Vulnerable people who live alone might be keen to install a medical emergency alarm in their homes. These can produce people with the reassurance that they can call for help should the worst happen. Some alarm systems are operated by the person in distress, while other (more sophisticated) medical emergency alarms can be triggered automatically if certain situations occur. Let's take a closer look at some of the different medical emergency alarms.

Patient-triggered medical emergency alarms

There are a number of patient-triggered medical emergency alarms that can be used to call for help when an accident happens. In general, these come in two different forms, either:

• A device that's worn by the patient, eg. a bracelet, that can be activated in an emergency
• A button or cord somewhere in the home that can be pulled/pushed in an emergency

When activated these medical emergency alarms will make a loud noise to alert people nearby, or they'll send a notification to a carer or family member so they can take appropriate action. While these medical emergency alarms are great for occasional accidents, they're not ideal if the vulnerable person can't activate the alarm - for example, if they're having a fit or have become unconscious. There are some other medical emergency alarms that are more appropriate for these scenarios.

Automatically-triggered medical emergency alarms

For scenarios where a person is unable to activate an alarm themselves, there are a number of medical emergency alarm options that can be used to keep them safe. There are also a number of home security systems that can be used to keep an eye on vulnerable people remotely. These are ideal if you need to go to work but worry about leaving an elderly relative on their own, for example. Let's dive into a few popular options.

Intercom systems

Installing an intercom system in a vulnerable person's home is a great way to keep an eye on visitors. Should someone suspicious knock on the door, the vulnerable person can take a look at deciding whether or not to let them in, without having to move from their chair or bed. In addition, family members and carers can access the intercom system to help keep the person safe when strangers come to visit. This can be especially useful for people with dementia or other memory problems who might have trouble deciding who is a friend and who is a foe.

CCTV Systems

CCTV systems can be installed in a vulnerable person's home to help family members and carers check on them in case of an emergency. Many CCTV systems can be accessed remotely from a mobile phone anywhere in the world, so if your mother has a fall in Manchester, you should be able to keep an eye on her and phone the relevant emergency services (or alert her carer) from the other side of the world!

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Sensors

You can install sensors around the house that will automatically alert if something unusual or dangerous happenss. Scenarios that might trigger the sensors  include:

• Areas that are abnormally hot or cold 
• An oven, or fire that's been left on
• A prolonged period where there's no movement in the house
• A fall out of bed, out of the bath or off a chair
• A door opening (eg. the front door) when it shouldn't

Monitored alarm systems

There are a lot of home security systems that can be linked to a maintenance package. This means there's always someone on hand 24 hours a day if a medical emergency should occur. Here at IDS Security, we offer a wide range of monitored security alarm systems, some of which are linked to BT Redcare - a service that contacts the relevant emergency services when an alarm is activated. We find that vulnerable people, homeowners and business owners can benefit from monitored alarms. 

Read More: Monitored Alarm Systems from IDS Security

If you're thinking of installing a medical emergency alarm in your property, or the property of someone you care for, we'd love to help. Here at IDS security, we have years of experience creating bespoke security systems that cater to a variety of concerns - including medical emergencies. 

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Commercial properties like offices and shops are popular targets for burglars because they often contain a lot of expensive items. From computers to clothing and jewellery, burglars can make a quick grab for a few items in commercial spaces and walk away with thousands of pounds worth of loot. Because commercial properties are so vulnerable, it's paramount that you install a security system and CCTV cameras. These devices can help catch perpetrators in the act (if the worst should happen) but more often than not, they prevent burglary attempts altogether. 

How can you benefit from a commercial CCTV system?

If you're not 100% sold on the idea of installing CCTV at your commercial property, perhaps we can change your mind by explaining the different benefits of commercial CCTV systems. Commercial CCTV systems:

• Deter criminals
• Protect customers and employees
• Protect members of the public outside your premises

Many criminals will see that a commercial property has a CCTV system in place and will target somewhere more vulnerable instead. After all, why would they risk getting caught if there's an easier option elsewhere? If a break-in does occur, CCTV cameras will capture the incident and the faces of the criminals. This can be especially helpful evidence to have on hand when you're trying to pursue your case with the police. 

Read More: Can CCTV Footage Be Used as Evidence?

How can IDS Security help me?

Here at IDS Security, we've been installing commercial security systems for years. We understand that every commercial property is different, so rather than supplying a one size fits all solution, we tailor each CCTV system to suit you. You can combine a commercial CCTV system with a range of other systems to provide complete security for your business. Here are a few other systems we supply:

• Fire Alarms
• Intruder Alarms
• Access Control Systems
• Security Barriers

To start your commercial security journey, get in touch with IDS Security now! You can call us on 029 20 753 251, email us at admin@ids-securityltd.co.uk or submit an enquiry form here. We look forward to hearing from you!

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While Christmas is supposed to be a time of festivities and cheer, it's unfortunate to learn that Christmas burglaries peak at this time of year. The beginning of the month, specifically between the 5th and 18th of December is the most vulnerable period for Christmas crime and break-ins.

During this period people start their Christmas shopping, so there are a number of valuable items in their homes that wouldn't normally be there. From expensive trainers to PlayStations and perfumes, burglars can grab a number of valuable items in a short space of time if they gain access to your Christmas stash! 

The kids might believe that all the presents are being made in the north pole, the reality is, most presents are hidden in and around the house. In addition, the dark winter nights provide ample cover for criminals to sneak around your house undetected. When the sun goes down (around 4:30 pm) most people are still at work, so it's no surprise that this is the time your home is most vulnerable to burglars.

How to minimise the risk of a Christmas break-in:

If you'd like to reduce the risk of crime at Christmas, follow the handy tips below...

• Avoid putting presents under the tree ahead of time, especially if your tree is in front of your window.

• Don't hide presents in obvious places eg. under the bed. If your kids can find them, so can a burglar.

• Be careful how you dispose of packaging, the Harrods box in the bin could indicate there are expensive gifts in the house.

• Don't 'check-in' or make your whereabouts known on social media. This tells burglars your house is unoccupied.

• Don't turn all the lights off when you go out for the day/night, this could also indicate that you're out of the house.

• Don't leave presents in your car on the driveway, even if this is the only way your husband won't see them.

• Store high-value items like jewellery in a safe until Christmas day

Investing in better home security

Despite your best efforts to keep your home & presents safe and attempting to reduce crime at Christmas, you might find that you are still targeted by burglars. Alongside the steps we've outlined above, we'd highly recommend improving your home security system. A good home security system will not only protect you during Christmas, but it will also keep your family safe all year round!

What home security systems do we offer? Here at IDS Security, we understand that every home is different, that's why we tailor each home security system to suit your needs. Some key elements of our home security systems include:

• Burglar alarms
• Security cameras
• Door entry systems 
• Fire alarms

According to various Christmas crime statistics, burglaries and crime are on the rise this month - but there's no need to worry. Our team of experts are waiting to hear from you. They'll talk through your requirements and help make sure we supply the best home security system for you, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the festive period.

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Read More: Christmas Home Security

If you own a commercial or residential property with a private car park, then you might consider adding automatic barriers. But when are automatic barriers actually required? Well, there's no law that states you have to have automatic traffic barriers to control vehicles on your property, but we still think they're a great investment. Here are a few scenarios where you might find a traffic barrier useful.

Outside a block of flats

If you own a residential block of flats, you might consider adding an automatic barrier so that occupants can park their cars securely. There's nothing worse than getting home from a long day of work to realise that someone has parked in your spot. An automatic barrier ensures that only people with the access code can use the parking spaces. 

Automated barriers with access codes or passwords are ideal for residential areas because they still allow some flexibility as well as a high level of security. On the one hand, they stop random shop-goers from using the parking spaces and inconveniencing residents, but on the other hand, the access code can be given to friends and family so they can park on-site when they visit. So, if you want to make your residential property more secure (but easily accessible to those who live there) automatic barriers are a great option.

In your workplace car park

Business owners everywhere know that on-site parking can be a struggle. If you've got a designated area for employees to park, you could separate this from the 'general' car park using an automatic barrier. This allows customers or clients to park in the available spaces while ensuring that there will always be plenty of spots for your workers. Adding an automatic vehicle barrier outside your workplace can help ensure that employees get to work on time and will keep their vehicles secure while they're working. 

All you have to do is give the access code to your employees. When someone leaves the company, you can easily change the access code to prevent them from parking on-site in future. There are lots of benefits that come with installing an automatic barrier outside a workplace, so if you don't have one yet - we'd recommend looking into it.

What types of automatic security barriers are available?

There are a wide variety of automatic security barriers on the market, you simply have to choose the ones that suit your requirements best. We can provide:

• Access controlled gates (ideal for residential areas)
• Rising bollards (to block vehicle access on private roads)
• Traditional traffic barriers/car barriers (like the ones shown above)

How can IDS Security help?

If you've been thinking about adding automatic barriers to your business (or anywhere else on your property for that matter) the expert team at IDS Security can help you. We offer a selection of effective traffic barriers that are easy to operate. We work with reputable suppliers including CAME and FAAC, so you know you're in good hands. We have years of experience in installing and maintaining automatic security barriers - we can even help you decide on the best location to install them!

Visit our automatic security barriers page to find out more about the vehicle and pedestrian barriers we offer. If you're ready to start the installation process, you can request a survey and one of our friendly technicians will be in touch.

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As a business owner, it is your responsibility to keep your employees safe. Part of that responsibility includes conducting fire drills. Being proactive about fire safety in the workplace is not just an activity that we recommend you do, it's required by law. If you take a look at the fire safety regulations outlined by the UK government, they state that you must have appropriate fire detection and warning equipment on site. In addition, you should have fire fighting equipment that staff members know how to use, and it should be tested and maintained regularly. 

What fire checks should I do?

• Ensure that all of your fire alarm systems are working. This includes fire detection and alarm equipment.
• Check that emergency lights that guide employees to the fire exists are working.
• Make a note of any faults you find and have them fixed as soon as possible.
• Ensure that all fire escapes are free from obstruction and easily accessible.
• Check that all automatic fire doors close correctly.
• Make sure there are fire exit signs in all the relevant places.

How often should we do a fire drill?

The government recommends that all businesses carry out at least one fire drill per year. Once completed, a record should be made to show that everyone in the business at that time took part in the drill. If a fire did occur and there was no record to show that you'd provided the necessary training, you could be held legally accountable for injuries that occur as a result of the fire.

What if we have a high turnover?

When new staff members join your business, they have no idea what your fire safety plan is, it's your responsibility to make sure that they can access it right away. This could include keeping maps, signs and instructions pinned up in a number of places around the workplace. If you have a period where a lot of new people join the business, you may want to conduct an additional fire drill to make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire. The inconvenience of doing a fire drill is nothing in comparison to the guilt you'd feel if one of your staff members was unsure what to do during a fire.

Which places need to do fire drills more often?

There are some places, like schools, nurseries and care homes, where fire drills should be conducted multiple times a year. This helps the young and vulnerable to learn the processes and gives the staff an opportunity to highlight potential problems that could arise in a real-life situation. It's also important that if you take on members of staff with additional needs, for example, wheelchair users, that you adjust your fire drills and procedures accordingly.

How can IDS Security help me?

Here at IDS Security, we have years of experience helping all kinds of businesses make their premises fire safe. We offer a wide range of fire detection and alarm systems and we can even advise on the best equipment for you! We know that lots of business owners have a hard time assessing their own premises highlighting the most vulnerable places and deciding where to install sensors. We can help with all of that. All you have to do is get in touch!

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Read More: Your COVID-19 Fire Safety Questions Answered