MICAD Security's Blog

A blog containing some useful tips and pieces of writing relavent to security.

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Fire Safety Week

General Points on Fire Safety

Some Do’s and Do Not’s

Do

Plan for a safe refuge in case you cannot escape from the house. This is a room where all of the family can gather to wait to be rescued. Take the following precautions:

Make sure there is a phone in the room to call for help

Try to have a room with a window so you can either escape or call out for help (stay by the window)

Close the door and seal the bottom with towels or blankets to stop harmful smoke entering

Call the emergency services.

Dial 999 or 112

Tell the operator what service you require.

Speak calmly and clearly giving the address of the fire and your phone number. (If using a mobile phone the operator may ask what county you are in)

Only hang up when the operator tells you to

  Do Not

Re-enter a burning house for personal items

Borrow batteries from the Smoke Alarm

Have mirrors over fireplaces with real fires

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Safety on a Night Out

We hope you find the following tips below both educational and helpful in ensuring you stay safe on a night out. 1. Plan your night out before you go out. Think about how you are going to get home. Ask a family member or friend to pick you up, or pre-book a licensed taxi. 2. Keep an eye on your friends. Try to stick together. Should you lose each other, ensure to have a meeting point close by should you can meet up. 3. Drink responsibly. Always be in control of yourself. Never accept a drink from a stranger. If you are offered a drink, accompany the person to the bar to ensure nothing is dropped into it. 4. Never leave your drink unattended. If you feel your drink tastes funny, notify a friend and throw away the drink. 5. Make sure your personal items such as your phone, money, jewellery etc. are not on display. 6. Always leave a club/pub with a friend or your group. Remember to stick together. 7. If you have no way home, ensure to use a reliable, licensed taxi company. Check the drivers details before entering the vehicle. 8. Avoid walking alone at night. Should you not have a choice, stick to well lit paths. 9. Avoid dark pathways, alleyways and car parks at all times. Avoid dimly lit and deserted areas. 10. If you think you are being followed, cross the road several times if necessary. Contact a friend or the Gardai to meet you or come get you.

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Some of the staff with Captain Michael Murphy and the Sam Maguire Cup at the presentation in Letterkenny.

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MICAD Security had the privilege of providing security services for the homecoming celebrations of the Sam Maguire Cup in Letterkenny. Fantastic night and well done to Jim and the lads for sticking out the long day

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10 Security Tips for Drivers

Whilst driving, ensure the vehicle is locked. Some of the newer vehicles lock automatically when you drive off. Some vehicles have this feature but it may not be activated. See your local garage if you think your car may have this feature.

When parking a vehicle/leaving a vehicle, ensure all valuables are out of site. E.g. Sat Nav's, iPods, Phones anything of value which may entice a potential thief.

Never leave your keys in the ignition and never leave your vehicle unlocked. E.g. A quick stop at the shop

A bump-and-rob. This can occur when another car bumps into yours and get you to pull over to file an accident report. An early indicator of this will be if the car that bumped you parks in front of you preventing you from pulling off. If you feel this is happening to you, contact the local Gardai immediately and refuse to leave the vehicle util they have arrived.

Drivers should think twice about responding to another motorist who is seeking assistance. If unsure about the motorist, refer them to the local Gardai or a Breakdown Service such as AA.

When parking in a car park, drivers should choose a well lit car park that has a good volume of traffic and is monitored by CCTV or a car park attendant.

Don't assume an unmarked vehicle with a flashing light is a police car. If the car attempting to pull you over doesn't look like an official vehicle, keep driving, turn your inside light on and pull over only in a well lit, well populated area e.g. Petrol Station. Do not get out of your car, lower the window a small bit and request the police officer's identification.

Drivers should think twice about stopping to pick up hitchhikers/people thumbing a lift. If the person seems suspicious to you, do not stop and continue on your journey.

In the event you receive a flat tyre/puncture, try to get your vehicle to a well lit area if possible without causing damage to your vehicle. E.g. Petrol Station.

To avoid the road rage of another driver, drive courteously and respond passively to an aggressive driver.

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Private Security Training Course

For anyone who may be interested in obtaining a FETAC Cerfticate in order to obtain a PSA License to work in the Private Security Industry, there will be a course held in @gallaghershotel in Letterkenny on Saturday the 19th of May. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Joe Phillips on 086 8222555 for futher details.

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3 out of 4 Burglaries are not Detected

A report published today by the CSO (Central Statistics Office) states that there were 25,377 Burglary and Related Offences recorded in 2010. This was a decrease of 5.8% on the same figure from one year previous. 96.7% of offences in this category were Burglary (not aggravated) offences, which decreased by 6.2% in this time period.

Aggravated burglary fell by 10.1% to 330 in 2010, while Possession of an article (with intent to burgle, steal, demand) increased by 18.1% between 2009 and 2010. Detection rates for this group were just over a quarter (25.5%) in 2010.

Possession of an article (with intent to burgle, steal, demand) had the highest detection rate in 2009 at over 99%. This is to be expected due to the nature of the crime type. Burglary (not aggravated) had the lowest detection rate with 23.7% of offences being detected.The detection rate for drugs offences was also over 90%. Males under the age of 25 represented 46.5% of all those convicted for such offences.

Court proceedings commenced for 3,767 Burglary and Related Offences recorded in 2010. Over 53% of these resulted in a conviction and almost 18% received non-convictions. For offences recorded in 2010, almost half (49.5%) of those convicted were in the 25-44 year age bracket.

Over 40% of Burglary (ICCS 071) offences were recorded in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. The per capita figures varied from a low of 194.1 per 100,000 in Cork West Garda Division to a high of 1,261.8 per 100,000 in South Central DMR Division.

The CSO figures also show substantial increases in recorded sexual offences, kidnapping, drugs and weapons and explosives offences.

These figures, which provide a broad overview of recorded and detected crime, show significant increases in serious and organised crime over the five years from 2006 to 2010.

Drugs offences were up 40%, gun and explosives crime up 30%, robbery extortion and hijacking up 28% and kidnapping increased 59%.

Recorded sexual offences increased by 66% but there were deceases in the incidence of homicide, public order and road traffic offences over the five years.

However four out of every five crimes of damage to property and the environment and three out of every four burglaries were not detected.

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PSA Licensing of CCTV and Access Control

The 1st October 2012 has been set as the critical date for the licensing of CCTV and Access Control. This is the date from which all those installing and maintaining CCTV and Access Control systems will require a licence.The Authority is currently finalising the legal framework required for the licensing of both sectors and it is expected that applications will be accepted from May onwards. Licensed Intruder Alarm Installers will be able to add the CCTV and Access Control sectors to their existing licence at no additional cost provided they don’t move into a higher licence turnover band and meet the licensing requirements. In addition, existing licence holders will be able to synchronise the scheduling of their certification audit for the new sectors with their existing intruder alarm audit. Where theEN 50131 compliance audit is not scheduled until after the 1st October 2012, the Authority will issue a licence on foot of a letter from the Certification Body confirming that the contractor has registered for CCTV/Access Control. The scheduled EN 50131 audit can then encompass a compliance audit in respect of CCTV and Access Control. This arrangement will help to minimise compliance costs for licence holders. Speaking on the extension of licensing to the new sectors, the Authority’s CEO, Ms. Geraldin Larkin said, “The extension of licensing to CCTV and Access Control is a major milestone for the Authority and marks the completion of licensing for contractors in the electronic security sector. The licensing of these new sectors has been in development for several years and has involved consultation with all the industry stakeholders. As a result we now have a licensing system that serves the needs of regulation and the industry.” Further details on licensing of both sectors will be published on our website and emailed to contractors in April. Future of IS228 I.S. 228:1997 is the standard used by the Authority for the licensing of Alarm Monitoring Centres. The standard is scheduled to be replaced by a new European standard, EN 50518 in 2014. For the moment, I.S. 228 remains the standard required by the Authority and contractors should continue to ensure compliance with this standard. During 2013, the Authority will announce a timeline for the changeover from I.S. 228 to EN 50518.

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10 Security Tips for Business Owners

Adapted from an article recently read. All very interesting points for business owners/managers to ensure: 1. Security lighting. Is security lighting installed throughout and around the premises? Are all lights operating? Is some lighting left on inside the business at night? Are entry and exits well lit? 2. Building design. Is the building solidly constructed so unauthorised access is restricted? Is there adequate protection against entry through the roof? Is the building secured to reduce the risk of vehicle ram raid? 3. Doors and window. Are the external doors and windows solidly constructed? Are they fitted with deadlocks? Are doors and windows locked at all times? Are skylights secured? 4. Property identification. Has the make, model and serial numbers of items such as computers, printers and photocopiers been recorded? Is your property photographed for identification? 5. Telephone. Are telephones pre-programmed with emergency contact numbers? Are telephone lines installed in such a way so they cannot be tampered with (particularly important if your alarm system is connected to your telephone line)? 6. Safes. Has a safe been installed? Is it appropriately positioned? Does it have a drop-chute facility? Is it kept locked? 7. Cash handling. Are there established cash handling procedures? Do you have irregular banking procedures? Is money counted out of public view? Do you use a company to transport cash? 8. Key and valuables control. Is there a key register? Are all keys secured? Do staff have somewhere to store their personal items securely? Is there restricted access to this area? 9. Alarm systems / surveillance equipment. Is an intruder alarm system installed? Is it monitored? Is surveillance equipment installed? Is footage recorded with the tapes kept for a minimum of seven days? Is there a fire alarm? 10. General. Are sensitive documents appropriately destroyed? Are computer passwords changed regularly? Do you have an emergency evacuation plan? Do staff know the plan?

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See our vast range of services. Our services are carried out to your highest standards and expectations. All our staff are trained and licensed to meet all your needs. Contact us for further information on 087 2847113 or E-mail: [email protected]

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10 Security Tips for Home Owners

1. Plan to "burglarise" yourself. You'll discover any weaknesses in your security system that may have previously escaped your notice. 2. Lock up your home, even if you go out only for a short time. Many burglars just walk in through an unlocked door or window. 3. Your house should appear occupied at all times. Use timers to switch lights and radios on and off when you're not at home. 4. If you have a faulty alarm that frequently goes off, get it fixed immediately and tell your neighbors that it's been repaired. Many people ignore an alarm that goes off periodically. 5. Talk to your neighbors about any suspicious people or strange cars you notice lurking about. 6. Don't leave extra keys under doormats, potted plants or any other obvious outdoor location. Thieves will generally find them. Find an inconspicuous place to hide the keys, or give a set to a neighbor you can trust. 7. Store cash, jewellery and other valuables in a safe or safety deposit box instead of leaving them lying around the home. 8. Keep drapes and blinds shut - especially in rooms where there is expensive equipment. Don't advertise the items in your home 9. Keep garage doors closed at all times. Even when you're home, it's important to safeguard your belongings and your family 10. Don't leave notes on the door for service people or family members when you're not there. These alert the burglar that you are not home. It's also important to remember to arm your system every time you leave your house to ensure your home, pets and valuables are safe.

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Follow us on LinkedIn to see our latest developments and job opportunities.

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Our current website which will go under the design hammer shortly for a new fresh look plus a new development! Includes an introduction to our company, a list of our vast services and also contact information.