With advances in technology in the last decade, there is no reason why all businesses shouldn’t have even the most basic security measures in place to protect the premises, its contents and its employees.  There are several different kinds of CCTV for many different budgets, but if you invest in a more modern system, the benefits will swallow the cost in no time!

The current COVID-19 situation means that many businesses are standing empty, or operating with skeleton staff, meaning that they are more exposed to theft or vandalism.  Until restrictions are lifted and businesses can begin operating as normal again, commercial premises across the country are far more vulnerable to criminals.

Protecting your business is paramount in such uncertain times, and security is key.  As government guidelines have told us to stay at home, remote security is a lifeline for business owners who are unable to attend their premises.  So why should you invest in a new CCTV system?  We identified 7 of the best reasons:

1. Old analogue systems are outdated

You may be throwing good money after bad trying to maintain an older analogue system, due to the cost of upgrades and replacement parts.  The older the system, the more unreliable it will become meaning it could fail at a time when you most need it.

2. It can record vast amounts of live footage

Imagine the cost involved in employing somebody to watch your security cameras all day every day!  IP CCTV records in real time, and its software will alert you if the alarm in your building is triggered by intruders.  This can save you time, money and hassle, as it gives you the ability to access footage at any given time, either as it is happening or retrospectively.  This footage is invaluable should any break in result in arrests and prosecution of the perpetrators in the future.  Of course, you also have the option to peruse footage just to check your building is safe and secure.

3. The image quality is better

Modern CCTV image quality is far superior to analogue.  A clear crisp image is vital if you need to identify any criminals caught on camera.  Even if intruders are disguised, a sharper image could still help by identifying clothing brands or other small detail that an analogue system might not pick up.

4. You can monitor remotely

The benefit of remote monitoring is that you can check on your cameras wherever you are, from your smart phone or other device, giving you the advantage to alert emergency services immediately should you need to.  If you travel with work, or lockdown rules are strengthened, then this can give you extra peace of mind if you’re not on hand to attend your premises when necessary.

5. It’s easy to install

Once your cameras are insitu, you can download simple software to monitor them from any device, giving you peace of mind should your building be empty for any prolonged amount of time.  Extra cameras can be added in harder to see places or particularly vulnerable locations, either indoors or outdoors.  Viewing footage from multiple angles can prove valuable when trying to identify suspects!

6. It’s cost effective

The cost of a new security system can seem like a lot of money to part with, but think of the benefits; CCTV can act as a deterrent to burglars which could save you the hassle of insurance claims and subsequent premium increases in the future.  A burglary doesn’t just impact on the loss of equipment and items, it’s also about the potential damage caused to your building, the interruption to your business should key equipment be stolen or damaged plus the emotional distress caused to you and your employees.  You may even find that your insurance premiums are lowered with the addition of an appropriate CCTV system.

7. It’s reliable

Gone are the days when there would be one hard copy of footage, which could be rendered useless if it was damaged, or worse still, recorded over!  Today’s systems are durable as well as reliable and can be updated and adapted with ease, producing high resolution imaging, which can be accessed from anywhere at any time.

8. It protects your staff

There could be times when your staff feel vulnerable at work, particularly if they’re there alone.  CCTV offers them comfort in knowing that they are always safe and monitored.  Likewise, your staff will conduct themselves professionally, knowing that their actions are being recorded!

Of course, there are Data Protection laws in force which forbid you from pointing cameras at the pavement, road or neighbouring properties.  Your Installation expert will advise you of the best position for your cameras without breaking the law!

If you would like more information on our CCTV systems and installation service, please click here.

The world is experiencing one of the worst catastrophes imaginable. None of us are immune to the effect the Coronavirus is having and as the ripples spread far and wide and the infection rate rises, the strain on our public services is immense.  With clear instructions in place to help us to try and delay the spread of the disease, the impact on our social interaction with others seems devastating.  But those instructions are crucial if we are to suppress the infection spread, at least for the time being.

As of early March it was reported that the government had warned: ”Police forces will concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order if they suffer large staff absences during the outbreak of coronavirus”.  Basically this means that if you are burgled (classified as a low level crime), then it will be less likely for police officers to attend your scene, as the workforce could be stretched even further to cope with the absence of officers who are either infected with Covid-19 or who are in self-isolation. Potentially this could be a green light for many offenders wishing to take advantage of more ‘relaxed’ measures.  However, the reality is that people’s normal patterns of behaviour have been well and truly disrupted which could signal a reduction in the crime rate as more and more people are staying at home.

Unfortunately, crime isn’t just confined to physical acts.  Online crime is a real and present danger. At the end of February, online giant Amazon pulled over a million online items whose sellers were capitalising on the fear factor.  Counterfeit face masks and bogus virus cures were listed at highly inflated prices.  With our shops’ shelves being almost stripped bare of such items, as well as hand sanitisers and anti-bacterial products, worried consumers are being duped into paying these exorbitant prices for substandard and sometimes non-existent products.

Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve told talkRADIO that he thought that the economic hit of coronavirus could raise crime. He stated: “The issue that worries me is how, at the end of this, do we pick society up and will there be the number of casualties who will be so badly affected economically that that may contribute to a rise in the crime rate?”

What is certain, is that we are living through a time where we need to be vigilant in all aspects of our lives.  With so many people having to work from home now, the likelihood of burglary is greatly reduced with properties being occupied around the clock.  But it doesn’t mean we should be any less careful with our home security measures. Opportunists are just that – they may still target the old and vulnerable.

Likewise, many commercial premises are either standing empty or running with a skeleton staff.  It’s an absolutely crucial time to ensure that your premises are protected during the most uncertain time in generations.

For more information on our security services, click here.

The thought of fire breaking out in your home is a scary one.  It’s also statistically very unlikely to happen, but nevertheless it’s not impossible. But fear not, as there are plenty of steps you can take in order to minimise the risk of fire within your home.

• Smoke detectors. You should test the batteries in your smoke alarms at least once a month.  Set yourself a reminder to do it, say, on the first of every month.  It takes seconds, and could potentially save your life.  Replace any dead batteries immediately.

• Fire extinguishers. Having a well maintained extinguisher on hand in the event of a fire could be the difference between a small amount of smoke damage and the devastating loss of your home.  Your fire safety provider will advise you about the safest and most accessible places to store your extinguishers.

• Heating maintenance. You should have your boiler serviced regularly, at least once a year.  By regular servicing, you’ll avoid too much build-up of dust and dirt within the appliance which could be a fire hazard.  If you use electric heaters make sure that they’re placed well away from anything that could catch fire.

• Naked flames. Candles are the cause of a large percentage of house fires and most of these could be avoided if they weren’t left unattended.  If you have an open fire, always use a fire guard to avoid burning embers falling from the grate, or being ‘spat’ out.  Ensure you have your chimney swept regularly to avoid soot from building up – this could ignite and cause a chimney fire.

• Close your doors. Fires will be unable to spread as quickly if the internal doors in your house are closed.  This could save your life, particularly at night time! More often than not, smoke will take victims before flames do, so every second counts.

• Kitchen appliances. Most house fires start in the kitchen.  Hot pans can combust if they contain any kind of cooking fat.  Keep hobs clear of any debris, and never leave tea towels or cloths on them.  If you should have a pan fire, NEVER douse in water; a damp tea towel laid over the top will starve the fire of oxygen, and will be extinguished relatively quickly.  Ideally you should never leave your hob unattended whilst cooking.

• Washing machines and tumble dryers. Clean the filters of your washing machine and tumble dryer regularly to avoid fluff and lint from building up.  Most fires that start in tumble dryers result from poor maintenance.

• Electric cables. Deal with any frayed cables immediately as bare wires are not only dangerous to anyone who touches them, but are also a fire hazard.  Be sure to unplug any phone chargers that are not in use, and also any appliances that start to feel warm to the touch at the power source.

• Storage. There are so many products we use throughout the house that are flammable, eg cleaning disinfectants, perfumes and sprays, and it’s vitally important to store them safely. A cupboard away from any heat sources and exposure to sunlight is ideal.

For any advice on fire prevention and protection, Swift Fire & Safety can help.  You can contact us by calling 01733 602955 or by clicking this link.

Nobody expects a fire to break out at work, but these types of emergency can strike businesses at any time.  If the worst should happen while you’re on the premises, would you know the correct procedure to evacuate immediately?  It’s a duty of care to ensure that you (and other employees) are ready, just in case disaster strikes nearby.

There are some actionable tips that could help. Here are some to get you started.

Your action plan

Outlining your responsibilities during a fire or other evacuation emergency can be compiled in your ‘Emergency Action Plan’.  It should include escape routes which highlight primary and secondary emergency exits, the fire assembly point and also include accessible routes for those that may have disabilities.  Diagrams are very useful in this instance.

It should be decided whether any employees should use fire extinguishers if needed, and that if so, that they are fully trained in their use.

Emergency Training

Your team should all be familiar with your Emergency Action Plan, but you could also provide extra training for those with specific responsibilities should an emergency occur.

If you need any of your staff to be able to use a fire extinguisher, training can be given by your extinguisher supplier.  Maintenance of equipment is essential so that it is reliable should the need to use it arise.

Testing of all alarms should take place regularly. Conducting routine fire drills will also give your employees chance to practice their roles and responsibilities as if it were a real evacuation.  Your local fire safety provider will be able to give guidance and advice if you feel there could be improvements in the evacuation process.

Prevention

Now that your team know what to do in an emergency situation, there are steps you can take to make sure the chances of fire breaking out are reduced.  A common sense approach to general health and safety rules will help keep your workplace and its employees as safe as possible:

• General Maintenance should be ongoing. Canteens in particular are ‘hotspots’ for flammable grease and grime build up, so appliances should be checked regularly to be sure they’re working adequately.
• Dispose of rubbish daily so that it doesn’t build up into a hazard.
• Clear all exits, stairways and corridors in case of emergency evacuation.
• Open windows when cleaning products are being used, particularly near to heat sources.
• Store paper products correctly, and never near to heat sources.
• Make your premises is a smoke free zone. Discarded cigarette ends cause fires!
• Ensure your premises are secure when there is nobody on site. Arson is the cause of over 40% of serious fires, so stepping up security is a good idea.