The daylight hours are getting longer, and we have experienced a few warmer days, so many of us are diving headfirst into our annual spring cleaning routines. While you are clearing out the clutter and deep cleaning your house, there is one crucial area of your property that you can’t afford to overlook, but that often goes neglected: your home security, and in particular, your intruder alarm system.
With the arrival of spring comes new opportunities for criminals. Lighter evenings mean more time for us to enjoy the outdoors, but also that burglars are changing their tactics. As the weather starts to warm, thieves often take advantage of windows left ajar, homeowners being distracted in the back garden, or homes left empty during impromptu weekend getaways.
Whilst the climate might not yet have driven you to open windows, or to spend every available moment tending to your garden, March is the perfect time to carry out a security audit and thoroughly check your intruder alarm.
Here is the essential March security checklist to incorporate into your spring cleaning plans.
Give Intruder Alarm Sensors a Spring Clean
When you’re dusting the most hard-to-reach corners of your home, make sure to include your burglar alarm sensors. Dust, cobwebs and even small insects can accumulate over the winter months, potentially blocking motion detectors and causing false alarm frustration. A quick, gentle wipe with a dry microfibre cloth is usually enough to keep your sensors clean and functioning well.
Run a Full System Test
You may set your burglar alarms every day, but when was the last time you actually tested your system? As intruder alarms are meant to sit quietly until they are needed, it can be easy to miss a fault. It’s always a good idea to run a full test periodically to make sure all elements of the alarm system are working as they should.
Simply put your system in test mode and trigger the sensors to make sure the control panel registers your movement, the siren sounds, and (if you have a smart alarm system) that mobile alerts come through to your smart devices successfully. If you are unsure how to run a test, you can consult your user manual, or if you are still in doubt, give us a call.
Check Batteries
If your alarm system relies on wireless sensors, now is a good time to check their battery levels. Many modern systems will alert you when a battery is running low, but a proactive check is important for preventing system failure when you need it most. In addition to batteries, you should also check the main system’s backup battery, as this is essential for keeping your alarms running in the event of a power cut.
Access Audits
While you are going through your security spring cleaning checklist, this is also a great time to audit your security codes and keyholders. Have you given out your code to tradesmen, former neighbours, or dog walkers over the last year? If the answer is yes, then it is time to change your alarm pin, along with any other access codes.
Check Your Perimeter
When you start tidying up the garden, this is an ideal time to trim back any overgrown trees or bushes that might be providing a useful hiding spot for burglars. Be sure to verify that the outside security lighting is functioning, and that nothing is obstructing your CCTV cameras and alarm bell box. Remember, a visible alarm bell box is actually one of the most important visual deterrents against home break-ins.
Arrange a Professional Intruder Alarm Service or Security Audit
DIY checks are a vital habit to stick to throughout the year, but nothing is better than the peace of mind that comes from a professional alarm system service from a certified engineer. For even greater confidence in your home security, you can arrange for a professional security audit, where recommendations can be made to bolster your security systems.
Secure Your Home This Spring
Don’t let a lapse in maintenance and simple checks leave your home vulnerable. At First Contact Fire & Security, we are dedicated to keeping your home, property and loved ones safe, providing expert advice and the highest level of installation and servicing for burglar alarms, CCTV, and access control systems.
Whether you are in need of a routine maintenance check, upgrades to your security infrastructure, or a brand-new integrated security system installation, our experts are here to help.
Contact us today to book your spring service.
02380 410 61002392 550 627
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