As a homeowner, it’s important to do everything you can to protect your property and belongings. It’s natural to want to invest in protecting your home, in fact it is advised. On average, there are 1.3 million burglaries per year in England and Wales, and 3/5 burglaries are successful. For this reason, it is absolutely essential that you are installing viable and visible home security systems to prevent burglaries and protect your property if you are victim to a burglary.
Home security is essential in preventing a theft. And on the chance that your home is burgled, a working home security system will alert you, the authorities, and hopefully encourage the burglar to abandon their attempts before they’ve done any damage.
Home security systems
Burglar alarms
Burglar alarms are one of the most common home security systems. They work by sounding an alarm if someone tries to break into your property. This will immediately deter the burglar and hopefully cause them to flee the scene.
There are two main types of burglar alarm – wired and wireless. Wireless burglar alarms are becoming increasingly popular as they are easier to install and don’t require any drilling.
Having a burglar alarm offers peace of mind and increased security for when you’re at home or away. Additionally, having a visible burglar alarm can work to deter criminals from attempting to break into your property.
CCTV installation services
CCTV installation goes hand in hand with burglar alarm installation. Having working CCTV acts as a strong visible deterrent and can help to identify criminals if your property is burgled.
There are different types of CCTV systems available, and the type you choose will depend on your needs and budget: wired or wireless, IP or analogue. IP CCTV systems are newer and send footage over the internet, meaning you can access it from anywhere in the world. Analogue CCTV systems are older but tend to be more affordable.
CCTV systems are the most effective deterrent as they can be clearly seen and offer the most security for your home. CCTV cameras paired with other home security systems will leave you feeling like you’ve done the most to protect your property and your belongings.
Outdoor lighting
Good outdoor lighting is important for two reasons – it can help to deter criminals as it makes your property more visible, and it makes it easier for you to see if someone is lurking around outside.
There are different types of outdoor lighting available, from floodlights to solar-powered lights. It’s important to find the right type of light for your needs and budget.
Floodlights are a good option as they are bright and can cover a large area. However, they can be expensive to run if left on for long periods of time. Solar-powered lights are an eco-friendlier option, but they may not be as bright as floodlights. Motion sensor lights are also a good idea as they can trigger and alert you if someone is outside, hopefully scaring them off in the process.
Access control systems
An access control system is another type of home security system that can be used to great effect. Access control systems work by allowing you to restrict access to certain areas of your property, for example your front door or gates. This is usually done with a key, fob, or pin pad.
Access control systems offer an extra layer of security for your home and can be used in conjunction with other home security measures such as burglar alarms and CCTV. Access control systems can be controlled by your smartphone also, offering you enhanced protection wherever you are.
Smart security systems such as Ajax alarms can be integrated into your home to combine all your different alarm systems (as long as they are compatible), to be controlled from one device or hub. Smart home security is a great way of future proofing your home and ensuring you are in control of all your home’s security.
Servicing your home security
It’s important to remember that no matter how good your home security system is, it needs to be regularly serviced to remain effective. This is because over time, components can become worn or damaged and will need to be repaired or replaced.
You should have your burglar alarm serviced at least once a year by a qualified engineer. If you have CCTV, it’s also a good idea to get this checked regularly to make sure it’s in good working order.
Outdoor lighting should be checked too, as bulbs can blow, and solar-powered lights may need new batteries. Outdoor lighting should be checked every few months to make sure it’s still effective and the batteries are working correctly.
Access control systems should also be regularly serviced, as the keypads and other components can become worn with time. It’s a good idea to have your access control system checked every six months to a year by a qualified engineer.
Regular servicing of your home security systems is an important home maintenance step that should be completed regularly. If you don’t service your home security systems regularly, you run the risk of having systems that no longer work and will therefore fail to do their job in the event of an incident.
At Countrywide Security, we provide installation, maintenance, and servicing services to ensure our systems are working correctly and up to date with all relevant updates. If you’d like to know more about our home security products, our maintenance options, or get in touch with a service engineer, please get in touch today.