When you’re buying a house, security should be a top priority. After all, nobody wants to move into a new home where there is an inherent risk to your safety.

However, when you’re selling a house, home security can be just as important – particularly when it comes to property value.

Keeping your property up to date and up to scratch with the appropriate security measures can seriously pay off.

How so? Let’s find out…

Does a Security System Add Value to a Home?

Thinking about it logically, if you were buying a house, would you rather buy a house in a safe area that’s backed by top-quality CCTV or a property in a dodgy neighbourhood that doesn’t even have a front door?

While that example may seem a little extreme, the point remains. When you’re selling a house, a safe and secure property is a far more desirable proposition than one that poses potential risks. As such, it really does pay to cover any chinks in the proverbial armour.

Naturally, properties that pose minimal security risk are likely to garner a higher price tag. What’s more, they also provide a more attractive option to potential buyers in terms of overall investment, as they also present your would-be buyer with potentially cheaper insurance premiums.

Types of Home Security

If you’re considering ramping up your home security in the interest of adding value to your home, there are a few different routes you can take.

At IDS Security, we recommend considering the following options to keep your property as safe as houses.

Burglar Alarms

The holy grail of home safety, the tried and tested burglar alarm is perhaps the most popular and common form of home security in the UK.

At IDS, our cutting-edge intruder alarm systems are specifically designed to keep your home safe using the latest digital signalling equipment.

IDS can provide design, installation and maintenance of your home intruder alarm system for ultimate peace of mind, ensuring your system is installed correctly and always in full, working order.

Surveillance Cameras

Whether you’re looking to install traditional CCTV or hi-tech digital IP cameras, you can rest assured that our surveillance technology is top of the line and state-of-the-art.

Our expert team of installers can help you set up a security camera system that’s appropriate and fitting for your property.

Ranging from simple one-camera setup to multi-camera networks, we can provide your home with the level of security needed to suit your property.

Access Control

Providing technologically-advanced door entry solutions for your property, our access control systems provide electronic and magnetic door release for ultimate security.

Limiting entry through your chosen method of access – from smart card and key fobs to intercoms and biometrics – you can secure anything from a single internal door to multiple points of entry.

Fire Protection Systems

In addition to intruder security measures, we also offer protection from fire hazards as well in the form of our fire alarm systems.

Utilising state-of-the-art fire detection technology, our specialist fire alarms provide unrivalled reliability and reassurance, installed by expert fitters with a wealth of industry experience.

Our maintenance package also includes a 24/7 monitoring service with a round-the-clock call-out service included.

What are you waiting for? Add value to your property today with home security from IDS. Call now on 029 20 753 251 for more information or click the button below to enquire online.

Enquire Online Now

There’s no disputing the fact that fire alarms save lives. Moreover, they also save buildings, businesses and homes too, making them a hugely beneficial addition to any property.

However, that’s not to say they are perfect. Like any safety appliance, fire alarms can also cause issues, particularly if they’re triggered by mistake. False fire alarms are a massive burden to firefighters nationwide and cost the fire service untold amounts of time, money and resources.

As such, preventing false fire alarms should be a priority for any business owner with a fire safety measure in place.

Implications of False Fire Alarms

According to the London Fire Brigade, there were an astounding 38,000 false fire alarms in 2017. That figure equates to 104 false calls a day!

Not only is this a waste of time for the hard-working members of the fire brigade, but it’s also taking up precious time that could be better spent elsewhere, attending real emergencies and saving those in need.

If your workers are pre-conditioned by previous false alarms to believe an alarm doesn’t need their urgent attention, a real incident can result in slowed reactions which can translate to catastrophe.

So, as you can see, there are a few very important reasons that you do what you can to prevent false fire alarms for your safety and the safety of those around you.

False Fire Alarm Penalty UK

Local authorities have been toying with the idea of implementing a false fire alarm fine system for several years now; however, nothing has been set in stone as of this writing. That being said, persistent false-callers and re-offenders may be charged if proposed plans continue.

As of June 2019, London Fire Brigade planned to implement changes if they attended eight false alarms at the same site within 12 months, with further plans to charge for every additional false call-out that occurred thereafter.

Furthermore, while there isn’t an official system in place for a UK false fire alarm penalty at the moment, that’s not to say that a false fire alarm doesn’t incur some hefty costs all the same. If fire brigade resources are taken up unnecessarily, it could well hinder the treatment of a very real fire elsewhere. It is always in your interest to prevent false fire alarms wherever possible.

Common Causes of False Fire Alarms

Fire alarms can be inadvertently set off for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from the logical to downright trivial. If your fire alarm isn’t well maintained or overly sensitive, you could be at risk of a false alarm.

Some common causes of false fire alarms include:

• Cigarette smoke
• Large amounts of steam (eg. from a bathroom)
• Cooking/burning food
• Dust within the unit
• Mould or mildew within the unit

Read more: Fire Alarm Maintenance UK

It’s also important to have the right fire alarms in place for your property and the occupancy. Fitting a fire alarm system that’s not appropriate for your business or premises could well lead to a false fire alarm down the line.

Competent installation can also have an effect on performance, as can efficient maintenance thereafter. A slap-dash job of installing is a recipe for disaster, while lack of care can render the system useless.

Preventing False Fire Alarms

To prevent false fire alarms from affecting your premises, it’s universally recommended that you enlist the aid of an expert fire alarm installation team.

Professional attention can guarantee the correct installation of the right system for your business, immediately reducing the risk of a false call out and the many knock-on effects they incur.

At IDS Security, our team of specialists can help you choose the right fire system for your business and install it professionally to the highest standards possible. With over 20 years of experience, we also offer round the clock monitoring and a 24/7 call-out service for maintained customers, offering unrivalled peace of mind and professional care.

Fire safety is no time to cut corners and take shortcuts. Call IDS today on 029 20 753 251 or click the button below to keep your premises safe and secure.

Contact Us

While the police and ambulance services equate for the majority of emergency call outs in the UK, the fire service is far from underused, with an incredible number of hazards attended throughout the year.

The sheer volume of fire-related emergency calls alone is proof that fires are a very real immediate danger to us all and not just something that affects other people.

As such, a working fire alarm is a vital piece of equipment for any property and efficient fire alarm maintenance to keep it in working order year-round is just as important.

Fire Statistics UK

According to the gov.uk website, England’s Fire & Rescue Services attended over 167,000 fires between April 2017 and March 2018.

Incredibly, those figures equate to just around 460 fires a day on average – a sobering statistic that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Worse still, over 74k of these incidents were classified as “primary fires”, defined as any fire that occurs in a non-derelict building, vehicle or outdoor structure.

Of these, over 30k fires occurred in “dwellings” (i.e. houses, flats and caravans), while over 15.5k fires occurred in “other buildings” – including public venues like hotels, shops and restaurants – as well as places of work, such as offices, factories and warehouses.

Professional Fire Alarm Maintenance

Whether you’re responsible for fire alarm systems in a commercial setting, a public location or a residential property, efficient and effective fire alarm maintenance is of vital importance.

At IDS, we not only specialise in fire alarm design and installation, we also provide a professional maintenance package that’s tailored to you and your fire alarm system.

Our comprehensive fire alarm maintenance contract provides an extensive aftercare service, providing you with a reliable 24/7 call out service, for system monitoring at your beck and call.

Types of Fire Alarm Maintenance

Whether you have a conventional, addressable or wireless fire alarm, our expert staff can be on hand in no time to fix any manner fire alarm maintenance issues.

Any day, any time, we can be there to ensure your fire protection system is operating at full working capacity and functioning at optimal performance to keep you, the property and its contents safe.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, we pride ourselves on providing you with a service that offers genuine peace of mind that money can’t buy.

Don’t take the risk: stay protected with IDS fire alarm maintenance services today.

For more information, call 029 20 753 251 now or click the button below to get in touch online.

Get in Touch

There has been a rise in interest in the installation of wireless alarm systems, particularly with the increased demand for smart home devices. This is because wireless alarm systems are more convenient and have many advantages over their wired counterparts. Some of the benefits of a wireless alarm system are:

• They are easier to install - Installing a wireless alarm system eliminates the need to damage existing walls and floors to install cables
• They are more resistant to damage - Removing cables and connections limits the amount of hardware that can be tampered with or damaged over time
• They can be relocated - If you decide to reposition your alarm system, or if you move house, the wireless alarm system can be un-installed and relocated with ease
• They can be controlled and monitored remotely - from a smartphone, remote control or another wireless device

Installing a wireless alarm system might seem like a simple task, but getting professional help is always advised for the following reasons:

1. Your wireless alarm system might be defective. If you don't have the skills or knowledge to correctly test or identify issues with the alarm system then you might not be aware of the fault until it's too late.

2. Installing the sensors and detectors in the right places is difficult. Installing them in the wrong places can compromise your safety and security, it isn't as simple as just putting on a sensor in each room and hoping for the best. The sensors and detectors need to be placed strategically to work as they should.

3. You have nobody liable for maintaining the wireless alarm system except yourself. Even if you manage to install a wireless alarm system yourself, maintaining it and identifying issues later down the line might be tricky.

At IDS we offer wireless fire and intruder alarm systems that can be installed just about anywhere. We have in-house specialists who you can talk to over the phone to establish the perfect kind of wireless alarm system for your requirements.

We can design, install and maintain whichever wireless alarm system you choose, making the process incredibly easy and dramatically reducing the likelihood of an accidental safety or security breach due to poor installation.

Our maintenance contracts provide you with 24/7 knowledge that your wireless alarm system is being monitored and will continue to function as it should for years to come. 

Read More: 5 Reasons to Get a Home Security System

To enquire about our wireless alarm systems, please get in contact with one of our specialists by calling 029 20 753 251, or fill out an enquiry form and we will be in touch ASAP. Simply click the button below to do so:

Contact Us >

Fire safety is a very important subject - it truly is a matter of life and death. Homes and commercial premises both require certain measures to ensure that, in the event of a fire, the dangers to human life are kept to a minimum.

We specialise in fire protection systems here at IDS, but how much do you know about fire safety? Read our infographic to make sure you understand how to make your property safe:

Infographic Transcript

Research shows that buildings burn faster now than ever before:

• 30 years ago you would have approximately 17 minutes to escape a house fire
• Nowadays you can have less than 5!

Fire exit: Always know where public fire exits are and the safest way to evacuate your house if there is a fire.

Make sure you have a fire alarm installed and test the ones you do have.

2/3 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke or fire alarms or have alarms that don't work.

Fire alarms should be tested once a month and have their batteries changed once a year

Be sure to take all the correct safety precautions by installing the right fire alarm!

You should have a smoke alarm on every floor of your home.

Which Fire Alarm Do You Need?

Conventional Fire Alarms

• Can tell you which zone a fire is in
• Great for small buildings with low risk of fire hazards

Wireless Fire Alarms

• Wirelessly links the alarm panel with sensitive sensors
• Ideal for buildings where wires aren't suitable such as temporary locations

Addressable Fire Alarms

• Ideal for large spaces with a higher risk of fire
• Can tell you the exact location of the fire

Biggest Fire Hazards

• Cooking
• Unattended Flames
• Faulty Electrical Systems
• Heating

If you want to know which security system would best protect your business learn more at www.ids-securityltd.co.uk