Away from home

IS YOUR ALGARVE HOME YOUR SECOND HOME? ARE YOU AWAY FOR CHUNKS OF TIME – IN YOUR FIRST HOME PERHAPS, OR MAYBE TRAVELLING? DO YOU WORRY ABOUT SECURITY, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR NEIGHBOURS ARE ALSO ON THE MOVE? HERE ’ S HOW TO WORRY LESS...

Words: CHRIS PARTRIDGE

IT’S A CONCERN leaving your holiday place unoccupied for long periods, even if it is under management. Security systems can play a vital role in providing peace of mind and can not only deter potential intruders but also enhance overall property management.

A good level of security can be provided by surveillance cameras located at strategic points around the property, with sensors at vulnerable doors and windows. All systems are connected to the internet so homeowners can see exactly what is happening live through a smartphone app or web page. This real-time connection offers the ability to check on the property at any time, receive instant alerts in case of suspicious activity, and even remotely arm or disarm the security system.

However, one of the most useful features of the cameras for property owners living thousands of miles away is the ability to record footage that can be reviewed later in case of an incident, serving as valuable evidence for law enforcement or insurance claims.

Motion sensors can detect movement within a defined area and trigger alarms or notifications if unauthorised activity is detected.

Monitoring movement

Door/window sensors, on the other hand, alert homeowners if any entry point is breached. These sensors can be connected to a central monitoring station that can alert security personnel if necessary.

And there is much more that smart technology can do. Home automation systems can be integrated with security systems, allowing homeowners to adjust lighting, thermostats, and even simulate the appearance of someone being home by turning on TVs or radios at specific times. This can deter potential burglars by creating the illusion of occupancy.

In addition to protecting against break-ins, security systems also provide measures to safeguard against other threats such as fire and environmental hazards. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors can be integrated into the system, sending alerts to homeowners and emergency services in case of dangerous situations. This ensures that not only is the property protected against human threats, but also against potential accidents.

Modern security systems often come with backup power sources so it stays in action despite outages. Some systems offer cellular connectivity in case raiders tamper with the communication lines, although if you fear an attack on such a sophisticated level you probably need a professionally installed system.

All security cameras come with an app, naturally, most working on both iOS and Android. If you already have a smart home system installed, however, you need to ensure your new security camera is compatible with it. Another factor to bear in mind before buying is that while all security systems work out of the box, many need an annual subscription for premium features. If you want to be able to record incidents for future analysis by legal or insurance people, you will almost certainly have to pay.

Another note of caution – if your second home is let out or available on Airbnb, installing cameras is an absolute no-no. Creepy at best, illegal at worst.

Here are a few representative camera systems on the market today that are worth investigating:

Claudia Schiffer

One of the 1990s’ most successful fashion models, German-born Claudia Schiffer has often been compared to Brigitte Bardot and holds a Guinness World Record for appearing on more than a thousand magazine covers, including 16 different national editions of Vogue magazine.

Her father was a lawyer and Claudia originally planned to follow him into the family law firm. However, she was ‘talent-spotted’ by a scout from a Paris model agency as a teenager and went to work in Paris. She was a success from the start and soon appeared on the cover of Vogue as well as becoming the ‘face’ of Chanel. By 1992 it was estimated that she was earning US$20,000 per fashion show. Fluent in German, French and English, she modelled for all the top fashion brands and also took on cameo roles in films as well as appearing on TV talk shows. She later produced her own fashion lines and also exercise videos. She became engaged to American magician David Copperfield and appeared on stage with him in the early 1990s. In 2002 she married British film director Matthew Vaughan and the couple now have a son and two daughters. They live in a 16th-century mansion in Suffolk with their family and what Claudia describes as "a menagerie", consisting of dogs, cats, sheep, pigs and a tortoise!