Reed Security Must Reads - Guides

REED SECURITY CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE PLAN

virgil@reedsecurity.ca — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 15:23:00 -0600

To Our People - Clients, Dealers, Staff and Community,

At Reed Security we're paying attention to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. It's unsettling and share the same concerns as you.

We have increased measures to Reduce the Spread. We encourage you to consult these trusted sources before making any decisions or disseminating any information:

INCREASED MEASURES

As of today none of our employees have traveled to a country or area with an “Active Travel Health Notice” per Public Health Canada. If an employee did we would not allow the person to return to work until the end of the mandatory government recommended self-quarantine - which is currently 14 days.
If you (employee) travel outside of Saskatchewan please consult a government website to assess the risk level and current protocols for your trip and return. All travel outside of Saskatchewan should be disclosed to the office for the safety of all employees and our clients.
If you (employee) are faced with self-isolation and do not have adequate supplies please let us know and we will do our best to assist you.
If you have upper-respiratory symptoms (headache, coughing, fever, other flu-like symptoms), please notify us and stay home; and we recommend you consult a doctor and a trusted information source to determine the best next steps.

As of today most clinics and doctors offices request that you call first if you think you have COVID-19 so that they can be prepared for your arrival.
Please do not come to work within 24 hours of having symptoms of a cold or flu.
If a household member is symptomatic, but unconfirmed COVID-19 please consult a professional and use your best discretion in deciding when it’s safe to return to work.

Should you (employee) require self-isolation or extended time off for illness please contact Employment Canada about benefits.
If you (employee) are confronted with someone who is COVID-19 symptomatic please maintain a safe distance of at least 2 meters or 6 feet, as always you have the right to refuse work that you think is unsafe.
While we are extremely happy with the job our cleaning staff does we have requested they increase their current cleaning to include wiping down public surfaces with alcohol based wipes.
Our goal is to reduce the staff in the office at any given time by 20%. Please discuss work from home or reduced in office days with your manager.

REDUCE THE SPREAD

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and especially after using the restroom and before eating.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, wherever available.
Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes.
Avoid shaking hands, hugging, or other personal contact.
If you need to cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your bend of your elbow.
Wipe down your cell phone with alcohol based wipe several times per day.
Once per day wipe down public surfaces with an alcohol based wipes. This includes the front counter, light switches, door knobs, proximity card readers, and security system keypads.
Everyone (including clients) is required to wash their hands before and after using our boardroom.
Do not share computers, desks or phones.
Where possible do not share tools or van space.
Anyone can be denied entry into our office, or asked to leave the office if they are displaying symptoms that make our staff feel unsafe, a sign will be posted to indicate this at the front door of our office.

INCREASED FIELD STAFF MEASURES MARCH 16TH, 2020

Field staff are our sales representatives and technicians.
Field staff are to have hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes with them.
Field staff should wash or sanitize our hands Before, During and After a site visit.
Technicians should wipe down equipment that multiple people touch at the end of an installation. (i.e Keypads, Proximity Card Readers, Monitors, Keyboards, Mouse’s, etc.)
Field staff are to ensure they are not exhibiting any symptoms as outlined by the trusted sources listed above before coming to work.
Do not come to work within 24 hours of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
If you traveled outside of Saskatchewan, you must disclose it to management.
Do not share vehicles as much as possible.
Wipe down steering wheels, gear shifters, keys, radios, interior door handles, etc… with disinfectant wipes regularly.
If you have a cough or sneeze, please remove yourself from the area, cough/sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your elbow. Wash/sanitize your hands (especially in the presence of others).

UPDATED COVID-19 MEASURES MARCH 16TH, 2020

All employees are to stay at least one meter apart.
Please wash your hands before entering and after exiting the lunch room and board room.
All employees are to eat lunch at their desks. You may use the lunch room to prepare or store your lunch but no lingering.
Daily huddles and weekly meetings should take place via Zoom app if you cannot maintain the one meter safe distance.
We are wiping down of all “public” surfaces once per day. All office should help (we have a checklist).

Employees that have been approved to work from home must submit the following:

A photo of their home work space including the computer/technology you plan to use at home.
Confirmation you can access your desktop computer via ZOHO Assist. Geoff and Garrett can help you set this up.
Confirmation of how you intend to take and make phone calls.
i.e. my cell number is this please forward calls to my cell and I will call people back from my cell
No files, paper or inventory should be removed from the office. If you require a document SCAN IT and SAVE IT to your Office 365 One Drive.
Sales Team can take documentation you are actively working on home, but you must leave an itemized list on your desk of what you are removing from the office.

Permanent Work Changes:

All contracts, maps, security drawings, JIFC Forms and client related paperwork are to be scanned and uploaded to the client MKS file. If you need a reminder how to do this please ask.
Use ZOHO Assist to access your Desktop PC remotely.
All WO and WO related materials should be photographed and emailed to the office to be stored digitally in the client MKS file.

Temporary Work Changes:

Filing

The Admin Team will continue to file, however we will file in a weekly rotation i.e. new empty bin will be put out each Monday subsequently the old bin will be removed and filed sometime that week. This is to allow a 48 hour “cooling off" period for all files.
If you require a file that is in a bin please wash or sanitize your hands before and after looking for the file.
If you require a file that is at another employee's desk please have them have them retrieve it for you. If this isn't possible please wash or sanitize your hands before and after looking for the file.

The Management Team at Reed Security is reviewing the situation daily. We will provide additional updates when available.

4 REASONS YOU NEED HD SECURITY CAMERAS AT YOUR BUSINESS RIGHT NOW

virgil@reedsecurity.ca — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:02:00 -0600

Do you really know what goes on at your business when you’re not there to see it firsthand?

Is your business as well-protected as it should be?

Is your business as efficient as it should be?

As a business owner or Manager you want to ensure your investment is protected against losses from theft, false claims or inefficiency. Having an effective HD video surveillance system will deter external theft, deter internal theft (shoplifting, employee theft), record crimes, record claims and record processes.

1. REDUCE LOSSES, INCREASE PROFITS

One of the benefits of installing ReedHD™ security cameras are that they simply deter crime. Potential criminals will see that you have taken extra steps to protect your business and its patrons – and may be deterred from stealing or vandalizing knowing you have the ability to catch them in the act.

An additional visibility measure is to place a Public Display monitor (a camera used to monitor one area full-time) showing customers as they enter your business. When they see themselves on camera at the front of the store, they will be less likely to shoplift.

Recommended Indoor Security Camera Coverage:

Minimize blind spots
All entrances - main doors should be at face level
Cash registers; you want to be able to see the customer as well as the cash area
Hallways
Storage areas
Warehouses
Work areas
Seating areas

Recommended Outdoor Security Camera Coverage:

Minimize blind spots
All entrances – main doors should be at face level
All driveway “Choke Points” – where vehicles enter and leave the property
Parking lots
Compounds
Work areas

All ReedHD™ Video Surveillance systems record for 10-90 days and come with smartphone and desktop apps. You can keep an eye on things from anywhere!

TIP: Add a microphone and sync it with a camera to record audio and remotely listen where laws permit.

TIP: Upgrade to ReedHD™ Smart Cameras and get instant notifications when People or Vehicles enter security camera view.

ABOVE: SUPERMODELS / SUPERTECHS CODY AND CURTIS FINISHED THEIR INSTALLATIONS EARLY AND CAME BACK TO THE OFFICE AT 3:41:55 PM TO PREPARE FOR TOMORROW.

2. IMPROVE EFFICIENCY & SAFETY

What time do your employees arrive to work or leave for home everyday?

What time do mobile employees leave or arrive back from job sites?

What are your employees doing while they’re at work?

All security cameras have a date and time stamp. The data can be used to run your business more efficiently – and profitably!

Employees are your greatest asset. Let them know their safety is a priority, especially if they’re required to walk to and from their vehicles in the dark at extremely early or late hours.

Video surveillance of parking areas can reduce vehicle break-ins and vandalism, as well as increase the personal safety of customers and employees as they enter and exit their cars.

TIP: For best results make sure there is adequate lighting.

ABOVE: INDOOR SECURITY CAMERAS SHOULD BE INSTALLED AT ALL ENTRANCES AND HALLWAYS. EVENTS ARE RECORDED 10-90 DAYS AND CAN BE ACCESSED WITH SMARTPHONE AND DESKTOP APPS.

3. REDUCE LIABILITY

Did your employee get injured on the job?

Was there a slip and fall outside your business?

How can accidents be prevented?

While most claims are legitimate, some claims made by customers and employees can be fraudulent. With an effective HD video surveillance system there is less likelihood that a false claim will succeed. With a HD video surveillance system, checking the video for the area where the incident occurred should become standard practice when completing your initial incident investigation.

TIP: At a minimum, save and copy 2 minutes of the recording both before and after the indicated time of the incident. Reviewing the additional footage can help in determining the cause of an incident.

TIP: Even if you don’t see anything on the video when you look at it, SAVE IT!

Fraudulent claims can be costly to your business and you want to take advantage of every defense tool you can.

ABOVE: PROTECT EMPLOYEES BY INSTALLING SECURITY CAMERAS AT PARKING LOTS. MAKE SURE THERE IS ADEQUATE LIGHTING.

4. MEET INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Want to avoid an insurance rate increase?

Some insurance companies require security cameras with Live Video Monitoring service or an on-site private security guard to reduce the risk of loss.

A private security guard @ $25 per hour can add up to an expense of $10,000+ a month. The security guard cannot cover the entire property or record incidents 24/7.

If you have a construction site or fenced compound Live Video Monitoring will quickly pay for itself. In fact, Live Video Monitoring is 50% less expensive.

TIP: Install a combination of fixed security and PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) security cameras so that a remote operator can zoom in on suspects.

If you are having a problem with THEFT or would like MORE CONTROL, We Can Help!

SASKATOON SECURITY

Reed Security Headquarters
Call 306.653.3200

SuRe InnoVations
Call 306.974.0888

REGINA SECURITY
Call 306.206.0700

PRINCE ALBERT SECURITY
Call 306.922.7200

EDMONTON SECURITY
Call 855.424.2324

CALGARY SECURITY
Call 587.393.2800

24/7 ULC MONITORING STATIONS
Call 1.800.268.6870

STEALTH/UCIT VIDEO MONITORING STATIONS

Call 1.866.756.7847

4 WAYS TO INCREASE FARMYARD AND ACREAGE SECURITY IN 2019

virgil@reedsecurity.ca — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 11:11:00 -0600

Grainews.ca recently consulted Virgil Reed, Founder, CEO of Reed Security on options to increase farmyard security.

Not so long ago, farmyard security meant keeping a rifle and ammunition handy. “Farmyard security has always been an issue, but today there’s a lot more awareness about it due to events in the media,” says Reed.

“Farms have poor response times from the police due to their remote locations, so farmers need to take more proactive measures and create a security plan in the event an unwanted visitor comes in their yards. The security plan should include professional security solutions as well as common sense.”

“Stay away from Wi-Fi cameras and always install wired whenever possible,” cautions Reed. “Wi-Fi cameras are unreliable and the signal is often too weak or has interference. We’ve learned this the hard way over the past 18 years. We do install commercial grade Wi-Fi antennas when we need to connect the home to a shop or barn, but the antennas require direct line of site.”

Here are 4 WAYS TO INCREASE FARMYARD AND ACREAGE SECURITY IN 2019:

1. HIGH DEFINITION

Reed says a four-camera ReedHD™ High Definition Camera package from Reed Security with professional installation offers superior quality imaging to cameras on offer online or at big box stores. Reed’s cameras record in 2MP to 4K, or four times the quality of 1080p HD. These cameras all have IR NightVision that allow the camera to see 100 to 300 feet in pitch dark.

Hint: Proper lighting is crucial to camera performance. Rather than relying on NightVision keep your yard lights on and add Motion Lighting for best results.

2. SMART CAMERAS

Video motion detection is unreliable and causes too many false alerts - the weather, the lighting and wildlife all create false alerts. You cannot depend on video motion detection - you will become frustrated and you start to ignore the alerts.

Instead, we recommend ReedHD™ Smart Cameras with Avigilon people and vehicle detection. This technology uses sophisticated video analytics to minimize false alerts. Smart security cameras learn the site and only alert a user's smart phone when an actual car, truck or person is in the view of the camera. Existing i.p. security cameras can be upgraded to smart cameras with an Avigilon Blue subscription.

3. HD SMART PTZ

HD SMART PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) security cameras allow the user to control the camera similarly to a joystick. Instead of a joystick the user controls the HD PTZ camera from a smart phone, tablet, PC or NVR. Our 2MP security camera has a 30x optical zoom (4.3 to 129 mm lens with auto-focus) that allows the user to clearly see over 1,000 feet in both day and night. Available in HD or SMART.

Hint: HD SMART PTZ cameras should be installed in conjunction with HD cameras. HD SMART PTZ cameras can only record 90 degrees field of view when not controlled by the user.

4. ALARM.COM INSTANT ALERTS

If you already have video surveillance cameras and do not want to upgrade to smart cameras, we can install wireless motion sensors to cover your driveway. When movement is detected you will receive an alarm.com instant alert on your smartphone. You can then log-in to your existing smartphone app and view cameras. This option requires a professionally installed home security system and alarm.com subscription.

Hint: Most wireless motion sensors are not built for harsh climates. Install an outdoor model such as the DSC PG-9994.

SOURCE: GRAINEWS.CA, REEDSECURITY.COM

If you would like more information on Smart Home or Business Security & Automation please Contact Us for a Free Security Evaluation.

SASKATOON SECURITY INQUIRIES
Reed Security Headquarters
Call 306.653.3200 or 1.844.384.SAFE (7233)
SuRe InnoVations
Call 306.974.0888
PRINCE ALBERT SECURITY INQUIRIES
Call 306.922.7200
CALGARY SECURITY INQUIRIES
Call 587.393.2800
REGINA SECURITY INQUIRIES
Call 306.206.0700