we help homeowners, business owners and even contractors with security systems and other fire and life safety solutions. For more helpful tips, visit the Hue & Cry Blog at www.HueAndCry.com/blog.

How to Protect Yourself from ATM Skimming

ATM fraud is a growing concern.

Thanks to mobile technology, thieves can very easily lift information off of your ATM card and create a counterfeit card. This is called ATM skimming. If you’ve never heard of ATM skimming watch the video below.

With ATM skimming, criminals hide a card reader at ATMs or use them at restaurants or stores. These skimmers are able to pull the information from your ATM card, which can then be transferred to counterfeit cards.

According to one study, 1 in 10 Americans are victims of ATM and credit card fraud. If you want to protect your ATM Card information, follow these tips.

• Pay with Cash – It may sound like a hassle, but don’t give strangers access to your ATM card at restaurants, airports and other places where you might lose sight of your card.

• Avoid Stand Alone ATM Machines – It’s always safer to use an ATM machine near a bank. That’s because banks have cameras and other security features to protect against ATM skimming.

• Look for Cameras – Whenever you need to use your ATM card, make sure there are cameras nearby. This will help to keep you safe from ATM skimmers as well as criminals who may attempt to rob you at the machine.

Following these three tips will help protect your ATM card from criminals. For even more safety tips, read other postings on the Hue & Cry Blog.

Important Safety Tips for Senior Citizen Family Members

American is getting older.

According to the U.S. Administration on Aging, there will be more than 72 million older persons by 2030. That’s more than double the number in 2000. That means the risk of injuries will likely go up.

To help keep senior citizens in your family safe, follow these tips below.

Perform a home safety inspection 

Visit your loved one’s home to make sure their home is safe. If the house is old, you may want to have a home safety inspection performed. A home safety inspection will look at wiring, plumbing, heating and cooling as well as other parts of the home that could cause issues.

Get them a home security system

A home security system can help protect a senior citizen against burglaries as well as life threatening situations. Some security companies offer personal emergency response systems. This allows seniors to push a button on a remote for help during medical emergencies and other life threatening situations.

Call or visit them a few times a week 

If the family member is living alone, give them a phone call or visit them a few times a week to make sure that they’re okay. They’ll appreciate the call or visit.

Help them with household tasks

It’s important to help seniors with household tasks such as lifting heavy objects, yard work, snow removal, etc. This will help reduce the possibility of injury. It’s also a great way to bond with the family member.

Install no slip surfaces

The risk of falling increases the older that you get. According to LearnNotToFall.com, more than half of seniors over 80 years old fall every single year. To help prevent this, install no slip surfaces in your loved one’s home. You’ll want to put these surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens and stairs.

Following these tips will help keep your loved ones safe. For even more home security tips, please read other postings on the Hue & Cry Blog.

Tips for Teens about Social Network Safety

More than 70 percent of American teens use social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter.

Do you know if your teen is safe on these sites?

Social networking allows teens to share personal information like never before. To protect your teen from identity theft, cyberbullying and online predators, follow the tips below.

• Have Them Check Their Privacy Settings – Make sure your teen’s privacy settings are configured so only their friends can see the information that they share.

• Don’t Let Your Teen Share Passwords with Others – It’s vital to teach your teen the importance of passwords. Advise them not to share their social network passwords with friends.

• Talk with Them about What’s Appropriate – It’s important to teach your teen how to properly act online. Explain to them how provocative posts could hurt their reputation and how it can affect them at school and work.

• Have the Stranger Danger Conversation – You probably had the “stranger danger” conversation with your teen when they were younger. Thanks to social media, you’re going to need to have it with them again. Your teens should never accept friend requests or messages from strangers.

• Show Them Reporting Features – If your teen is being the victim of cyberbullying, show them how to block the user. If the bullying continues, report the user.

• Teach Them What to Share – Explain to your teen that sharing too much personal information could lead to identity theft and other problems. Watch what your teen shares on their profile.

• Don’t Let Them Post Their Location – Some of the social media sites allow you to post real-time location information. Tell them to avoid using this feature. It could open them up to all sorts of problems including online predators.

It’s important to have serious conversations with your teen about social networking. Talk with them about what they can and cannot share on social networks.

For even more tips, read other postings on the Hue & Cry Security Systems Blog

How to Tell if Your Identity Has Been Stolen

There are approximately 15 million cases of identity theft in the United States every year. According to IdentityTheft.info, annual financial losses total north of $50 billion.

In many cases, the victims don’t know their identity as been stolen until it’s too late. Don’t let this be you.

The Federal Trade Commission website has some great resources that show signs of identity theft. Here are a few of the most important warning signs.

1. Discovering bank and credit card accounts that you did not open.
2. Unusual information on your credit reports such as strange addresses and employment information.
3. Getting credit cards that you did not sign up for.
4. Unexpectedly denied after signing up for a credit card or being offered high interest rates for no apparent reason.
5. Being contacted by debt collectors or businesses about items that you didn’t purchase.
6. Failing to get important bills in the mail. Bills never arrive on time.
7. You can’t find your credit card.
8. Your bank account suddenly has no money in it.
9. You receive strange bills in the mail.

Anyone can be a victim of identity theft. That’s why it’s very important to carefully check your bills each month. Also be sure to shred any documents that contain sensitive information. A home security system can protect this information from burglaries.

If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, place a fraud alert on your credit reports.

For more important security tips, read other postings on the Hue & Cry Security Systems Blog.

Fire Safety Tips for Office Workers

Fires are a serious threat for office workers. Every single year, there are more than 100,000 fires in non-residential structures. Many of these are offices.

It takes less than 10 minutes for that small fire to turn into a blaze. To help protect yourself, here are some fire safety tips that will keep you safe.

• Keep Papers Away from Electronics – Keep mounds of papers away from electronics. A spark could easily start a fire.

• Make Sure Exits are Always Open – Always check to make sure exits are not blocked by desks or other office equipment.

• Know Your Fire Escape Plan – Every employee should know how to quickly exist the building in case of an emergency.

• Know Your Office – Remember how far your desk is from the nearest exit. This will help if there isn’t any lighting during the fire.

• Don’t Panic – In case of a fire, stay calm and remember to check doors for heat before opening them.

• Keep Low – If there is a fire, stay low to the ground so you can breathe fresh air.

• Don’t Use Elevators – Avoid the elevators if there is a fire. It’s always better to take the stairs.

• Never Reenter Building – Don’t try to be a hero. Leave it to the firefighters.

Following these tips will help protect you during an office fire. Always make sure your office’s fire alarm system is in good working order.

At Hue & Cry Security Systems, we can help you with all of your fire alarm needs. If you’re a business in Northern California or Oregon, call us today at 800-762-3196.

How to Protect Your Family from Mobile Cyberstalkers

Cyberstalking is a 21^st century threat to families across the country.  Because of smartphones, cyberstalking is becoming a very serious issue.

If you’re unfamiliar with cyberstalking, the U.S. Department of Justice defines it as repeated harassing and threatening behavior using internet, email and other electronic communications devices.

While cyberstalking has been around for more than a decade, this threat has grown because of the rapid adoption of social networking and smartphone devices.

According to the Home Security Blog, cyberstalkers are now using smartphones and social media information to stalk and harass people with a new degree of sophistication.  Cyberstalkers can now use your phone’s GPS location information that you share online.

If you want to protect your family and friends from mobile cyberstalking, we recommend these tips.

1. Never Provide Address – Whether it’s for your social media profile, your phone or email, never publically broadcast your home address.  The less information people know about you, the better off you’ll be.
2. Never Share Passwords – Never give out your password to anyone.  It’s a good idea to use a password with a variation of letters, numbers and characters.  Also, password protect access to your cell phone or smartphone.
3. Turn Off Location Sharing Features – It’s a good idea to turn off location sharing features on social networks and smartphone apps.  It’s risky to publically share your exact location at a given time.
4. Never “Friend” or Communicate with a Stranger – Only become friends with people you actually know on social networks.  Also respond to suspicious emails with caution.
5. Do a Google Search – Type your name in Google to see what types of information appears online.  Try to remove any information that a stalker could easily use to find out your home location.

Following these tips will help to keep you safe from cyberstalkers.  To learn more how to protect yourself, read:

• Daily Tip: How to turn off Locations Services for iPhone, iPad

• Turn Off Location Services On Android Phones

• Turn off location aiding for BlackBerry Phones

For more great personal safety tips, be sure to read other post on the Hue & Cry Security Systems Blog and follow us on Facebook.

Are Self Defense Weapons a Safeguard or a Hazard?

When it comes to determining personal safety options, some people will sometimes consider self defense weapons.

Self defense weapons can include pepper spray, stun guns and firearms.  Selecting the right self defense weapon can be a challenging decision.

These weapons can really help to protect you during life-threatening situations.  They can also become safety liabilities if used improperly.

So are self defense weapons a safeguard or a hazard?  It depends.

The important thing is to come to a decision that is most comfortable for you can your family.  Following these tips will help you make the best decision.

• Explore Your Options – Determining what type of self defense weapon to purchase all depends on your preferences.  Take some time to review all of your options.  Think about the pros and cons that come along with each self defense weapon.

• Talk with Your Family – Consult family members before making a decision.  They can help you select the best option for you.  Family members with significant experience in firearms and other self defense weapons can be a valuable resource in making the right decision.

• Know Your Background – If you are already trained to use a certain self defense weapon, this is probably an easy decision for you.  However, if you don’t know how to use a certain weapon, be sure to take training classes.  These classes will teach you how to use, store and respect your weapon.  Training classes are a must for any novice.  Often, you can find classes at local police stations and community centers.

• Think about Storage – Once you get a self defense weapon, be sure to think about how you’re going to properly store and carry it.  Whether it’s pepper spray or a hand gun, make sure it is not accessible to children in your home.  There are plenty of options to safeguard a self defense weapon from children.

Following these tips will help you make the right personal safety decision for you as well as your family.

Making decisions about your home, business and personal security can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone.

At Hue & Cry Security Systems, we’ve been helping families and businesses make the best security decisions for more than 25 years.

To learn how we can help you with your security needs, contact us today at 800-762-3196 or visit the Hue & Cry Security Systems Contact Page.

Hue & Cry Closed For Christmas And New Year’s – Winter Vacation Safety Tips

The business offices of Hue & Cry Security Systems will be closed on December 26 for Christmas and January 2 for New Year’s.

During this time, our Central Alarm Monitoring Center and Security and Fire System Repair Service will remain open.  If you have any questions for our staff while our business offices are closed, please visit the Hue & Cry Security Systems Contact Page.

We hope you have a joyous Christmas and a great New Year!

As you visit family and friends this holiday season, here are some winter vacation safety tips.

Winter Vacation Safety Tips

Home and personal safety aren’t always top of mind during the holiday season.  To keep your home safe while you are away, follow these home safety tips.

• Keep Your Plans Private – Don’t broadcast your winter vacation plans to the world.  Avoid posting travel plans on social media sites.  Only tell close family members and friends about your trip.

• Make It Look Like Someone Is Home – Have your neighbor park their car in your driveway and use lights on timers to give the impression that someone is home.

• Stop Deliveries – Stop mail and newspaper delivery while you are gone.  If you’re expecting a package, have a neighbor retrieve it from your doorstep.

• Keep Up Maintenance – A driveway full of snow is a sure sign that no one is home.  Have a neighbor or friend remove the snow while you’re gone.

• Unplug Electronics – To prevent a fire, unplug all electronics such as TVs, DVD players and other electronic devices.

• Notify Alarm Company – Tell your alarm company the days that you will be gone and be sure to properly set your home security alarm.

• Don’t Hide A Key – Don’t hide a key for a neighbor or friend.  Instead, let them hold on to it until you return home.

• Secure Valuables – Place any valuables in a safe or a lockbox while you are gone.

• Un-connect Computer – Any computers wired to the internet should be disconnected.  This helps to prevent security breaches from hackers.

• Keep Heat On – Keep your furnace set at a safe temperature that will prevent the water pipes from freezing while you are gone.  FriendlyPlumber.com recommends setting your furnace at 55 degrees.

• Don’t Leave Christmas Lights On – Leaving Christmas lights on without anyone home for days is dangerous.  Keep the Christmas lights off.

• Check Locks – Before you leave, make sure all windows, doors and fence gates are locked.

Following these safety tips will keep your home safe.  At Hue & Cry Security Systems, we are the top home security system provider in Northern California and Oregon.

For more great home and business security tips, read the Hue & Cry Security Systems Blog.