Top Five Home Security Products

Protect your home with these handy home security products.

1. Philips Hue Wireless Bulbs Starter Kit (£179)

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 table.

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 acts as a great burglary deterrent.

2. Yale Easy Fit Alarm Range (ranges from around £150 - £500 dependant on model) 

Yale has designed a range of alarms called the ‘Easy Fit Range’ which allows homeowners to easily install a DIY home alarm system. Each product in the range harnesses pre-programmed wirefree technology.  The range is available in four different kits, alongside a range of accessories so that you can tailor it to suit the security of your home.

3. Ring Video Doorbell ($199)

The Ring Video Doorbell is a wireless doorbell that allows you to answer your door from your iOS or Android phone by connecting to your WiFi. A wide angled HD camera with motion detection allows users to see who is at their door and sends an instant alert to your smart phone.  

4. Fake TV (£19.99)

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 to act as a burglary deterrent.

5. iSmartAlarm Home Security System (£199.95) 

The wireless iSmartAlarm Home Security System puts you in control—thanks to do-it-yourself in-home installation and self-monitoring and control from the iSmartAlarm app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Even better, there are no monthly fees or contracts.

Home Security and Home Insurance Requirements

When you take out a policy for your home with any insurer they will usually ask you to ensure that the security of your home meets their requirements.

Why is it important to meet my home insurance provider’s requirements?

When assessing your home security it is important to consider which steps you should take to ensure you are meeting the requirements set by your home insurance provider. This is important as failure to meet these terms and conditions could result in your home insurance policy being invalidated should the worse happen. 

The Crime Prevention Website gives the following as examples of the requirements the majority of home insurance providers will ask a policy holder to meet *:

*Please be aware the examples given may differ to your own policy, therefore before making any changes to the security of your home it is advised to check your current policy for any requirements set by the insurance provider.

Final exit door i.e. your front door – The majority of policies will require that your final exit door (i.e. the main external door you use to access your home such as your front door) should have the following fitted:

• Is fitted with a mortice deadlock with at least 5 levers; or is fitted with a lock conforming to BS3621: 1998 or to a higher specification.

• Additionally where a door is double-leaf, the first closing leaf must be fitted with top and bottom key-operated security bolts.  Bolts must be positioned vertically so as to enter the framework of the door, not the opposing leaf.

Single external doors (such as a porch door) – A single external door should be fitted with one of the following:

• Fitted with key-operated security bolts at the top and bottom.

• Fitted with a mortice deadlock with at least 5 levers.

• Fitted with a lock conforming to BS3621: 1998 or to a higher specification

French/Double doors – French or double doors should be fitted with two key operated security bolts at the top and bottom of the final closing door or, if not rebated, to both doors.  The bolts must be positioned vertically, so as to enter the top and bottom of the door frame, not the opposing leaf.

Sliding Patio Doors – In order to adhere to your home insurance policy, sliding patio doors should be fitted with an ‘anti-lift device’ such as the ERA Patio Door Bolts in order to prevent the doors from being lifted off their running tracks by an intruder when they are closed. They should also have either of the following fitted:

• Fitted with two key-operated patio door locks on the inside of the doors at the top and bottom of the frame.

• Fitted with a key-operated multiple locking system having at least two locking points.

Windows – All opening ground floor/basement windows and all windows that are accessible from another part of the exterior such as a roof, wall or balcony must have at least one key operated lock fitted. 

Top ten tips for when you're locked out

Locked out of house, business or car?

We all know that being locked out can be a stressful time for anyone which is why we have put together the following tips for when you do find yourself locked of your house, business or car.

1. Stay calm! The worst thing you can do is panic and stress yourself out when you’re locked out.
 
2. Where are the keys? Do you leave a spare key with a neighbour or relative? By leaving a spare key with a trusted neighbour or family member you will be saving yourself from being locked out of your home if you did loose or misplace your set of keys. It is still recommended that you contact a local locksmith to change your locks as you don’t know who may have picked up the set you have lost or misplaced.
 
3. Do not fiddle with the lock. This may cause damage to the lock making it more difficult for it to be opened.  
 
4. Don’t call your local emergency services, call an emergency locksmith instead! It was reported in 2012 that fire-fighters in London were being called out nearly every hour (approximately 20 a day) to rescue people who were either locked out of their home or car which is estimated to cost taxpayers more than 5 million pounds. (BBC News) 
 
5. Call a local locksmith. When calling a local locksmith always make sure that you are calling a credible and trustworthy accredited locksmith. All credible locksmiths will carry ID on them so make sure you always ask to see it before you invite them to gain entry to your home!
 
6. Check that any local locksmith coming to your home is DBS checked (formally CRB checked). Any locksmith who has been DBS checked will be more than happy to inform you that they have been.
 
7. Make sure any locks you do have changed by an emergency locksmith are to a British Standard. This is important especially in terms of meeting the requirements set by your Home Insurance Provider.
 
8. Don’t shout about it on any type of social media. It may be tempting to share your latest lockout #fail but remember anyone can see it and shows that you and your property are potentially vulnerable!
 
9. If you have lost or misplaced a set of keys make sure you replace all of the locks that relate to the keys you have lost. This could be your garage lock or a shed. Also make sure you notify anyone who you had a spare key for i.e. a neighbour or work that you have lost or misplaced them so that they can get their locks changed.
 
10. Do not try to cut costs by breaking into your own home! You may cause harm to yourself or damage to your property by doing so.  

Watch our video on the 'Top Ten Tips for When You're Locked Out'...

Summertime Home Security

We’ve all been enjoying the return of the glorious hot weather this week! According to The Guardian the hot weather is set to continue and warm weather is expected for events such as Glastonbury and Wimbledon.

Don’t let your home security lapse this summer!

Unfortunately the exceptionally high temperatures are not great for uPVC or wooden doors as changes in heat can often cause doors to swell or shrink. Potentially, these changes can unfortunately leave your property unsecure, as you may be unable to unlock or worse lock your door, leaving your home vulnerable to break-in. When a door swells or shrinks it’s often a simple case of calling a highly skilled and trained locksmith to fix the problem for you, making ongoing accessibility much easier during those hot summer days, leaving you far less likely to find yourself locked out when you return from a day on the beach!

Problems with your door can be caused by a variety of other factors during the summer; a common cause being simple wear and tear especially when everyone is more partial to popping in and out of the back garden to top up the tan. This can also cause security issues for your home, especially if you’re unable to lock up due to the lock being damaged by continuous use. This problem can also be solved by calling a local locksmith to your home who will be more than willing to fix or replace any locks that have been damaged by wear and tear.  

Also, don’t forget to secure your home even when just popping out to the garden, this includes the window you have left open to catch the rare breeze. Leaving any doors or windows open during a sunbathing session in the garden could leave your home unsecure and pretty much a burglar’s dream of entering your property undetected whilst you’re in the garden.  According to statistics provided in this fantastic UK Burglary report provided by Tesco Compare 73% of burglars use a door to gain entry and in 3% of cases the door was open.   

Watch our Home Security tips video below to find out more about keeping your home secure this summer...

 

Useful links - Locked Out? Lost Keys? Burgled? Locks Changed?