Home Security

home security The Malta Independent on Sunday 23 July 2017

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home security

Beautiful, traditional Maltese shutters provide safety and insulation

Secure doors can look still chic and will discourage break-ins

Thoughts about burglar proofing your home A home should be the one place where we feel totally secure so it pays to consider the best ways to keep ourselves and our property safe.

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ocal architecture gives us quite an advantage with all the attractive shutters and wrought iron window grills that adorn so many properties and the high stone walls that surround lots of them often prove an effective barrier. However, high walls, and heavy bushes that are close to doors and windows, can also conceal an intruder from the street, so make sure there are plenty of other deterrents around.

Prevention is always better than cure. Tempting as it is to ‘showcase’ your home, try to avoid advertising it as a treasure trove for either an opportunist burglar or one who is working to order. Indoors, this means keeping valuables in a safe, not under the budgie's cage, in a sock drawer or in a pot on a top shelf, unless you make sure it is always as dusty as those surrounding it. Ensure attractive, portable, items are out of sight, or in a position that makes it hard to remove them. Outside, anything from flash vehicles to skate boards, garden tools and furniture to barbeques should be kept out of sight if possible or, at least, fitted with an alarm, weighted or firmly attached to where they stand.

Every now and again, look through your windows from the outside to see what valuable gadgets, ornaments and paintings are visible. It may be worth repositioning them or hanging blinds or shutters on windows that look out onto roads and public places.

Good exterior lighting, that is sensitive to movement, will alert you to anyone approaching and deter those who would rather work in darkness.

To lessen the risk of daylight robbery, never leave easily accessible windows, balcony or terrace doors ajar. Nothing indicates an empty house more clearly than signs that there is no one at home, and thieves who may case a target if they suspect that

Shutters and bars give security but the bicycle is not safe the occupants are away will look for certain signals.

Washing left on the line while you are gone, children's toys in exactly the same position for days on end, leaves in the pool, an overflowing mail box and wilted plants around are dead giveaways. So, also are lights that do not go on and off, and curtains that are never drawn.

There are systems and timers that will activate light switches and also a radio/TV effect so it looks as if someone is at home. A friendly reciprocal arrangement with someone in the family or a good neighbour could keep the garden looking occupied. And the curtains and blinds should not be a problem because in our summer heat it's a good idea to keep them firmly closed anyway!

A large, fierce-looking dog or a small, sharptoothed one with a shrieking bark may make a thief think twice. But since the sound of dogs barking is almost background noise in too many places, it probably wouldn’t alert anyone in the area that something untoward was going on.

Attractive outdoor areas may invite unwanted interest in your home’s contents

Burglar alarms, heavy, locks and bolts and reinforced glass in doors and down-stair windows are equally useful.

Even when we're out for just a short time all of the above should be considered; plus making sure there is someone to take in any deliveries that are ordered. Left on the doorstep they may be too much of a temptation to a passing junkie, just looking for something to sell to fund his next fix. And, when they are unpacked, make sure the boxes in which your top-of-the-range tools, IT toys and entertainment equipment are delivered wait for the recycling collections well away from your front door, to avoid telegraphing your new prize possessions.

And this brings us to the part your rubbish plays the underworld. Since more crime than ever is now taking place in cyber space, and not just on the streets, what leaves your house could be offering criminals quite a lot of help.

So shred or burn all waste paper referring to financial and property matters, bank statements, insurance policies, health and medication issues, utility bills and receipts, holiday and travel bookings and arrangements; in fact, anything bearing information on your movements, your address and/or ID details. It can too easily fall into the wrong hands and ordinary people can find themselves victims, sometimes with devastating results.

Of course, none of the above should be seen as cynical or alarmist. It is simply being realistic and cautious because, all in all, most security habits need no more than basic common sense and the self discipline to keep them in place. And knowing you have done everything in your power to prevent your home becoming an unfortunate statistic, with all the inconvenience and distress that causes, will certainly ensure the feelings of comfort and security a home is there to provide.

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SAFE BREAKS Sharing your travel information on instagram is risky

If your home will be unoccupied for any length of time you want to be sure you will find it just as you left it when you return.

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veryone makes endless to-do lists before a holiday trip but several of the ways you can secure your home and its contents should to be planned long before you start booking your breaks.

You need a secure place, preferably a safe for all valuables, not just cash and jewellery but important papers too. Fix time switches to allow lights to come on and off at various times of the day or night. Consider the time of year so you actually have lights on, or a radio playing, in the right room at the right time, to make the house look occupied.

An air-conditioner or dehydrator, left on a low setting will not only hint that someone is at home but also keep the house aired while you are gone.

Consider fitting security cameras indoors and outside which will connect to your smart phone to give visuals of your home. This could reveal any signs that something is amiss in time to prevent theft or damage or, at least, provide reassurance that all is well.

Avoid the give-away signs that signal ‘empty house’ to anyone looking for an opportunity to commit a crime

by arranging for someone to come in and out occasionally while you are away.

We do have an advantage with our summer climate in that curtains, blinds and shutters are often drawn during the day so this is no indication of whether someone is in or not.

And be sure not to accidently leave any washing on the roof or balcony. If it is there any longer than a day everyone will know there is nobody there.

An empty car space is also a give-away, not that that happens very often with our appalling parking problems. But do ensure all garage doors are locked with, not only bikes and toys inside but also ladders and tools. These are often commandeered by thieves to break into property and if the thief can pick up a paint tin and brush, for cover, who is going to look twice at someone they think is doing some odd jobs while you are away?

Most people use mobiles now but an answered land line can mean an empty house, so either have all calls rerouted or leave an answer phone message

saying you’ll call back when you can. Set it to come on after a few rings to give the impression that you really are just too busy to answer or are monitoring your calls.

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airports and ferries to discover who was going where from their baggage labels. People would have their names and addresses all over their luggage along with destination labels. Likely targets would be noted and often be the victims of a robbery in their absence.

Now, it is sharing your travel route and destinations on instagram that is risky. Many a GPS has given burglars access to an empty home. Thieves can break into a car at the airport, activate the GPS

unit and find out where your empty home is. If you are on a road trip set ‘home’ for somewhere nearby so thieves will not be led you the actual spot. Do this with all portable units as well.

And do resist the temptation to post off running commentaries and images of where you are what you are doing. Anyone could be using this information to plan a robbery while you are safely out of the way.

This might not be so much of a worry if all your accounts are private, but how private are those of the people you are sending to? The risks of a leak are always there so it’s far better to share the joy when you are back home.

Keep valuables hidden in a safe trusted house-sitter or a friend, who will be keeping an eye on your home, needs know your travel arrangements. Social media can never be secure enough to guarantee the wrong people don’t get hold of information about your whereabouts.

There was once a time when burglars would hang around

Use a portable the GPS unit with you and turn it off when not in use

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STOP THE HOME FIRES BURNING How can you prevent a fire breaking out in your home and what would you do if it did?

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rubber.

Follow all instructions for using microwave ovens and slow cookers, check food frequently while it cooks, especially when using gas, and don't leave toasters, grills or coffee machines unattended. It's scary how quickly a jammed toaster can blacken the toast and send flames soaring to the ceiling; or a kettle boil dry until the base or the element are literally red hot.

Faulty gadgets and white goods can burst into flames for no apparent reason, so make sure they are checked and serviced regularly. Another factor contributing to fires in a kitchen, and the rest of the house for that matter, is having too many appliances plugged into the same socket.

Several heating or entertainment items, using an adapter and all switched on at the same time can easily trigger an overload which could cause a fire. Never use an appliance that has the wrong pins for the socket or is not earthed.

All air-conditioners should have been serviced by now and, as most of them have been going into overdrive in past weeks, make regular checks to ensure they are running smoothly. And ensure any flammable substances and canisters in the garage are stored in the coolest space and well away from any direct sunlight.

Summertime outdoors is lovely, with tea lights, lanterns and strings of coloured bulbs throwing a romantic glow around and suppers grilling on the barbeque. But since the area around is as dry as a bone, take care that every candle is out and the charcoal well deactivated before packing up. A sudden breeze in the night could soon fan some flames.

Towards the end of summer review your heating systems, water heaters, wood and pellet burners, paraffin, gas and electric fires. Check flues and flexes, wicks, pipes, guards and chimneys. Remember the electric

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ast month's tragic incineration of an entire residential tower block in London was undoubtedly down to a number of factors which, in hindsight should have been prevented. And many of us reading about the tragedy and watching news footage of it unfolding must have felt grateful that most of our accommodation appears to be less vulnerable. We may also have had the fleeting thought, what if?

A fire does not have to be massive to destroy everything in its path. A build up of smoke and intense heat can quickly make escape from the area very difficult. Exits become blocked, breathing is hard and people can quickly become disorientated, even in their own homes.

Instead of worrying about it happening to us, let's actually do

everything possible to make sure it will not.

Most fires begin in the kitchen with something as simple as a hot pot boiling over or an oven glove brushing against a gas flame. Appliances can overheat or suffer a short and burst into flames. Chip pans can catch fire all too easily. If a match blows out before you have lit the gas, turn it off and wait a few minutes before trying again, so a high flame doesn't flare up.

All kitchens should have a suitable extinguisher, or fire blanket. And if a pan does ignite, put the lid on turn off the heat.

Should none of these work, close doors and windows, get everyone out, and raise the alarm. Again, you do not want to be overcome by smoke.

Never throw water on a fire caused by an electrical appliance or hot fat. In the case of the former, do not touch it but try and turn off the mains, using something wooden, or made of

Never throw water on a fire caused by an electrical appliance or hot fat.

In the case of the former, do not touch it but try and turn off the mains, using something wooden, or made of rubber

As parents, we do our utmost to ensure the safe guarding of our family always.

We go to great lengths to ensure that their needs are seen to and their safety is always a top priority. Equipping our home with basic fire- fighting equipment such as a fire extinguisher and teaching our children basic firefighting skills, like how to use it, can be life-altering. We should never underestimate the quick reaction time of our children and how less likely they are to panic than their adult counterparts, in case of emergency.

There are many ways in which our home can be safer. Be it by equipping

blankets as well. Check there is no wear or fraying because overheating or a faulty thermostat could set one alight in no time. And, those who still smoke in bed should know that a large percentage of domestic fires are the result falling asleep before putting a cigarette out properly.

Keep an eye on the whereabouts of all matches and lighters so they don't fall into the wrong hands. When the windows are open, make sure no small mirrors and glass ornaments are where they can catch the sun's rays directly. A fire can be started by the heat of the sun on glass and spread quite easily round a room.

Everyone at home should be aware of how easily fire spreads.

Download standard safety procedures for what to do if there is a fire, or get advice from the Civil Protection Department.

Then make a plan, based on the design of the home. Use step-bystep instructions, making it a game for the younger children.

Practise a fire drill, twice a year, before summer and winter, to allow for the different scenarios at both times of year.

Smoke alarms really do save lives. But look at anything that may get in the way of a quick escape. Windows should be easy to open; shutters that close on the outside are cooler in summer but it could be difficult to open them in such an emergency. And metal window grills could also prove a danger. There are ways they can be fixed so they can be removed in an emergency and that would be worth considering.

On our islands insulation is not a big issue but are all furniture and furnishing fabrics subject to fire-proofing rules, as is the case in many countries; and if so is everyone sticking to those rules, including not selling any secondhand upholstered items that are not fully fire retardant?

If we cannot be sure of public buildings at least we can be certain our homes are well protected.

the premises with a CCTV system to be able to keep an eye on our loved ones when travelling, or installing an intercom to see who is at the door before opening. Many small installations can make a big difference. Having a safe installed to stow away your valuables, and an intruder alarm to alert you in case of unwanted visitors, are just a few of the options that can offer you that sense of security. A sufficient amount of money is spent on making a home look beautiful and feel welcoming, it is time we invested a bit more in making our homes safer... because peace of mind is priceless.

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ome children are naturally cautious, with a strong sense of self preservation.

Others rush in, either oblivious of any danger, or convinced nothing will ever happen to them. But any child could be involved in an accident. Genuine accidents are unfortunate. However many are avoidable, if those responsible have enough care, consideration and preparation.

The following checkpoints are fairly general but going through them will be a timely reminder of how to protect growing children, in the very place they would always expect to be safe.

Discuss them with your children and those who visit your home. This way they will know you are not just nagging, but giving them a chance to add anything they think is missing. They will be proud to have their own suggestions included.

If your balcony has wrought iron or steel rails and bars, could small limbs, or even a head, get stuck between them?

Are aluminum frames steady? Is any glass in them reinforced? Above all are they high enough to stop a child climbing over them, or dragging something like a stool close enough to climb up and lean over the top?

Check outside — garden and yards.

Safer in the shade

Is the swimming pool cordoned off so small children and non-swimmers cannot fall in?

Is there a hygiene and safety code for the pool, so everyone knows what water play is allowed and what is not? Are inflatable toys and swimming aids safe?

Are all pumps and suction outlets well shielded to prevent children being sucked in and trapped in them? Are the drain covers visible and well secured?

Is the pool properly maintained and tested regularly to ensure the water’s pH and free chlorine or bromine concentrations are correct?

Are there clear marks to show where the water gets deep, and is the area surrounding the pool slip-proof and level?

A responsible adult should always be around when children are in or near swimming and paddling pools, or decorative water features. Water does not have to be deep to be deadly.

Are swings, trampolines, climbing frames, sandpits and outdoor stairs and furniture in good repair? Loose joints, worn or torn materials and splintery wood can all cause nasty injuries if children fall while playing on them.

Playing outside is one of the joys of summer but even with a high-factor sunblock it can be exhausting and dehydrating. So make it easy to stay away from too much sun. Trees and bushes (the non-poisonous varieties obviously) umbrellas and canopies, as long as the umbrella is well weighted and its spokes are not child-head height, and any ropes and pulleys on the canopies are tied up neatly and not trailing around on the ground, all help. A small tent or play house, while providing some shade, should actually be placed in a sun-free spot as they can get extremely hot and do not offer much protection from the sun’s rays.

Are heavy garden pots and ornaments fixed firmly so they cannot be blown over or fall from a wall or shelf?

Do all gardening tools, ladders, seeds, plant foods, pest control products, ropes, hoses, and decorating tools and equipment have their own storage area, well away from small children? Cuts, falls and poisoning are often the result of children exploring garages and store cupboards.

Are all rubbish bins tightly covered and emptied and disinfected regularly?

And even the balcony

Back indoors Are there gates on the stairs, safety bars on windows, no loose cloths that can be pulled at, dragging everything on them onto the floor, or worse still a child.

Are there guards on the sharp corners of the furniture? Are all breakable ornaments out of reach? Are reachable sockets and switches protected from small fingers and anything that can be pushed into them? And has the increased fash-

Most children are in and out of the kitchen all the time and many of them love to cook. But before the excitement of creating something delicious to eat let’s just have a quick glance round the kitchen and count any potential hazards

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ion for huge plate glass doors and windows prompted parents to use those clever stickers that indicate there is a barrier ahead?

Furniture drawers can be fitted with stops, so they cannot be pulled out and land on a small child below. And mirrors, picture frames, bookcases shelving and flat screens on walls all need to be made secure. And are you certain none of the house plants is poisonous?

Fun and Games Who doesn’t know that children should be kept away from all small, sharp items, and anything that has such bits attached to it? Play safe and look for the universal CE sign indicating a toy has passed all the EU safety checks and is suitable for certain ages.

Have all, naturally non-locking toy boxes or chests got supports to stop the lids slamming shut?

Is the use of screens, from TVs to tablets organised to prevent bad sleeping habits, eye strain and potential longterm eye damage?

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KEEPING AN EYE ON THE KIDS As children spend more time at home during the summer holidays we need to make sure it a safe space for them to enjoy.

In the kitchen

Safe tools

Most children are in and out of the kitchen all the time and many of them love to cook. But before the excitement of creating something delicious to eat let’s just have a quick glance round the kitchen and count any potential hazards.

Do all knives, scissors and cooking utensils have firm handles? And are they stored where only older children can reach to use them?

Is everyone aware that when using a hot stove, putting food in or out of a hot oven, cutting, peeling chopping or using kettle, toasters, electric mixers and blenders and hot water to wash up the presence of an adult is non-negotiable?

And that spilt oil and, believe it or not, flour, rice, small grains and pulses can make a floor very slippery? In fact, wipe up everything that falls or leaks as you go along.

Also, are all toxic cleaning materials, stored, in their own containers, or child-proof ones, not drink bottles and food jars, well away from the reach of anyone they could harm? And while we’re on the subject, where are all the medicine and first aid items kept? Older children alone should have access to a first aid box. All other medicines should

Heat sources As these cannot be avoided, ask yourself: Are hot water taps, kettles, microwaves oven and other cooking appliances placed well away from the reach of small children? And are all saucepan handles turned away from the edge of the stove?

Do cloths or oven gloves hang near the stove? Or curtains or blinds that could blow against a gas flame? If there is a gas cooker is it well away from the windows or drafts that could blow out the flames leaving gas leaking into the room? Are gas cylinders all outside?

Are matches and lighters kept well away from children and naked flames?

be out of sight and reach.

Have child-proof locks been fitted on the fridge, dishwasher and washing machine?

And, one last thing – glass bottles, jars and heavy milk and fruit juice cartons can get covered in condensation in a cold fridge. This makes them wet and slippery and all too easy to drop. And that could be a very big mess to clear up!

And so to bed?

Furniture made before 1978 was decorated with lead-based paint, so you may want to strip and repaint any family heirlooms and pieces from Nanna or Nannu’s room.

Are all window blind and curtain cords tied well out of the reach of toddlers in cots and young children’s beds?

Is there a window guard or an iron grill that could prevent any window being opened in an emergency?

Do young children’s beds, especially bunks, have safe barriers to

prevent them rolling out? Tiny babies should have cots without soft pillows or bumper pads and fluffy blankets and soft toys. Have you installed an efficient baby alarm?

Is the room the right temperature and has the heat or cooling source been checked recently? Is the night light plugged into a switch that little ones can’t reach? And are all mobiles and shelves well fixed to stop anything going bump in the night?

It doesn’t stop here.

Of course, these are not the last words on keeping children safe in the home. There are hundreds of considerations, some even sound like scare-mongering, but they are a sample of the considerations which seem so obvious we automatically assume they are always be followed.

It’s only when someone’s guard is down or a corner is cut that the risk of an accident increases and, to coin a cliché, prevention is better than cure.

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SMART WAYS TO ENSURE SECURITY Wherever you go you can always be at home, thanks to remote technology.

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ecurity is paramount, especially at night, if you have a large property with several rooms that are quite a way from each other, and when you are leaving the premises for some time. The house need never look empty, and in the event if a break-in everything will be recorded so investigators will have all the evidence they need. In fact, you can also go further and attach tracking devices to essential and valuable possessions, making them easier to trace.

A smart security system means you can see, film and record everything that is going on in your home and control appliances during your absence. A meal could be cooking while you are still stuck in a traffic jam, lights can be turned on and off, washing machines will swish into action, curtains and blinds will open and close, motion sensors and activated lighting can be operated. You can even communicate with pets.

Just how sophisticated you want your system to be depends on the level of security you need and only you can decide that. Basic tools are smart locks that are unlocked with a smartphone app, CCTV and alarms. But with the demand for ever more sophisticated equipment technology is developing rapidly. There are numerous choices including devices with multiple sensors that warn you of any intrusion so you can inform the authorities directly.

A smart security system means you can see, film and record everything that is going on in your home and control appliances during your absence.

Subsound technology listens and learns who should be in your home and who should not, including pets. It provides protection, on every floor, a wide-angle HD camera, with night vision, and temperature and motion sensors. There is even a siren which you can activate from your phone and an app so you can inform the police.

There are gadgets which will turn an iOS/Android smartphone or Apple watch into a virtual door key.

They automatically lock the door behind you, and every time any keys you assign to family members are used the action is logged in the system, so you can track who comes and goes, As people are identifiable by their individual keys, their comings and goings can be tracked. There is also the means to allow time-sensitive access to friends and visitors.

Complete home monitoring via a wide-angle HD camera, recorded sound storage, night vision, motion and temperature monitoring, can be provided by sensors attached to all your doors and windows. Some will even turn on the lights if an intruder is suspected.

There are also smoke detectors that have similar features.

Other systems can recognise faces and speech patterns and use the geolocation info on your phone to know if you are at home or not. These can communicate with other similarly programmed devices, and the lenses could be shut down for privacy.

You might prefer door locks which work with existing locks, through your Android or iOS smartphone, using low energy Bluetooth instead of Internet access.

Some locks can be placed at the bottom of a door to prevent unwanted entry. One model, made of steel and glass-reinforced nylon and aluminum, has a Bluetoothenabled key fob to lock or unlock it and can be integrated with your other home gadgets.

The joy of many of these systems is that they can be mixed and matched according to your current requirements and budget. They can also be constantly updated to provide different services as required. You will eventually be able to have image and sound recordings stored in some 'cloud', alarms that shriek like police sirens and lights beaming down on 'intruders like MTV spot lights. All giving you more security than Fort Knox.

If the whole idea of handing you castle's fortification over to a smart app, or whatever, sounds slightly terrifying, think how people responded to gas and electricity at first. And think of the potential for science fiction movies.

A plot where the ‘herowins’ (the new PC correct way of referring to heroes or heroines) are denied entry to their home is likely being written at this very moment.

Phones are being stolen, cloned, signals go down. Programs are hacked leaving people trapped in homes and offices, while their appliances go into meltdown. Lives are at risk. Or there could be a comedy angle too.

Meanwhile, just in case some awful chance leaves you with a missing phone one day, the latest stylish smart locks, that can also work with keys might, in the end, might be a life saver.