What Is Health and Safety?

As the global financial crisis has developed petty crime has become more common as people are
resorting to illegal activity to get by. Last summer it was reported that there had been an increase in
domestic burglary by 14%. This combined with cuts to policing budgets means that it has never been
more important to ensure that your premises, be it an office or home, is completely secure. So, what
can you do to make sure you are as secure as possible? Fortunately quite a lot.

There is what can be seen as three levels of security that start at basic and move on to advanced.
Below is a run-down of these levels and what measures you can take to improve your own level of
security.

Basic

The basic level of security includes measures that are found on almost all properties. The main
feature of basic security is locks on windows and doors. These are usually included in all offices
and homes as standard but often they are not used properly, especially on windows. It is worth
taking the time to ensure that all locks work and that all keys are located and stored properly. One
unlocked window can be the difference between keeping hold of your valuables and having to make
a hefty insurance claim. Taking 5 minutes at the end of each day to secure all windows and doors
is time well spent. The better the locks the lower the likelihood of a successful breaking. This is

because locks act as a deterrent as well as an actual barrier.

Intermediate

Locks provide the foundation of secure premises but modern criminals can breach them fairly
easily and once they are in they are free to do what they want. It is for this reason that you need
to take your security to at least an intermediate level. An intermediate level of security is defined
by an effective alarm system. Alarms, like locks, are useful as they act as a deterrent as well as an
actual alarm to intrusion. Again, like locks, alarms are not maintained properly and often they don’t
actually work or they are not set every night. Make sure that all of your alarms are fully functional
and set every time the premises are left vacant. It is also important to use a code that is not easy
to guess. Use a number that is personal to you so that would be intruders stand as little chance as
possible at guessing correctly. Clearly display the alarm unit on the exterior of the building to deter
thieves and place signs stating that the building is alarmed.

Advanced

Alarms and locks will stop or prevent most burglaries but hardened criminals will easily get
around them and gain access to your valuables. To stop these criminals you need to upgrade your
defences to what can be described as an advanced level. There are 2 main measures that you
can take to reach an advanced level of security. The first of these is CCTV, the second is Security
Grilles. CCTV is crucial as it can help to prevent crime, stop crime whilst it’s in progress and catch
criminals after they have carried out a crime. If you are planning on getting CCTV, or if you already
have it, ensure it works properly. Clearly show potential intruders that the premises are protected
by CCTV and put cameras clearly visible positions. Security grilles are also needed to achieve
and advanced level of security. Strong security
grilles are the epitome of a comprehensive security solution as they put a powerful physical