Tuesday 29 September 2015

Rental Property Security

Are you looking to move into a rented property? We at Keytek™ have put together some handy hints and tips to help make your time in rental property hassle free!


  • Have you checked the property over to make sure that all of the doors and windows have sufficient locks? Check the standards of the locks; firstly look out for a Kitemark, many insurance policies will stipulate that locks must be British Standard.
  • Has your landlord changed the locks since the previous tenant/s have moved out? You never know who could still have a key!
  • Is your deposit protected by a scheme? From 2007 it is a requirement for private landlords and letting agents to use a government approved tenancy deposit scheme*
  • Have you read the tenancy agreement a few times and are you sure that you understand the small print? Does it include bills? Can you have pets? Guests?*
  • Check the inventory thoroughly! At the end of your tenancy you wouldn’t want to be liable for damage that you didn’t cause.
  • Before making any changes or improvements to the property, remember to obtain the landlord or letting agent’s permission – this includes changing the locks!
  • If you’re thinking of installing an alarm system, easy fit domestic alarms are a great option if you are renting as they can be installed easily and can be moved easily from property to property – you can get one here! https://www.keytekshop.co.uk/product/yale-easy-fit-standard-alarm
  • If you’re moving to a new area talk with your neighbours and introduce yourself. It’s always good to know people nearby in case anything is happening in the area.
  • UV mark your items, if you did have the unfortunate event of a break in, your property can be identified as yours.



Monday 21 September 2015

University Security Advice!


Now that September is here, are you or is someone close to you leaving home to go to University??

Whether you’re getting packed and ready to go, or are all ready moved in and preparing for lectures, have you given any thought to the security of your new student house or halls of residence?

The National Union of Students has the following questions to ask yourself about your student accommodation!

Does the house seem secure from the outside?
Think about how you would get in if you lost your keys, if it’s easy for you then think how easy it is for a potential intruder.

Does the property have an alarm?
If not, could you/the landlord install one? Alarms act as an excellent form of deterrent, with research showing 84% of imprisoned burglars would avoid a home with a working alarm.

Does the front/back door look solid and secure?
Typically, burglars spend just sixty seconds breaking into a home and that’s not surprising considering how easy it often is. In 73% of cases they gained entry via a door, and in 3% of these cases the door was left open. Ideally doors should be secured using a mortice lock and / or nightlatch that meets British Standard BS3621.

Are the windows secure?
Check to see if all the windows are fitted with secure locks and that the handles are in good working order, particularly on the ground floor.

Is there adequate outside lighting?
Ask yourself would you feel secure entering your house at any time of day. It’s important to feel safe and secure so you can enjoy your time at university.

According to the National Union of Students, the average break in costs students around £900 to replace belongings and repair any damage.

With this in mind they have provided some fantastic crime prevention tips for your time at University:

Don’t give burglars an open invitation 
Opportunist thieves often target student halls and houses, as bedroom and flat doors are often left unlocked or ajar, making it a quick in-and-out job for a burglar. Avoid any unwanted visitors making their way into your home by remembering to close and lock all doors and windows whenever you’re not in – even if you’re only popping out for five minutes.
Another tip is to avoid leaving notes on your door saying you’re away or ‘back soon’ – instead tell your friends face-to-face so they can act as an unofficial student watch while you’re out

Protect your valuables
Computers, cash, electrical goods and jewellery are among the most commonly stolen items in domestic burglaries and, as a result of the nation’s love for gadgets, the average cost of a burglary has risen by 40 per cent over the last three years. However, 21 per cent of people say they never hide valuables when leaving the house, with 37 per cent leaving portable gadgets such as e-books or tablets easily accessible.
To protect smaller valuable items and reduce the risk of fraud, use a home safe. This can be used for items such as jewellery, small electronic gadgets and important documents. The safe should be bolted securely to a floor or wall so it can’t be stolen but remember to check with your landlord before making any alterations to your property.

Cycling to lectures?
Bikes are an ideal way to get around campus or student towns. They are convenient and great exercise but, unfortunately, thieves like them too. To keep your bike safe and secure it’s advisable to invest in a sturdy bike lock. For maximum protection, use two different locks simultaneously (a D-lock and robust chain and padlock is ideal).

Hitting the town
Personal safety also needs to be high on the agenda. After evenings out sampling the local nightlife try to travel home with friends or in a reputable, licensed taxi – remember, there is safety in numbers! If you do walk home, try to stick to main roads and avoid poorly lit areas – especially dodgy looking shortcuts and dingy alleyways. For additional security and peace of mind it’s also a good idea to carry a personal attack alarm.

Social security
In this age of social media, many of us are used to posting all manner of details online without a second thought. ‘Checking in’ at places online can alert burglars to the fact you are not at home, and posting images of new and expensive items can also be risky.
In any other capacity you wouldn’t dream of alerting a burglar to the fact your house is empty and you certainly wouldn’t tell them that you have a brand new laptop sat in your bedroom. Be careful about what you are sharing online and check your settings to ensure that you are only sharing status updates with people you know and trust.

By remembering these great hints and tips, you can relax and enjoy your time at University, knowing you have done all that you can to stay secure!




Wednesday 16 September 2015

Do your locks meet your insurance requirements?






You should always check your home insurance to see what the minimum security requirements are however, most insurance companies will specify that your property must be fitted with British Standard locks on your doors and windows.

If your locks do not meet your insurance requirements and you are unfortunate enough to experience a burglary, your insurance could then be invalid and your claim may be refused.

British Standard locks
For a lock to be classed as ‘British Standard’ minimum standards must be met - this is done through rigorous testing including strength, durability and security.  A higher quality lock such as a British Standard can act as deterrent for burglars as it is a lot harder to gain entry through, so all the more reason to upgrade your locks if they are not already British Standard.
To read more about British Standard locks follow this link http://www.keytek.co.uk/what-is-british-standard/.

How to check yourself!
Checking to see if a lock is British Standard can be simple - all you have to do is look out for the Kitemark shown below, which should be on any lock that is British Standard.



  











Do your locks measure up?
If not don’t worry, our trained and skilled locksmiths are more than happy to help and to upgrade your locks.  Call 0800 0345 0451 now to book in an appointment with us!  



Wednesday 9 September 2015

Get Smart This September


We want everyone to GET SMART this September! Take a look at some of the great hints & tips below on how to help keep your home and belongings safe.


1. Lights on Timer

Hue lights, bulbs and LED strips allow homeowners to control the lighting in their home via the Hue app (Free). The Hue app allows the user to turn the lights on and off, adjust brightness and change the colour all from your smart phone and tablet. Lights can even be automated to turn on and off at times that suit you which act as a great burglary deterrent.

Philips Hue Wireless Bulbs Starter Kit 

The Philips Hue Wireless Bulbs Starter Kit contains everything you would need to control the lighting in your home from a device such as a smart phone or tablet.

You can get these online at... http://amzn.to/1iwYHGk

2. Royal Mail 

Keepsafe

Going away? Don't advertise your absence with a pile of mail building up on the doormat. With Keepsafe, you can enjoy a carefree break. The Royal Mail team will hold on to your letters and parcels for up to 66 days and deliver them once you’re safely home again. Keepsafe:

set up within 5 days
helps prevent identity fraud
delivers your letters and parcels the first available day after your return

"The Home Office Identity Fraud Steering Committee supports the use of Royal Mail's Keepsafe to reduce risk of identity fraud when you go away as it ensures you do not leave any obvious clues such as a heap of mail on your doormat." 

Source – Royal Mail

3. Fake TV 

Fake TV is a home security product which gives the illusion that someone is at home watching TV. The home security product is programmed to automatically turn on when it is dark outside and will create a flicker effect giving the illusion that the TV is on and therefore acting as a deterrent to any potential intruders.
These can be found online at...

Below are a few things to keep in mind that you should not do…

1. Never hide keys under a door mat or plant pot! A key safe is the most secure way to leave a spare by the front door, but the only way you can be sure only a family member will use it.

2. Don’t just shut the windows “lock them “ 
“According to the office of national statistics over 40% of unauthorised entries are through an open or unlocked door or window.”
Source - TalkTalk

3. Keep valuable items out of street view - This may seem like a simple one, but why would you set up your living room like a shop window to any potential intruders.

4. Break down and bag up boxes from expensive items, rather than leaving them outside – you don’t want people to know what you’ve just bought – You could even store them in the house or shed until the day of your rubbish collection.

5. Always have your parcels delivered to the post office if you’re not in, or alternatively ask a trusted neighbour to sign for them.


Tuesday 8 September 2015

A man who created a lock as a joke to stop his children from stealing his Nutella has ended up selling 1000 units on ebay!

Daniel from Germany had enough of heading to his cupboards to make a snack with his favourite spread only to find his kids had beaten him to it and used all his Nutella! So as a joke the inventor created an acrylic lock as a simple solution to keep the chocolate spread thieves out. The lock consists of a small acrylic box that can be clamped down over the lid which is then held in place with a padlock, meaning the only person that can get in to the jar is the person that holds the key.


When people started to hear about his Nutella gizmo, orders started to roll in - he said: ‘As the demand continued to grow we decided to offer the device on eBay’. The lock has been a huge success with parents wanting to keep their children’s mitts out of the chocolaty spread, so much so that Daniel has now sold over 1000 units. Due to be being made from acrylic the gadget can be easily broken so whilst the lock may not keep out every crazy Nuttella fiend it shows that no idea is ever too crazy! 










Thursday 3 September 2015

Keytek Personal Security Advice


Personal Security


We may often discuss home security, but it is important not to overlook the importance of personal security. So whether you’re out and about, or surfing the net, personal security should always be carefully considered and never far from your mind.

According to the Daily Mail, 2,000 mobile phones are stolen each day, and in some of these cases the personal information on phones is harvested and passed on to others, who may use it for identity theft and fraud. With this in mind, we suggest keeping your mobile out of accessible pockets, and especially out of your back pocket.

For more of our personal security tips, visit http://www.keytek.co.uk/personal-security.aspx where we have put together some great tips and advice to help you stay safe both out and about and online! Dorset Police also have an excellent campaign running about cyber safety that’s worth checking out! http://www.dorset.police.uk/default.aspx?page=8290