Inspector Gadget

"Don't let your guard down" Technology and the internet has made it easier than ever to set up a smart home where you can remotely control your door locks, lights, thermostats, vacuums, and even pet feeders, using the apps on your phone! We have come a long way since the days of the simple alarm. It’s also made it simple (and relatively affordable) to monitor your home from pretty much anywhere in the world. FTB has found some of the best security gadgets to help protect yourself and your home

Ring Alarm Pro, £159, Currys currys.co.uk Give yourself piece of mind with the Ring Alarm 5 Piece Security Kit. Everything you need comes in the box and takes only minutes to set up. You’ll get notifi cations on your phone whenever an alarm is triggered – great for worry-free holidays. FireAngel CO-9B Carbon Monoxide Alarm, £14.99, Screwfi x screwfi x.com

Many appliances in your home can produce potentially very dangerous carbon monoxide. This alarm continuously checks for the presence of deadly carbon monoxide, providing an early warning against its effects and ensuring you are keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.

HOW FIRST TIME BUYERS CAN SECURE THEIR NEW HOME, WITH HELP FROM THE HOME SECURITY EXPERTS AT YALE

Picking paint samples, selecting the perfect furniture and making home improvements can often take precedence over more important things, such as your new home’s security, when you fi rst move into a new property. However, with Home Offi ce statistics showing that you’re nearly twice as likely to be burgled in the fi rst 12 months after moving into a new home1, fi rst time buyers should consider the importance of updating their home security measures when they get their keys.

Moving into a new home is stressful, with a long list of tasks to complete when you fi nally move in. However, securing your home doesn’t need to be diffi cult. The home security experts at Yale are here to help, sharing their top tips to improving your new home’s security.

1. A home security "audit" Despite statistics showing that 58% of burglaries occur when someone is inside the property2, a recent survey commissioned by the experts at Yale showed that nearly half (42%) of Brits don’t lock their doors and windows when they’re home, putting their homes at avoidable risk.

As well as locking your doors, consider doing a home security "audit" when you fi rst move in, checking for any "weak spots" to ensure your new home is secure.

From broken fence panels to a rusty lock on your side gate, these weak spots could offer easy entry into your home, so it’s important to do all you can to ensure you’re not an easy target.

2. Change the locks When you fi rst get the keys to your new home, there’s no way of knowing how many people have had access to these, or a spare set, in the past. And with recent statistics revealing that almost a third (32%) of Brits still have a key to one of their previous homes from the last 10 years3, our experts recommend prioritising changing the locks when you fi rst move in. As a cost-effective home security upgrade, when changing the locks, our experts would recommend opting for a 3-star cylinder, such as Yale’s Platinum 3 Star Cylinder. Homeowners should ideally opt for a cylinder with a BSI Kitemark, a sign of safety and quality that can give you peace of mind that your lock, and therefore home, is secured with the highest level of protection.

For those who are interested in having the latest technology in their new home, while also conscious of style, a smart lock such as Yale’s Conexis L1, lets you control your front door via your smartphone, conveniently monitoring who comes in and out of your home, all from a handy app. And being the fi rst smart lock to be awarded the BSI’s IoT [Internet of Things] Kitemark, the Conexis L1 also provides a high level of security protection.

3. Smarter accessories Once you’ve upgraded your locks, other smart upgrades will allow you to check in on your home security anytime, anywhere.

A smart alarm is a great investment, being simple to install, convenient to use, and an effective deterrent for unwanted visitors. Yale’s Sync Smart Home Alarm has a range of alarm kits to suit the size of your new home, letting you arm, disarm and monitor your home security from anywhere via your smartphone.

And don’t forget, smart security cameras, such as Yale’s All-in-One Camera, are another effective deterrent to opportunists, allowing you to keep an eye on your home from anywhere.

For more security advice, please visit yalehome.co.uk

1 Home Offi ce, 2018 2 Eco Experts, 2022 3 A poll of 2,000 UK Adults (nationally representative) run by OnePoll, commissioned by Yale UK, 2022