If you've been wondering whether a home security system could reduce your home insurance premiums - the answer is yes! Most home insurance providers take your home security system into account when they prepare a home insurance quote. There are some postcodes in the UK where you'll be unable to get an insurance quote without a home security system in place! So, if you're considering getting house insurance, we'd highly recommend installing a home security system first.

How do security systems impact insurance?

When insurers are assessing your house to determine whether they'll provide cover or not they take lots of different factors into account, including:

• The area you live in
• The value of your belongings
• The security measures you have in place 

Insurers use this information to decide how much of a risk you are. If your property is very secure and in a good, low-crime area, you're at a lower risk of being burgled - so insurance companies are happy to provide cover for your home and its contents. 

How much could you save?

the type of home insurance discount you get for your security system depends on how elaborate it is. A single intruder alarm may only bring your insurance premiums down by around 5 percent. A bespoke home security system that features intruder alarms, CCTV cameras, door access control systems and more could reduce your home insurance premiums by up to 20 percent! 

Installing a home security system

Creating the best security system for your home is not always straightforward. In fact, if you want to get the most out of your home security system, we'd recommend creating something bespoke rather than installing one off the shelf. When you work with the team here at IDS, we will survey your home and provide helpful advice so that you know how to make your home as secure as possible. 

CCTV Cameras

Installing CCTV cameras around your home is a great way to keep an eye on all of the vulnerable spots and access points around your home. We use state-of-the-art technology that allows you to monitor your home whenever and wherever you are. Better yet, if a burglary does take place while you're away, you'll have footage recorded that you can use to find the perpetrators. Since CCTV cameras are a deterrent for burglars, insurers will often reward you with lower insurance premiums if you have them installed on your premises.

CCTV Cameras >

Read More: Is it Worth Having CCTV at Home?

Intruder Alarms

Another excellent way to protect your property and bring your insurance premiums down is to install an intruder alarm. These are designed to alert you if someone tries to break in. Long gone are the days where intruder alarms were only effective if someone close by responds to them. Now, intruder alarms can be monitored remotely and around the clock, providing a far higher level of protection compared to older models. This protection against burglaries is sure to bring your insurance premiums down.

Intruder Alarms >  

Read More: Types of Intruder Alarms - Which One is Right for You?

These are just a few of the things we can incorporate into your home security system to help you reduce your home insurance premiums. If you'd like to speak to one of our technicians to arrange a FREE home survey.

COVID-19 restrictions are finally lifting which is great news for businesses across the UK! As shoppers return to the high streets, and employees return to the office, it's likely that that you'll need to take a few additional precautions to help keep everyone safe and secure. After all, coronavirus hasn't magically disappeared, so if you want your business to re-open successfully, we advise you put a few of these systems in place.

1. Crowd control

We all know that coronavirus spreads when people come into close contact with each other. If you own a business where large crowds of people tend to gather, eg. a restaurant or a shop, you may want to put a few measures in place to control the number of people in your business premises at any given time. 

Here at IDS Security, we offer a density control system that allows you to monitor the number of people in your business premises at any one time. To use our people counting system, you simply need to install our density control cameras at the entrances of your premises. All the data is sent to a user-friendly screen that you can monitor throughout the day to make sure large crowds aren't forming. 

Density Control Systems >

2. Fire alarms

Lots of business premises have been empty for a year (or two), so it's important that you check your fire alarms working before you re-open. Working in an environment without a working fire safety system in place can be disastrous, not to mention dangerous. The last thing you want is an accidental fire forcing you to close your doors or move premises, after only a few weeks of 'normal' work. 

A lot of the business owners we speak to have also had to make significant changes to the layout of their premises, this includes:

• Spacing out desks
• Re-arranging walkways
• Creating one-way systems
• Closing off communal areas

With these changes in place, business owners are advised to re-think their fire escape protocol. You need to make sure that everyone can exit the building safely and congregate in a suitable area. If you do make changes to your fire escape plan, it's important that you make sure everyone in the business is up-to-date and aware of any changes made.

If the fire alarm systems in your premises need updating, the IDS Security team are happy to help! We've created bespoke fire alarm systems for businesses across the UK and South Wales, so we can help you re-open safely.

Fire Alarm System >

 3. Intruder alarms & CCTV

Crime rates fell by over 30% during the first few months of the COVID-19 lockdown. Why? Because everyone was stuck inside and businesses & pubs were closed! With fewer people on the streets, it was much easier for police to detect, prevent and respond to crimes. Now that everything is opening back up, we (sadly) predict that there will be a spike in crimes across the UK. There are a few reasons for this....

Firstly, business owners are preoccupied with re-opening and putting COVID-19 safety precautions in place, which means their business security is being neglected. Secondly, a lot of people are going out and 'making up for lost time' by getting drunk and partying, which means there's likely to be a spike in fights and drunk & disorderly behaviour. And thirdly, a lot of people lost their jobs during the pandemic. A generally poorer population tends to lead to an increase in crimes. 

So, what can you do about it? One of the best ways to protect your business is to install intruder alarms and CCTV cameras, both of which we can supply and install for you. Taking the time to improve your business security before you re-open is vital, especially as we enter the post-COVID-19 period. 

Intruder Alarms >         CCTV Cameras >

Read More: Has the UK Crime Rate Gone Up or Down During Lockdown?

These are just a few of the precautions you can take when re-opening your business after COVID-19. With a little help from the IDS team, you can make sure your employees, visitors and premises are perfectly safe! Be sure to get in touch with us for a FREE business security survey. 

Contact IDS Security >