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Protecting your home and possessions in the longer nights

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Traditionally there is a rise in burglary offences at this time of year due to the longer nights and increased spending in the lead up to the Christmas period. Here’s a reminder of seven simple actions you can put in place to help protect your home.

 

  1. Make your property look occupied when you are not there by setting lights on a timer switch – vary which lights come on and when so it doesn’t become obvious that you are out

 

  1. Move anything of value out of view of your windows – go outside and see what an intruder may find enticing.

 

  1. Lock side gates of your property with a secure lock, not just a simple bolt and make sure all your windows, patio and conservatory windows are locked. Remember to lock kitchen and bathroom windows before you go out – these often get forgotten

 

  1. In the run up to Christmas store presents in a locked cupboard, preferably in a room protected by a burglar alarm detector/sensor

 

  1. Check your security lighting is working and consider CCTV if there is easy access to the rear of your property which an intruder could take advantage of. There are affordable infra-red versions that operate in the dark

 

  1. Once it is up, avoid putting wrapped presents under your Christmas tree, especially if they are visible through your windows

 

  1. Don’t leave keys for cars or back doors visible through windows or right by the doors in your property.

 

If you are concerned about the security of your home and possessions, contact the Absolute Security team for a free survey. Tel 01483 791500 or email sales@absolutesecurity.co.uk

Have you got the right cash rating safe for your valuables?

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euro-grade safes montage

When it comes to selecting the right safe, many customers find the fact that safes are graded by a cash content value or ‘cash rating’ slightly confusing.  In some cases home insurance policies stipulate the exact grade of safe required, in other cases it’s up for the homeowner to decide.

So in answer to the many questions we receive, here’s a basic explanation of what a safe’s cash rating means.

The cash rating in a safe’s grade represents what they’re expected to protect and who is likely to attack it. It’s an indicator of the security strength of the safe and the highest amount of money that should be kept in it.  Cash ratings can vary according to risk and the location of your home.  It’s always worth checking out with your home insurance provider, what grade of safe would best protect the valuables covered by your policy.

Whatever the cash rating of the Safe, ten times that sum is usually acceptable to insurance companies for jewellery or other valuables.

You can purchase safes with a ‘cash rating’ grade of anything from £1500 to beyond, but it is important to select the right grade to reflect the cash and valuables being stored in it. Very commonly a £4000 cash rated safes, when installed, covers up to £40,000’s worth of jewellery and valuables.

To ensure your safe complies with your insurance policy’s stipulations it has to be installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

At Absolute Security, we have a long history of advising our clients on the best safes to meet their security and insurance policy needs.  Contact us on tel 01483 791500  for more information.

 

Smart video doorbells

Added home security with smart video doorbells

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We have seen a lot of customer interest recently in Video Doorbells. These let you respond remotely to visitors at your front door, using your smartphone, tablet and PC and feature an in-built HD camera. 

Video doorbells give you a clear view from your front door or gate, day and night and are ideal for those who want greater protection and screening from nuisance calls or for those in a property alone by themselves. They bring a reassuring layer of additional security as well as convenience.

Flexible to work on any home and property, typical features of video doorbell systems include:

  • 2-way talk functionality – so you can speak to the person through the system via the built-in speakers and microphone, and without opening the door.
  • Crystal-clear 1080HD video so you have a sharp picture of the person at your door.
  • Instant mobile alerts and two-way talk, you can answer the door from your smartphone, tablet and PC.
  • The system’s capability to record images – so you have a record of a visitor.
  • Wireless technology which means you do not need wiring for the installation –you can have the device/bell on any gate or external door within your home’s WIFI range.
  • Motion detection and alerts – these send out an alert if people are loitering close to your property
  • The system runs off rechargeable batteries.
  • A quick and easy installation.

To learn more and find out our current prices for supplying and installing a video door bell in your home  contact the Sales Team on tel 01483 791500.

smash and grab home security

Burglars opting for smash and grab tactics for speedy getaway

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Over the past year there have been numerous reports in the press of burglars targeting businesses with smash and grab tactics to steal stock and cash.  Increasingly we’ve heard of homes succumbing to this brutal form of burglary too.  In an effort to make a speedy getaway, burglars are smashing through patio doors or windows to quickly grab valuable possessions, then run away.  It would seem speed (not un-detection) is of key importance for them.

There are a number of things homeowners can do to prevent being targeted in this way.  From our many years’ experience, and having worked closely with the Police and Crime Reduction Officers, here are five practical security precautions to put in place around your home.

 

Five security tips for your home

1   Opt for toughened glass or window film on large windows and patio doors which may be attractive to a burglar as an access point into your home. These make it harder for them to shatter the glass and create a hole/entrance to climb through.

2  Don’t leave valuables visible through your windows. Put them out of view when you’re not at home – preferably in a safe.  You may find that your insurance company require you to have a safe as part of your policy’s criteria.

3  Create layers of security (like an obstacle course) around your home so it’s difficult for a burglar to quickly get in and out. Think about the security of your gate and fencing, prickly/sharp plants in vulnerable access points to your site, security lighting, CCTV, intruder alarm and sensors and safes.

4  Make it look like you’re in when you’re out. Leave a vehicle on the drive, lights on timers and ensure deliveries aren’t left in a highly visible location.  Burglars are getting more sophisticated in their surveillance to plan a raid, so if you see someone acting suspiciously around your property, contact your local Police. In fact our range of Intruder Alarm Systems can now turn on lights, activate your radio or even turn on the television if the alarm is activated.

5  Invest in remote monitoring so if your alarm sensor is activated a speedy response can be initiated. This can be linked up to CCTV too so you have evidence of the intruders.

 

Summary

All burglaries are distressing for the victims involved and smash and grab tactics add a more disturbing element.  It is therefore important to try and avoid your property attracting an intruder’s attention.  The more complex and involved it is to break in to, the more likely you will put a burglar off in targeting your home.

For more home security tips and advice – or to request a free security survey of your property, contact the Absolute Security sales team on 01483 791500 or email sales@absolutesecurity.co.uk

 

Keyless car theft precautions

Protecting your car from a keyless theft

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Over the last two years vehicle crime has been on the rise in Surrey and Hampshire and a particular focus of criminals has been the theft of high value cars like BMW and Landrover who feature keyless systems. Detective Inspector Dee Fielding of Surrey Police recently said, “Keyless car theft is a crime on the rise and something that has been affecting the whole nation. Unfortunately criminals have adapted to the technology now available in cars.”

 

The different approaches to keyless car theft

Thieves are using different wireless technology gadgets to capture vehicle key fobs’ radio transmissions and over-ride them. They can do this in a number of ways including:

  • Signal jamming – here they intercept the key fob’s signal and jam it. This ensures the car remains unlocked, even though you think you’ve locked it. Whilst the thieves may not be able to drive the car away, they can use the opportunity to steal valuables in your car.
  • Signal relaying – in this case the thieves’ technology transmits with your key fob and either clones or instructs it to unlock your car’s doors and allow the ignition to work. They can then drive the car away.
  • Key programming – every car comes with a standard diagnostic port. Computer hackers have developed devices that plug into the port, boot up a vehicle’s software and then programme a blank key fob. In keyless cars this can be used to start the engine as well as unlock doors.

 

Taking preventative measures against keyless car theft

There are a number of steps you can take to help prevent your car being stolen:

  1. Make sure your car is properly locked and keep keys away from doors and windows. Surrey Police recommend placing them in metal tin or a signal blocking pouch which can prevent criminals copying the necessary access codes in the keys’ technology to gain entry to your vehicle.  Do test your blocking pouch properly works as some have been found not to offer significant protection.  Another effective storage location is a microwave.  Microwaves’ faraday cage technology blocks radio control signals and will hamper a criminal attempting to clone your keys remotely.  Just remember to take the keys out before you cook!
  2. Surrey Police also recommend checking your car manual or speak to your dealer to find out if your key has combination button presses to switch its signal off.
  3. Add physical barriers to your car’s protection such as a steering wheel lock, a driveway parking post, electronic gate or wheel clamp.  We’ve recently seen a big interest in electronically operated bollards as well as manually operated units.
  4. Get a vehicle tracker added to your car. This may in fact be a criteria of your insurance policy. It means that, if your car is stolen, you and the Police will be able to track down its whereabouts more easily.
  5. Consider adding security lighting and CCTV to your home and driveway’s protection. This can act as a deterrent but also, if your car is stolen, CCTV gives you the evidence to help Police track down the criminals.
  6. Talk to your car dealer to see if the keyless element of your vehicle’s system can be disabled.

 

Act fast

Clive Wain, head of police liaison at Tracker, a company that traces stolen cars, said it is important to act fast if your car is stolen as thieves work quickly and authorities often have just hours to trace the car once it’s stolen. “Many vehicles will be shipped to Eastern Europe,” he said, “while police have also found an increasing number of chop-shops where prestige cars are broken down for parts within hours.”

 

Summary

Car manufacturers are responding to the rise in keyless crime and developing new systems. In a recent article, Richard Billyeald, chief technical officer at Thatcham Research, the UK insurance industry’s research body said, “Manufacturers are already working on new systems. A few new models already have set-ups that aren’t vulnerable to relay attacks. The functionality is the same, but they cannot be fooled by relay devices.” If you are looking to purchase a new vehicle, it is worth checking which models give you greater protection.  Do, however, continue to take security precautions.  As manufacturers develop more secure solutions, criminals will research and develop ways to over-ride them.

 

Can we help?

If you would like to discuss physical measures to help protect your property, such as electronic gates, safes and CCTV, contact the team on t 01483 429111 or email sales@absolutesecurity.co.uk

Integrating your home security systems

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homeOver the past few months we’ve experienced a rise in interest from homeowners keen to integrate CCTV, access, intruder and fire detection systems in their home.  This essentially gives them just one central home protection system to manage.  Also, when systems integrate in this way you gain more precise information about incidents in and around your property.

The systems typically utilise wireless and IP technology to keep cabling and impact on décor to a minimum. Most also provide an app option to enable homeowners to check on their home and possessions whilst they’re away.  In addition to this the systems can provide useful logs of activity to help homeowners check up on who has accessed their property and when (for example cleaning, childcare or delivery people).

In the case of people experiencing anti-social behaviour or neighbour disputes, CCTV and security lighting working in conjunction together has proved to be an effective deterrent.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of integrating different security and fire detection systems in your home, contact the team on 01483 791500.

 

What are you leaving on show?

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Following a number of homes we have surveyed recently, we want to emphasise the importance of not leaving keys and security systems fobs on show through a property’s windows and doors. This greatly aids any intruder who is scouting around for properties to burgle and cars to steal.

Over the years we have come across many a case of thieves breaking in and then stealing the owners’ cars or quickly disabling the burglar alarm to make their thefts more easy.

Ideally, keep all keys and alarm fobs out of view and certainly away from the entry points to your property. A safe is good or a cupboard well away from doors and window.

For more information and advice contact our sales team on tel. 01483 791500

Summer holiday protection tips for your home

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It’s great that the summer is in full swing (well the sun was shining when we wrote this). Many people have already jetted off whilst others are looking forward to a holiday away and some much needed rest and relaxation.

To ensure your property remains safe whilst you are away, it’s important to undertake some simple security measures before you go. Properties which are obviously vacant for a number of days can catch the eye of burglars.

So here is a reminder of our summer holiday tips to help you keep things at home safe and secure:

1. Hide or lock away any visible valuables – go outside your premises, see what’s on view through the windows and then remove anything that may tempt an intruder. Consider investing in a safe to keep your valuables (including those of a sentimental value) protected.

2. Avoid a build-up of post if you’re going to be away for some time. Ask a friend or neighbour to pop in and clear this. If you are due to have anything delivered whilst your away arrange for someone to collect it or even cancel it before you go.

3. If possible, leave a car in the drive and invest in timer switches for lights, which give the impression you are in when you’re out.

4. Lock all side gates and switch your alarm on. Burglars love properties with easy exit routes. For added protection, why not get automatic gates or consider the tips we gave last month about defensive plants?

5. Consider CCTV – not only is it a great deterrent, new advances in technology mean you can view your home remotely over a secure web connection (even on your mobile phone) and check things are as they should be.

For more security tips or advice on how to protect your property whilst you’re away, contact our team on tel. 01483 791500.

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Absolute Security Systems Ltd

5 Langham Park, Catteshall Lane
Godalming (nr. Guildford)
Surrey GU7 1NG

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