One of the biggest impediments to the adoption of security solutions in India has been a reactive attitude towards adopting solutions to safeguard one’s valuables and loved ones. Society is getting more tech-rich and empowered, and yet we remain as vulnerable to crime as before, says Mehernosh Pithawala, Vice President and Global Head – Marketing, Sales & Innovation, Godrej Security Solutions Division, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.
According to NCRB data, in India, every day
312 burglaries
99 robbery
1281 thefts
94 rape cases are recorded.
Even in the recently released Safe City Index 2017 report by The Economist Intelligence, both Indian cities in the index, Delhi and Mumbai, are in the bottom ten in the infrastructure security category.
The importance of why consumers should adopt security solutions can be highlighted through many incidences which have been helped to be solved. Take for example the news of a 10 month-year-old baby in Navi Mumbai being assaulted in a privately-owned crèche by the caretaker. This incidence came to light only with the help of the CCTV footage.  Taking cognizance of the matter after a video of the incident went viral; Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde also made it compulsory for installation of CCTVs at such centres. There are many such cases where security solutions have shown the merit of adopting them. Alas, most of these are what we call “post-mortemâ€_x009d_ or reactive adoptions. What we as responsible citizens need to do is to adopt a proactive approach towards personal security.
How the concept of security has changed over the years:Â
No doubt that the security marketplace has, in fact, evolved rapidly, but all these incidents call for immediate attention. Even one generation ago, peepholes were the only way in which a homeowner or resident could monitor the movement of a stranger standing outside her/his main door. Today, video door phones have emerged as a more reliable method of monitoring security outside one’s home.
One of the key trends seen emerging is the Do-it-Yourself (DIY) security systems for people who prefer to use a plug-and-play system. There is mobile connectivity, for instance, safes that send you alerts on your phone, video door phones that allow you to speak to your visitor from your mobile phone, CCTV that allows you to monitor your home from your smartphone – these are a few other trends. Personal security is also an emerging trend; millions of personal articles – from wallets to watches, Jewelry to mobile devices, keys to passports – are lost every day. CCTV cameras, is the most commonly spoken product, however, adoption of security solutions for personal use is still a less penetrated space. We will be able to see the use of CCTV cameras for commercial purposes, but its relevance in the daily lives of common people still hasn’t gained the desired relevance.
Modern security cameras are not only equipped with high resolution-video capabilities but audio as well. The burglar alarm system is yet another efficient device that is in demand nowadays. No lockers are ‘theft-proof’ but selecting the right home safe is very important to ensure the security of one’s valuables. While video door phones do not prevent burglaries, they act as an effective preliminary barrier for unwarranted entry into homes. Automatic timers are great ways to turn lights on and off while you’re away. You could look at ‘Plug & Play’ security solutions which come with as many as 40 sensor options. It is imperative to ensure that areas around the doors, windows, and blind spots are fully lit during the dusk and dawn.
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Ten Practical Steps to Make Your Home Safe
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Turn the lights on
It’s always wise to deter a crime. Try getting into the shoes of the burglar. A smart thief wouldn’t take a chance with a well-lit house for two reasons. One, he usually takes the cover of darkness to avoid being spotted. Two, when the lights are on, it gives the impression of an occupied house and what the thief would want to risk breaking into a house with people in it? However keeping the lights on at all times may not be economical. So use a timer switch that can turn the lights on every other hour. Motion sensors can activate the lights which will startle intruders and alert the neighbours at the same time.
Know thy neighbour
Getting to know your neighbour can have more perks than the occasional borrowing and lending of household knickknacks. If you are going out for too long, inform a trustworthy neighbour and ask him or her to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. If you have senior citizens or children who stay alone in the house during the day, a good neighbour can be of great help. Conduct periodic mock drills with your neighbours to test your emergency preparedness in the event of a break in.
Time for technology                                                          Â
One needs to look beyond rudimentary security systems to beat these tech-savvy burglars at their own game. Home alarm systems, CCTV cameras, video door phones and car safes have become indispensable necessities in today’s day and age. Firstly, these systems work as a deterrent: burglars may be discouraged from breaking into a house if they spot an alarm system outside. Secondly, the common burglar may not have the necessary know-how to bypass the system. Thirdly, they offer remote monitoring facilities. Technology now allows homeowners to view CCTV footage through their smart phones and computers. Such systems also give people enough time to get to a safer location so that they can alert the authorities.
A strong front door
The main door can not only create a beautiful first impression but also ensure the safety of the house. A mistake homeowners often make is treating it like other doors in the house. Since the main door is handled more frequently, it requires better quality wood. Secure your door with at least five sturdy SS 304 hinges and good quality mortise locks. Having a grill gate is mandatory, and upping its security quotient by installing video door phones is essential. Peepholes are cheaper, but they can get cloudy with time. Also, you can’t have a conversation with the person outside through a peephole. This is where video door phones score over primitive security systems.
Bolt up
Don’t cut corners when it comes to safety. Choose only the best hardware fittings for your home. The markets are flooded with substandard household fixtures that don’t hold up in case of a break in. Ensure that the safety hardware comes with safety certifications. This assures that the product is made up of the best material and assembled keeping the quality standards in mind. Insist on deadbolts and locks that have passed these testing standards even if you have to shell out some extra money. No price is too high for safety.
Conceal external wiring
The wirings of a house are like jugular veins; exposing them makes the house more vulnerable to intrusions. A burglar knows that the movements of the people in the house can be crippled by disabling the security system, and cutting the electricity and telephone lines. Do a site survey and detect any routing glitches and fix it. Conceal the wiring in good quality casing or capping. The latest security devices also come with a wire cut detection.
Ensure safety of senior citizens and children
Thieves seek out houses where there are elderly people and children who spend considerable time alone at home. The fact that they are easy to overpower makes them easy targets. The common modus operandi is to pose as salesmen and gain entry into the house on the pretext of something seemingly harmless. Video door phones come in handy because elders and children don’t have to open the door to communicate with visitors. Alarm systems these days also come with safety pendants. In case of emergencies, senior citizens and children can press the help button on these pendants which can alert medical professionals or the security.
Stay ‘safe’
Home safes are way more convenient an option than keeping all your valuables in a bank locker. However, it is imperative to ensure that the safes have a double-walled construction that can provide greater safety against burglars and fire. Opt for an electronic safe which is compact, easy to conceal and, more importantly, comes equipped with intelligent and foolproof locking systems.
Trim the shrubs
The last thing you want to do is give the thief cover. A burglar is more likely to target houses that may have thick shrubbery or trees around so that he can conceal his movements. Do a thorough recce of your surroundings and prune overgrown vegetation, especially if it obscures the visibility of your doors and windows. Trim the branches of trees so that burglars don’t use them as ladders to gain access to your windows.
Play smart
Deception is not just for those who thieve. Be sneaky, if you have to stay one step ahead of burglars. Record the conversations of your family members and play it while you are away. It will give the impression that there are people in the house going about with their business. Suspend your newspaper subscriptions, delay your delivery orders and instruct your milkman to not deliver milk for the time that you are away. Piling newspapers and milk bottles outside your house suggests that there is no one at home. In case you can’t ensure this, then ask your neighbour to clear the bills lying outside your door while you are away.
Tech-savvy criminals may also track your activities on social networking sites, especially if they have targeted your house. So avoid posting your whereabouts online.
These tips may seem simple but go a long way in ensuring the safety of your house and giving you that peace of mind, even when you are miles away from home.
This article is written in association with Godrej Securities.
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