We hope all our customers, existing and potential, weren’t plagued by a seasonal security issue this year but the changing seasons bring different risks to security, the environmental ones often being underestimated by property owners.
We have seen dreadful flooding this year; flooding which has been almost non-stop between storms for some residents in this area. While the initial water damage is one thing to deal with, the on-going risk to the home is a longer term concern. Properties that have been evacuated can become a target for thieves, especially in the first few days following a flood.
Missing roof tiles and other structural issues present excuses for burglars to pose as tradespeople, in order to scope and rob the property. Wearing hi-vis clothing, burglars can enter empty, flood-damaged homes without attracting undue attention, meaning residents should be aware of the need to remove all items of value from the home as soon as possible. Flooding and other storm damage can create weak spots that provide easy entry to thieves, especially wooden back doors that might have weakened from repeated water damage.
Fallen trees also present a very real risk to security, as broken windows create easy entrances for burglars – in these situations it doesn’t matter how good the rest of your security is, as the gaping hole in the building bypasses even the loudest alarm system. While large fallen trees are a rarity, even the most solidly rooted trees can come down in the types of storm we have seen recently, so it always pays to have trees on your property managed by a qualified tree surgeon.
Tree surgeons not only safely remove branches that pose a danger, they also know the signs of disease and how to manage this in good time before the tree becomes a severe risk. If your neighbours have trees on their property which pose a risk to your house, start a conversation about mitigating those risks – you could even share the cost of hiring a tree surgeon to do both properties at the same time.
Many people overlook the importance of their own safety in relation to their home security – but what happens if you live alone and end up with a prolonged hospital stay after a slip on the ice? This seasonal health risk are often at the back of people’s minds, but if you’re solely responsible for a home or business premises it is worth bearing in mind what would happen if you were unable to occupy a home, or be present at a workshop regularly.
Accidents do happen, especially when the ground is icy, so even with the best precautions you could still find yourself in A&E with a broken bone. Make a backup plan with a friend or neighbour to look after your home, or visit your business premises to check on things while you’re temporarily incapacitated. Hopefully you’ll never need to use the plan, but it’s sensible to be prepared.
Have you learned a valuable lesson about the risks posed by the colder months from this article, or the hard way? We might not be able to make good the damage caused by a fallen tree, but we can provide security systems to keep your home and business premises safe in all manner of circumstances.