Use the latest tech to defend your property while working away
If you have to work away from home, whether for a few days every now and again or for prolonged periods of time, security will no doubt be foremost on your mind. After all, each time you leave your property, the risk of burglary and vandalism increases.
Luckily, there are simple measures you can take to reduce the likelihood that break-ins will occur at your house or flat, and here are some of the most important.
Take full advantage of tech to boost home security
Of course, effective security systems are a must and the most fundamental of these are alarms. The tell-tale shriek of these solutions is often enough to send burglars fleeing and even the sight of the devices on the outside of residences can discourage thieves from attempting break-ins. As an added deterrent, you can connect these systems to special sirens that produce unbearable levels of noise.
Many people assume that CCTV systems are just for businesses and other such organisations. However, developments in this technology have meant that these solutions are now widely available to homeowners as well. You can take your pick from a range of internal, external, zoom and IP network cameras, meaning you shouldn’t struggle to find versions that suit your needs and budget. Like alarms, these systems can serve as an effective deterrent. In addition, by capturing any break-in activity on camera, they make it easier to catch criminals.
Another form of security system that’s rapidly growing in popularity is the infra-red perimeter beam. Perfect if you have a large property or you want to take home protection to a new level, these solutions detect intruders before they even reach your house. When the beam is interrupted by someone passing through it, an alarm is sounded. It’s now possible to set the transmitters and receivers 30 metres or more apart.
Security lights can also be effective. Burglars tend to prefer to operate in darkness, so by making sure your property is rigged up with these lights, you can reduce its appeal to would-be intruders.
Create the lived-in look with timer devices
For obvious reasons, criminals tend to be on the lookout for properties that show the tell-tale signs of absent owners. This means that if you want to protect your home, you’ll need to ensure it has that lived-in look, even when you’re not there.
With this in mind, it’s helpful to invest in timers for your lights. These handy and easy to use devices can turn your lights on and off at particular points during the evening, giving the impression that someone’s in. It’s now even possible to buy timers that work for other devices, including TVs and radios.
Make a checklist
So that you don’t forget to take advantage of all your security systems, it’s helpful to have a checklist that details all the actions you must take. By glancing at this each time you leave home to work away, you can rest assured you won’t miss anything. Make sure you leave this list somewhere conspicuous, like on a shelf or table near your front door.
Establish good communication with your neighbours
For added peace of mind when you’re away from home, it’s helpful to have good communication with your neighbours. If you’re on friendly terms with the people who live next door, you can be confident that they’ll keep an eye on your property in your absence and will take appropriate action if something is amiss. It’s worth sharing your contact details so they can get in touch with you if a problem arises.
It’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of break-ins to your property when you’re working away from home. However, by sticking to basic principles like these, and taking full advantage of the technology now available, you can significantly boost security at your abode.
Author bio: Anna Longdin is a freelance writer who blogs about technology and the home. To stay abreast of the latest technological advances in the home security industry, she regularly visits websites such as Big Brother Systems.
