If you run your own business, you’re probably well aware your responsibility to safety in the workplace. Although ‘workplace safety’ includes things like electrical safety etc., it’s important to give careful consideration for the personal safety of your employees and customers, whilst also ensuring your business assets are protected.

We have many years of experience in providing business in Leeds with a wide range of highly effective security solutions. We know that not all businesses have the big budgets – particularly in the current challenging climate – needed to afford the latest high-tech security systems. With this in mind, we provide solutions to suit all budgets.

We also understand that the security requirements of different businesses are very different as an office-based business is unlikely to need as much protection as a shop full of expensive stock, or factory used to house valuable equipment, for example. Security is important for all businesses – regardless of what they do or how large they are – and we work closely with business owners to find a system that’s just right for them.

Planning your businesses’ security

Many business owners fail to think about security on a regular basis, having no idea if they are adequately protected. Whilst a ‘head in the sand’ approach might work the majority of the time, it can prove extremely expensive and stressful if the worst happens and your suffer a break in. Taking an inventory of your existing security systems is a great way to begin and spending a little time checking your alarm is a good place to start. Here are a few things you might like to think about:

• Is your business protected by an alarm, and if it is, when was the last time it was serviced?

• Do you store sensitive information such as financial records?

• Does your business have a reception area? Is it protected by CCTV?

• Does your business have a car park and is it protected from unauthorised vehicles?

Thinking about business security is a great way to pinpoint any areas which are vulnerable and could benefit from extra protection. Reception areas, for example, can really benefit from the protection offered by CCTV, whilst an access control system is a cost-effective way to control who has access to your business premises. Car parks often benefit from the enhanced security provided by barriers, whilst security lighting offers a way to help staff feel more secure and deter potential intruders. Last and by no means least, ensuring your security alarm is in good working order, or installing an alarm if you don’t already have one is an unbeatable way to increase the security of your business.

Contact FirstEye to arrange for your free security survey

Here at FirstEye we take great pride in providing businesses in Leeds with a wide range of high-quality, affordable security solutions. From alarm installations and maintenance, through to CCTV, access control and security lighting, we have the expertise to ensure you, your staff and your business are safe, secure and protected from crime.

Please get in touch by calling 0113 228 8599 to arrange for your free, no-obligation security survey.

The Easter holidays are almost here and after the challenges of the last couple of years, many of us are looking forward to getting away for a week or so. Home security is important and if you’re looking for a cost effective way to protect your home from theft whilst you’re on holiday, look no further than our ‘eggcellent’ (sorry!) security systems available at cracking prices!

Regardless of whether you’re going away this Easter or not, now is the ideal time to ensure your home is fully secure before the holiday season begins in earnest. It’s worth bearing in mind that the sight of a security system alone – whether a burglar alarm or CCTV system – is usually enough to deter the majority of thieves. In addition, it’s much less stressful and cheaper to protect your home before the worst happens, rather than installing a security system after you’ve been broken into.

At FirstEye we work closely with our clients to install a wide range of security solutions, with options to suit all budgets and requirements:

• Security alarms: an essential piece of security kit, an alarm will protect your home whilst deterring potential thieves.

• CCTV: increasingly popular with homeowners, CCTV offers unbeatable protection 24/7.

• Smart doorbells: these work in a similar way to access control systems and will enable you to ‘answer’ the door even when you’re not at home. A great way to avoid missed deliveries and verify callers, a smart doorbell offers a cost effective way to enhance security.

• Access control: particularly suited to elderly vulnerable homeowners, the latest access control systems offer the capability to check who’s at the door without having to answer it.

Get in touch for more information on our security installations in Leeds

We’re experts in installing a wide range of cost-effective security systems for homeowners in Leeds. We provide free security surveys and are happy to offer advice on the best solutions to suit your home and lifestyle. Get in touch by calling 0113 2288599.

There’s no doubt that installing CCTV offers a great way to improve the security of your home. However, before you install a system, there are a number of important points you need to consider first, as protecting your home with a CCTV system comes with a set of responsibilities such as the privacy of your neighbours, for example. Here are a few ways to ensure you make the most of CCTV technology whilst also meeting privacy regulations:

• Before installing CCTV system, spend a little time considering whether it is the best solution for you and your property. At FirstEye we work with homeowners throughout Leeds and will use our expertise to help you find the most appropriate privacy system. For some properties, for example, motion sensor security lighting may be sufficient.

• 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. In addition, the information recorded should only be used for the purposes for which the system was installed.

• External cameras should be carefully positioned to ensure that they don’t invade your neighbour’s privacy or the privacy of passers by.

• In order to comply with data protection regulations you’ll need to display 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 select a system which enables you to choose what to record.

This list covers the main points to consider but for further information on how to ensure you’re using your system correctly, please get in touch with us or see the latest government guidance.

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.

Many homeowners don’t realise that ensuring your garden and outbuildings offers an important way to prevent burglars from getting into your home. In this blog post we’ll offer advice on simple steps you can take to secure the perimeter of your property, helping to safeguard your home in the process.

Home security from the outside in

When thinking about home security it’s important to take into consideration not only how much protection your garden and perimeter has, but also whether any outbuildings such as a shed or outbuilding have adequate security. Shed and garage security is an issue which we’ve covered in previous blog posts so we won’t go into too much detail here; just to remind you that security alarms and lighting offers effective ways to provide outbuildings with additional security.

So, what can be done to improve the security of your garden and outside areas? Firstly, if you have a front garden, make sure that the boundary is low as tall fences, hedges or overgrown planting offer places for burglars to hide.

If you don’t have a side gate make sure you have one installed and that it is fitted with a lock which should be secured at all times. Leaving gates unsecured gives burglars a chance to easily access your home without being detected by neighbours or passers-by.

High rear and side boundaries are the ideal, with fences or hedges higher than 1.8 metres. In addition, planting plants with thorns offers additional protection, as does lightweight trellis which makes it harder for burglars to climb over.

Gravel driveways and paths are well worth considering as the sound of gravel underfoot makes it harder for burglars to move around undetected. Furthermore, installing security lighting also makes it harder for burglars to approach your home without being seen.

Contact us for information home security installations in Leeds

For additional advice on the best ways to protect your home from crime, get in touch with FirstEye, your home security installation specialists in Leeds.

Unfortunately residents who live in flats, particularly those in flats above ground floor level, tend to assume that because there are fewer points of entry, security is less of an issue. However, flats need to be as secure as possible, whilst the overall security of the building should be seen as the responsibility of all of the building’s residents.

How to improve the security of your flat

Flat security starts with the outside of the building. It’s important to ensure that the outside of the building is kept clear of overgrown shrubs as planting as these can obscure the view and give burglars somewhere to hid. If you’re concerned about this, ask you landlord or letting agent to cut back overgrown planting and to make sure that exterior lights are in working order.

Communal doorways are only effective if they are kept closed and fully secure. Make sure exterior doors lock behind you and if they don’t report this to your landlord or letting agent as soon as possible.

Door inter com systems provide additional security so never buzz in anyone who you don’t know or let them in behind you, even if they say they’re visiting another resident. The most effective security protection for communal entrances are audio and video systems which enable residents to see and talk to visitors before allowing them in.

Get in touch with FirstEye

We provide a wide range of cost-effective security systems ideal for residential properties including flats and apartments. From door entry systems and security alarms, through to security lighting we can help you secure your home.