We have spoken before about the increase in home automation devices and how they will make our lives easier and technologically smarter.

The ability to view CCTV cameras remotely on smartphones has been a technology around for a while, but lately we are also seeing the introduction of smart alarms that can be remotely controlled.

Another announcement has come out lately from Keybury security, a company who have been championing remote CCTV viewing, to say that they are now providing a remote control app which connects to your home alarm system.

Being able to control your alarm system from your smartphone means you can view your home security and take any action needed even when you are away from your property.  Push notifications inform you when the system has been armed, disarmed or even if there has been an activation.  No more worrying if you have forgotten to set the alarm when you let the house – you can check your phone and set it from there!

Home automation is expected to be common place in many UK homes in just a few years, with more industries developing technology to keep ahead of the curve.

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Through winter and the long, dark evenings, there was lots of advice online about keeping your home secure due to the increase in crime at that time of year. Now that the weather is picking up, the days are longer and spring is in the air, it is important not to let the security of your home slip.

Police have been issuing warnings to the public to still keep their homes secure, as 1 in 3 burglaries occur due to insecure homes.

Be cautious about leaving windows and doors open, even when you are in the house. The temptation may be high as the weather improves, but opportunist burglars will be on the lookout for any valuables in sight that are easily accessible.

It is also important to remember to set your alarm system when you are out of the house, or go to bed. Burglar alarms are a strong deterrent for burglars who are looking for an easy target.

It is also possible to get your existing intruder alarm maintained and checked regularly to make sure everything is in working order. A maintained alarm is also less likely to have a false alarm, making it more reliable for you, and less annoying for your neighbours! Find out more about having your alarm maintained here.

So enjoy the better weather and longer days, but remember to still keep your home as secure as you would through the winter.

West Yorkshire Police have also launched their summer campaign for 2016, highlighting the importance of keeping your home secure, even when you are just out in the garden.
http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/burglary

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A surprising number of people believe that a dog is enough security for your home. Others think that if you have pets roaming in your home that you would not be able to have a burglar alarm set. Both these statements are untrue. Pet friendly alarm sensors are the answer.

Having a dog should not be considered an alternative to a house alarm. You may think your loyal pet will deter burglars, but even the most intimidating dogs have been shown to shy away for strangers. Although rare, there have even been some cases of pets being taken by the burglars.

Having a dog specifically for security purposes could work out costing you much more in food and vets bills. Insurance companies can also offer you a discount on your home insurance for having an approved alarm system fitted. This discount will not apply if your alarm system is your dog. In fact, having a guard dog as your primary security could actually increase your home insurance costs as it is introducing a liability risk that would not exist with a burglar alarm.

Most importantly, if your dog is away with you, your home is then left completely unprotected.

Making pet friendly changes to your home alarm system is a way of reliably protecting your home AND your pet.

Fit pet immune sensors within the areas of your house that your pets roam. This will allow you to set your alarm properly when you are out or asleep, and your pets will not set it off. These pet friendly alarms sensors are programmed not to react to movement or heat which comes from something of the size of your animal. However, if a human were to walk through the room it would activate.

You can find even more information on pet friendly intruder alarms on this related blog.

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Last year we took a look at the future of CCTV and alarms and how technology was improving the way we use this equipment.

A year on, many of these predications in trends have become a reality, with more homes embracing the automation side of home security.

Home automation includes the control of your home electronics from one remote hub.  This could be your lighting, your sound system, your heating and now even your door locks, alarm system and CCTV.

Being able to control your whole home from the palm of your hand simplifies the use of these systems.  With most people owning smartphones, this automation is becoming easier as the handsets are already owned.  Simply download an app and you have your remote with you at all times.

When using smartphones, the automation can go even further, by detecting your device on arrival to the home by Bluetooth, and automatically unlocking your door and disarming your alarm.

The possibilities are ever growing.  Turn your heating on as you’re leaving work and check up on your pets through your CCTV cameras throughout the day.  With these features becoming more cost effective, even local companies are able to provide you with top end, high quality security for your home.

Keybury currently offer CCTV remote viewing and are soon rolling out the ability to set and unset your alarm from your smartphone.

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“Why get an alarm when nobody pays attention to it going off?”

There is a reason people tend to agree with this statement. If your alarm is prone to activating without due cause, this could get annoying for your neighbours and in turn lead them to believe all activations are false, even in the event of a real intrusion.

This is even more important if you have a monitored system as false alarms could lead to the monitoring being withdrawn for wasting police time.

Occasionally, system faults occur which are unavoidable, but the majority of false activations are due to user error. Take a look at our tips below to help reduce the number of false activations on your alarm, particularly around the festive period.

System not fit for purpose
If your alarm system was not fit by someone with knowledge of security systems, it may be likely that some design mistakes may have been made, leading to incorrect devices being placed in rooms which require pet friendly detectors for example, or dual tech sensors for warm spaces such as conservatories. (Read more about this in our summer blog)

Incorrect operation
Make sure anyone who has access to the house knows how to use the alarm. It is also wise to inform friends and family of what to do if they do accidentally set off your alarm.

Poor maintenance
Having your alarm regularly serviced is one of the best ways to prevent false alarms. This can avoid battery failures which could lead to the alarm activating during a power cut. Regular servicing will also allow the engineer to notice any small issues before they develop into a fault.

Windows or Doors left insecure
Leaving windows or doors open, especially during winter, can lead to false activations as wind or rain can cause movement inside the house. Keeping the house secure also prevents any wildlife from making its way inside and being construed as an intruder.

Décor
At Christmas time many people decorate their homes, but it is a good idea to think about where you are positioning them. Central heating can move lighter decorations which may be hung near to radiators, causing them to be detected by your alarm. Decorations and cards which could fall are also likely to cause an activation. It is important that you do not hang decorations in the direct line of your alarm sensors.

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As the countdown to Christmas starts, make sure your home is secure to stop any unwanted visitors this season.
There are lots of ways you can prevent a break in this Winter – take a read of our tips to help keep your home safe.

Don’t leave gifts on show
Avoid putting presents where they can be seen from outside, even wrapped gifts. Leaving valuables in full view is showing opportunist burglars exactly what they could get their hands on. Keep gifts away from windows and common hiding places. It is also a good idea to keep any receipts in a separate safe place so burglars cannot claim ownership or return items.

Disguise items in your car
It is not just gifts in your home you should keep out of clear view. When out shopping, make sure you do not advertise any valuable contents in your car. Keep items in the boot or covered up.

Leave lights on
Over Christmas time we tend to spend more time and social functions and visiting family and friends. This leaves our houses empty more often, so try your best to make your home look as if someone is home. On long dark evenings it can be very obvious if you have not yet returned home. Leaving some lights on can be a quick fix and trick a would-be-burglar passing by.

Lock windows
Most people remember to lock their doors, but remember to also secure your windows. A large number of break ins occur through unlocked windows and doors with no forced entry.

Set your alarm
Make sure your burglar alarm is set when you leave your home and when you go to bed. A burglar alarm is a deterrent to burglars who are more likely to target a less secure home. If you do not have a home alarm, now is a good time to invest. It could be easier than you think to get one installed quickly and cleanly.

Delivery management
Online shopping is very popular for Christmas shopping, but be aware of having deliveries left unattended outside your home. Make sure any deliveries are left with a neighbour or brought to a depot. “Safe Places” are often still accessible by strangers, so if you are not at home to receive your parcels, have a secure plan in place. Packages outside are also a sign that your home is empty.

Don’t leave empty boxes outside your home
The same rule applies for empty packaging after Christmas. A big TV box or laptop packaging lets burglars know exactly which new items you have in your home. Don’t advertise your valuable, dispose of your packaging carefully.

Be cautious of social media
Just as it is important not to advertise your valuables with empty packaging, be careful not to advertise your new gadgets on social media either. Social media can also let burglars know if families are away from home, so be aware about the amount of information you publish to the world.

Mark your belongings
It is good practise to make a note of serial numbers of your belongings and mark them with your postcode or contact details. This can help to track them down if they are stolen and can also make them less desirable to burglars as markings will make them more difficult to sell on.

Secure garages and shed
Garages and sheds tend to be used less in the winter months, so be sure they are left secure. Expensive power tools or sports equipment could be a target to burglars. Tools may also be used to gain access to your home if they are not property locked away.

Don’t hide spare keys outside
With many people coming and going it can be tempting to leave a spare key outside for someone coming in from a late night. Leaving keys to your home that are accessible to everyone is a very high risk, no matter how well hidden you think they may be. If you must leave a key outside your home, a lock safe is a less risky option. It is much better not to leave a key out at all.

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National Home Safety Month – October 15
Crime increases when the clocks get put back. Winter is a peak time for burglaries with longer nights providing cover.
It not only pays to be prepared, but as the nights draw in, make sure you scrutinise your home as a burglar would. The peace of mind is worth the extra effort of ensuring your house is secure.
It is not just about having the right security measures in place – it is also about using them. Failure to do so not only provides easy pickings for opportunistic criminals, it also means home insurance policies could be invalidated.
Now is the ideal time to ensure security measures are in place.

Burglary stats
– 63% increase in burglaries during winter months.
– 26% increase on Halloween and Bonfire nights.
– Most burglaries take place between 4 – 7pm on dark winter evenings.
– In 57% of cases someone is at home while burglary committed.
– The risk of burglary is twice as high in urban areas than in rural areas.
– Typically burglars spend 60 seconds breaking into a home with 73% of cases gaining entry through the front door.
– The value of burglaries have risen by more than 40% in the last 3 years due to the increase in laptops, tablets and smartphone. 37% of people leave these valuable gadgets in places easily accessible by burglars.

Goods commonly stolen
Computers – 34%
Money – 34%
Electrical – 30%
Jewellery – 24%
Mobiles – 17%

- 12 million consumers feel a burglar alarm is a deterrent.
– A home without an alarm is 2 – 3 times more likely to be burgled.
– 85% of police officials surveyed believe alarms deter burglars.
– 60% of burglaries on homes with a security system installed failed.
– Burglars bypass houses that require effort.

Most common home security mistakes
– 1 in 5 Brits admit to leaving their door unlocked when they leave the house.
– 94% of homeowners leave windows open.
– 52% of homeowners hide keys by doorways.
– 78% leave valuables in easy view of passers-by.
– Posting your whereabouts on social media effectively advertises your absence to potential burglars.
– Keys left in the door, allows for burglars to fish through the letterbox.
– Valuables stored in obvious places, for example under the bed.
– Letters and bills simply discarded leads to identity theft.

Ways to secure your property
– Timer switches on lights are a good deterrent. It makes it appear that someone is home even if you’re not.
– Small indications of security consciousness could be enough for a burglar to pass your house and try another. For example, if your gate is closed you are likely to be more vigilant if your gate is wide open and you only have one lock on your door, it looks like you are a bit lax on security. If your front entrance gives this impression, it is likely that the back of your home is even less secure.
– Pets are unlikely to put people off, it more likely means that home alarms have not been set. Cat flaps also weaken the structure of doors.
– Calendars in homes give burglars an indication of when the house will be empty, with appointments and holidays written with exact dates and times. Try to place these in less obvious places, particularly not on view from outside.
– Don’t skimp on an alarm system, buy from a reputable company. Burglars will be able to identify a cheaper, less reliable system. Bell boxes act as a deterrent, security cameras even more so.
– 60% of burglaries fail on homes with alarms, yet 71% of homes in the UK do not have an alarm fitted.
– Make side gates more difficult to climb by not having a handle someone could stand on to get over, or add trellis to the top.
– Make sure seeing into your house is obscured by curtains or blinds, but it is a good idea to keep window locks visible to show they are secure.
– Make your letterbox more difficult to see or reach through.

Imagine you were locked out, how would you get in?
Prevent burglars from doing the same.

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False alarms are not only an irritation, but they can lead to people ignoring alarms which could be dangerous in the event of a real activation.

Insurance approved installers carry out constant monitoring on the amount and reasons for false activations to help prevent them from happening.  From looking at the reasons that alarms go off unintentionally it allows us find ways to avoid them.

Many false alarms occur by the homeowner forgetting their code or making a mistake on the panel.  Learning to use your alarm properly is important in making sure it is working correctly and protecting your home.  Don’t shy away from setting your alarm because you are scared of setting it off (a surprisingly common occurrence), simply ask your alarm engineer to walk you through the panel on your next service visit, or give them a call.  Key fobs are also a great way to avoid forgetting codes.  These are particularly useful in premises with a large number of people using the system.  Simply swipe the key fob to set and unset the alarm.

The design of a system can also affect its reliability.  Some sensors are not well suited to rooms which may quickly heat up during the day, for instance a conservatory or kitchen.  These rooms are better suited to having dual technology sensors fit as infrared sensors detects changes in temperature to notice body heat.  This will be thrown off by rooms that frequently and quickly fluctuate vastly in terms of temperature.  Having a sensor which also tracks movement will help balance out the false triggers.  Here is an informative blog all about this issue.

Not keeping the premises secure is another major factor is false alarms.  Some buildings may have a window or vent left open that birds or other wildlife may be able to squeeze through.  This movement will almost certainly trigger your alarm system so remember to check all windows and doors are secure before setting your alarm at the end of the day.

Too many false alarms in a set amount of time may lead to losing police monitoring contracts so it is important to do what you can to avoid them.  Having your alarm system regularly serviced is also advised to make sure the system is working as it should be.

Keybury have written a large amount about these false alarms issues, find out what they have to say here.

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Having a security alarm is welcomed by many insurance companies and could even save you money!  The requirements vary from company to company, but I have compiled a few points from top insurance websites to give you a taste of what the majority ask for.  To find out about your specific insurer and whether you are entitled to a reduction in insurance premiums it is a good idea to inform your insurer of your alarm systems specification.

Aviva

Aviva have a lot of information on their website regarding security systems.  They say that finding an alarm company that will provide the right level of cover are “most easily established by selecting a company that holds a suitable external accreditation for their activities.”  “ARMS (Aviva Risk Management Solutions) suggests that the best indicator of competence across all areas is companies having NSI or SSIAB approval.”

http://www.aviva.co.uk/risksolutions/help/faq/answer/1733/

http://www.aviva.co.uk/home/home-advice/article/guide-security-systems/

Confused.com

Confused.com have a list of ways to reduce your home insurance, No. 10 is:
“Install a burglar alarm.  Burglar proofing your home could reduce your contents insurance premiums.  Fit a burglar alarm or security system – preferably one that is NACOSS approved.”

There is also a full blog about the subject on their site here: http://www.confused.com/home-insurance/guides/saving-money-with-a-burglar-alarm

Direct Line

Direct Line also mention burglar alarms on their website, “Fit a good quality, approved alarm – look out for British Standard BS4737.  Help reduce risk of theft from your home – and save on your home insurance too!”

http://www.directline.com/home-insurance/advice/burglary

Moneysupermarket.com

Again, in the “saving money” section:
“Secure your home – Insurers look favourably on customers who make their home secure because it reduces the likelihood of theft.  A good tip is to install a burglar alarm.  But not just any alarm.  Most firms will insist on an approved system before they will consider cutting the cost of cover.  The NACOSS standard alarm, for example, can reduce premiums in some cases by as much as 7.5%”

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/home-insurance/money-saving-tips/

Plenty to consider when you are thinking about your home or business security, it doesn’t have to cost you the world, and it could end up saving you money!

A similar blog can be found on the Keybury Fire and Security website with more information on the alarm systems and what level of security and accreditation insurance companies look for.

“It often pays to take precautions against a claim. High quality locks, burglar alarms, smoke alarms and membership of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme can all reduce your premiums.”
(Moneysupermarket.com)

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1. Statistically you are less likely to suffer a break-in if you have an alarm fitted.

2. Having an alarm can reduce your insurance premiums (* usually this would require having a professionally installed system from an insurance-approved contractor e.g. a member NSI NACOSS Gold approved.)

3. Having pets no longer bars you from having an intruder-alarm system. There are a plethora of intelligent pet-immune detectors available.

4. In the UK when a burglar alarm is installed you should notify your local authority and give details of any keyholders.

5. Systems can be set and unset with the swipe of a proximity key-fob, no need to remember complicated codes.

6. The very latest systems allow remote setting and unsetting of a system via a smartphone app. You can let people into your home whilst you are on the beach!

7. Systems can give a guaranteed police response but must be installed and maintained by a police compliant installer.

8. Intelligent setting systems can alter the areas to be covered by monitoring the way you leave the building i.e. If you leave via the front door the system sets all floors in the house but if you go upstairs the system can decide to automatically set the ground floor only.
9. If you have a police response you must be able to supply details of at least two other keyholders who could attend your premises within twenty minutes of being informed.

10. Burglar alarms have vast logs and can remember thousands of events. This information is available to you at any time. Be careful what time you tell your partner you got in last night as it’s quiet simple to check!

So there it is, ten basic facts that perhaps not everyone knows. What would you add to the list? Feel free to add a comment below.

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