During the COVID-19 pandemic, nothing is more important than keeping hygiene standards high. Every surface that you come into contact with could transmit the virus, particularly in public spaces, so today we're going to talk about a few hygiene tips you can practice to stay safe.

Keypad Systems & Biometrics

Keypads and biometric systems are put in place to allow a certain cohort of people to access a venue while keeping others out. They're often found outside office buildings, in blocks of flats and at the entrances to public car parks.

With so many people using them each day, it's vital that you practice good hygiene before, and after, touching them.

Make sure that your hands are clean before you touch the buttons. If you can't access water and soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Once you've used the keypad or biometric system, disinfect your hands again and give the buttons or touchpad a quick clean with an antibacterial wipe. 

Intercom Systems

In order to speak into an intercom system, you might need to move your face close to it. As we know, COVID-19 can be transmitted through breath droplets, so there's a possibility that you (or the person before you) could have transmitted the virus onto the intercom system.

For that reason, we advise you not to put your face too close to the intercom system. Where possible, wear a mask to shield your mouth and nose and prevent droplet transmission. 

The other part of the intercom system, in your house or flat, can be wiped over with antibacterial spray to remove any droplets and prevent the spread of COVID-19 within your household. 

The Most Hygienic Access Control Systems

While there are some access control systems that require you to touch or speak into them, there are also a lot of wireless access control systems that will prevent unnecessary physical contact. If you're thinking about implementing a new access control system outside your property or workplace, we'd highly recommend opting for either a contactless card or key fob system. 

With these systems, each individual who needs access to a particular area has their own personal entry key. Better still, the keys don't need to come into direct contact with the system to grant access. These systems provide excellent security while limiting the potential hygiene risks, a great choice all round. 

Our Access Control Systems >

If you're interested in adding an access control system to your property, get in touch with our expert technicians by calling - 029 20 753 251. They can help you create a security system that will limit the spread of COVID-19. 

Read More: COVID-19 Cases Still Rising: Protect Your Business

If you want to protect your home and its contents, you need to know the common places that burglars target when they want to break into your home. Understanding which areas of your home are particularly attractive to burglars will help you create a fool-proof break-in strategy. 

Daytime or nighttime?

Despite our preconceptions of burglars roaming around in the dark, a large percentage of break-ins actually happen during the day between 9 am and 5 pm. Think about it - during the day, you're at work, the kids are at school and the neighbours are probably out for the day too.

While you might be thinking - "who in their right mind would rob a house in plain daylight?" It's actually a lot less suspicious for someone to be approaching or roaming around your house during the day.

They could be a maintenance worker, a delivery driver or even a friend who's popping over to let the dog out. Some burglars have even been known to turn up in a disguise or with dog treats at the ready to make entering someone's home as easy as possible!

Where do burglars enter?

Most burglars are not criminal masterminds and they want to get in and out of your property as quickly and easily as possible. For that reason, they'll target the most accessible points first! So, where do burglars enter? 

Doors

First things first, they'll try your front door or the back door to see if they've been left unlocked. If either of them is open they've got easy access to your home and can slip inside without looking suspicious at all.

First-floor windows

If the doors are locked, they'll usually look for downstairs windows that are slightly ajar. They might go around the back of the house to make sure neighbours and passers-by don't see them.

Garages

Unsurprisingly, garages are a popular target for burglars. Homeowners frequently forget to lock their garages, and if a burglar can make their way inside, they can grab a few valuable items like lawnmowers, power washers and tools with little trouble.

Sheds and outhouses

Burglars aren't good at walking away from places empty-handed. So, if they can't get into your house they might try and break-in to sheds or outhouses in your garden. Homeowners sometimes store bikes and other valuable items in there, even though the security of these spaces tends to be poor.

Signs that you're away from home

When choosing a property to burgle, they'll look for obvious signs that the property is empty. This includes things like:

• Parcels or letters that haven't been picked up
• Bins left out for collection
• Gardens that haven't been looked after
• Social media posts stating that people are on holiday/away from home
• Homes without security measures in place

Protecting your home

So, now that you know where burglars enter your home, and the signs they lookout for, you can think about the best way to protect your home. Here at IDS Security, we offer a comprehensive range on home security systems to help prevent a burglary. 

One of the simplest additions to your home to prevent burglaries is an intruder alarm. These will alert passers-by and (with our maintenance contracts) can be monitored around the clock!

For added protection, you could incorporate a CCTV system or door entry system. These will give you peace of mind that you can see and control who has access to your home even when you're away. Having a home security system installed is also a great way to deter burglars in the first place!

Read More: Home Security Tips

If you want to improve your home security, speak to our expert engineers. We can help you design a bespoke home security system that covers all of your house's vulnerable areas.

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Just like any other security solution, access control systems such as door entry controls may stop working from time to time. When this does happen, it can cause a potentially huge problem, especially if the access control system is installed at a workplace.

As a result, access control systems require regular maintenance to ensure they are fully operational and that any possible problems can be spotted and rectified as soon as possible. But who conducts the maintenance and what do they actually do? 

IDS Security Systems are here to explain...

Who carries out access control maintenance?

The majority of the time, the security company that installs your access control system will be the ones responsible for its maintenance. For example, if you were to get a door entry system installed by us here at IDS, we would cover all aspects of the system, which includes regular maintenance.

It is possible to get a third party to conduct maintenance but it makes more sense to get the installing company to carry it out as they will have knowledge and experience of the system which makes the maintenance of it more effective. 

Often, when you get a new security system installed by a professional company, you can sign a maintenance contract which involves regularly scheduled maintenance of the system. This will ensure that your access control solution is in tip-top shape at all times and if there were to be any issues, they can get sorted quickly.

What does an access control maintenance contract cover?

If you're wondering what does an access control system maintenance contract cover, here is a list:

• Details of the various parts of the system that will be maintained 
• The frequency of maintenance 
• The costs of any work conducted 
• Contact details 
• Costs of call outs and emergency work 
• Parts of the access control system that will not be covered 

If you would like more information on what exactly is covered during a maintenance inspection, we recommend asking for a checklist. Here, you can see exactly what is being carried out during the maintenance process.

Access control maintenance checklist

A typical access control maintenance checklist will include the following:

• Batteries being checked 
• System cleaned down 
• Ensuring all physical components are in full working order 
• Power supply checks
• Performance analysis 
• Full system test 

How can IDS help you?

Here at IDS Security Systems, with offer comprehensive security packages that include both the installation and maintenance of your access control systems. This is conducted by trained, experienced professionals that understand these systems inside and out, so are capable of identifying any potential issues quickly and efficiently. This allows security solutions such as door entry systems to be fully operational during the times they are needed most. 

To learn more about the access control systems that we offer, be sure to visit our access control page below. You can scroll down to the bottom to find the FAQ section where we answer all of the common questions that you may have.

Our Access Control Systems >

If you think you require more information on our access control maintenance, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of the IDS team today - our helpful and friendly team are always on-hand to help.

No two properties are the same and, as such, no two properties have the same security requirements. One of the problems with off-the-shelf security systems is that they don't always offer maximum protection. As a property owner, you really need a bespoke security system that covers all of your security needs.

Designing your bespoke security system

Here at IDS, we've worked with businesses and homeowners throughout England and Wales and we've never installed two security systems that are the same!

Our process for designing a bespoke security system starts with a FREE Security Survey. During your survey, one of our experienced engineers will talk to you about your security system needs. Some people require a fairly simple bespoke alarm system, while others need a more complex system that includes CCTV, access control systems and even thermal screening.

If you're unsure what security systems you need in your bespoke package, our engineers will be able to talk through your concerns and assess your property to make the best recommendations for you.

Bespoke security systems for homeowners

A typical home security system might include some or all of the following:

• Fire alarms
• CCTV cameras
• Door entry systems (for flats and apartments)
• Intruder alarms

When designing your bespoke home security system, we'll look at the layout of your home and areas that might be susceptible to burglary etc. We'll make sure that your security system leaves you feeling safe and protected, even when you're not at home by setting up remote CCTV viewing on your mobile phone!

Whatever your home security needs, we've got you covered. Find out more about our home security systems by clicking the button below:

Home Security >

Bespoke security systems for business owners

For business owners, our bespoke security system services really do come in handy. Commercial properties are wildly different, and whether you're looking for better security for your shop or a place of work, we can help!

Some of our most popular commercial security systems include:

• Security barriers
• Access control systems
• CCTV
• Fire alarms
• Thermal screening
• Density control

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we've been inundated with requests for bespoke security systems to help ensure commercial properties are safe and protected. 

Our thermal screening and density control systems can be combined to help monitor people coming in and out of your business premises. This is particularly beneficial for busy workplaces or customer-facing businesses that are exposed to new visitors on a regular basis.

Read More: How to Make Your Business Safe for Christmas Shoppers 2020

While installing these new systems, our engineers can also incorporate a range of new and improved security systems into your business such as new key fobs or improved CCTV.  If you're ready to give your business an upgrade, let us help you create a bespoke security system for your business.

Business Security >

If you have any further questions about our bespoke security systems, don't hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!

Installing a CCTV system is a great way to keep your premises secure, but if you fail to maintain it, you might find yourself in a sticky situation later down the line! Like all technology, CCTV cameras can fail if they're not looked after. Unlike your computer or your TV, CCTV cameras are often out in the elements 24/7 (not to mention the vandals that try to destroy them) which makes them even more prone to damage than almost any other piece of security kit.

Why is security camera maintenance so important?

Your CCTV cameras are there to do one job - keep you safe. If over time, CCTV systems aren't maintained properly and stop working then they won't be able to do their job properly. Therefore, it's important to consider the value of things you're protecting. Is your CCTV system installed around your business premises, your home or your garage? A faulty CCTV system will leave these spaces vulnerable to crime!

Maintaining your CCTV system is also vital if you want to make a claim on your insurance later down the line. An insurance company might not want to deal with your claim if you've not maintained your security cameras properly. This is definitely worth bearing in mind if your CCTV cameras are protecting valuable goods. 

CCTV maintenance: What do I need to check?

So, how do you actually go about maintaining your security cameras? There are a few things that you should check on a regular basis to keep things working smoothly.

Cables

Being outside, wiring and cables can become damaged. They're exposed to the weather but they're also prone to becoming loose and detaching from the wall. Eventually, loose wires can fray and cause the picture quality and sound to be compromised. So, you see any problems with the feedback from your cameras, it could be a wiring issue. Make sure you do a good visual check of the wiring every few months.

Camera Lens

Problems with the camera lens will make it very difficult to see events in the view of the camera. As you can imagine, this makes the CCTV cameras fairly useless if you're trying to identify specific people or events that led up to a crime. 

Again, being outside can cause problems for the camera lens and a tiny bit of dirt can look like a huge smudge when you take a look at the footage. Keeping the camera lens clean is vital if you want a clear view of the area. A few other things that can affect the view through your camera lens are:

• Overgrown foliage
• A camera that's slipped and no longer looks in the right direction
• A motion detector that's stopped working

Control Equipment

Finally, you need to make sure your control equipment is maintained so that you can watch and store the footage & access it whenever you need to. This involves checking that your CCTV monitors and control panels and working as they should be. 

Check that the cameras are recording footage that's clear, bright and not too oversaturated. Check that the monitor is showing the right date and time and generally clean down the control room/equipment so that dust & dirt doesn't build up. 

Our Maintenance Contracts

If you're planning on installing a new CCTV camera system, we highly recommend looking into our maintenance contracts. These contracts provide you with the reassurance that one of our professional engineers is on hand at any time - night or day - should a problem with your CCTV system occur.

When you notice a problem with your CCTV system, all you have to do is call our team on 029 20 753 251 and we'll send an engineer out right away to deal with the problem. That's why we recommend our maintenance contracts for people with CCTV cameras in challenging/crime-prone areas. We'll also carry out any routine maintenance that your CCTV system needs to keep it running smoothly at all times. 

Read More: Is one-camera CCTV system enough?

If you'd like to find out more about security camera maintenance, or if you'd like to enquire about our CCTV systems for your home or business, give us a call on 029 20 753 251.