There's an old adage that goes “a man’s home is his castle”. Your home may not literally be a castle, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't deserve to be protected.

With the spread of the coronavirus since 2020 there has been a decrease in home invasions and burglaries. However, even with this decrease there are still 267,000 burglaries in the England and Wales; that’s one burglary for every 217 people. These statistics might be intimidating, but there's no need to panic! There are many simple and efficient actions you can take protect your home and your peace of mind. One such action is to install a burglar alarm.

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Vulnerable people who live alone might be keen to install a medical emergency alarm in their homes. These can produce people with the reassurance that they can call for help should the worst happen. Some alarm systems are operated by the person in distress, while other (more sophisticated) medical emergency alarms can be triggered automatically if certain situations occur. Let's take a closer look at some of the different medical emergency alarms.

Patient-triggered medical emergency alarms

There are a number of patient-triggered medical emergency alarms that can be used to call for help when an accident happens. In general, these come in two different forms, either:

• A device that's worn by the patient, eg. a bracelet, that can be activated in an emergency
• A button or cord somewhere in the home that can be pulled/pushed in an emergency

When activated these medical emergency alarms will make a loud noise to alert people nearby, or they'll send a notification to a carer or family member so they can take appropriate action. While these medical emergency alarms are great for occasional accidents, they're not ideal if the vulnerable person can't activate the alarm - for example, if they're having a fit or have become unconscious. There are some other medical emergency alarms that are more appropriate for these scenarios.

Automatically-triggered medical emergency alarms

For scenarios where a person is unable to activate an alarm themselves, there are a number of medical emergency alarm options that can be used to keep them safe. There are also a number of home security systems that can be used to keep an eye on vulnerable people remotely. These are ideal if you need to go to work but worry about leaving an elderly relative on their own, for example. Let's dive into a few popular options.

Intercom systems

Installing an intercom system in a vulnerable person's home is a great way to keep an eye on visitors. Should someone suspicious knock on the door, the vulnerable person can take a look at deciding whether or not to let them in, without having to move from their chair or bed. In addition, family members and carers can access the intercom system to help keep the person safe when strangers come to visit. This can be especially useful for people with dementia or other memory problems who might have trouble deciding who is a friend and who is a foe.

CCTV Systems

CCTV systems can be installed in a vulnerable person's home to help family members and carers check on them in case of an emergency. Many CCTV systems can be accessed remotely from a mobile phone anywhere in the world, so if your mother has a fall in Manchester, you should be able to keep an eye on her and phone the relevant emergency services (or alert her carer) from the other side of the world!

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Sensors

You can install sensors around the house that will automatically alert if something unusual or dangerous happenss. Scenarios that might trigger the sensors  include:

• Areas that are abnormally hot or cold 
• An oven, or fire that's been left on
• A prolonged period where there's no movement in the house
• A fall out of bed, out of the bath or off a chair
• A door opening (eg. the front door) when it shouldn't

Monitored alarm systems

There are a lot of home security systems that can be linked to a maintenance package. This means there's always someone on hand 24 hours a day if a medical emergency should occur. Here at IDS Security, we offer a wide range of monitored security alarm systems, some of which are linked to BT Redcare - a service that contacts the relevant emergency services when an alarm is activated. We find that vulnerable people, homeowners and business owners can benefit from monitored alarms. 

Read More: Monitored Alarm Systems from IDS Security

If you're thinking of installing a medical emergency alarm in your property, or the property of someone you care for, we'd love to help. Here at IDS security, we have years of experience creating bespoke security systems that cater to a variety of concerns - including medical emergencies. 

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So, you've found your dream house, filled in the paperwork, picked up the keys & now you're ready to start your adventure as a new homeowner. Most new homeowners have a long list of jobs to tackle after they move in, from setting up bill payments to redecorating - it's always hectic.

One thing that often gets overlooked by new homeowners is home security. While it may not be your top priority, setting up an effective home security system should be something that new homeowners do shortly after moving in. After all, you don't want all your lovely new home to be vulnerable to burglars, fires or something worse!

First things first, request a survey

It's highly unlikely that you'll know all the vulnerable places in your new home when you've only just moved in. Chances are, you've never had to set up a home security system before, and installing things randomly will not protect your home. A much better idea for new homeowners is to employ the help of home security technicians, like the ones here at IDS Security.

With years of experience surveying homes, installing security systems and even providing regular maintenance, IDS can help new homeowners create a bespoke security system that suits their needs exactly.

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Typical home security systems

Here at IDS, we believe that each home security system should be different, after all, every home is different! That being said, there are a few key components of home security systems that can be integrated just about anywhere to provide a high level of security. So, if you're a new homeowner who's unsure where to start with their home security system, just keep reading...

CCTV Cameras

A great way to keep eyes on your new property at all times is to install CCTV cameras. The IDS team can help you by showing you exactly where to position them to get the best view of the most vulnerable areas. Better still, our CCTV cameras can be accessed remotely from your mobile phone, meaning you can check on your property wherever you are! This is especially great for new homeowners who don't know the area they're moving to, or who are feeling anxious about leaving their property vacant for the first time.

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Intruder Alarms

When you move to a new area, it's natural to feel unsettled. You don't know the people who live near you, or who walk past the front of you home. You may not even know the level of crime that goes on in the neighbourhood. For that reason, it's important that you consider installing an intruder alarm. Not only will it keep your home safe in the event of a burgarly, but it will also put your mind at rest so you can focus on making your new house a home.

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Fire Alarms

It's likely that your new house will have some kind of fire alarm installed, but does it work? And how old is it? If you're looking at adding a security system to your new home that'll last for years to come, we'd highly recommend upgrading your old fire alarm & checking out our maintenance plans. Fires can happen anytime, anywhere, so you want to make sure your new home is properly protected!

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Buying your first home should be an enjoyable experience. With a little help from IDS Security, you can have a top of the range, bespoke home security system installed in no time. Find out more about our home security systems below, or give us a call on 029 20 753 251 to find out more.

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Read More: Do Home Security Systems Impact Home Insurance?

If you're someone with a lot of valuables in your home, it can be a huge worry when you leave your house unoccupied for a period of time. One way that you can keep your valuables safe is by storing them in a safe place. But where are the safest places to store valuables at home? Under the bed? On top of the fridge? Today we're going to take a look at some of the best places to store your valuables at home.

Places you should hide valuables:

• A Safe - Installing a safe with a combination lock or keypad is a great way to store valuables like jewellery. Most burglars want to be in and out of your property quickly, and won't want to waste time faffing with a secure safe. Just make sure that your safe is attached to your home in some way so it can't be taken out in its entirety.

• Food Cupboard - This option is a little less conventional (and not necessarily as secure as a safe), but it can be a good option for items of less value. Burglars are highly unlikely to go stifling through your tins, rice packets or cereal boxes in search of valuables, so the back of a food cupboard could be a good option for you.

• False Bottom Drawer - If you're feeling crafty with DIY, then you might be interested in creating a false bottom drawer to store your valuables. Adding an additional layer to a standard drawer will conceal your valuables and baffle most burglars.

• Kitchen Cache - Another great way to store valuables is to keep them in a cache. This could be anything from a false tin can to a cereal box. Again, it's highly unlikely that a burglar will take the time to open all your cans or check your cereal boxes, so why not use them to your advantage?

Places you shouldn't hide valuables

• In a Drawer - People who leave valuable items in plain sight at the top of a drawer are likely to fall foul to a burglar. If they break into your kitchen, it's quite likely they'll have a quick rummage through your drawers because this is where people often leave spare car keys and other valuables. Drawers are easily accessible, so it's best to pick a different hiding place!

• Under Your Bed/Mattress - If you thought that hiding something under your bed would keep it safe, you're sadly mistaken. Lots of people believe that this is a 'safe' space and it didn't take long for burglars to catch on. Hiding money or other valuables under your bed is not safe!

• The Toilet Tank - We've all seen the movies where money, guns and other contraband are hidden in the toilet tank. Sadly, this is something that some homeowners try when it comes to hiding their valuables and it just doesn't work. Not only will your valuables get wet, but you also run the risk of a burglar uncovering them in a last-ditch attempt to scour your bathroom. Just don't do it.

• Garages - While it might not be the first place you choose to hide your valuables, garages are a no-go! Yes, you might have a sturdy garage door that's always locked, but if a burglar breaks into your house, there's a good chance they'll also gain access to the garage. Don't leave anything valuable in there unless you're 100% sure it's secure.

We could go on forever talking about the do's and don'ts of storing valuables at home, but the safest way to look after your valuables is to invest in a good home security system. Here at IDS Security, we can provide you with CCTV cameras, an intruder alarm and a whole host of other security equipment that will help keep your valuables safe, wherever you are in the world!

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Living in fear that your house will be burgled can cause a lot of underlying stress for homeowners, but there are steps you can take to make your home less attractive to burglars. Here at IDS Security, we specialise in putting home & business owners minds at ease by improving the security of their premises. Today we're going to walk you through some easy steps you can take to make your home less attractive to burglars, let's dive right in!

Secure your spare key

How many times have you left a spare key under the doormat, or a plant pot, or in the shed? The chances are, you've probably risked this more than once, but guess what? Burglars know that we put our keys in these places! The chances are, if someone wants to break into your house, these are the first places they'll look before they try to gain access. Why would they go to the trouble of breaking glass & creating a lot of noise, when a spare key will make it possible for them to walk straight in through the front door?

Make you home less attractive to burglars by keeping your spare key in a secure place. If a family neighbour or relative needs the key to gain access to your home, try to give it to them in person ahead of time, rather than leaving it in a vulnerable position that's attractive to burglars.

Check windows are closed

One thing that's very attractive to burglars is open windows. Much like a spare key, an open window can provide easy access to a house without the use of force. If you want to make your house less attractive to burglars, ensure that all windows are closed and locked before you leave the property. Ground floor windows are particularly vulnerable, but burglars will target second or third storey windows if they offer easy access too!

Keep gardens tidy

A wild, overgrown garden can make your home more attractive to burglars because it provides ample cover & places to hide. Bushes, long grass and leafy trees are surprisingly good places to hide if you're trying to find an access point to break into someone's home. You can help make your home less attractive to burglars by keeping your garden & outdoor area tidy. 

Freshly cut grass & trimmed, neat hedges will provide much less cover than an unruly garden! Remember, the last thing burglars want is to be caught in the act, so anything you can do to make your house a more difficult target will pay off in the long run. Keeping on top of your garden maintenance is a simple and effective way to make your home less attractive to burglars (and it'll mean you get more enjoyment from the garden too).

Better home security

With burglars becoming more sophisticated and capable of finding inventive ways to break in, it's vital that you use home security systems to provide protection for your home. Home security systems do two things. Firstly, they act as a deterrent, making your home less attractive to burglars who can see that you've got a security system in place. Secondly, they provide you with the confidence and knowledge that your home will be protected in the event that a burglary attempt actually occurs.

CCTV cameras, intruder alarms and door entry systems can all be used to make your home less attractive to burglars. CCTV cameras, in particular, are easily seen from outside your home & let criminals know that they're being watched. Having a CCTV camera system in place is one of the most effective ways to deter burglars, so if you've not got one already - we'd highly recommend it!

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If you want to protect your home with a bespoke home security system, we can help. Give us a call on 029 20 753 251 to discuss your concerns and we can help you start your journey towards a well-protected home today!

Read More: What Do Burglars Look For? Tips to Protect Your Belongings