Is CCTV the best security option for your home?

18th July 2022/in Uncategorised /by eyedmin1st

CCTV is becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners as it offers enhanced, round-the-clock security protection and a highly effective deterrent. However, before you install a system, there are a number of things you need to consider. Installing CCTV does come with a number of responsibilities, so it’s important to be aware of factors such as your neighbour’s privacy, for example. With this in mind, here are a few tips on how to ensue you make the most of CCTV technology whilst meeting privacy regulations:

Before installing a CCTV system, take time to consider whether it’s an effective option for you and your property. At FirstEye we work with homeowners throughout Leeds and will use our wide-ranging expertise to help you select the most appropriate privacy system.
To comply with data protection regulations you’ll need to put in place signage to let other people know that CCTV cameras are in operation, only provide access to the footage to those who need it (e.g. the police) and choose a system which enables you to choose what to record.
The information recorded should only be used for the purposes for which the system was installed.
External cameras should be carefully placed to ensure that they don’t invade your neighbours’ privacy or the privacy of passers by.
If your CCTV cameras do happen to capture part of a neighbouring property, or a property across the road, you must ensure you comply with data protection regulations.
You should always make sure that the date and time on your system are correct and that images aren’t stored for longer than necessary. This means that footage must be deleted once it is no longer required.

CCTV systems installed in Leeds by FirstEye

Here at FirstEye we have many years of experience of installing CCTV and security systems for residential and business customers throughout Leeds and West Yorkshire. If you would like to find out more about CCTV and security, please get in touch.

How to safeguard your business premises when it’s unattended

11th July 2022/in Uncategorised /by eyedmin1st

The reality is that running your own business never means leaving it truly unattended; however, there will, of course, be ‘out-of-hours’ times when your premises are closed. With this in mind, it’s important to make sure your business premises have adequate security protection around the clock, enabling you to leave it unattended and relax in the knowledge that everything is safe and secure. Here at FirstEye we offer a wide range of cost-effective security solutions for business of all shapes and sizes, with budgets to suit all requirements. In this blog, we’ll provide a few snippets of advice on the most effective ways to safeguard your business 27/7.

Security installations for businesses in Leeds

As a bare minimum, your business premises should be protected by a reliable, monitored security alarm system. A wide range of affordable security alarms for businesses are now available, including wireless options. Furthermore, monitoring is available either through a monitoring service, or via an app installed on your smartphone. It’s worth bearing in mind that the sight of just the alarm bell box alone is usually sufficient to deter even the most determined of thieves, whilst installing a monitored alarm provides an excellent way to provide yourself with reassurance that all is well. Last and by no means least, for many businesses, ensuring a working security alarm is operational is an essential requirement of an insurance policy. We have many years of experience in installing alarms for businesses in Leeds and surrounding areas of West Yorkshire and will use our expertise to help you choose an alarm which suits your budget and requirements.

Increasing numbers of businesses are now utilising CCTV to provide their premises with enhanced security protection. Not only do CCTV cameras help to safeguard against theft or vandalism carried out by external threats, but they also provide an effective deterrent against theft carried out by staff, harassment or false insurance claims. Whether you’re looking for an external/internal CCTV system to protect a multi-site premises, or want to install a single camera to protect the entrance to your business, we’d be delighted to help.

Last and by least, we also install range of additional security systems including access control, security bollards and car park barriers, electric gates and more. If you would like to find out more, or obtain a free, no-obligation quote, please get in touch to speak to one of our team.

Pet-friendly security: what’s the best way to safeguard your furry friends?

7th July 2022/in Uncategorised /by eyedmin1st

Home security is important for all homeowners. However, if you have a dog or cat, they could trigger your burglar alarm sensors as they move around the house. Unfortunately, this means that some homeowners decide not to have a security system at all, whilst others don’t use theirs, putting their home at increased risk of a break in.

Despite this and thanks to improvements in the security alarms available, having a pet no longer means you have to compromise on home security. So here’s our advice on ensure your home is secure and pet-friendly.

Domestic alarms installed in Leeds by FirstEye

Installing a burglar alarm is an effective, budget-friendly way to safeguard your home against theft. Burglar alarms help to deter thieves and statistics show that approximately 60% of the burglaries attempted on homes with alarms fail. Nevertheless, many pet owners choose not to install an alarm because they’re concerned that their pet could trigger it.

However, there are steps which can be taken to stop lively pets from accidentally setting off a burglar alarm. Many security alarm packages include a pet-friendly motion sensor which use a range of technologies to assess the movements and temperature of whatever has triggered it to rule out pets. This means that the alarm can be set and you’ll have the reassurance that your pets can safely move around the house.

Careful positioning of alarm sensors can also make a huge difference. For example, if your dog spends the majority of the day in the living room but tends to jump onto the sofa, make sure that any sensors are directed away from this particular area. Also, don’t forget to ensure that sensors are placed as high as possible on the walls; at least five foot high is ideal.

Get in touch with FirstEye – your home security specialist in Leeds

At FirstEye we provide high quality alarm installations for domestic and commercial clients in Leeds and throughout Yorkshire. To arrange for your free quote and home security survey, get in touch by calling 0113 228 8599 or email quote@firsteye.co.uk

CCTV or burglar alarm? Which is the best option for your home or business?

30th June 2022/in Uncategorised /by eyedmin1st

The home owners and business customers we work with often ask whether it would be best for them to have a CCTV system or a burglar alarm. It’s difficult to give a definitive answer to this question as unfortunately, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work! A number of factors need to be taken into consideration to help you decide whether or not CCTV is best for you, including:

Is CCTV going to provide you with the most cost-effective solution to protecting your home or business premises?
Is regular maintenance going to be possible to ensure that the CCTV system continues to provide effective protection?
Is the best option to simply install a security alarm AND CCTV system?

Whilst CCTV cameras act as highly effective deterrent, without the benefit of remote monitoring, camera footage can only be used retrospectively as evidence. Although the sight of CCTV cameras is usually enough to put off the majority of thieves, there will always be some who simply aren’t phased. With this in mind, remote monitoring is the most effective solution and can help you save money on other crime prevention measures.

Remotely monitored CCTV will alert you as an incident happens as those monitoring the system will contact you or the emergency services. Clearly this offers a much better opportunity to catch thieves whilst they’re committing a crime, and footage only needs to be used once the offence has occurred. In the majority of cases though a remotely monitored CCTV system is usually sufficient to stop intruders in their tracks.

Monitored burglar alarm systems

Burglar alarm systems are also more effective when they’re monitored as unlike bell only systems, depending on the type of monitoring you choose, either yourself, an emergency contact or the police will be informed in the event of a break in. Monitored alarms are more efficient than bell only systems as when the alarm is activated, the professionals who monitor the system will asses the risk to security. A well-designed and professionally installed burglar alarm offers real benefits to home and business owners alike, providing you with protection and peace of mind, regardless of where you are.

Domestic access control systems installed in Leeds by FirstEye

21st June 2022/in Uncategorised /by eyedmin1st

Access control systems aren’t just the preserve of office and business premises. Thanks to developments in security technology, a range of systems are now available which are ideal for safeguarding all types of residential property. So much more than just a doorbell, the systems we install are perfect for protecting your front door or gate, providing you with peace of mind that your home is safeguarded against crime.

Door and gate intercom installations Leeds

The door and gate intercoms we install provide the capability to control who has access to your property. This is done either through a built-in camera or intercom which allows you to either view the persona requesting access, or to speak to them. The latest door and gate intercom systems are very user-friendly, making them ideal for elderly or vulnerable homeowners. In addition, thanks to an optional portable touchscreen tablet pad, they can be operated from anywhere in your home.

An additional feature of intercoms which have a GSM dialler can be programmed to either phone or send an alert to your smartphone, allowing you to speak to and view visitors whilst you’re out which is a great way to avoid missed deliveries!

A wide range of access control systems are available for domestic properties. Selecting the right system for you will depend on factors including the location and size of your property, or whether your front door is access from a driveway or garden path. Furthermore, we are also able to to install intercoms to a single flat within an apartment block which shares an entrance with other flats. Lastly, for your peace of mind, we only install intercoms manufactured by leading brands including Ring and Door Bird.

If you would like to find out more, please get in touch to obtain further information and a free, no-obligation quote.

Business security: make sure you have the basics in place

16th June 2022/in Uncategorised /by eyedmin1st

Here at FirstEye we work with businesses of all shapes and sizes across Leeds and surrounding areas. From offices and shops, through to warehouses, industrial sites and farms, we provide a wide range of cost-effective security solutions designed to suit all businesses. Unfortunately we’re often called out by businesses who have just been burgled and who want to install a security system to provide them with protection going forward. Whilst hindsight is a wonderful thing, situations like this offer a timely reminder that it’s always better to ensure your business has the security protection it needs from the outset, rather than waiting until the worst happens and you’re broken into.

With this in mind, it’s important to make sure that you at least have the security basics in place. Installing a security alarm is the best place to start for a number of reasons, including:

security alarms are proven to provide a highly effective deterrent as the sight of the bell box alone is usually sufficient to deter all but the most determined of thieves
the latest wireless security alarms are designed to be set, un-set and monitored using a smartphone app, offering a convenient way to ensure your business is protected 24/7
wireless alarm systems can be designed and installed to suit all types of business premises, including multi-site premises such as industrial units, farms or manufacturing facilities
for comprehensive protection, intruder alarm systems can be integrated with additional security solutions such as CCTV or access control
we install high quality security alarms with options to suit all budgets and requirements

Get in touch with FirstEye security installations Leeds

Don’t wait until your business has been burgled before installing the security you need. Here at FirstEye we have the expertise to install reliable and cost-effective security solutions to suit your budget and requirements. Why not get in touch to arrange for your free security survey and quote?

What’s the best security system for your rural business?

8th June 2022/in Uncategorised /by eyedmin1st

Due to their often remote and quiet locations, rural businesses can be targeted by criminals. Unfortunately thefts from farms and other businesses in rural areas are on the rise, with expensive equipment, oil and vehicles being targeted by thieves. Protecting a rural business premises from crime can seem like a daunting prospect, however thanks to developments in technology, a number of solutions are now available which are designed to provide highly-effective round-the-clock protection.

CCTV for rural businesses

CCTV is providing increasingly popular with farmers and other rural business owners and it’s not hard to see why. CCTV cameras can be placed around a premises, covering areas such as yards, animal housing, barns and more. In addition, CCTV can also be used to cover the interior of almost any type of rural building and because a wide range of HD IP and TVI systems are now available, it’s possible to view crystal clear images, regardless of the time of day.

As camera specifications vary greatly, it’s important to choose the right product for the right location. As such, the team here at FirstEye are experienced in designing and installing CCTV systems for farms and rural businesses. We can help you choose the best system to suit your premises, budget and requirements, ensuring you maximise the potential of CCTV and have the protection your business needs.

Security lighting

Security lighting is ideal for rural businesses as not only does it provide reassurance, it also offers a proven and highly effective deterrent. LED security floodlights can be used to illuminate otherwise dark areas and will prevent thieves from having a place to hide undetected. LED security lighting is low energy but with a high output, ensuring it is economical to run and environmentally friendly.

A range of different security lighting power outputs are available to ensure that yards, outbuildings or commercial premises are fully covered. In addition, security lighting also proves highly effective when installed in conjunction with other security systems such as CCTV. Security lighting ensures a clearer picture from CCTV cameras, or to highlight other systems such as access control.

Vehicle barriers and physical security

Vehicle barriers and physical security solutions such as electric gates are ideal for preventing unwanted access, or the theft of vehicles or livestock. Bollards, barriers and gates are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, with options suitable for all types of premises including farms, stable yards and more.

Get in touch with FirstEye

We have many years of experience in providing cost effective and reliable security solutions for rural businesses. Our services are available throughout Leeds and surrounding areas. In addition, because we are an NFU Rural CCTV partner covering North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, we will offer a 10% discount off a CCTV installation and off any intruder alarm system installed at the same time.

Electrical fires – are you aware of the risks?

1st June 2022/in Uncategorised /by eyedmin1st

Tragically, house fires are often caused by electrical faults, with many resulting in severe injuries, death and serious property damage. When you consider that the majority of electrical fires could have been easily prevented and knowing how to help prevent electrical fires by carrying out a few simple checks and being aware of the warning signs could save your life.

What are the warning signs of an electrical fire?

The majority of electrical fires happen during the winter months; this is likely to be because the days are shorter and so we tend to have lighting, heating and appliances turned on for longer periods. Furthermore, we’re more likely to stay at home during the winter, using rooms we don’t use so often in the summer. This increases the risk of a fire resulting from a faulty socket or appliance.

It’s often assumed that electrical fires start spontaneously but this is not so. In most cases there will have a been a prior warning and things to look out for include switches or plugs which feel hot to the touch. Some plugs do get hot and if this is the case, the manufacturer will have indicted this on the packaging. As a general rule of thumb, hot plugs or sockets should not be used until they have been checked over by a qualified electrician.

Faulty or poor wiring and the danger posed by frayed or exposed wires should never be underestimated. Visible wires can be ‘live’ when touched and can cause an electrical shock or start a fire.

Last and by no means least, never be tempted to plug in more than one appliance into a single socket, especially when the socket is already being used to a power an appliance which tends to be used very frequently such as a kettle. Rather than overloading sockets, it’s much, much safer to have additional sockets installed by a qualified electrician.

Get in touch with FirstEye for electrical safety advice in Leeds

Here at FirstEye we believe that electrical safety should be taken very seriously and if you would like advice about the electrics in your home, or to obtain a free, no-obligation quote, we’d be delighted to help. To find out more or to arrange an appointment at a time to suit you, why not get in touch today?

How to safeguard your home when you’re away

26th May 2022/in Uncategorised /by eyedmin1st

The start of the half term holiday signals the start of the big summer getaway for many people. Whether you’re looking forward to a well deserved relaxing break, or are hoping for an action-packed fun-filled time away with the family, the last thing you’ll want to discover on your return is that your home has been burgled. Prevention is always better than the cure and with so many things in life, this is definitely the case with burglary. So, rather than waiting until the worst happens, why not safeguard your home now to ensure it’s fully protected whilst you’re away.

Security solutions for homeowners

Here at FirstEye we have decades of experience in installing security systems for homeowners in Leeds and surrounding areas. We offer effective options to suit all budgets and requirements, including security alarm and CCTV systems, security lighting, smart doorbells and electric gates. We can help you choose products which will provide your home with maximum protection, ensuring you get the most from your budget and have the peace of mind you need.

There are also lots of other simple steps you can take to help prevent your home from being burgled. Simple things like using timer switches so that lamps and lights turn off and on, and asking a neighbour to move your post out of sight of the front door can be very effective in making your home look occupied. Ensuring your property looks well-cared for also helps, so try and mow the front lawn and make sure any overgrown shrubs are cut back makes it clear that you take security seriously, whilst also preventing burglars from having somewhere to hide. Last and by no means least, don’t leave valuable items within sight of windows and don’t forget to cancel the milk!

Contact FirstEye – your home security specialist in Leeds

We install security systems to suit all budgets and requirements. Our installation services are available in Leeds and surrounding areas. Why not get in touch to obtain a free, no-obligation quote and advice on the best security systems for your home?

CCTV vs burglar alarms – which system is right for your home?

18th May 2022/in Uncategorised /by eyedmin1st

We often get enquiries from homeowners asking us whether it would be best for them to have a CCTV system rather than a burglar alarm. It’s difficult to give a definitive answer to this question as with so many things in life, a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work! With this in mind, a number of factors need to be taken into consideration if you’d like to decide whether or not CCTV is best for you, including:

• Is regular maintenance going to be possible to ensure that the CCTV system continues to provide effective protection?
• s CCTV going to provide you with the most cost-effective solution to protecting your home ?
• Is the best option to simply install a security alarm AND CCTV system?

Whilst there’s no doubt that CCTV cameras provide a highly effective deterrent, if remote monitoring isn’t available, camera footage can only be used retrospectively as evidence. Although the sight of CCTV cameras is usually enough to put off most thieves, there are some who are determined enough not to be put off. As are result, remote monitoring is usually the most effective solution and can could you save money on other crime prevention measures.

Remotely monitored CCTV systems are designed to alert you as an incident happens those responsible for monitoring the system will contact you or the emergency services. This provides a greater opportunity to catch thieves whilst they’re committing a crime, and footage only needs to be used once the offence has occurred. However, you need to bear in mind that in the majority of cases, a remotely monitored CCTV system is usually sufficient to stop intruders in their tracks.

Monitored burglar alarm systems installed in Leeds

Burglar alarm systems are also more effective when they’re monitored. Unlike simple bell only systems and depending on the type of monitoring you choose, either yourself, an emergency contact (a neighbour, for example) or the police will be informed if the alarm is triggered. Monitored alarms are more efficient than bell only systems as when the alarm is activated, the professionals who monitor the system will asses the risk to security. A well-designed and professionally installed burglar alarm offers real benefits to homeowners, providing you with protection and peace of mind, no matter where you might be.