Author Archives: Mark Walter

Security Cages

Should I fit my Alarm Sensor or Camera inside a Protective Wire Cage ?

Protective Wire Cages help protect Sensors & Cameras

When using Alarm Sensors or CCTV Cameras Outdoors or inside External Buildings such as Sheds, Workshops & Garages it can be beneficial to utilize a Protective Cage in some cases, which can now be found on the market from various sources.

These will not only help to protect your Alarm Sensors or Cameras from Vandalism & Theft, but more importantly will also keep your Security in tact.

It is common for Burglars to visit a site before carrying out the Crime, this can be at night covertly or as brash as they come visiting during the day using some poppycock story about being lost, looking for Mr Smith or wanting to sell you something all the time having a good look around, and if you happen to be away from the property they can be even more intrusive.

If on these visits, they can quickly disable or hinder any of your Security it is in their Interest to do so, so making it harder for them to achieve this is important.

Protective Wire Cages can be purchased in many different shapes and sizes, or Bespoke models can even be obtained.

Outdoor Driveway Alarm PIR’s:

When using Driveway Alarms, there is really three sensible ways of fitting the PIR’s:

Covertly (fit the PIR out of obvious sight, behind a bush, hanging plant, garden ornament etc).
Hidden inside an object (birdbox, water butt, feed bucket etc).
Fitted inside a Protective Wire Cage (which can also provide a visible deterrent).

PIR inside a Cage

Because of the nature of a Driveway Alarm PIR is to normally position it on the approach to your Home or Business (as it is often the advanced warning system), making them probably one of the most vulnerable type of Alarm Sensors, so need to be protected or well hidden if possible.

Perimeter Laser Beams:

Laser Beams by nature need to be lined up with each other (they normally come in pairs), therefore one or both are quite often visible to wannabe Intruders or Vandals.

For this reason Protective Cages can be a real benefit to protect the Beams from Vandalism or Theft, or simply to stop them being tampered with, because if they come out of alignment they will stop working.

Laser Beams with Protective Wire Cages

Cameras:

CCTV Cameras can at least be fitted higher up than most Alarm sensors making them harder to reach for most casual Vandals & Intruders, but anyone determined can use a variety of objects and tools (often laying around) to either destroy or at least move the Cameras positioning which could make them obsolete.

This is more likely if the Cameras are fitted in remote locations (often with no one around for hours), for example 4G Cameras which can be fitted literally anywhere in the world (providing there is a mobile phone signal).

Utilizing Security Cages will help to protect the Cameras up to a point, the downside would be that the images would be looking through a meshed view, some people do not mind this as they just want to help identify a Vehicle or Person, sometimes even just wanting to know it is an Intruder and not a false alarm.

Other people want a clear view so the answer is to snip out the Cage around the Lens area of the Camera, this obviously results in a better view but reduces the protection that the Cage gives.

CCTV Camera in a Protective Cage

Shed, Garage & Workshop Applications:

It is less likely that customers will think of using a Cage over an Alarm Sensor or Camera inside a Shed, Workshop or Garage, but when you think about it, these buildings are often in remote locations or at the bottom of your garden, so Intruders will have plenty of time to work out their plan of action.

Sometimes this would be to destroy the Sensors or Cameras inside the building and quickly vacate to see if anyone responds, if their is no response they are free to take their time and clear the building out, if there is a response they simple slide back into the shadows and return within the next few days (day or night) knowing the destroyed Security Alarms or Cameras are unlikely to be replaced yet.

The other problem with these buildings are:

They are often small and low, so being able to easily reach the Security devices is achievable.
These buildings are often full of work tools (hammers etc), garden tools (spades, forks etc), golf equipment (golf clubs), fishing equipment (bank stick and poles), work material (wooden & steel poles) which can all be used to destroy your Security devices, literarily placed on a plate for the Villain.

So using a Protective Wire Cage may well be a good idea for many of these Buildings.

Alarm Detector in a Protective Wire Cage

I hope this Blog has given you some food for thought, if you would like to Contact Us to discuss, we would be delighted to hear from you (click here for Contact details).

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Farm Security

Farms (no matter where they are in the world) are always really hard locations to protect, they often cover large areas and have multiple buildings.

Farm Security

To make matters worse Farms are an irresistible target for thieves, this is down to many factors, but some obvious ones are:

They have multiple access points (and more importantly multiple escape routes).
They have lots of valuable machinery & tools on site.
They are commonly miles away from any Police response.
They often have lots of scrap metal, batteries or other materials laying around.
They often have easy to access fuel tanks.
They are often unmanned.
They can often be reached by motor vehicles (car, quadbikes, etc).

They are a prime example of the Risk & Reward thought process that all potential thieves will consider:

Risk: What risk am I taking, what access and escape routes are available ?
Reward: What financial rewards may be waiting for me, in many cases on Farms ‘lots’.

They are famously hard to secure due to their nature, very often with multiple access routes, wide entrances, some have power, some do not.

Normally the most that can sensibly be done in these situations (within workable budgets) is to choose which areas or buildings need protecting the most, which access points are most likely to be used by unsavoury characters and concentrate on trying to protect these (these areas may change throughout the year as the seasons dictate on where the tools, machinery and manpower is required).

Protection can come in different forms, some are listed below:

Physical Barriers: Use physical barriers using earth, steel, stone, deep ditches to stop easy access or to guide potential thieves into narrow protected / monitored entrances.
Storing of Tools & Machinery: It is still common practise in many farms to store Tools and Machinery all over the place, if you store all the tools and machinery in one or two locations this makes it far more achievable and affordable to use electronic and physical Security devices.
Outdoor & Perimeter Alarms: There are many Outdoor Wireless Alarms on the market today designed for affordable DIY Installation that can protect chosen areas using Loud Sirens, Silent Phone Calls or Text messages to key-holders.
Indoor Workshop & Barn Alarms: There are battery or mains alarms designed to be used inside typical Farm buildings that can contact key-holders by Phone Calls or Text messages together with the options of triggering various Sirens.
CCTV: There is a new breed of 4G CCTV Cameras now that can be powered by mains, battery or battery with solar panels and supply Farmers a potential live streaming facility in all types of Remote locations in and around a Farm. Providing there is 4G at the location, the Farmer can now safely check what is happening in selected Fields, Yards or Buildings together with being able to keep an eye on the Animals.
Electronic Gates: Automatic gates can be great on many Farm applications as it stops the unsavoury characters doing a cheeky day time ‘recky’ on the premises.
Dummy Alarms & CCTV: If budgets are really tight, or there are some locations on the Farm that just can’t be covered with Security devices simple Dummy/False Alarms, PIR’s or Cameras could make some thieves think twice.

Ultra Secure Direct have been supplying DIY Security products to Farms since 2004 and have a wide range of products to help with Farm Security, we also are available by the old fashioned method of the Telephone (0044 1604 589414) to help give our customers before and after Sales advice & support.

We are happy to build bespoke Security Systems of all types to cover our Customers needs and budgets, come and talk to us at the 2022 Lamma Show 11th & 12th January.

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Please Contact US for any advice:

Telephone: 0044 (0) 1604 589414 (8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, UK Time).
Email: info@ultrasecuredirect.com
Website: www.ultrasecuredirect.com
Visit: 10 Ryehill Court, Lodge Farm I/E, Northampton, England, NN5 6QW.

Ultra Secure Direct

Risk & Reward

Risk & Reward: Get into a Thief’s Mind !!

Whatever we think of Thieves & Burglars, there is one fact that cannot be in disputed, most of them are not stupid, they may be desperate but not stupid).

Before carrying out a Crime, most Criminals will actually go through a mental process of working out the Risk against the potential Reward, some will not even know they are doing this!!

This process is relevant to all types of Crimes, but for this article we are concentrating on Theft from buildings similar to the ones listed below:

The Risk & Reward principle is the same for all the different type of buildings & applications shown above !!

Risk:

What risk would they potentially be taking should they carry out the Crime, to establish this they will look at certain criteria including:

Does the building have an Alarm?
Do the grounds have an Alarm?
Is there CCTV?
Is the property Remote or overlooked by other buildings?
Is the property next to a busy road?
Are the adjacent buildings residential or business (business premises may be empty at night or weekends)?
Is there a chance key-holders or security staff may be called?
Do they need to force entry (a very important factor)?
Can they walk around the grounds with a plausible excuse (I am lost, do you have any work available, I am looking for Mr Smith)? whilst they are taking note of entrances, security systems?
Would the potential stolen goods be easily identified?
What exit routes are available if they are disturbed?
What security lighting is present?
How easy would it be to sell & move the stolen goods from the identified location?

Reward:

What potential reward is there should they decide to carry out the Crime? examples listed below:

Quad Bikes: (can be sold easily and at a great profit).
Push Bikes: (can be sold easily for a good profit, even more so these days).
Computers & Tablets: (can be very easily & quickly sold).
Old Lawn Mower: (can be sold, but at a very low profit).
Power Tools: (can be sold easily at good profits).
Caravans: (can be sold for great profit, but harder to move).
Personal Jewellery: (is very easy to move around & sell).
Fuel: (is almost impossible to detect, and worth a great deal in this day & age).

Conclusion:

Make it difficult for strangers to walk around your Grounds or Buildings during the day, a simple locked gate can prevent easy access.
Never leave the Front Door open in your house.
Keep Shed & Garage Doors closed, don’t let strangers see your pride & joy motorcycle, quad bike, golf clubs, power tools.
Black out Windows in Remote Sheds, Barns & Garages, don’t put temptation in their way.
Install visible Security, these can be Alarm Siren Boxes, Dummy CCTV Cameras, CCTV Warning Signs or Dog Signs.
At least fit an Alarm, perhaps live CCTV.
Lighting, have sensible Security Lighting (not too bright which causes many shadows to hide in).
Lock all vulnerable Doors & Windows.
Try to protect access to a Fuel Tank.

The costs & time implications for carrying out just one, two or three of the above suggestions is minimal, but may save you thousands of pounds in losses together with the untold amount of stress should the worst happen.

Summary:

By carrying out some of the measures listed above, will increase the risk for the potential intruder and therefore reduce the risk for you. It is an obvious statement, that the more valuable items you have on offer, the more Security should be put into place.

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Ultra Secure Direct have a full range of Security products, all designed for affordable & easy DIY Installation, these are available through https://www.ultrasecuredirect.com or by telephone on 01604 589414.

We also offer Free, No Obligation Advice by Telephone, Email or Live Chat should you need help .

Ultra Secure Direct

By Mark Walter Google

Maintaining Your Driveway Alarm

Most modern Wireless Driveway Alarms & Alerts are in general a low Maintenance device, but they do benefit from some occasional TLC.

Most people will use them and only think of any basic maintenance when they realize they are not working, it could be too late by this stage as you may have already had Visitors or Intruders without knowing.

There are some very basic maintenance jobs that could be done a couple times of year to make your products more reliable, the most common times to do this would be leading into and coming out of ‘Winter’.

Detectors:

Battery PIR’s

Battery Driveway Alarm PIR from Ultra Secure Direct

Jobs to do include:

Check or replace the Batteries.
Check the Battery connectors, it my help to clean them us using a suitable cleaning Spray, if this is done please ensure the connectors are 100% dry before using again.
Clean the PIR (perhaps using warm soapy water), especially the front lens area.
Ensure no shrubbery has grown over the Detection view.
Ensure the PIR is still mounted in the correct position and angle.
Ensure the Wireless Signal is working back to the relevant Receiver/Receivers.

Solar PIR’s

Solar Driveway Alarm PIR

Jobs to do include:

Clean the Solar Panel (using warm soapy water if possible).
Give the PIR a top up Charge (if your model allows for this).
Clean the PIR, especially the front lens area.
Ensure no shrubbery has grown over the Detection view.
Ensure the PIR is still mounted in the correct position and angle.
Ensure the Wireless Signal is working back to the relevant Receiver/Receivers.

Magnetic Gate Contacts:

Ensure the Gate hasn’t moved (dropped, expanded or shrunk) due to weather as the Magnetic Contact Switch & Magnet need to be lined up when the Gate is Closed.
Check the Battery (and replace if required) in the Battery Transmitter.
Clean the inside of the Transmitter Box from Dust, Damp & Insects.
Ensure the Wireless Signal is working back to the relevant Receiver/Receivers.

Wireless Gate Contact

Vehicle Detecting Underground Probes:

Check the Probe is still positioned safely & firmly underground (the probe shouldn’t move around as this would cause false alarms).
Check the Cable that is visible (not hidden in conduit) between the Probe and Transmitter for any Damage (from vehicles or animals).
Check the Battery (and replace if required) in the Battery Transmitter.
Clean the inside of the Transmitter Box from Dust, Damp & Insects.
Ensure the Wireless Signal is working back to the relevant Receiver/Receivers.

Wireless Vehicle Probe

Laser Beams:

Ensure the Beams are still lined up correctly.
Ensure the mounting Posts & Brackets are still in good condition, if these move in a strong wind the Beams could become unaligned, which unlike PIR’s will make them inactive (after the initial activation as the Beams move).
If the Beams are Solar powered, clean the relevant Solar Panels (using warm soapy water if possible).
If the Beams are the type that allow you to give the Batteries a boost charge, then this is a worthwhile practise running into and out of Winter.
Ensure no shrubbery has grown over the Detection view.
Ensure the Wireless Signal is still working back to the relevant Receiver/Receivers.

Laser Beam Maintenance

Other Transmitters:

There can be a vast array of Sensors that could be used within modern Wireless Driveway Alarms, in most applications the advice listed above would be relevant in some way to any Sensors not listed, but if you have any doubt please Contact Ultra Secure Direct for Advice !!

Indoor Receivers:

Indoor Receivers need minimal maintenance as unlike the Sensors they are not operating in the harsh outdoor environments, but some simple maintenance can be done:

Check the connector from the Power supply (unless the receiver plugs directly into the socket).
Check any Input or Output connections going into the Receiver for wear (if relevant).
Check the connection on any accessories that are connected to the Receiver (for example Buzzers, Diallers, Bells & Sirens).
Lightly clean the Receiver if it is located in a workshop type environment.

Indoor Driveway Alarm Receiver

Outdoor Receivers:

The new breed of Outdoor Receivers are great for activating Lights, Sirens & Bells which notify you to the presence of a Visitor (friend or foe) whilst you are outside, together with letting the Visitor know they have been Detected, these will benefit from a bit of maintenance:

Check the Power Supply and connections.
Check all connections to the accessories being used.
Clean the Inside of the Receiver.
Clean the Outside of the Receiver.
Ensure the Wireless signals are being received by the relevant Transmitters.

Outdoor Wireless Driveway Alarm Receiver

Testing:

After carrying out the basic maintenance, we would recommend someone triggering each Sensor whilst the relevant Receiver is monitored for correct functionality, different types of Sensors will need to be triggered in different ways, examples being:

PIR’s: Walk or Drive past each PIR (whichever is more relevant to your application).
Gate Contacts: Open each Gate from a closed position.
Vehicle Probes: Drive Past the Probe with a Vehicle (or by using a suitable alternative steel object).
Laser Beams: Walk or Drive past each set of Beams (whichever is more relevant to your application).

Repeat the process for additional Receivers being used within the Alarm/Alert System.

Damp:

If any of the Outdoor Transmitters or Detectors are not working during these tests, or are being inconsistent it may be possible that damp has worked its way into the circuitry as they can be working in the most challenging of conditions at times, with rain, snow, wind, frost & sun all playing a part during the year.

In these situations it is quite often possible to remedy the situation by the following method, if you have basic DIY skills, we would recommend:

Removing the Battery (unless solar powered).
Take the Transmitter into a warm and dry building (with a view to it staying there for 24/48 hours).
Carefully Open up the Transmitter (if the model you have allows this), it normally involves removing screws.
Once opened up, library spray WD-40 (or similar) over all of the Board & Battery connections.
Allow the device to Fully Dry, let the WD-40 evaporate.
Put back together and Test.
This will very often cure problems cause by Damp.

Snow:

In the event of Snow conditions it is important to wipe the Detector Lens on all Detectors, if you are using Solar powered Detectors then ensure the Solar Panels are cleared of any Snow & Ice. If the conditions are resulting in a prolonged covering of Snow or Ice then we would recommend using a de-icer spray on the Solar Panels (to ensure correct charging).

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Contact Ultra Secure Direct for Advice !!

Shed Alarms

Fitting an Alarm into your Shed can be an easy and quick solution to help protecting your valuable goods inside.

Sheds can and often store a lot of valuable equipment such as Push Bikes, Hand & Power Tools, Lawnmowers, Golf Clubs, Fishing Equipment & Gardening Equipment, all these products can be easy to carry away together with being easy to sell (and hard to track) at a Car Boot Sale or the online platforms such as eBay & Gumtree.

Sheds are still one of the most ‘broken into’ buildings in domestic situations, mainly due to the fact that they are normally not very well protected and an easy target with regards to the ‘Risk & Reward’ mindset of Burglars.

Risk & Reward:

This thought process cannot be understated, it is what most Burglars will be weighing up:

What Risk am I taking breaking into this building (which is possible not Locked or Alarmed, potential weak Doors, Windows & Locks, and very often not Overlooked together with an Easy Escape Route or two).
What potential Financial Reward will (could) I gain (Push Bikes, Hand & Power Tools, Lawnmowers, Golf Clubs, Fishing Equipment & Gardening Equipment) all with an irresistible easy profit with no or little traceability.

What do you want from an Alarm (options include):

Sirens inside the Shed.
Sirens outside the Shed.
Sirens both inside & outside the Shed.
Sirens inside a nearby House (with or without sirens around the Shed).
Silent with Flashing LED’s.
Phone & Text Call to you and other key-holders (with or without sirens around the Shed).

Type of Sensors:

There are two main Alarm Sensors that are normally used whilst Alarming a Shed, these are:

PIR’s (these infrared sensors will pick up a sudden change in temperature within its view, this can be caused by a Person suddenly walking into the Shed, but also could be triggered by Rats or Mice climbing past the PIR or a sudden Heat source (for example a bright Sun Rise coming through a Window).
Magnetic Contact (these are used to monitor a Door or Window being opened, ideal for applications where there is a chance of small animals being present).

Other useful options can be:

Vibration Sensors (these pick up a sudden ‘violent’ vibration through a door or window, ideal if you want the Alarm to activate before Burglars have gained access to the Shed, but can be prone to false Alarms if the device cannot be adjusted for sensitivity or fitted to poor fitting Doors or Windows).
Pressure Mats (it is possible with some Alarms to hide a pressure Mat just inside the Door of a Shed, these can be suitable for some applications).

Quantity of Sensors:

Most Sheds will only require one or two Alarm Sensors (at most three), most commonly would be to use a a single PIR, but we would normally recommend fitting at least one Magnetic Contact onto the Shed Door, which would trigger the Alarm before a Burglar has any time inside.
If there is a vulnerable Window then it is worth considering fitting a Sensor onto this (magnetic or vibration), this may be in conjunction with a Door Contact and no PIR (or PIR and no Door Contact).

If the Shed is large with multiple Windows most customers would keep with a single PIR and Door Contact.

Where to fit the Sensors:

PIR’s (these are best fitted into the corner of a Shed looking across the Shed and Entrance Door (at about 45 degrees), but importantly facing away from any window (if the window is prone to a sudden Sun rise) and not placed above a Heating source (heater) that could automatically turn On.
Door Contact (the best place to fit a Magnetic Sensor onto the Door or Window in most applications is on the top of the door about 1/3 in from the hinge, this reduces movement of a door being blown around by a strong wind but is sensitive enough not allow a person to squeeze through a partially opened door, click here to view a previous post).
Floor Mat (most people would fit one of these under an existing floor mat just inside the Entrance).
Vibration Sensors (the secret here is to fit the sensor in a location that will feel the vibration if the Door or Window is attacked, but not in a position where a strong wind would be detected, normally towards the corned of the Door or Window would be best.

Power Supply:

Most Shed Alarms these days are powered by Battery, sometimes with Solar Panels for any outside Sirens, this makes it quick and easy to Install.

Phone & Text Calls:

If you want the Alarm to contact you and other key-holders when it is triggered, then the most efficient way is to use a GSM Alarm, these operate using a mobile phone SIM card which you insert into the main Alarm device.
The SIM Card will have its own Phone Number which you would normally add to the contacts on your own mobile phone (calling it home shed alarm or similar), if it Calls or sends a Text, you will immediately know what device is contacting you.

Important: the SIM Card will not normally require Data, just Text & Calls which will reduce the cost of the contract you take out (check with the supplier of the Alarm) !!

Covert ?

If you choose a GSM Alarm, you can find products that double up as the PIR and the GSM Dialler (which reduces the cost) or find Covert models which allow you to hide the most important and valuable part of the Alarm away out of sight.

We would recommend (if your budget can extend to this) using the Covert type of GSM Alarm, allowing you can hide the Dialler out of sight and harms way, there are many locations inside a Shed where this can be done. This is relevant because the nature of a Shed (small) makes it easy for a Burglar to potentially attack an Alarm when they realize it is there, quite often using tools or handles that you have provided inside the Shed, if they do this to a Sensor only it is to late as the Covert Dialler is still secretly contacting key-holders.
The Alarm Sensors would normally be wireless which allows the Covert Dialler to stay hidden away.

Covert or Overt GSM Alarms

Wired or Wireless ?

Most small Alarms designed for Sheds & Garages these days are Wireless, which in general make them much easier and quicker to Install, and harder for an Intruder to find a Covert Control Panel if you are using one.
Occasionally if you are very unlucky a Wireless Alarm can be falsely triggered by a random strong Wireless signal from another type of device, this could be from a passing Vehicle, Aircraft or even a neighbour who is perhaps a Radio Ham enthusiast, but these incidents are few and far between and in general there are very few problems with Wireless Alarms.

Silent or Sirens (or both) ?

Different Customers have different thoughts about this, the options really are:

Loud Sirens (you can have loud Sirens in the Shed, Outside of the Shed, On nearby Buildings or a combination of them all), let the Burglar and Neighbours know an Alarm has been activated. One of the concerns often mentioned is that customers do not want to disturb their Neighbours with loud Sirens if they are not at home, but this shouldn’t be a concern as most modern Alarms will (should) automatically turn OFF after a pre-set duration.
Silent (some customers want a Silent Alarm which gives them a chance of catching the Burglar), this can be done by having a Wireless Receiver inside your House (depending on the distance between the Shed and House, it is even possible at distances of 300 – 400 metres) or a GSM Alarm (that will contact key-holders by Phone & Text).
Hybrid (some customers like to have a Silent Alarm which allows them to check for Burglars) and then a means of Safely activating Loud Sirens from the House using a SOS Remote Control.

If you can’t afford an Alarm right now, a simple Dummy Siren, Camera or even a Dummy PIR visible through a window of your Shed, or just a Sign may make a potential thief think twice (it would depend on what they think their ‘Risk & Reward’ odds are). These are also affordable and sensible additions to any Alarm you are thinking of fitting.

Other Security Devices:

If your Shed stores a lot of valuable possessions (value or sentimental) it may be worth adding another device or two while fitting an alarm, these can be as simple or complicated as you wish to go, they may include:

Outdoor Alarm (loud siren before potential burglars get to the Shed).
Driveway & Garden Alerts (silent wireless devices that give the homeowner an alert if there are prowlers around).
CCTV (Wireless – Wi-fi or 4G models).
Floodlights (Wi-fi models that allow you to be notified by your smart phone in the case of a prowler together with the ability of being able to remotely view the location).
Door Locks & Chains.

I hope this information may help you decide on the future Security of your Shed, feel free to Contact Us for further advice !!

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Ultra Secure Direct

What is a Driveway Alarm

Driveway Alarms (or Alerts) were first established in the U.S 25 years or more ago, they are designed to monitor mainly outside locations around your Home or Business, but they can also be used to monitor various internal locations such as Outbuildings, Garages, Workshops & Sheds.

They are used to detect both Intruders, Visitors or Large Animals, so they can be used in many different domestic & commercial applications.

Most Driveway Alarm Systems will consist of one or more Sensors & a simple Indoor Chime Unit which will inform the occupants inside the building to the presence of the visitor (friend or foe).

In the very early days the Sensors would have been wired, but they quickly changed to using Wireless technology which resulted in faster and easier Installations, no need to hire expensive trade persons or to carry out messy cable installations.

In most situations the Sensors would be a PIR (passive infrared detector) which are designed to detect a very sudden change in temperature caused by people, vehicles and large animals passing by.

Although the PIR’s can cause occasional false alarms from wildlife, this can be greatly minimised by choosing a PIR with a narrow Beam and the correct positioning of them.

The best positioning is in most cases are:

1.5 – 2 metres off the ground.
Positioned horizontally so the beam doesn’t pick up small ground animals (be mindful of this fact if your ground rises up within the detection zone).
Not pointing directly at where a sudden ‘Sun Rise’ or ‘Sun Set’ may occur.
If possible 2 to 5 metres away from the start of the desired detection area.

Multiple Sensors can be used with most Driveway Alarm Systems (please check with the supplier before purchasing, even if you only want one Sensor to start with, as you may want to expand in the future).

Other type of Sensors are now available which can be used on their own or together with one or more PIR’s, these include:

Covert Vehicle Detectors, the benefits include:
- Pet Friendly (ideal for locations where there are large animals roaming around).
- Covert (they can be hidden underground, totally out of sight).

Door & Gate Contacts, the benefits include:
- Pet Friendly.
- Being aware that the Gate has been physically Opened (standard models).
- Being informed a Gate has been left Open (special models) .

Laser Beams, the benefits include:
- Further Detection Range (commonly up to 100 metres).
- Dual Beams (reduces false alarms).
- Very Accurate Detection Beams.

Dual Beam Laser Beams,

Transmitters (which can be connected to all types of security & safety devices).

Although the very basic Chime units still exist, some of the Receivers allow additional accessories to be added, these include:

Indoor & Outdoor Sirens & Bells.
Flashing LED’s.

There are also some new developments such as Outdoor Receivers which allow Floodlights or Sirens to be triggered (with or without using indoor chime units), ideal for:

Customers wanting to make the Intruder or Visitor aware they have been detected.
Locations where people are working outside.
Locations that may require additional Lighting upon approach.

These Alarms can be as complex or simple as you want them to be, and most Homes should have one as they will only benefit the Security & Safety.

If you need advice, Click Here for Advice.

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Ultra Secure Direct

Protecting Your Holiday Home

Protecting your Holiday Home !!

Having a Holiday Home is a lot of peoples dream come true, after working hard for many years to obtain one, the thought of being able to go to your own place at any time (no need to pre-plan or pre-book) is just what the doctor ordered.

Holiday Homes vary widely ranging from a Static Caravans, Cruisers, Narrow Boats, Sail Boats, Log Cabins, Apartments, these can be close to home, in a different County or even in a totally different Country.

One downside to having your dream Holiday Home ‘for most people‘ is the worry about them when you are not there (the relief you get when you first see it unharmed on every single visit), worries about potential Burglars, Floods, Fire or damage from Vandals, passing Vehicles or Craft.

Holiday Homes located in private parks, marinas or complexes are less of a worry, but you still have that doubt in the back of your mind (until you lock eyes on it) if all is actually OK, especially when you haven’t been for a while or if the sites are closed for winter.

After possible spending close to your life savings on these Homes, it is a sensible precaution to consider some type of protection, even if really basic.

The type of products often considered are Burglar, Flood, Power & Fire Alarms & CCTV.

Before considering any further you need to consider the following questions:

Do you have a power supply on site, a supply that isn’t switched off out of season ?
Do you have reliable Wi-fi on site ?
Do you have a phone signal on site ?
Do you have 4G on site ?
Do you have key-holders on or near to site ?
How long does it take for you to get to site ?

Power:

If you have a power supply all year around, then you can consider devices that plugs into the mains (normally via a simple plug in transformer) giving you more choice, if there is no power (or the power is switched off) then you will need to be considering battery devices which are available but normally slightly more expensive and harder to source.

Wi-fi:

Wi-fi gives you the ability of using a range of affordable Alarms and Cameras, if there is no Wi-fi or intermittent Wi-fi then you are better not considering Wi-fi devices.

Phone Signals:

Phone signals will give you the ability to have Alarms that contact you by Phone or Text when triggered, this could be in the event of potential Burglars, Floods or Fire, but there is nothing worse than getting a call when there are no key-holders close to the location for you to contact, especially if it means a 3 hour drive to site for yourself.
If you live close, have people on (or close to) the site, then a Phone or Text Call is of great benefit, comfort and very affordable.

4G Signals:

Now if you have a 4G signal, it means in this day and age, you can have one or more 4G Cameras (and alarms) which give you the ability to view the premises or location being monitored after getting the dreaded Phone Call or Text (rather than jumping straight into your car).
You could also use a 4G SIM Card to fit into a 4G Wi-fi Router which would allow you to use multiple Wi-fi devices helping you to protect your Home.

Type of devices you can purchase:

There is an array of products these days, that you can easily use to help protect your Holiday Homes from all types of problems, you do not need to spent vast amounts of money on them, in most cases you do not need to pay a professional tradesperson to fit them providing you have a basic knowledge of DIY.

You will need to decide if you want to be informed of a potential problem (by phone, text or push notification), or you jut want Sirens or Flashing Lights being activated in the hope that someone nearby notices.

Intruder / Burglar Alarms:

You can choose many types of Burglar Alarms, most would normally be wireless making the installation quick and easy, the four main questions would be:

Do you need a Battery or Mains powered Alarm.
Do you want the Alarm to contact you by Phone or Text.
Do you want it Silent or with Sirens (some customers say there is no point in Sirens as the location is remote or they do not want to disturb neighbours, others prefer a Siren as it may deter a Burglar or bring the problem to the attention of the neighbours, there is no right or wrong answer, it is personal preference).
Detectors, what type of detectors do you need, the most popular options include:
- PIR’s (monitor for movement, may not be suitable for moving Boats, homes with potential extreme Heat or locations with small animals, the benefit of using PIR’s is that you can cover more of the building with fewer devices).
- Door & Window Magnetic Contacts (very popular with Holiday Homes as they will generally only trigger if the door or window is actually opened, the only downside to using these against PIR’s is that you will need to buy more to cover the building in most applications, Boats or Caravans wouldn’t normally be a problem here).
- Vibration Sensors (these can be useful, as they can trigger the Alarm before entry has been forced, but we would advise using a model with adjustable sensitivity settings to avoid potential false alarms in some application).

Power Loss & Temperature Alarms:

You may have a Holiday Home in remote locations with potential extreme weather conditions (Hot or Cold), and losing the Power supply could be disastrous with resulting Frozen Pipes, thawed Freezers etc etc.
There are now GSM Power Loss Alarms that will contact owners and key-holders in the event of a Power Failure, these devices can also inform you when the Power comes back on, you can quite often set the parameters so you only get the Call or Text after a pre-set time duration has elapsed allowing you not to worry about minor incidents.

Some of the devices can also monitor for pre-set High & Low Temperatures at the same time, giving you more reassurance.

Flood Alarms:

In some Holiday Homes you can simply add one or two Wireless Flood or Water Sensors to a Burglar Alarm locating them in the most vulnerable locations, but in other applications you may only want to monitor for Floods or Water leaks, with no interest in adding a Burglar Alarm.

In these cases the same decisions need to be made, do

Do you need a Battery or Mains powered Alarm.
Do you want the Alarm to contact you by Phone or Text.
Do you want it Silent or with Sirens.
What type and how many Water Detectors do I require.

Smoke Alarms:

Smoke Alarms can be viewed exactly as the above statement regarding Water Alarms, the same decisions will need to be made.

Cameras:

Modern day Cameras are great for Holiday Homes, they solve (or help to solve) the problem about what to do if your Alarm contacts you by Phone or Text (a real reassurance for Holiday Home owners).
You do not have to spend a fortune these days to have one or multiple Cameras that can be connected to your Smart Phone allowing you to view the part of the site you are monitoring, if you can see a Burglary, Flood or Fire in process then you have the right to call the emergency services, who will be much more engaged with you once you can confirm (clarify) that you can see this happening in real time and you are not simply relying on a Phone Call or Text.
On some models you can also communicate through the Cameras with an Intruder, Tradesman or Visitor.
You can also start recording or view recent automatic recordings when you log into most Cameras these days, even if you just want to check who has been wandering around whilst you are away.

The key questions you have to ask are:

Power (do you need to use a Battery or Mains powered Cameras).
Wi-fi (do you have Wi-fi allowing you to use the cheaper Wi-fi Cameras or do you need to be using the slightly more expensive 4G Cameras).

4G Cameras:

If you are needing to use a 4G Camera, you will need to buy a SIM Card to allow you the remote access, the SIM Card you choose will require a Data plan, the amount of Data required will depend on how often you think you will be logging into the Camera to view the site. Data will only be used when you are logged in and streaming, so if you only intend to log in if your Alarm calls you, then you would probably get away with 1 – 2 GB of Data a month, if you intend to log in often then larger Data plans will be required.
Experience tells us that most customers log in far more frequently in the early days of fitting the Camera, then when the novelty wanes they log in far less often, because of this you could argue to buy a Data plan on the lower side to start with, which could always be increased if you find your Credit is getting low towards the end of the month.

If you need advice, there are many companies that you can contact by Phone or Email, if you remember the answers to the six questions within this blog and other details, it will help the person you are communicating with to understand your application and point you in the right direction.

Visit and give us your thoughts on our other Blogs !!

Ultra Secure Direct are here to help and advise, Contact Us with any questions, however small you think the question mat be.

Check out our Review Page !!

Ultra Secure Direct

Top 5 DIY Home Security Gadgets

Top 5 Ultra Secure Direct DIY Home Security Gadgets 2021

There are a multitude of DIY Security products now available to help protect your Home, Business & Family, quite often it is more beneficial (and cost effective) to use two or even three different products, than to invest in one large, expensive & complex system.

Listed below are 5 products to look at:

5: CCTV Wi-Fi Flood Lights:

These are great Security products, ideal for installing above a Garage door, to the side of your Home or at the Entrance.

They consist of a operational Security Light (for normal day to day use), but also have:

Built in Covert Cameras.
Live Streaming.
Push Notification (to your phone).
Recording (and remote playback).
Chime, Sirens & Dog Barking options.
Built in PIR.
Two way Communication (can be used to talk to delivery drivers or warn Intruders away).

Covert Wi-fi Camera Floodlights

Please Note: The Cameras need to be within range of a Router !!

4: Security Bollards:

These have been around for years, but still have a place and can be used in multiple ways around your Home & Business, applications include:

They can be fitted behind a Vehicle or at the end of your Driveway to help protect a Vehicles from being easily driven away.
They can be fitted next to an up and over Garage Door to stop them being easily forced open.
They can be fitted behind a Roller Shutter Door to reduce the success of a Ram Raid.
They can be simply used to stop unauthorised Vehicles constantly turning around in your drive and damaging the surface.

There are many types, sizes and coloured Posts & Bollards, the most common types are:

Telescopic (these are the strongest type of Post but are also the hardest to fit, as they requires holes to be dug out to depths of up to a metre or more).
Removable (one of the most popular types of Posts (if Security is also a factor), they are easy to fit as the holes being dug only need to be around 200 – 300 mm deep or a base simply being bolted down to the surface, they also result in a Flush surface with no tyre shredding objects when not in use).
Folding (these are the easiest and quickest to fit as most only need to be bolted down to the surface, and are just folded down when not in use, they are generally however not recommended in Security applications).
Fixed (these are simple Bolted or Cemented into the ground at the edge of a Driveway).
Variations in all Posts can include built in Chain & Chain Eyelets or Solar Lights).
Battery Automatic Hoops (remote control or Bluetooth controlled).

Security Posts & Bollards

3: Perimeter & Driveway Alarms:

With your Driveway, Garden or Land being an easy target for Intruders, it is a advisable for most people to have some type of simple Driveway Alarm or more complex Perimeter Alarm Systems.

The simple Driveway Alarms or Alerts would include one or more Outdoor Battery or Solar Wireless PIR’s with one or more Indoor Chime Receivers, these devices will inform you to the presence of a Visitor or Intruder Outside.

Driveway Alarms

A Perimeter Alarm would normally comprise of multiple sets of Beams or PIR’s (or a combination of both) designed to monitor the complete Perimeter of your Buildings or Land, or at least protect the most obvious access points of an Intruder.

They would also normally include Loud Sirens, Flashing Strobes and Auto-Diallers that would contact key-holders by Phone & Text Messages.

Perimeter Alarms

2: Shed & Outbuilding Alarms:

Shed, Garages, Summer Houses and all types of Outbuildings are probably the most vulnerable buildings around your Home & Business, the pure nature of these Buildings work right into the mental thought processes of a typical Burglar.

A Burglar will always work out their Risk & Reward ODDS (even if they do not know they are doing it) of carrying out a Burglary to any given building, what Risk am I taking of being caught here, against what Reward could there be inside the Building.

RISK:
The facts are that these buildings are often in locations with easy access together with more than one escape route (which burglars love) minimising the risk of being caught, these buildings rarely have Security.

REWARD:
The Reward can very often be huge, with Bicycles, Tools, Fishing Equipment, Gold Clubs, Quad Bikes all being valuable, and easy to sell on the Black Market.

Alarms:

There are many Alarms on the market suitable for these Buildings, many are Battery powered and very Easy & Quick to Fit, some of the options include:

Loud Sirens (inside and outside).
Loud Sirens (inside the building and in nearby buildings such as your home).
Loud Sirens & Outdoor PIR’s (deter the thieve before they have entered the building).
Silent (silent inside and around the building, but notification in nearby buildings such as your home, allowing the Burglar to be potentially caught).
GSM (these new devices will contact you by Phone or Text, with or without Sirens being activated in and around the building).

1: Outdoor Wireless Receiver & Detectors:

One of the newest and most popular devices for helping to protect your Home & Business is the Outdoor Wireless Receiver Box that can be used in conjunction with different types of Outdoor Alarm Sensors & Buttons, these include:

Wireless Outdoor Narrow Beamed PIR (designed to avoid detection of small ground animals)
Vehicle Only Covert Detectors.
Magnetic Gate Contacts (only activate if a gate is opened).
Long range Wireless Gate & Doorbells (ideal for customers with a locked gate in a domestic or business application).

The unique 2 Channel Receiver Box is Armed & Disarmed by using a long range (800 metres) Remote Control, therefore you can choose when you want to use the Alarm, the Receiver is powered by a simple 12v DC Plug in Transformer and can operate a selection of accessories including:

Security Floodlights.
Loud Sirens.
Loud Bells.
Adjustable Sirens.
Buzzers.
Flashing Strobe Light.
A combination of any of the above.

Outdoor Wireless Receiver

The design principle of the Receiver is that it will:

Warn a potential Burglar/Intruder that they have been detected (before they have got close to any building).
To inform you that you have a Visitor (or Intruder), ideal for when you are working Outside.
As a Panic Alarm (in the event of a Security or Medical emergency).

The duration of the connected Bells, Sirens, Lights can be pre-selected from just a few seconds, few minutes to even latched, resulting in you choosing how you want the Alarm to operate for you, and you can also have two or more devices connected into the Receiver working for different durations and at different times of the day, examples could be:

A Bell programmed to operate for 5 seconds during the Day and a Loud Siren to operate for 5 minutes at Night.
A Buzzer to operate for 3 minutes during the Day & Night (when armed) and a Floodlight to operate for 20 minutes at Night.
Regardless of how you program the devices, should you need to press the SOS Button, these devices will remain latched on until you have reset the Receiver (using a remote control).
The options really are limitless.

Indoor Receiver:

You can still add one or more Internal Receivers for use when you are inside the property.

These are a real game changer in the world of Driveway Alarms, and can be used in many different ways.

Ultra Secure Direct

Please Contact Us to discuss your specific requirements or to help choose what Security devices you could use.

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Meet the Team (Ultra Secure Direct)

Ultra Secure Direct supply many types of Security & Communication devices throughout many Sales outlets around the UK, France & Globe including:

Our website.
Phone Calls: 0044 (0) 1604 589414).
Trade Persons.
UK Police Forces.
Government Departments.
Exhibitions.
European Dealers (including our French Company).
Visitors into our Northampton Consultation Room.

The products are often bespoke and many have either been designed by Ultra Secure Direct or have had technical input from Ultra Secure during the development.

Our Team work real hard on giving our Customers a fast & professional Delivery Service ‘wherever possible’ together with great Customer Service experience, lets meet the key members of our UK branch:

Product Preparation & Despatch:

Luke Stogjanovic (rumour has it, he was once 21).

Luke (known as Stog) has been grafting in the workshop for over 10 years now, his hobbies include following all types of Sports especially Football.

Mark Ward (was once 21).

Mark specialises in working with our Steel Bollards & Security Posts, his hobbies include working with anything metal using his comprehensive forge and workshop back at his home, the golden rule here is never leave any spare metal laying around or it will suddenly vanish and return in a different shape.

Jacob Sturgess (not far past 21).

Jacob is our resident musician, give him an Instrument, he can play it (check his band out by searching for J. D. Blues on Facebook)

Tim Cooper (thinks he was once 21).

Tim has always loved to mend things and has taken to this role at Ultra Secure like a Duck to Water.

Technical Support:

Richard Whitehead (he can’t remember 21).

Richard our ‘Special Project Director’ (which is his way to make a simple project sound complicated) is our real all rounder with knowledge in Electronics, Mechanics & Building, he has been helping our Customers with their technical problems now for over 10 years (although he can be shy at times).

Peter Staley (still thinks he is 21).

Peter is our ‘Go To’ technical person, he has a memory like a Computer and loves playing around with Cameras, Routers & GSM products, he has been happily solving our customers issues now for over 10 years and has the patience of a Saint.

IT:

Tom Sharpe (still looks like 21).

Tom joined as a boy and has steadily grown into our IT & Photo Expert, he loves to work with technology (most of the time) until it is time to open the Whiskey back at Home.

Accounts:

David Pope (dreams of being 21 again).

David gave up his Postman round to help Steve out about 8 years ago, and is still here (as much as we try), David’s passion is old Motorcycles (reminds him of his youth) & Craft Beer.

Jan Walter (would be rude to ask).

Jan comes into the office a few days a week to keep David in Check, she has also found a new size Wine Glasses recently !!

Dee Statham (again we dare not ask).

Dee is our official Accountant, when you can drag her away from her Charity Work & Garden (she hasn’t followed Jan’s advice about the size of Wine Glasses yet).

Steve Walter (would love another chance of 21).

Steve is a major cog in the wheel at Ultra Secure, helping to conduct day to day routines, his loves his Animals but we keep him locked behind this screen letting him out at weekends (sometimes).

Sales:

Lee Hughes (Hasn’t had a Shave for 21 Years):

Lee has been at Ultra Secure for 13 years now and gets involved in many aspects of the business, and will often be the first voice you hear when you call Sales, his loves his walking around the South West Coast and has promised to shave when Lockdown ends (we will see ?).

Stuart Shaw (21 is now just a memory, we have aged him):

Stuart is our Sales Manager and has the responsibility on his shoulders to ensure our Customers are happy, he loves his Sport, Food (as you can see) and Music (although he is banded from changing the Radio Station).

Contact Us for any advice by email (info@ultrasecuredirect.com), via the website or the old fashioned way using the telephone (01604 589414), our Staff are here to Help.

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Ultra Secure Direct

What Outdoor Alarm Sensor should I Use?

What type of Outdoor Alarm Sensor should I use for my Outdoor Alarm & Alert systems, four common models are listed below:

PIR (passive infrared):

Positives:

These are the quickest and easiest Sensors to fit.
Most have a detection range from 10 – 15 metres.
There is no complicated lining up, nothing to aim the Sensor at.
Most are Battery powered.
Multiple PIR’s can normally be used with one Alarm.
They are usually a lower cost than some other solutions.

Negatives:

They can detect small ground Animals or Flocks of Birds (if they are not positioned correctly, or the right model is chosen).
They will be activated by large Animals such as Deer & most Dogs.
The Sun can in some instances trigger them very early or late in the day (if they are not positioned with thought).

Laser Beams:

Positives:

They can normally protect wider areas (100 metres or more on some models).
They are far less likely to have False Alarms.
They are a very narrow Beam making them suitable for monitoring a Perimeter or Fence line.
Multiple Beams can often be used with one Alarm.

Negatives:

They are more difficult and can take more time to set up.
They are normally more expensive.

Vehicle Probes (underground covert probes):

Positives:

They are designed to only detect Vehicles or moving Steel (so ideal for locations with large animals present).
They are normally fitted underground (so can be invisible to intruders, or at least far less obvious).
They can be fitted under Steel Gates (being only triggered if the Gate is opened).
They can be connected directly with Diallers to make ideal covert Vehicle Alarms.

Negatives:

They are more difficult and take longer to set up.
They are normally a higher price than a PIR.
The detection range is less than a typical PIR or Laser Beam.

Gate Alarm (magnetic gate contact):

Positives:

They are designed to only detect a Gate being opened (so ideal for locations with large animals).
They can be fitted to most types of Gates.
Ideal for large filled in Gates (where the contact cannot be seen).
Ideal for Gates that are not locked during certain times of the Day.

Negatives:

They are more difficult and take more time to fit.
They can be bypassed by a professional Burglar (but this can be greatly minimised to where and how they are fitted).

There are no perfect scenarios of what Sensors to use, quite often the best approach is to use a combination of the products listed above, therefore it is important that you initially choose a model of Alarm that can cover all the potential options you may require.

If you need advice, please Contact Ultra Secure Direct for Advice.

Ultra Secure Direct