Will CCTV lower my insurance costs?

Having insurance on your home or business is essential in case of theft or damage. The downside is it can come at a significant cost depending on the value of your property and the area it’s located in. Continue reading Will CCTV lower my insurance costs?

Why Non-Monitored CCTV is a Waste of Time

Many businesses, local authorities and homeowners across the country have traditional non-monitored CCTV cameras installed as a matter of principle. In fact, the UK alone has 4-5.9 million cameras which is one of the highest totals in the world.

But are they effective?

Whilst some footage may stand up in court and help to prosecute criminals, non-monitored CCTV cameras don’t actually prevent crime from happening in the first place.

Here’s our round-up of reasons why non-monitored CCTV is a waste of time.

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Why Keypads are Fatally Flawed for Security

Keypads are popular security systems for residential and commercial buildings alike. The seemingly secure system, where users tap in a pre-set code, is often viewed as safer and more convenient than the traditional lock and key.

Homeowners and businesses have increasingly opted for this form of security system for a number of reasons. Firstly, keys can be easily lost, stolen or replicated, leaving property owners vulnerable to a break in.

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How to Really Secure Your Home against Burglars

Burglary and theft are nothing new. Since man first became civilized, he challenged the lives of other people at every step. No development in the economic set up of the nation can lower the level of crime.

In spite of so much improvement around, safety is still one of the most common issues we all face. With increasing complaints about theft and robbery threats, a range of security surveillance systems has entered the market. While some are extremely handy or beneficial, others often fail to serve their purpose.

If you think that you live in a crime-free and peaceful region, just stop and think again. Considering the unstable condition of the job market, the number of criminal activities can increase over time. Just because your neighbours are nice and hospitable doesn’t mean that you won’t experience any theft or vandalism.

The following is a good checklist to go through before leaving your home empty or for beefing up your protection against burglary.

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RE:SURE Home – “OBSOLETE” HOME ALARMS IN FIRING LINE…

 With more than €35 million worth of property stolen from Irish households between July 2013 and July 2014 according to research from The Garda National Crime Prevention Unit *1, the traditional home alarm could become a thing of the past following the introduction of a new home security product called RE:SURE Home from Irish firm RE:SURE that’s set to completely change the way we think about home security.

According to Emmet Hogan of RE:SURE; “RE:SURE Home uses smart cameras to provide a new level of protection that prevents break-ins from happening by intervening directly, with a live audio challenge, the moment an intruder steps foot on your property. Importantly, this avoids the emotional and financial cost that’s the collateral damage from intrusion into your home space.

“Standard alarm technology has two fundamental flaws. Firstly, it only alarms once the person is inside or on their way into your home. Secondly, burglars are more fearless and calculating these days and know that they have a window of opportunity before any response is likely.

“It comes down to a simple choice really. Do you want a typical home alarm that tells you that you’re being burgled when you can do nothing about it and your prized valuables and sentimental items are being stolen OR one that prevents the theft happening in the first place?

How it Works – 24 hour monitoring

Unlike the typical alarm where there’s window contacts, internal sensors, panic button ( and sometimes even invasive cameras that monitor and record your movements within your own house) RE:SURE Home CCTV monitoring takes the job of protecting your house outside, using what’s been described as an Intelligent Protection System (IPS). This effectively acts as a monitored virtual perimeter around the grounds of your home.

RE:SURE uses the latest generation of detection technology in the form of discreetly placed Smart Cameras that provide a 360 degree view of the outside of the house, detecting any activity on your home’s grounds. Whatever the smart cameras can see the RE:SURE Home can detect.

If RE:SURE detects the intruder entering the grounds of your home, fully trained security Operatives based at the firm’s 24 hour purpose built Control Centre are immediately alerted and will access live footage of your house.

The Operatives will command the intruder to leave using a speaker system (installed as part of the package) whilst observing them live on screen and issuing continual live warnings; ensuring the intruder flees before attempting to get inside your home before any damage or theft occurs.

Since the intruder has been caught before they have even begun, they flee the premises before any damage or theft can take place. The homeowner is contacted when a real event occurs and the Gardai are also immediately informed.

“Brazen Burglars”

John MacMahon, Hogan’s business partner, added: “We examined our own intruder alarm statistics with the national figures and realised that we were seeing a rise in the percentage of burglars were simply more brazen than before – they know there is an alarm, but also know that they can be in and out before any real response will occur.”

We thought there must be a better way and wanted a system that detects the criminals before they ever got near your home and allowed us to intervene immediately, then that window of opportunity will be slammed shut. Our instant, preventative response is better and more effective. We see it as the evolution of home security.”

Installation of RE:SURE Home is designed to be fuss free and typically takes about a day to complete. For those that already have CCTV installed it’s even better; any existing CCTV system can be easily upgraded to a RE:SURE Home system.

The company reports strong demand for their new product nationwide, particularly in Dublin, Belfast and larger isolated homes in the countryside. Each home is assessed on an individual basis dependent on size and need. Costs include an installation charge and monthly monitoring fee.

Hogan added: “RE:SURE Home, offers the newest, most advanced protection system for your home, delivering a preventative security solution that’s built for purpose in 2015.  Yes, it’s an investment but what price do you put on your peace of mind and knowing that you’re protecting your family and possessions with the very best product that’s available?”

According to research from The Garda National Crime Prevention Unit, over €35 million worth of property was stolen from Irish homes in the past year between July 2013 and July 2014

Of that, Jewellery made up to 40% of all stolen property and represented a value of €14.2 million with €7.2 million taken in cash.  Cars were also a major focus for thieves.

Analysis from Gardaí shows that the most common point of entry for burglars is the front door (29%), a rear window (26%), and a rear door (22%).  In addition 20% of households are entered by burglars through an unsecured door or window.

One of the most regular pieces of advice to householders from the Police s is to have your house alarm on – even when you’re in.  That’s not an issue with the RE:SURE HOME security product as it’s fully operational and monitored 24 hours a day.