People spend a lot of money each year on their houses, home improvements, furnishings, gadgets and making their ‘happy place’ an even happier place.  With this in mind, many home-owners are becoming increasingly security-conscious in order to protect their home and belongings from potential intruders.

There are a variety of home security systems on the market and here we look at what is available and the benefits.

Audible only alarm – this can also be known as a ‘bells only’ alarm and, as the name suggests, is an intruder alarm which simply sounds an audible warning.  This may cause an inquisitive glance or a raised eyebrow from a neighbour but there will be no automatic police response. These alarms can be wired or can also be provided as a wireless system.  It is also possible to set up mobile phone notifications so that you can be alerted in the event of an alarm. The audible warning may be enough to deter an intruder but you may be looking for something more from your home security investment.

Monitored alarm – this system also sounds an alarm bell but has the added benefit of signals that transmit to an alarm receiving centre who will in turn inform the local police force who will attend the scene to investigate further.  Within the monitored alarm category there are a few sub-types; all differing slightly from each other:

DualCom is probably the most popular and recognised monitored alarm.  It uses the Vodafone network and your own phone or IP path to swiftly transmit intruder signals.  DualCom always has a back-up path in the instance of an accidental or deliberate fault on any path.

Digital communicators pass digital data to an alarm receiving centre 24 hours per day who can then respond according to your needs.  These systems give the centre additional information regarding who has set and unset the system plus invaluable information on specific rooms that have been entered.

BT Redcare offers a variety of packages; the most basic being a constant check that a phone line is actively working.  Further enhancements offered include added protection of a GSM radio back-up path with confirmed activations resulting in a response from the police. 

You would never knowingly put your family or home at risk so why not consider a home security system to protect your belongings and those who are important to you?

The post Residential security and the benefits of alarming your home appeared first on YY Security.

You may have read our post on access control systems.  These solutions are a great way to keep your premises protected during working hours.  But what about the evenings, weekends and holiday periods? How can you ensure your building and assets remain safe and secure when staff are not present?

Businesses in the UK lose millions of pounds each year to theft and vandalism.  Although a lot of organisations already have a commercial alarm in place on their premises, a great number do not. Statistics have shown that business premises without alarms are four and a half times more likely to be burgled than those with a reliable commercial security system.  With that being the case, an alarm really should be viewed as a necessity rather than a nice-to-have.

Commercial property alarms can be more cost efficient than you may think so here we look at the benefits of installing one…

First and foremost, the aim of an alarm is to deter intruders.  Often just seeing evidence of a fitted alarm may be enough to put off most trespassers.  However if a break-in does occur, an alarm is the best way to scare off the perpetrator and alert anyone in the vicinity of a potentially dangerous situation.

An alarm is now considered to be one of the most essential parts of a business’s operational strategy.  It is the single best way to protect your premises and the assets inside. Although security guards can offer a certain degree of safeguarding, a commercial alarm system is a device and associated service that is continuously working – no rest breaks, no naps, no stops for coffee!  The monitoring of the premises is by a series of sensors; so no worries about any human error! With an alarm, no on-site security personnel are required, meaning there is no possible risk to a staff member. The alarm systems use a series of sophisticated signals and sensors within the premises to detect movement within any part of the building and at any given time – this is functionality at its greatest and even the most experienced security guard couldn’t match its effectiveness.

Commercial alarm systems can be customised to a business’s specific needs.  Alarm service providers can make recommendations of systems to meet necessary UK standards and they can liaise with your insurance company on your behalf to ensure that any business-specific requirements and regulations are taken into account. 

A monitored commercial alarm system works in a similar way to a home monitored alarm system and can be either hard-wired or wireless installations. 

When sensors are triggered, signals are sent to an alarm receiving centre who will investigate the cause of the alarm and despatch the police rapidly if necessary.  These systems provide a most cost-effective solution with the added benefit of unequivocal reassurance for business owners.

With more recent technology it is possible to monitor the system remotely via an app, meaning you simply need a mobile phone with connectivity to the internet to have a constant overview of the security of your building.

When 24/7 security is this easy to set up and monitor, why would you not invest in an efficient and effective system that promises to keep your organisation and assets totally protected?

The post Commercial property alarms: does your business premises need one? appeared first on YY Security.

[Safeguarding your Home – PDF]

According to the latest statistics generated by the Government, over the last year, Great Britain’s fire and rescue services attended 212,500 fires. Thankfully, the statistics represent a progressive downward trend. The decrease in the number of property damage and fatalities has been helped mostly by a more vigilant plus thorough approach when it comes to fire safety.

If you are a landlord, an owner or occupier of any business or non-domestic premises, it’s clear that you need to have a fire alarm system because as the requirements of the government state you are legally liable for fire safety. These liable people are required to provide fire safety equipment that’s adequate within their premises, together with a fire detection system that is fully functioning in place. Some businesses need higher levels of fire protection than others because of their trading activities, the material they handle or the size of the business.

What Type of Fire Alarm System Is Ideal for My Needs?

Typically, the first step is carrying out a risk assessment. What is the furthest anyone has to travel to reach the exit? Can a fire in any way cut off the only means of escape? What about the layout of the building and the challenges of narrow corridors, basements and staircases.

You can get advice tailored specifically to your premises from specialists. Also, it is worth browsing the United Kingdom government’s general advice on workplace fire safety and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. On 7 June 2005, this Order was made into law and on 1 Oct 2006, it came into force. The following two key principles are what the document is anchored on:

Owners of buildings and companies have to designate a ‘responsible person’ to make sure compliance with the law plus heighten fire protection awareness.
There has to be an adequate way of detecting fire as well as raising the alarm.
A ‘responsible person’ can be you or any professional fire safety company. As for deciding what is adequate, it all depends. For instance, for a few employees who work in a small, open plan office in a single storey, shouting ‘fire’ is apparently fine so long as there is no loud equipment running. However, keep in mind that fire spreads quickly and exits can end up getting cut off. Thus, for the majority of companies sounding the alarm as well as the fire detection has to be more reliable plus effective than shouting.

Fire Alarm Systems Types

While all the fire alarm systems typically operate on a similar principle (an alarm that is triggered by a smoke, a manual breakpoint or heat detector) most systems are classified under the categories below:

Addressable Fire Alarm Systems – They’re more sophisticated kind of system that can be programmed and take additional actions to protect your premises. They’re especially helpful for establishments where factors like recalling lifts to a particular exit floor, closing doors, triggering sprinkler systems or shutting down industrial equipment may be important.

Conventional Fire Alarms – They are made up of a central control panel that is wired up to separate fire detection zones. The zones rely on the equipment used in detection like smoke or heat detectors. The central control panel is alerted and sounds the alarm when the fire is detected by the automated system or manually. This kind of system offers a formula that is tried and tested, and it’s the best choice for new buildings because any wires can be integrated easily into the electrical network.

Wireless or Radio Fire Alarm Systems – They can function the same way, but they use radio signals rather than wires in sending instructions to various endpoints around your premises. This kind of system is popular because there are no wires involved, which can get damaged even before the alarm sounds. Also, it’s easier to install plus the lack of wires reduces disruption to buildings.

What Are the Other Elements You Should Consider?

Alarm Sounders – They can include horns, sirens and bells. The one that is going to be suitable for your business depends on ambient noise levels plus whether they have to be heard by everyone over the industrial machinery or wake occupants who are sleeping (for example, in a hospital or care home)

Manual Call Points – For buildings that are large, you may require numerous Break Glass Call Points. Workers should also never be over 30 metres from their closest call point. In areas that are regarded as high risk, there should be a greater number than that.

Detector Heads – They can be used in detecting various issues, including carbon monoxide, smoke and heat. Also, there are multi-detector heads that are capable of detecting more than one issue in your premises. Detector heads identify issues through the smoke that is affecting a light source or through sensing a predetermined temperature.

The post Fire Alarm System – Do I Need It? appeared first on YY Security.

[Safeguarding your Home – PDF]

Safety of your Loved Ones

When you leave your loved ones at home, especially children and the elderly members of the family, CCTV helps to monitor their safety. You can always check on them from anywhere you are. CCTV always sends the surveillance footage to smartphones and computers. Therefore, the surveillance footage of your loved ones will be sent directly to you from wherever you are. In the event of accidents, you can immediately offer help at any time. CCTV come in handy to assist in keeping your loved ones safe while you are not around.

Helps in Preventing Crimes

CCTVS are a major deterrent of crimes against homes or any of your properties. When intruders notice your home is under CCTV surveillance, they are likely to think twice before committing any crime in your home. The intruders are also highly likely to keep off your home for good. For the few brave burglars who manage to break into your home, their faces will be captured by CCTV, and the evidence can be used to prosecute the burglars. CCTV may not stop a crime from happening, but it can play a huge part in deterring crimes against homes. This is why most people prefer the use of CCTV to protect their homes.

Monitor Who Comes to Your Home

When you are not expecting a visitor, you would be reluctant in answering the door in your home. Not everyone is welcome in your home, as cases of insecurity rise every day. That is where CCTV comes in. When placed strategically outside your home, you can monitor anyone around your doorstep or anyone knocking on your door. You can then decide whether to respond to the knocks or simply ignore them if you spot a stranger, sales representative or any other unwelcome guests. CCTV helps keep off any disturbances in your home.

Brings a Sense of Security to your Home

A home that is under CCTV surveillance all the time makes you feel safe and protected. The fact that any insecurity against your home will be recorded on video gives you a sense of security in your home. Many people have adopted the use of CCTV in their homes in an effort to feel secure in their homes.

Monitor Children around the House

CCTV can help you monitor your children in different rooms around the house. You can keep them under surveillance while in a different room to know if they need your attention at any time. For older children who are running around the house, you can stop them from accessing off-limit areas around the house. This helps prevent minor household accidents from happening in your homes while in different rooms with your children.

Can be Used as Nanny Cameras

It is not that easy to leave your baby at home with a babysitter. You would be worried about the progress of your child or how they are relating with the nanny, especially if you have a new nanny. You would want to know how the new nanny is treating your child. That is why CCTV is very important. Using nanny cameras around your house will allow you to monitor how your baby is doing under the nanny’s care. It will help you know the kind of care your baby is getting, and then you can decide if it is the best or you need a different nanny.

Monitor what Goes on When you are not at Home

Each time you leave the house, you are always uncertain of what goes on around your house. CCTV helps capture all the happenings around the house. This will help you know if your workers back at home are doing their duties. You can find any explanation to what happens around your house in your absence.

CCTVs give you Peace of Mind

This is the most popular reason why CCTVs are widely used in many homes. Knowing that your entire home is under video surveillance all through the day will give you so much peace. You will feel safe around the house and monitor everything that happens in your home. Many people feel at peace when they are aware of what happens in their homes when they are not around, which is why more and more households have installed CCTVs.

The post Why CCTV is so Popular in Homes appeared first on YY Security.

[Safeguarding your Home – PDF]

Are you the kind of person who worries about the safety of possessions and family? Would you like more peace of mind when you lock the door and travel to work? Perhaps a discount on your home insurance might be very enticing. Or would you like to be able to give the impression you’re home when you’re not? All these can be solved by installing a home alarm system and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. You can do it yourself or bring in a professional to do it for you. To help you evaluate whether it’s worth the expense let’s look at some of the advantages.

The Advantages of a Home Alarm System

Proven deterrent – There have been a number of studies undertaken relating to the effectiveness of home alarm systems as a deterrent. Evidence shows that homes with alarms installed can make a significant difference to household crime in an area. And not just for those who have it installed. Residents have found a decrease in crime across the local area where the majority of properties have an alarm.

Peace of mind – This is an obvious benefit of installing a home security alarm. The minute you lock the door and leave home you can get on with your day without the worry of someone breaking in. If you’ve left children and animals at home unattended, you can also watch what’s going on. We promise we won’t tell if you don’t. Many of the modern systems available allow you to watch via remote cameras. So you can see the inside and outside of your home using a mobile phone.

Control electrical items and utilities – one useful feature of many alarm systems is that they allow you to switch on and off various electrical items around your home. Say you’re going away for a couple of weeks. It’s possible to programme the alarm system to switch lights on and off, giving the appearance someone is still at home. Thermostats can also be controlled remotely via the alarm system. Thereby allowing you to keep a tighter control of the utilities in your home. Possibly even saving money in the long run.

Reduced insurance premiums – Many household insurance companies will ask whether your home is alarmed when quoting for a policy. This is not just because your home is less likely to be burgled. It’s also so that a discount can be offered is a recommended alarm system has been installed. And that discount could be as much as 20%. It may be a requirement that the system is installed by a professional. But this isn’t always the case and some companies allow homeowners to install it themselves.

There’s a huge array of different home alarm systems to buy. It’s possible to get one to suit pretty much every budget. If you’re a little DIY savvy you could install a system yourself. But there’s always the options of getting a professional installation provider to do it for you.

The post Why a Home Alarm System is an Important Investment appeared first on YY Security.