Has your fire or smoke alarm started making a strange chirping sound? Has it perhaps started beeping but there’s no smoke or fire? It can be very irritating if that happens, but don’t be tempted to disconnect it as you could be setting yourself up for disaster should a real fire break out. As with any technology, it is not unheard of for things to malfunction or, very simply, need to be replaced or updated. We take a look at the most common issues that may come up with fire alarms and what you can do to fix them. Continue reading…

While it may not be the first thing that crosses your mind when it comes to your home security cameras, it is unfortunately all too easy for hackers to gain access to them if they put their mind to it. For most people it won’t be an issue, but do you want to be that small percentage of people who do get hacked? We didn’t think so. It is easy to stay safe by taking a few simple security steps. This month we feature what those are and how to tell whether your security cameras have been breached. Continue reading…

With the summer break looming, it’s time to start preparing for this year’s summer holiday. You may have already booked something a long time ago, or you may be holding out for a last-minute deal. Perhaps driving off to a campsite is more your thing. Whichever way you choose to spend your summer holiday, the reality is that you will be away from home for at least a few days. How can you be sure your property is safe in your absence? Here are our top tips.

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If you have been thinking about getting a home security alarm but have been hesitating because you fear your pets may trigger it, fear not! As a nation of pet lovers, it would have been highly unlikely that systems to take pets into consideration had not been developed. Indeed, you actually have choices. And we don’t mean relying on Bella to bark at potential intruders – she no doubt thinks the postman and bin men are intruders raising hell around the neighbourhood every day. So let’s take a look at what your options are so that you, and Bella, can sleep soundly at night.

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If you have had your home security alarm for a while or have recently moved into a new property that already had an alarm installed you may be wondering whether it is up to date or not. It’s a valid concern. With the fast-moving pace of technology changes over the last couple of decades, things can easily be out of date quickly. But that doesn’t mean that it won’t still do the job it was meant to do or that it can’t continue to do so with a small upgrade. In this month’s article we take a look at how to check your system and what you can do to upgrade it. Continue reading…

When you have a home filled with the things and people you love, you want to be sure that it is as safe as it can be. Burglars operate year-round, come rain or shine. All they need is an opportunity to slip in and relieve you of some of your valuables and they can find that in the depths of winter under the cover of darkness or in full daylight in the height of summer. Continue reading…

Moving is always exciting, if a little stressful as well, but overall a positive experience. There’s lots to discover as you start to unpack and find new places for everything, figure out how the boiler and heating work, where the water, gas, and electricity meters are, and get the hot water to work for that first relaxing, hot soak in the new bath. Continue reading…

When it comes to security alarms, whether for your home or business, it is not enough to simply install it and forget about it. As with any system, it needs to be checked regularly to ensure it is in good working order and there must be a servicing and maintenance schedule in place as well. All too often, alarms fail because improper maintenance has been undertaken – or worse, none at all. We turn our attention this month to why servicing is important and why it should not be forgotten. Continue reading…

The long and dark nights of winter are a burglar’s dream. They provide a longer period of darkness that they can operate under and provide ample opportunity for them to act – it is dark sooner yet still quiet in the neighbourhood while everyone else is still at work or out. Don’t despair though! There are plenty of things you can do to reduce your chances of being burgled and to deter would-be burglars from targeting your property. Here are some basic and easy-to-implement tips to help you stay safe this winter. Continue reading…

It’s that time of year when people close up their homes and go away on holiday to warmer climates. For those who stay at home, it is a time of festive cheer and exchanging gifts with friends and loved ones. Whether you stay home or go away for Christmas, it can be a dangerous time as burglars will make the most of empty homes or piles of presents. We have talked about how to keep your home safe before, but here are our tips for those extra precautions you can take to keep your home and loved ones safe as Christmas approaches. Continue reading…