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Winter’s Not-So-Gentle Reminder: Don’t Forget Video Surveillance and Security for Your Farm or Ranch

Winter’s Not-So-Gentle Reminder: Don’t Forget Video Surveillance and Security for Your Farm or Ranch

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Well before winter officially started on December 21, North Dakota was already dishing out all the extreme weather conditions farmers and ranchers face: snow, wind, ice, and frigid temperatures. These conditions can put structures, animals, and systems at risk if not monitored carefully, but it’s tough to see everything all day and all night.

From large-scale operations to smaller properties, it is critical for North Dakota farmers and ranchers to ensure that livestock and crops are safe during a storm. That structures are secure in blizzard conditions. And that heat is still running and water isn’t frozen when wind chills plummet.

Fortunately, video security and surveillance systems let farmers and ranchers keep a close eye on all that they built, invest in, and work so hard to run.

Monitor, adjust, and respond from anywhere. Many farmers head to warmer states in the winter, which might make things more comfortable but doesn’t change reality back home. This is when a security system can stand in as a 24/7 friend to check in and make sure all is well on the farm.

Temperature and water sensors let farmers monitor things remotely and detect a problem early, so they can fix issues before it’s too late. For example, a temperature sensor can send an alert via phone or other smart device if the furnace quits working. The farmer can act fast and arrange for repairs, even from many states away.

Prevent and deter theft or trespass. Video security and surveillance systems can help protect agricultural assets such as fuel tanks, machinery, outbuildings, holding pens, grain bins, water supplies – anything that needs oversight to ensure safety and profitability. They can also monitor driveways and structures to detect people entering the property.

Remotely accessible tools such as door and window sensors, glass break detectors, smart light controls, and door auto-locks provide many family farmers the peace of mind and confidence that their home and business will be waiting safely for them when they return. With 24/7 support, any disturbance triggers a live security response.

Specialists can scale video systems to meet the needs of your own farm or ranch. Wintertime and all year long, it’s never been easier to protect your livelihood and all that you hold dear.

STAY ALERT

STAY ALERT

Stay Alert – Beware of Medical Equipment Scam

Watch Out For Charity Scams Medicare spends billions of dollars a year on durable medical equipment (DME) — wheelchairs, walkers, braces, and other devices prescribed by doctors to help patients deal with an injury or chronic illness at home. That’s a boon to beneficiaries but also a big draw for fraudsters, who exploit older Americans’ health care concerns to enrich themselves.

In a medical equipment scam, scammers reach out with an offer of a “free” (as in, “Medicare will pay for it”) wheelchair or other DME. You might get an unsolicited phone call, see an advertisement, or be approached at a health fair. You’re told that all you must do to get the “free” item is provide your Medicare or Social Security number. If you do, your number will be used to fraudulently bill Medicare.

Why should you be concerned? Because Medicare fraud results in higher deductibles and copays for Medicare beneficiaries and can even put affected patients at risk. Always be suspicious of unsolicited “free” offers and never give out your Medicare number to anyone who isn’t a trusted health care provider.

Here are the warning signs of a medical equipment scam:
  • You receive an unsolicited call or other communication offering a free or low-cost medical device as a Medicare “benefit.”
  • Someone claiming to be from Medicare asks for your Medicare or Social Security number. Medicare representatives almost never make unsolicited calls to consumers and do not ask for personal information by phone.
  • Your quarterly Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or an explanation of benefits (EOB) from your health plan lists medical equipment you did not order or receive.
To protect yourself, do the following:
  • Hang up on unsolicited calls offering you a medical device that will be billed to Medicare.
  • Carefully review MSNs and EOBs. Call Medicare (800-633-4227) or your insurance company if you see claims for supplies or services you don’t recognize.
  • Be aware that if you accept an offer of medical equipment, you could be responsible for up to 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost of the item.
In addition, don’t order durable medical equipment over the phone unless advised to do so by your physician, and don’t be swayed by scare tactics, such as claims by an equipment provider that you should get a device now because Medicare is running out of money.

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SRT Donates $14,000 to Full STEAM Ahead

SRT Donates $14,000 to Full STEAM Ahead

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 MINOT, N.D. – SRT recently presented a check totaling the company’s support of Full STEAM Ahead’s Lego League Explore program.

Since 2019, SRT has donated $14,000 to the program, opening the door for hundreds of kids ages 6-14 to participate for free.

FIRST® LEGO® League is a branch of an international program that encourages kids to develop an early interest in fields related to science and technology.

“It’s been really great for the kids, working through new challenges by building and programming LEGOs. They really enjoy it, and the opportunity is available thanks to SRT,” said Ali Auch, Full STEAM Ahead Executive Director and Founder.

STEAM Teams Powered by SRT learn through exploratory research, hands-on construction, and the use of LEGO elements. The students work together to bring these robotic models to life.

“SRT believes in technology’s potential to improve life for people in our region,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “When young students pursue knowledge in this discipline, they are on the way to an exciting future and a meaningful education. We see the importance of STEAM in our business daily, and we are proud to support this program for local kids.”

Full STEAM Ahead is a nonprofit organization in Minot, ND that was formed in 2017. Full STEAM Ahead is an umbrella organization that helped meld youth with science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. 

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 190 people and serves roughly 8,000 square miles across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

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