Property Security Reduces Insurance Premiums and Crime!

Whether you are a home or business owner or are a landlord, safeguarding your premises is always vital. Ensuring your buildings are properly protected helps reduce insurance premiums and is a successful crime prevention method. Insurance payments often fall in price if your property is visibly secure and of course, visible security acts as a deterrent to burglars. Try to keep your property and security equipment looking well maintained. Burglars are less likely to target buildings with new looking equipment.

There is so much conflicting advice though, that it is often difficult to decide which is the most important area to tackle in the first instance and the security measures you take will depend on if you are a landlord, a home owner or a business owner. Much depends on the type of building you are responsible for however. Isolated properties need a different approach to those surrounded by other buildings. Business owners with outside lock ups or large multi building premises will need different security to those occupying a large office block with multiple user groups. And absent landlords will want to secure them from break ins and help their tenants to use security systems wisely. With such different requirements, how can advice be given that is relevant to all groups? Here are three overarching ideas to help put together your security plan. They are:

1. Implement more than one security system to adequately secure your premises. Don't just stick to one security measure to reduce every risk.

You will need to consider where your property is situated and at what hours of the day it is in use – this will help you decide if a burglar alarm, CCTV system or external lighting is needed for your property|Think about the location of your premises and when it is occupied – this will help you decide which type of security devices might be appropriate|Write yourself a list of who uses your building and when they are present and then factor in where your property is sited to help you decide on the best systems to put in place}.

You should always look at the security of doors and windows, thinking about who has access with keys or swipe cards or codes. Are the doors strong enough, are the locks fit for purpose, on both internal and external doors and windows and how is entry or exit to or from your property controlled?

Alarm systems (both fire and intruder alarms) are often combined with door access control for added security.

If in a commercial setting, do a risk assessment to highlight the areas of risk in your business. Help prevent fraud by being aware of high risk areas in your property where expensive items are kept.

2. Engage other people in your property security.

Seek advice if you are responsible for staff, boarders or multi occupancy buildings and particularly if you are unsure about your obligations.

Home owners should look at the exterior of their house and try to think like a burglar. Protect the obvious weaker areas, then go round to the back of the house and do the same. You should look at boundaries, external doors and windows and consider whether your home is in a high risk area or not (local police forces have information about this). If you are a vulnerable or elderly person then help is available from police forces who will give free advice on what you need to do to secure your home.

If you are a landlord or business owner, finding professional help is critical to your staff's or tenants' safety as well as your property's security. A locksmith such as this locksmiths in Bristol, a security system company or your insurance company are all sources of professional help and most will offer a no obligation quotation for work at your premises. A few companies give help with risk assessments.

3. Work with others to make sure your efforts have the best effects in terms of securing your property.

Once you have decided what security devices to use, then tell other people about it. Educate the people who use your buildings in how to operate equipment. Business owners should include this in health and safety awareness for staff.

Home owners should ask keyholders to inform them if keys are lost. New locks can then be fitted in a timely manner. Show teenagers how to operate the alarm, especially if they are allowed in and out without supervision.

Let trusted colleagues, neighbours or friends know when you are going away or are leaving the property empty and ask them to check the property regularly. This may simply be a case of collecting your post from the doorway or employing a night guard in a business setting.

Servicing your security equipment after it is fitted should be at least an annual event, more frequent if your property undergoes any changes during the year. It doesn't matter how much money you spend on your property security, it still needs looking after. Regular maintenance will guarantee that it performs when it is supposed to. Annual service contracts are readily available from locksmith and security systems firms. They have reduced in price in recent years.

Keys should be handed in when someone no longer needs them and locks should be changed if there is any chance that the keys could be misused.

Most Criminal Damage Takes Place on a Whim

Burglars commit their crimes by strolling in through open doors in more than 30% of cases! Windows and doors are very inviting to the opportunistic intruder. Don't make it easy for them at home or work. Consider the obvious to avoid becoming a victim of crime yourself. After that consider the strength of your doors and locks and think about controlling staff or family's access and finally look at extra methods such as CCTV and alarm systems.

To learn more about building security options view this locksmiths in Bristol website.