Pros and Cons of Burglar Alarm Installation

Burglar alarms are a mainstay of many home security systems across the UK but there are some who believe they are not that effective in preventing crime.

It is undeniable however, that burglar alarm systems are crucial to those looking to maximise their home security deterring burglars from approaching your property and give homeowners peace of mind that no-one will be able to gain access to your home without attracting attention.

Central FS is one of Scotland’s leading providers of security services and has several years of experience in burglar alarm installation.

We have used this expertise to put together this guide to both the advantages and disadvantages of installing a burglar alarm to allow you to make the most informed decision possible for your home.

Pros

There are many different reasons that installing a burglar alarm system is viewed as one of the most effective crime prevention measures available to Scottish homeowners.

Just a few of the biggest benefits of burglar alarm installation include:

Deterring Criminals

One benefit of a burglar alarm that cannot be measured but is hugely significant is the role of the system as a deterrent against potential criminals.

Just the sight alone of an alarm box installed on the front of a house, visible from the road outside, is enough to prevent the vast majority of opportunistic criminals from targeting your property and they will instead move on to look for an easier target.

This deterrent can be amplified by the installation of further highly visible security measures such as CCTV cameras as the very last thing that any burglar wants is to either be caught in the act or identified afterwards.

Reduce insurance

The better your home security measures are, the lower the risk of being the victim of theft or property damage.

This not only gives you peace of mind, but it also reassures your insurance company that they are unlikely to have to fork out to cover such incidents.

For this reason, a burglar alarm installation can actually result in your insurance premiums falling in the months and years following.

Increase House Value

Many property seekers will view a burglar alarm as a major asset to any new home, who want to feel confident that they are moving into a safe and secure environment.

It is estimated that installing a burglar alarm system with a professional security firm such as Central FS can increase the value of your property by as much as £5000, more than paying for your initial installation investment.

Cons

Overall, a burglar alarm is unquestionably a worthwhile investment to make, but there are still some negatives to consider.

False Alarms

Dealing with false activations can become tedious at times, and if this happens too often, the correct response may not occur if a real situation arises.

What is worse in this regard is that if you use an alarm response service from an accredited security firm they will notify the police of any potential security breaches and a response team will be deployed to your site.

Whilst this is one of the major benefits of a burglar alarm system, if the police are called to too many false alarms you may lose this privilege and the situation may not be taken seriously in the future if a real emergency takes place.

Luckily, all of the systems provided by Central FS are powered by the latest AI technology so your system will adapt to your environment and only activate if something is out of place.

This prevents repeat instances of alarms going off due to routine movement in your home or garden.

Ongoing Costs

It is not cheap to have an alarm system installed and even less effective DIY systems found in hardware stores can cost well upwards of £200.

Other expenses associated with a monitored alarm system include ongoing maintenance checks, a subscription to a security monitoring service.

Whilst it may be tempting to avoid these costs by not having an alarm system put in place, the cost of theft or burglary would be much higher, and if the system stops a single instance of crime on your property it will more than pay for itself.

The reduction in your insurance premium that may come as a result of burglar alarm installation will also offset these costs significantly.

Tampering

It is possible that a criminal will attempt to steal or tamper with your burglar alarm Glasgow.

As security industry experts, at Central FS we will recommend the perfect spot for installation, usually high up on the front of your property out of reach, so that the possibility of this is much reduced.

Contact Us

Central FS are one of the UK’s leading providers of burglar alarm systems.

For more information on our products or any of the other bespoke security services that we offer, call us today on 0141 530 1244, or by email at info@centralfs.co.uk.

May 10

Top 7 reasons that saunas are good for your health

Saunas have been famous for their healing and relaxation qualities for centuries and scientific research continues to find more and more incredible health benefits for those who use one on a regular basis.

Nothing is more relaxing yet more invigorating than a deep sweat achieved via a good sauna or steam room session. After a long tiring day, nothing helps your muscles relax, body unwind, and mind de-stress quite like a sauna.

All it takes is a few minutes every so often and your body and mind will never have felt in better shape. Home saunas, from incaukltd.co.uk, are fantastic for long-term health, with the benefits of regular exposure to gentle penetrating heat renowned by experts across the world.

Here are the top 7 reasons why saunas are so beneficial to human health:

Improve cardiovascular performance

Sitting in a sauna will raise the core temperature of your body and the surface temperature of your skin, causing blood vessels to dilate and cardiovascular output to increase. Lifting your heart rate in such a manner before it is slowed again once your body cools down, often below normal levels, will help reduce the risk of cardiac events as well as all-cause mortality.

Reduce stress

Saunas are a blessing for the mind as much as the body and there is little that compares when it comes to unwinding and forgetting about the stresses of the day than coming home to your very own home sauna.

As if the heated luxury alone wasn’t enough to help you de-stress, the heat of a sauna actually helps to regulate the level of cortisol in our bodies, the hormone that we release when we are overly stressed. Lower cortisol levels results in better sleep quality and you will find it easier to relax outside of your sauna sessions.

Saunas help to cleanse the skin

Over the course of our day-to-day lives, our skin accumulates a layer of grime and toxins that clog our skin’s pores and can lead to illness and poor skin quality.

Saunas cause our bodies to produce a deep sweat, opening up our skins pores and washing away many of the impurities that have gathered there. Sweating also rinses bacteria from the epidermal layer and cleans out our sweat ducts, giving you a vibrant healthy looking glow.

Saunas help us lose weight

Whilst weight lost in the sauna itself over a single session is probably just water weight lost via sweating (make sure to rehydrate properly after a sauna session and take a bottle in with you to sip on throughout) it can be a valuable tool to help you along your weight loss journey.

Sauna use puts your body into calorie burning mode, in a similar manner to exercise and you may find that you burn a higher number of calories in the hours following a sauna session as a result. Sweating itself also requires a certain amount of energy that is gained through the burning of calories so you will certainly use more sitting in a sauna then you would sitting around anywhere else.

Note that saunas should be used a as supplement to and not as a replacement for regular exercise and good diet.

Saunas reduce the risk of cold and flu

Exposing your body to the heat and steam of a sauna or steam room prompts the production of white blood cells that are crucial to fighting off illnesses and killing viruses.

If you already have a cold, steam inhalation is a god-send as the steamy environment will help to clear congestion, clear sinuses, and soothe your sore throat. This is one of the many great things about having a steam room or sauna in the convenience of your own home as you wouldn’t want to attend your local spa or gym with a cold or the flu.

Lower risk of dementia

One of the more remarkable findings of scientific sauna study is that regular sauna use (47 times a week) for sessions of around 20 minutes a time, resulted in a significant reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

This is just one of the studies that demonstrates the power of saunas for both body and mind health.

Soothing sore muscles

There is a reason that all top end gyms have a sauna. Heating the body after a tough workout will dramatically reduce muscle aching by removing lactic acid that has built up.

Sending blood flowing around the body will also help to speed up the healing process for strained and pulled muscles as well as any other minor injuries that you might have picked up whilst exercising over the last few days.

Jul 11

How to hire a lawyer on retainer

If you are considering hiring an attorney on retainer, you need to know exactly how retainer agreements work and how your lawyer’s fees will be paid.

Paying a lawyer

Here are multiple different ways that an individual or business can pay for the services of a lawyer.

The payment structure will depend largely on whether you are hiring a lawyer for a one-off service or word with them on an ongoing basis.

For major firms, a lawyer may be hired on a full time-basis solely to work on their behalf but for the majority of businesses, having a lawyer on retainer is the most cost-effective way forward.

Attorney fees will be determined using a number of different factors including the time taken and the nature of the service that needs to be done.

Some of the main factors which contribute to deciding an attorney’s fee include:

– The standard billing rates in the area for the legal services you required

– The complexity of the case

– The number of hours required

– The result expected and the result achieved

– Whether or not the lawyer is on retainer

There are not only a number of factors which go into determining the exact amount a lawyer will charge but also a number of different ways that these fees can be paid.

The most common methods of paying an attorney include:

– Contingency fees – this involves your lawyer taking a percentage of what you receive should a case be found in your favour. This percentage is negotiable, and this payment arrangement is only possible in dispute cases.

– Hourly rates – You pay your lawyer a flat rate for every hour they work on your behalf. Be wary of hiring a lawyer based solely on a low hourly rate as they may do the same work in double the time of a more experienced lawyer. Get an estimate of the hours expected before entering into an agreement.

– Flat fees – For simple one off tasks such as examining a contract or a bankruptcy filing, attorneys may offer a flat fee for the completion of the task.

– ‘On Retainer’ – If an attorney is ‘on retainer’ they are paid a certain fee on an ongoing basis in return for being available at a moment’s notice if required by the client needs them. They will then be paid additional fees for the services they carry out.

Types of Retainers

A retainer is a fee paid to an attorney in advance for legal aid that they will provide in the future.

There are several different types of retainers that an attorney may discuss with you.

General Retainers

General retainers are paid to attorneys in return for their availability over a specific period of time. Any questions or concerns you have regarding legal matters during this period, your lawyer will be on hand to assist.

Special Retainers

Special retainers refer to a flat fee that is paid for the completion of a legal service or project.

Retaining fee

Paid in advance, a retaining fee is a lump-sum given to an attorney that they will put into a trust fund and draw from as the case progresses.

Any money left over at the end will be returned.

Retainer Agreements

No matter which type of retainer is paid to a lawyer, a retainer agreement will be signed detailing what was paid and what services will be provided in return.

A retainer agreement will ensure that both lawyer and client have an understanding of the fees involved in arrangement and the period over which they will be paid.

It will also detail every aspect of the working relationship in depth including:

– The type of payment that will be made, how much the compensation will be, and details of how the fee has been calculated

– The work that the attorney will do

– Any additional costs that will occur throughout the process, including ones which are dependent on certain outcomes.

– The schedule of payment

What happens upon failure of payment?

Should you fail to pay your lawyer according to the fee schedule detailed in the retainer agreement the lawyer will likely charge you significant interest or take out a lien on the documents that you have provided them with.

Basically, your property that you provided your attorney in order to help them build your case will be kept until such time as the money you owe has been paid.

The consequences of a missed payment will vary from lawyer to lawyer but the retainer agreement should specify this in more detail so there is no confusion.

Mar 02

Understanding the Different Types of Solar Panel Systems

Solar panel systems have become increasingly popular in recent years as people seek to reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy costs. However, with so many different types of solar panel systems available, it can be challenging to know which one is right for you.

In this article, we will explore the different types of solar panel systems and their unique features.

1. Grid-Tied Solar Panel Systems

Grid-tied solar panel systems are connected to the electrical grid and allow you to sell excess power back to your utility company.

These systems are ideal for those who want to generate their own electricity while still remaining connected to the grid for additional power when needed.

2. Off-Grid Solar Panel Systems

Off-grid solar panel systems are not connected to the grid and require batteries for energy storage.

These systems are ideal for those who live in remote areas where there is no access to the grid or for those who want complete energy independence.

3. Hybrid Solar Panel Systems

Hybrid solar panel systems combine elements of both grid-tied and off-grid solar panel systems.

They allow you to remain connected to the grid while also having a battery backup system for times when there is a power outage or when you want to use stored energy during peak hours.

4. Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are integrated into a building’s design and replace traditional building materials like roofing tiles or windows.

These systems are ideal for those who want a seamless integration between their solar panels and their home’s design.

5. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)

Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses mirrors or lenses that concentrate sunlight onto a small area, creating heat that can be used for electricity generation or other purposes like heating water or air.

These systems are ideal for large-scale commercial applications like power plants but may not be practical for residential use due to space requirements.

6. Portable Solar Panel Systems

Portable solar panel systems are lightweight and easy to transport, making them ideal for camping trips or other outdoor activities that require electricity.

However, these systems may not provide enough power output for larger devices like refrigerators or air conditioners.

7. Floating Solar Panel Systems

Floating solar panel systems consist of PV panels that float on bodies of water like lakes, reservoirs, or ponds.

These systems are ideal for locations where land space is limited but may require additional maintenance due to exposure to water elements like algae growth or debris accumulation.

8. Ground-Mounted Solar Panel Systems

Ground-mounted solar panel systems involve installing PV panels on racks that sit on the ground rather than on rooftops.

These systems offer more flexibility in terms of placement options but may require more land space than rooftop installations.

9. Tracking Solar Panel Systems

Tracking solar panel systems use motors that move PV panels throughout the day, following the sun’s path across the sky for maximum energy output.

While these types of system offer higher efficiency rates compared with fixed-angle PV panels, they tend to be more expensive due to additional hardware requirements and higher installation costs.

10. Conclusion: Choosing the Right Type of Solar System

Overall, choosing the right type of solar system depends on several factors such as location, energy needs, budget, and personal preferences. Working with an experienced installer can help ensure that you get a system tailored specifically to your needs while maximizing your return on investment over time!