Holiday Prep: Secure Your Home or Let with Smart Alarms

Looking to get away with family and have peace of mind? Then you just may benefit from installing a smart alarm system for your home.

Going away with family should be a great de-stressor and a way for you to unwind the tensions of life. What’s the use of a holiday when you are left stressing about the security of your home or let?

Smart security systems are a great option because they allow you to keep an eye on your property even when you are thousands of miles away. All you need is a good internet connection!

In this guide, we dive deep into smart alarms, some important let home security tips, and a vacation alarm checklist that can get you the ultimate peace of mind:

SMART SECURITY SYSTEMS

As the name implies, these systems are designed to have an element of “smartness” in them. This means that they can process data, reason, and take the best course of action while you are away for vacation.

The way these alarms work is by using advanced technologies, including data processing, cloud computing, and cloud storage services. Smart security systems include CCTVs, alarms, access control systems, and much more.

Since these devices are connected to the internet, they can communicate all their data to a secure server. For users, this is an excellent way to access the security system of their home or let without even being present at the property.

Not only can you view live footage from the security cameras, but you can also receive alerts in the form of notifications on your phone whenever any suspicious activity is detected.

Smart systems also allow users to integrate multiple systems to provide even more effective security. This integration enables every security hardware in the premises to “talk” to each other and share data, which can result in a better level of security. For example, if the perimeter alarm is triggered, the CCTV camera will automatically turn to the affected area and start recording.

If a threat is confirmed via CCTV, then the access control system will go into lockdown, and an alarm will be automatically triggered, thus alerting enforcement personnel of the break-in. The great thing about these systems is that they are highly customisable and you can set up rules according to your individual security needs.

Smart security systems also come with advanced features such as facial recognition, which can be particularly useful for identifying burglars and intruders entering your property.

If you are looking to go for a holiday for a short or even a long time, then investing in a secure home holiday alarm system might just be what you need.

WHY SECURITY MATTERS MORE DURING HOLIDAYS

Burglars tend to operate at their highest during the holiday season for a simple reason: people aren’t at their properties, and no one can stop them!

During the school holiday or summer/seasonal breaks, empty homes become more attractive to burglars. According to a Metropolitan Police Report, there are about 700 burglaries conducted per day during the holiday season, which is why it is important that homeowners keep up with the security of their property.

Burglars can also use various tactics, such as leaving dirt or items on doorsteps to test whether a house is unoccupied. The goal, therefore, is to deter people from entering the premises in the first place, which is why you need a comprehensive system that can alert the authorities as quickly as possible.

Keep in mind that burglars can become active depending on various seasons. For example, in summer months when there is longer daylight and school holidays, more families are away, and burglars look for tell-tale signs of absence.

During winter or holiday break periods like Christmas or New Year, homes may be left unoccupied longer, and homeowners must account for longer absence and follow all the necessary tips (more on this below).

HOLIDAY PREP: SECURE YOUR HOME OR LET WITH SMART ALARMS

Investing in the right smart security gear is crucial if you want to maximise the overall security of your home or let.

Here are a few important considerations to keep in mind:

Smart Alarm Control Panel

Smart access control systems are a must for people who let or have their own property that they occasionally go away from during the holiday season.

An access control system is a unit with a keypad, lock, and siren. The design of this system is simple and is tasked with keeping a check on who enters and exits the property.

Access control systems can use a PIN code or fingerprint authentication to control the access of people in the property.

Smart access control systems can go a step beyond and conduct a facial recognition of the user as they approach the system. This provides excellent security because it not only records the person as they approach but can also report the event when the authentication fails.

The smart system will send out a notification directly to you or the monitoring service station (if you opt for it). The notification will contain information about the failed attempt and even a photo of the person trying to gain access.

Smart Doorbell

Smart doorbells are a type of access control systems that provide several features in one device.

Modern smart doorbells feature a camera, an authentication method, and even an intercom. During the holidays, a smart doorbell can be an excellent way to keep up with the security of your home, since you will be able to see the driveway and main entrance of your home with ease using a mobile application.

Smart CCTVs

Smart CCTV systems are excellent because they use several advanced features such as gait and facial recognition to keep your let or home safe. These cameras can be installed inside or outside the property and use motion detection, facial scans, and night vision to maintain the security of your property.

Furthermore, the cameras also back up the video feed to a cloud server, where you can access live or stored footage from anywhere in the world.

Door/Window Entry Sensors

Smart door or window sensors are an excellent way to increase the security inside your home. Since these sensors are sensitive to touch and pressure, they can be effective at confirming a break-in and sending out a response team.

Smart sensors work with other security hardware, such as access control or alarm systems, to provide even more security. For example, if the window or door sensor detects a break-in, it will alert a nearby alarm system that will confirm the intrusion and send out a notification to the relevant parties.

The access control system around the home will also go into lockdown mode and lock access to every entrance and exit until the system is reset.

Smart Lighting

Smart lights or plugs are an excellent way to deter criminals because they can be used to simulate activity around the premises. For example, the lights can be programmed to turn on during specific or random times of the day to make it seem like there are people inside the home or let.

Furthermore, smart lights can be triggered if the onboard sensors detect movement around the area where the light is installed. These systems can also work with other security hardware to provide even smarter light activations.

HOLIDAY AND LET HOME SECURITY TIPS

If you are planning to go away during the holidays, then don’t worry! Apart from investing in a secure home holiday alarm system, there is also a vacation alarm checklist that you can follow to ensure maximum safety.

Here’s a step-by-step checklist you can follow:

• Lock all doors and windows. Including side doors, sheds, and garages. We recommend that you double‐lock external doors if possible.
• Keep all valuables out of sight. Also, clear surfaces near windows and ensure that you draw blinds or curtains so that expensive items aren’t visible from outside the home or let.
• Pause all deliveries until you return. This includes milk, newspapers, Amazon parcels, or other subscriptions. If there is no one to collect these items from the doorstep, it would indicate to burglars that the house is empty.
• If possible, ask a neighbour or family to check in periodically. This can be to generally check the premises or to collect mail, move bins, or even park a car on your driveway sometimes. Trusted visitors can also be used to open or close curtains and shades. From the outside, the house will appear occupied, and burglars will be left guessing when the next person will visit.
• Use random triggers for lighting to mimic occupancy. You can use smart lighting or smart switches to turn on lights at different times of the day.
• Secure outdoor areas and make sure that you put away any hardware that could aid the burglars, like tools or ladders. You could also have the bushes around the home trimmed to provide a clear view for your neighbours or the public.
• Don’t tell everyone about your whereabouts or your itinerary. Avoid broadcasting your absence on social media as well. Burglars are getting smarter and can use digital tools to keep track of your location while you are away.
• For lets, it is important to ensure that your tenant knows how to arm or disarm the alarm system. They must also know who holds the key-holder contact, and that you have emergency contact info for them.
• Enable your smart alarm system and ensure that your smartphone alerts are working. You can do this by going around the property to see if you receive notifications as expected.
• Make sure that your smart security system is well-maintained, especially before you leave the premises. This includes addressing any issues related to the hardware and software. A professional can help you maintain your security system and ensure that it is running at full efficiency.
• When you are away, make sure that you make it a habit to periodically check the property via your centralised smart security mobile app. We recommend focusing on having fun and only checking in occasionally to ensure safety.

CHOOSING THE BEST SECURE HOME HOLIDAY ALARM

Here are a few tips for choosing the best smart security solution for your property:

• Conducting an audit – A professional installer can help you figure out the vulnerabilities in your home or let and enable you to address these issues using smart security gear. The audit will also contain details related to the type of your property, the number of access points, the level of risk, and more.
• Sourcing the Gear – DIY-ing the sourcing process may seem fun, but if you don’t know what to look for, then there is a high possibility that you might purchase incompatible or non-compliant gear. You may also not be able to secure a good price on the hardware. This is why it is best that you leave the sourcing to a professional who will help you find the right combination of gear, and that too at a great price!

• Checking for cross-compatibility – this is especially important if you already have smart security hardware installed at your premises. When expanding your security system, it is important that you make sure that the new gear provides the same (or more) features than your existing system. Manufacturers keep adding new features while legacy systems remain locked with old features due to hardware and software limitations, so you must find a system that adds value to your current security system.
• Plan around your budget – Smart doesn’t mean costly. In fact, newer security hardware is designed to be smart and pocket-friendly. However, you will need to keep in mind the subscription and hidden costs attached to smart systems. This can be in the form of cloud storage and pricing that enables advanced features. Go with a company that provides transparency in their pricing and the best value according to your budget.

We highly recommend that you follow the suggestions of a professional installer who can follow best practices and provide you with the best security solution according to the vulnerabilities of your home or let and your individual budgetary constraints.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.

We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB), and also conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards. We follow all the best practices in the industry and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security systems.

We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.

We understand the importance of having to regularly maintaining security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.

We provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition.

We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.

Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts right away for more information on holiday prep and how to secure your home or let with smart alarms.

Photo by Link Hoang on Unsplash