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...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/response-faketv-tv-simulating-anti-burglar-and-theft-deterrent-a65lq

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.

Keytek Home Security Advice

According to Halifax Home Insurance, there is a 10% increase in domestic burglaries and a 40% increase in thefts during the summer. With this in mind, are you doing all that you can to secure your home and prevent it from potential intruders this summer and in the following months? The Metropolitan Police advise that the Top Ten tips for securing your home are as follows:

1. Don't leave your keys or ID documents within easy reach of doors, letterboxes or windows.
2. Close and lock all doors and windows. If you have multi-locking door handles, lift the handle, lock it with the key and remove it - LIFT - LOCK - REMOVE. Put the key out of sight but in a safe place in case of fire.
3. Lock garages and sheds so garden tools and ladders can’t be used to break into your home.
4. Keep side gates locked and wheelie bins stored behind them.
5. Use timer switches linked to lights and a radio so it appears that someone is at home.
6. Invest in a safe for valuables and sentimental items and securely fix it to a solid surface.
7. Install a visible intruder alarm system - burglars don't want to be seen or heard. 
8. Install low level 'dusk till dawn' lighting to increase visibility and deter burglars. 
9. Keep side and rear boundaries high to restrict access and front boundaries low to remove hiding places.
10. Photograph and mark valuables and sentimental items with your postcode and house number/name. Register items with serial numbers at: immobilise.com

Now that you have some great advice to help make your home more secure, are you taking precautions for your own personal security? Whether you’re out and about or surfing the web, personal security should always be carefully considered. Take a look at our personal security page for some great tips to keep you safe! http://www.keytek.co.uk/personal-security.aspx

Don’t forget about your garden security! This can sometimes be overlooked, so make sure you are doing all you can to make it safe from potential intruders. For more information and some handy tips take a look at our Garden Security Blog! https://www.keytekshop.co.uk/home-garden-security

Source: http://content.met.police.uk/Article/Top-Ten-tips-for-securing-your-home/1400031421159/crimepreventionhomesecurity http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/about_us/projects_campaigns/abssummerlockin

Moving Home Hassle Free

How to move home securely

Moving home is said to be one of the most stressful times of our lives. Issues with paperwork, solicitors’ appointments, estate agents and then the worry of the sale potentially falling through are some of the factors that add to the stress of the ordeal. After possibly one of your most expensive purchases, comes the much anticipated move involving more exercise than you’ve probably done all year. Once all is over and you’ve finally settled into your new home, comes a vital part that many people either forget or disregard... the importance of having the locks changed on your new property.

If you think of your current house key and how many people you know that have a spare, it becomes slightly worrying when you realise you have no idea how many people could have a key to your new home. Changing the locks when you move home should be a basic security precaution for every home owner, but this is still something many people forget or possibly never do. As well as leaving your home and its contents potentially unsecure, many insurance companies will not pay out if an intruder gains entry using a key, as there generally needs to be clear signs of breaking and entering.

When moving home and changing the locks there are a few things you should consider. You should check with your insurance company prior to the change to make sure they don’t have any minimum requirements. Many insurance companies will require you to have a tried and tested British standard lock fitted to your door and your locks changed can be fairly expensive making this an important requirement to double check, prior to a locksmith attending your property. When getting your locks changed/upgraded, it may also be worth investing in a key safe. Key safes are a fantastic way of storing spare keys; meaning you won’t run the risk of being locked out. You also have the security of knowing that the key is safe, especially since nearly 20% of people still hide their spare keys in an area of their garden in places many intruders will know to look.  If you are interested in buying a key safe, take a look at www.keytekshop.co.uk.

Whilst the locksmith is changing the locks, it’s a good idea to have a security check completed on your home at this point. Potential intruders could enter the property through a window so if you’re missing any window keys or the locks are looking a little old, it’s a good idea to have these checked also. These simple tips and considerations can help you enjoy your new home with no worries or shocks in or out of the house. If you would like to read any more information on home security and locksmith services, our website has lots of useful information! 

You can visit our website by going to www.keytek.co.uk. Or if after reading this blog you need your locks changing, call us now on 0800 035 0451!