Safeguarding Your HOA Facilities

Many communities in the Triangle area offer amenities like swimming pools, exercise centers, or neighborhood clubhouses. While these amenities are great for residents, they can create liability issues for the HOA, POA, or property management group. It is important to control access while balancing convenience for the residents and monitoring for safety and security.

Secur-Tek, Inc. sells and installs equipment and monitoring solutions for community pool gates and shared amenities in the greater Raleigh, North Carolina area.

Solutions for ease of access:

Using coded cards or key fobs to control the swimming pool and fitness center access are efficient and cost-effective. Requiring cards or fobs to enter pool gates keeps strangers or unattended children out while offering convenient access to members or residents. The system can also be set up to open gates at specific times and coded so authorized personnel can review when access is requested for legal and illegal entry.

For ease of access management, Secur-Tek can provide remote hosting. Controlled internet access provides the ability to make program changes or unlock/lock a door/gate from anywhere. For the best control of your point of access, we install Keyscan access systems manufactured by Dormakaba, a global leader in the security and access control market.

Solutions for security:

In addition to good fencing and access control, we recommend installing a camera system. Cameras serve multiple purposes. Most importantly, when visible, they act as a deterrent to potentially hazardous or destructive behavior. If the unfortunate happens, they can prove helpful for identifying and prosecuting individuals caught trespassing or vandalizing the property. Should the situation arise where someone is injured, cameras also offer the option to review what happened and validate that safety equipment was in place.

Securing common areas while allowing convenient access for those authorized to use them is a critical issue for HOAs. Secur-Tek has the experience to help with this responsibility through the process of selecting and installing the right equipment given your situation, budget, and safety/security requirements.

If you need to update or install a new access control system, give us a call at 919-387-1800.

​Secur-Tek is locally owned and operated in Apex, NC, offering home and business security, monitoring, automation audio and central vacuum systems.  Our service area includes Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Pittsboro in North Carolina.

Home Security Benefits for Pet Owners (and pets)

Pets enrich our lives in so many ways, from providing companionship to helping reduce stress. You love your furry friends and take great care of them, but ever wonder what happens to them when you’re not at home?

Or what if your pet ends up outside and the weather turns extreme—either freezing snow or scorching heat?

With a professionally installed ProSeries security system from Secur-Tek, you will be able to:

  • Check on your pets when you’re away, no matter where you are. Whether you’re down the street or across the country, you’ll always be in the know and ready to act when it matters most.
            •  View and record videos of those cute moments when your pets are at play.
            •  Open locked doors for a neighbor or friend to let your pets out if you’re unexpectedly delayed
            •  Provide temporary security codes for pet sitters and monitor when they come and go.
            •  Get alerts for smoke, carbon monoxide, or other events that might cause harm to your pets or property.
            •  Have instant awareness of your front door with a VX1 HD Video Doorbell.  Check on package deliveries and who’s at the door, whether you’re around the corner or across the country.

When you work with Secur-Tek, our skilled technicians will work with you to customize the security system so it fits your (and your pet’s) unique needs. They’ll install cameras so you can get the best view of your pets and position motion sensors that can distinguish between an intruder and a furry friend. (Restrictions apply to the size of pets and motion sensor placement).

And of course, they’ll test and make sure everything works the way it is intended to.

 

If it sounds like this would increase your peace of mind, contact us for more information – just fill in the form or call us at 919-387-1800.

 

 

Planning for Safety and Convenience at Your Business Location

Are you considering renovating or relocating your business? Opening an additional location? Or maybe you’re starting a new business venture. Whichever direction you go with your business ideas, there are many things to consider when planning that new location.

Safety and security:

Are there building or room access points that need to be secure? Who should be able to gain entrance and when? These are critical questions to consider when planning for customer, employee, and property safety.

A security system can control access to your premises to deter theft or vandalism and allow you to manage or check on your business sites remotely.

Access control features can be incorporated into your security system to increase safety and convenience. They will allow you to:

  • Secure doors and limit entry to only authorized people at specific times
  • Manage employee access to workspaces, inventory rooms, and critical business documents. This is called security partitioning.
  • Record access history and easily produce history reports
  • Monitor and notify Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Services when needed

Secur-Tek can help you design an effective and efficient security system that supports your business requirements and ownership needs and the safety, security, and well-being of your employees and customers. In addition, commercial security systems safeguard your business assets from fire and theft, preventing costly losses and giving you greater peace of mind.

The business environment:

Would your business be enhanced in the customer’s eyes with background music to reinforce the feeling of a relaxed atmosphere? Or would some peppy beats help energize your employees?

Studies show that listening to music often improves your mood. Playing low-level background music in your business can have a positive effect on customers, clients, or patients, as well as your team.

When exploring different music options for your business site, contact us. Secur-Tek can incorporate a premium multi-room audio system with award-winning Klipsch speakers into the design of your new dental or medical office, salon, retail, restaurant, or gym.

 

Secur-Tek, Inc. is locally owned and operated in Apex, NC.  Our service area includes these North Carolina communities: Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, Pittsboro, and Wake Forest.  We professionally install and service security and audio systems for many types of businesses: restaurants, retail stores, medical and dental offices, storage facilities, group homes, assisted living, real estate offices, apartment HOAs/clubhouses/pools/buildings, car dealerships, schools/pre-schools, auto mechanic shops, golf clubs, venues,  veterinary offices, and churches.

Call us at (919) 387-1800 or fill out the form below to learn more!

 

Home Security: Do It Yourself or Professional Installation?

You may have seen ads for Home Security Systems that you can install yourself. Perhaps you started thinking about the list of home DIY projects on your refrigerator door and wondered if you should add “home security” to it.  

A home security system is important for your—and your family’s—peace of mind.  A little research is appropriate to evaluate if you should go the DIY route or engage professionals for your Home Security System.

First, think about:

  • If you do it yourself, will you worry if it’s installed correctly?
  • Will the project take time away from other projects you enjoy or that could add to your home’s value? Like woodworking, gardening or painting?
  • Can I get components that fit my needs, or am I confined to limited options?

And then there are other questions to consider:

Will a DIY system save me money?

That’s usually the main reason people consider DIY systems. But remember, you get what you pay for – a box of basic security equipment and manuals. You pay the retail price for the equipment and then add the investment of your time, which can vary depending on how familiar you are with installing electronics.

While doing a home project, have you ever gotten halfway through and wondered if you were doing it right? Or do you find it takes three times as long because the directions aren’t clear?

Do I want to customize my protection to fit my needs?

Are you interested in fire detection, a smart thermostat, or a doorbell camera? Check that out in advance, to make sure the DIY security company integrates these devices, otherwise you may have to purchase them separately and download multiple apps.

Secur-Tek doesn’t just bring a standard box of equipment and go to work.  We realize that not every property, family, or neighborhood is the same. Before you have our trained professionals install your security system, we talk with you to understand your security objectives and assess your home environment. We understand camera angles, lighting, pets, and other variables that should be taken into consideration when choosing the type and placement of security and surveillance equipment. We will help you customize a complete inside and outside solution that fits your needs.

What about support if the system doesn’t work?

With a DIY system, you may get help from a call to tech support. With Secur-Tek, our trained and qualified technicians will ensure the effectiveness of your security system. They’ll explain the installation process and confirm the optimal placement and operation of every device, so you can trust your security system. Our expert technicians walk you through your new security and/or smart home system step by step at the time of installation. They’ll answer every question you have and help set up smart rules and automation when appropriate, leaving you confident and ready to protect your home and family. The same local technicians are available should you ever need service.

Will my system be safe from hackers?

For security systems, including cameras, Secur-Tek installs products that are more secure from hacking and having the wireless portions compromised using jamming devices than most DIY systems.  The equipment and labor may cost more – but are less likely to be compromised.

 

Think about your family’s safety and the security of your property before making your DIY vs Professional Installation decision. You can also check out the benefits of a monitored security system. Then call us at 919-387-1800 or use the form below to schedule a complimentary security assessment.

 

Secur-Tek, Inc. is a locally owned and operated company, based in Apex. We are passionate about protecting you, your family, and your property. We take pride in knowing every system is installed correctly and customized for your home.

We answer our own phones and will speak with you directly. We take the time to understand and answer any questions you may have. Our technicians are company employees — not contractors.

Our service area includes Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Pittsboro in North Carolina, so if you are interested in any of our services, give us a call or fill out the form below.

 

 

Holidays and Home Safety

Will you be away from home on the holidays?

If you’re planning to travel this holiday season, your empty home could be a target for burglars. While break-ins can happen in any neighborhood, the good news is that you can protect your family and belongings from the possibility of a home invasion.

Thieves like easy targets – they are likely to look for:

  • Mail or newspapers piling up. Remember to stop your mail at the post office or arrange for a neighbor to pick it up.
  • Overgrown or shrubs that obscure the home from the street. Check around your home to see if there are good sight lines to windows and doors. If not, prune them or hire a service that can do this.
  • Weak doors or windows. It’s essential to keep entry points into your home (doors and windows) locked. Also check it to see if these openings are structurally vulnerable to break-ins, as weak doors and windows are easy targets for forced entry. Strong, sturdy doors with deadbolt locks and reinforced metal frames are optimal.
  • No indoor or outdoor lights. Darkness around your home can provide cover for a burglar. Avoid this by strategically placing automatic outdoor or motion sensor lights around your home and property. Light bulbs set on a timer inside also help give the illusion that the home is occupied.

Thieves tend to avoid:

  • Homes with security systems – especially with cameras. An alarm system can be an essential step in protecting your home and valuables. In fact, the FBI says 83% of would-be burglars check for the presence of an alarm system before attempting a break-in.
  • And with remote monitoring, you have the convenience of checking on your home from anywhere.

If you’re interested in a security system that fits your needs, give us a call at (919) 387-1800.  We’d be happy to answer all your questions and provide you with a complimentary quote.

Secur-Tek offers customers the best in home security –  a personal touch, industry knowledge, and connections built on 35+ yrs in the industry. On top of that, we hand-select reliable name-brand suppliers to accommodate changes in the technological landscape.

Our service area includes Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Pittsboro in North Carolina.

 

 

 

4 Tips for Fire Safety

October is Fire Prevention Month; fire departments nationwide hold educational events focused on fire and home safety.  To support this effort, we’ve compiled four tips to help keep you and your family safe:

1)  Smoke Alarms

  • Smoke alarms are essential. If you don’t have them, install them or have them installed by a North Carolina-certified electrician.
  • Maintain your smoke alarms – to make sure they are working properly, test your smoke alarms at least once a year by pressing the test button to be sure the alarm is working. And don’t let them get too old – consider replacing all smoke alarms in your home every 7-10 years.
  • When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside. Then call 911 and stay outside until the fire department says it’s safe to re-enter your home.
  • Connecting additional smoke alarm detectors to your security system and monitoring them can add additional peace of mind—when the alarm sounds, the fire department is automatically called and can be dispatched. With a hardwired home security system,  auxiliary smoke/heat/CO sensors don’t have batteries that require changing and have a backup battery for when the power is out. Also, many of Secur-Tek’s additional smoke alarms sound at the keypad – so you don’t have another beeping unit on your ceiling.  It sounds at the keypad and can be cleared when the smoke/issue has passed.

2)  Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers should be available on every level of the home, especially in the kitchen and garage. Store them in accessible places or mount them on the wall for easy access.

Read the instructions carefully and teach all family members how to use it.

When using a fire extinguisher, it helps to remember the PASS technique:

P – Pull the pin

A – Aim directly at the source of the fire

S – Squeeze the lever slowly and smoothly to get the flow even

S – Swipe back and forth to contain and eliminate all burning fuel

3) Prevent household fires

  • Kitchen fires caused by unattended cooking are a major cause of fires. Don’t leave items unattended and remember to turn all pot handles inward.
  • Ensure your fireplace screen covers the entire fireplace
  • Have proper ventilation for heaters and other small appliances
  • Use the correct size fuses and check for worn-out electrical wiring
  • If you use many Lithium-ion batteries, Install Heat Sensors. Many insurance companies require a monitored heat detector in the garage if an EV charger is installed.

4)  Make an Escape Plan:

In the event of a home safety emergency, every second counts. According to the National Fire Protection Association, you may have less than two minutes to escape after your smoke alarms sound. That’s why it’s important to be prepared – plan and practice an escape route with your family:

  • Walk through your home and identify at least two ways out of each room. If windows or doors are blocked, clear them so they can be opened
  • For two-story houses, consider equipping bedrooms with escape ladders to provide additional exits. This safety feature is best added during construction and Secur-Tek has these in stock.
  • Decide who should assist small children or infants out of the home.
  • Assign a meeting spot outside that is a safe distance away from your house – like the mailbox, tree, or neighbor’s house
  • Ensure your street address is visible for first responders to see
  • If you have children, teach them how to call 9-1-1 after arriving at your meeting spot and help them memorize your home address
  • Once you have your escape plan, stage a practice fire drill **.

Secur-Tek , Inc. offers customers the best in home security – combining a personal touch with industry knowledge and connections built on 35+ years in the industry.  We hand-select name-brand suppliers, like First Alert, the most trusted brand in fire safety*.

Our service area includes Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Pittsboro in North Carolina.  Call us at 919-387-1800 or use the form below.

Resources:

For more information on safety and fire prevention go to: https://www.apexnc.org/335/Safety-Information or your local government safety office.

For information on heat alarms, please see https://secur-tek.com/sensors-and-your-security-system/

*First Alert Brand Trust Survey, March 2023 – Results are based on the responses of 1,043 adult homeowners, ages 25 and older, living in the United States who completed an online survey asking them to choose from six brands in the smoke, fire and carbon monoxide protection space.

**We recommend a test of the security system every month. If you would like to incorporate this into your practice, have the system placed on test (make sure it is on test), then hold the Fire panic button, and the siren will sound in your home. Please be mindful of neighbors, dogs, children when you do this.

 

 

 

Back-to-School Safety Quiz

Are your kids heading back to school?  It’s a good time to think about safety. It’s not a fun topic to discuss, so we developed a short quiz you can try as a conversation starter.

See how many of these safety tips you and your family know!

The Back-to-School Safety Quiz 

1) What is a safe way to react if the doorbell rings unexpectedly?

2) Who do you call if there is an emergency?

3) If the power goes out – where would you find a flashlight?

4) When you arrive home, how do you make sure you are safe?

5) When you are home alone, are you allowed to post on TikTok and other social media?

6) If social media is allowed, what topics should you avoid mentioning?

 

Answers:

1) Look through the peephole, a window where they can’t see you, or use your video doorbell to see who or what is there. Check with your parents to see if someone is expected and if it’s okay to let them in.

2) It’s a good idea to have an emergency plan for each situation type and discuss this with the family. Resources for emergency planning.

3) Ensure a flashlight and emergency supplies are in accessible locations around the house and that the family knows where they are (and that the batteries are fresh).

4) Lock the door behind you and if you have a security system, re-arm it, then check in with one of your parents. With a smart home security system, parents can know at a glance if a family member has arrived home or left the premises.

5) This depends on the parent’s discretion, the age of the student, and other factors. Here is a resource article that may be helpful for parents.

6) Don’t broadcast personal topics – like being home alone, age, location, or upcoming trips or vacations.

 

Whether your student is going to school in Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, or Pittsboro, Secur-Tek, Inc. wishes your family a safe and productive school year!

Seven Handy Home Automation Features

A security system with home automation features—like cameras, smart locks, and lighting control—can add convenience and increase your peace of mind. To see how, check out these seven handy home automation features:

1) See what’s going on at home while you’re away.

  • Know immediately if a family member has arrived home or left the premises.
  • Speak to babysitters or your children through the Total Connect® app for reassurance and to let them know you are watching.
  • Get push notifications, email, and video alerts when events occur, like when you have a delivery or a stranger is at the door.
  • Monitor key hallways, staircases, and doors with live, look-in video.
  • Receive a notification of selected events – for example, if a bathtub or toilet overflows or when an extreme temperature has been sensed.

2) Check if the garage door is closed. Have you ever driven away and wondered if you left the garage door open? If you have kids (or another forgetful family member), it can be worrisome when they leave the garage door open. A great solution to this is the MyQ app, which works well with Resideo Total Connect.

With the MyQ app, you can not only check if the door is closed, you can even accept home deliveries safely even when you’re at work – with the deliveryman on the phone, you can open the door, watch him put your package inside, then shut the door to keep everything safe until you return home.

3) Garage/Outbuilding Monitoring. In addition to monitoring the door of your garage or other building, if needed, you can keep tabs on the temperature inside. This can be important if you store items in your garage that can be harmed by extreme heat or cold –  and can be achieved by adding a temperature sensor to your Total Connect system.

4) Vacation Home Alerts. If you are away on vacation or own a vacation home, a “hard freeze” alert can let you know if special measures need to be taken to prevent burst pipes and flooding. In addition, water sensors can detect leaks and send warnings before they become a flood.

5) Power-saving “Mockupancy”. When you’re on vacation, your home automation system can turn lights on and off at random intervals when your house is in “vacation” mode, saving energy while creating the illusion that someone is home and moving from room to room.

6) Lock Programming. The Total Connect app scenes and schedules feature can keep everyone safe and comfortable and free you from having to remember to adjust the thermostats, turn lights on or off, or lock the doors at night, so If you sometimes wonder if you locked the door(s), don’t lose sleep worrying. If your teens are old enough to come home by themselves after school or late at night, you can have a text message or e-mail notification sent to you to let you know exactly what time they arrived home.

7) Warning Alert Lights. The lights can be programmed to flash all over the house or in certain areas when a smoke detector goes off or the security alarm is activated. It’s sometimes hard to hear all of your various bells and buzzers when you’re watching TV or listening to music in another room, but these events are hard to miss when the overhead lights let you know what’s happening.

Interested in learning more?

Call Secur-Tek at 919.387.1800 (or fill out the form below) and ask about customizing a monitored security and automation system for your home.

 

Are you on Facebook?  If so, you can follow our page for safety tips and events in Raleigh, Apex, Cary and Garner North Carolina.  https://www.facebook.com/SecurTekNC

 

 

 

Home Security Tips for Vacationers

Do you worry about your home when you leave to go on a trip? Check this list before you leave, these handy tips may help increase your peace of mind while you’re away.

Before you leave, you’ll want to create the illusion that somebody is still home:

  • Set your lights on timers to go on and off at different times in different rooms, preferably when they would when you are home.
  • Create the sound of someone at home by programming or setting a time for your radio, sound system, or television to turn on and off.
  • Leave a car in the driveway – even better, have a close family member, friend, or neighbor park there or move it from side to side occasionally.
  • If you normally leave a hose uncoiled in the yard or a few toys around – do so. The idea is to look like things are normal!

Other tips:

  • Consider your windows. Should you leave your curtains or blinds closed — or open? You may think closing your curtains will prevent people from peering inside your home. However, closed curtains also stop those who aim to help — the police, your neighbors, or friends — from seeing inside your house. So, leave your curtains exactly as you usually keep them when you are at home. Remember – you want to create the illusion that things are normal. Of course, never leave expensive items, like jewelry or computers, out where they are visible from the window.
  • Keep the outside neat. If you are going on an extended trip, arrange to have your lawn mowed. Nothing signals “not home” stronger than an unkempt yard, especially one that is normally regularly manicured.
  • Run by the post office (or fill out the online form) to ask them to hold your mail. Cancel any deliveries scheduled for that week. Or ask a trusted friend or neighbor to collect them for you while away.
  • Stow away your valuables and important papers. Lock up any valuable jewelry, deeds, titles, and small electronic devices. Thieves want to get in and out fast, carrying as many valuables as possible, so things that are small and easily transported are targets. If you don’t have a safety deposit box, store these types of items in a fireproof lockbox. Great places to hide the lockbox are in children’s bedrooms or playrooms, laundry room, garage, or the kitchen. Thieves will look in master bedrooms and living spaces.
  • Remove Your Spare Key(s). If a criminal figures out you’re away on vacation, it’s likely that they will first check your porch and obvious locations for a spare key.  That plastic rock or hiding place under a mat/flowerpot won’t fool them.
  • Keep quiet on social media. Don’t announce you are leaving or your whereabouts right before or during your vacation. Many of us enjoy keeping up with friends and family on platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. The perceived anonymity of the Internet can encourage us to share personal information without fully realizing that there could be strangers viewing our daily musings. So try to avoid posting pictures and updates showing you at locations away from home until you are home.
  • Be careful what you say on your voicemail or email auto-response. People trying to reach you don’t need to know that you’re out of town — they just need to know that you can’t respond right now.

Then, for the highest level of assurance, alert your:

  • Home Security Company and double-check that your door and window alarms are activated before you leave. Also, leave a house key and the code with someone you trust and provide the police and alarm company with their name and phone number.
  • Consider adding cameras or a video doorbell to your home security system so you can check on your home while you are away.

And if your home is not monitored, consider adding that service for 24/7 protection.

Final Tip: Right before leaving , save yourself and the environment and Pull the Plug!  Disconnecting the power to electronics, like computers, routers, televisions, and other appliances can save you money while you’re gone and eliminate worry. Turning off your garage door opener is also an effective way to keep thieves from opening it with a universal remote. Finally, never leave a portable GPS in your car when parking at the airport. It’ll alert thieves that you’re not home and give them a convenient map to your house.

Secur-Tek wishes you and your families a safe and worry-free vacation holiday!

Secur-Tek’s provides home and business security in Central North Carolina, including Raleigh and the Research Triangle area.  If you are interested in a home security system or would like to add monitoring to your current system, please give us a call at 919-387-1800.

More than Home and Business Security Systems

home and business security banner

Security is our industry, but at Secur-Tek, it’s not just a business.  Our job is to help people feel safe, more secure, and able to get help when it’s urgently needed.

As a locally owned and operated company based in Apex, North Carolina, we are proud to serve our neighbors in the greater Triangle area, including:  Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Pittsboro.

We appreciate our customers. If you contact us, we’ll take the time to understand your situation and give you an honest quote on a quality security system customized to fit your needs.

Our installation is done by trained technicians who are part of our team, not subcontractors. And we service what we sell.

Some of the custom security system features frequently asked for include:

  • Cameras – indoor and outdoor cameras
  • Security – dual technology motion detectors, with the combined strength of microwave and PIR technologies providing superior detection and reduced false alarms
  • Video doorbells – see who is at your door without having to be there
  • Smart locks – go key free; lock and unlock from anywhere

Secur-Tek can also include smart devices that can make your life more convenient, all connected by the Resideo Total Connect® app, including:

  • MyQ Garage door control
  • Smoke and CO detectors – these life safety devices actively protect you 24/7, even if the system is not armed
  • Temperature controls – to control your climate and save money on your heating/cooling bills
  • Water leak monitors

We also offer special customizations to make life easier for senior citizens. With our Total Connect app, family members can receive event notifications and alerts, letting them know when the senior arms/disarms the security system or presses a button to call for help. When needed, a text alert can be sent when a medicine cabinet or the door to the garage is opened.  And it can help with communication – for example, having a Total Connect camera near the TV will allow the caregiver to chat with their loved ones after their favorite program.

We’ve been in business since 1990 and have many long-time customers. We’ve grown by referral. And we appreciate that!

If you have any questions or would like a complimentary quote, please call us at 919-387-1800 or fill in the form below.