Home Security Must Have’s For 2016

Apple home kit

We use our iPhones everyday and with Apple homekit you can securely control your home from the palm of your hand. Homekit works through apps to control various home products, you can control lighting, locks, heating and cooling, plugs and switches and even home blinds. Each home product can be set manually or put on timers for if you would like your bathroom heater to turn on at 5.00am or lights to switch on from motion sensors.

Netatmo Welcome

Netatmo protects your family in a new innovative way. Welcome is a home security system from Netatmo that uses facial recognition to detect family members as they pass by, Netatmo then sends the names of people detected loved ones or strangers directly to your smart phone. Welcome is exceptionally easy to set up place the camera indoors facing your entrance, plug it in an download the app and Netatmo is ready to go.

Nest Meet

Nest cam is a clean 1800p HD home security camera designed to watch out for your family when you can’t. Use net cam as a baby monitor, pet cam or to keep an eye on your property and stream 1080p video straight to your smart phone or laptop. Nest cam will also send you alerts to phone if it notices any activity when you’re not watching your video feed.

Ulo surveillance

Ulo is a cute surveillance camera that interacts with you though eye expressions, Ulo creates a unique bond like no other device and truly connects with its user. Ulo communicates through eye expressions and the mobile app enables you to customize eye colour, shape and size to match the interior of your home. No logo’s are displayed on Ulo, eye expressions let you know what Ulo is thinking. For instance if Ulo’s battery is low its eyes squint, Ulo will blinks if a snap shot is being taken and its eyes follow your movements and squint if someone is watching live video. Once your Smartphone leaves the wifi network every moment will be recorded in an animated gif. Infrared also enables Ulo to see perfectly in darkness and can talk by customizable sounds . Ulo is the first in the next generation of interactive Smart devices.

Invoxia Triby

Invoxia is a revolutionary speaker that acts as the hub of the family through music and communication. Triby is a speaker that connects the whole of your family at the touch of button. Play music, send doodles to your children to say your be home or make phones calls from Triby even if you are busy by using its 15 ft hands-free option or play music throughout the home.

ADT Pulse

ADT Pulse is ADT’s answer to a smart home. From almost anywhere you can arm or disarm your security system and control your lighting, climate control and video using ADT Pulse. Control all aspects of the home security form Z-Wave ADT’s command centre from any web enabled computer.

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.

*Information sourced from: http://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/aug/31/top-10-renting-tips-happy-tenant

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!