Our top tips for protecting your home whilst you’re away

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Although there’s no substitute for a working intruder alarm, when it comes to protecting your home whilst you go away on holiday there are lots of relatively simple things you can do to deter intruders and help prevent a break-in:

• One of the best ways to deter a potential intruder is to make your home look like it’s occupied when even when you’re not there. If you have a neighbour, friend or relative who’s willing to help – perfect – but don’t panic if not as there are still steps you can take. If you do have someone who’s prepared to visit your house every day or so, ask them to remove post from the doormat, water the garden (especially the front garden) and open the curtains in some windows, whilst closing the curtains in others. The idea is to make your house look lived in so the more activity the better!
• Alternatively if you don’t have anyone who can help you, those timer switches designed to be plugged into sockets can be very useful when used to set lamps to come on at different times of day. It’s also possible to avoid a build-up of post on the mat as the Post Office now offers a service where, for a small fee, they’ll keep hold of your post before delivering it all in one go once you’ve got home.
• Asking a neighbour to park their car on your drive is another good way to make the house look occupied.
• It can be very tempting to close the curtains when you’re away but remember that this looks completely unnatural and rather than acting as a deterrent is likely to advertise the fact that you’re away. Leaving all the lights on has a similar effect and rather than doing this, it’s much better to invest in a few timer switches.

As we said at the start of this post there really is no substitute for a working intruder alarm and if you’re home currently has an unreliable or outdated alarm, or you don’t have an alarm at all, we’d be delighted to provide you with a free no-obligation quote. Our electrical services are designed to cover all aspects of home security and if you’d like information on security floodlights or CCTV systems, we’d be happy to help with that too.

Why not get in touch today?

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Water and electricity don’t mix – our advice for electrical safety in the bathrooms

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Unfortunately when water and electricity come into contact with each other the results can be incredibly dangerous and this is why the bathroom ca be the most dangerous room in the house.

Electrical safety regulations state that electrical sockets are generally not allowed in bathrooms, shower rooms or en-suite bathrooms, unless the room is big enough with sufficient space for the to allow at least three meters from any water supply such as the sink, bath, shower or toilet. However this rule does not apply to specially designed shaver sockets.

When it comes to bathroom lighting it’s always best to choose lights which have been designed for use in bathrooms or shower rooms. Ideally bathroom lights should be enclosed and it’s advisable to choose lights which fit close to the ceiling rather than hanging down. In addition a pull-cord ceiling-mounted switch is the safest option but if you’d prefer to have normal wall-mounted switch, this must be fitted outside the room to be in line with electrical safety regulations.

A radiator connected to your central heating system is the safest way to keep your bathroom warm but if you already have a bathroom heater, it must be fixed (freestanding heaters must never be used) as far as possible from the shower or bath. A central heating radiator really is the best option though. It is also very important to ensure that if you have an electric shower; it must be supplied on a circuit directly from the fuse box which, in turn, should be protected by an RCD device.

Last and by no means least, never, ever use a mains supplied appliance in the bathroom as hairdryers, straighteners etc. have the potential to cause a serious injury or eve death.

It’s important to remember that bathrooms and shower rooms have special requirements for electrical installations as any electrical work has to comply with Part P of Building Regulations. If you are considering having electrical installation work carried out in your bathroom, it is essential to use a registered company such as Dalec. We are registered members of the ECA – the Electrical Contractors Association – which means that we have to undergo regular, rigorous technical assessments to ensure that our work is safe and installations meet industry standards. To find out more about our services or to arrange for a free, no-obligation quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

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Important electrical safety advice for parents

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Using electricity safely is, of course, always incredibly important but if you have young children ensuring their safety is especially important. With this in mind and as there are only a couple of weeks to go now until the long summer holidays, we thought we’d offer a few simple tips and a little advice on you can keep your family safe:

• If you have very young children the chances are that you’ve bought some of those blank plastic socket covers which can be used to help stop small fingers from exploring where they shouldn’t. Although these are designed to prevent shocks, it’s worth bearing in mind that regular sockets are generally perfectly safe, provided they have been installed properly. Socket covers won’t prevent a shock if the socket itself is unsafe or has been incorrectly installed.

• Electrical fires can present a very real safety hazard but one of the most effective ways to help prevent electrical fires and reduce the risk of electric shocks is to ensure that your fuse box is protected with an RCD device. As lower-cost alternative, plug-in RCD protectors are also widely available – just make sure you buy a reputable brand from a reputable supplier.

• Always make sure that appliance cords are out of reach of children: kitchens can be particularly dangerous places for kids so make sure that any cords connected to the kettle, microwave, toaster etc. are placed well out of harm’s way. In addition, make sure any charger cables are also out of reach and don’t forget to completely unplug chargers when not in use.

In general electrical safety is all about common sense but if you’re worried about the electrics in your home or would like advice and information on how to ensure your home is protected, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our electrical services are available to customers throughout Leeds and we’re happy to provide a no-obligation quote at a time to suit you.

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Could you save money on your energy bills?

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Energy saving advice from Dalec

Although recent predictions have indicated that we’re slowly coming out of a recession, many of us are still finding things tight and are always on the look out to find ways to cut down those ever-increasing energy bills.

Despite the fact the cost of paying for our energy has come under very close scrutiny over the last year or so, and energy companies have been encouraged to make their tariffs easier to understand, searching out the best deals can prove to be a real minefield.

Simple ways to cut costs

However, if you’re looking for ways to cut down on your energy bills there are lots of straightforward things you can do that can help to reduce costs. Although you might imagine that leaving the TV on standby overnight isn’t going to make much of a difference, the energy that’s used over the course of a year can really mount up. When combined with the energy used by leaving games consoles on, washing machines, microwaves etc, and the amount of wasted energy is significant. Try to get into a routine of switching everything off when you go to bed at night; it only takes a couple of minutes to do and could save pounds on your electricity bill.

LED light bulbs offer another excellent way to save money and although many of our clients are deterred the initial cost of buying the bulbs, they really are the most energy efficient source of lighting available and over time can help you make big savings on your bills. We’re happy to provide advice on LED lighting and if you’d like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Contact Dalec on 01535 606 006

Our electrical installation services are available to residential and business customers throughout Leeds. No job is too small for the team here at Dalec and if you’d like to arrange for a free, no-obligation quote at a time to suit you, we’d love to hear from you. Why not contact us today?

 

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Window locks are a great way to improve home security

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If the weather forecasters are to be believed – although let’s face it, they often get it wrong – the UK is set to be basking in a heatwave come the end of August. A spell of warm weather means that we’ll all be want to keep our windows open more than usual as this is, of course, the best way to cool the house down.

Although having lots of windows open is a great way to let fresh air and a cool breeze in, it can present something of a security risk. Even if you’re just popping out for a quick trip to the shops it’s really important to make sure you close all your windows – and the doors of course! Window locks are a great way to add an extra level of security to your home and because they’re very cost effective and easy to fit, here at Dalec we always recommend them to our customers.

Window locks are particularly useful for increasing the security of ground floor windows and patio doors. Ground floor windows are a magnet to potential thieves as if they’re unlocked or left open, offer an easy to way to gain entry to a property. With this in mind, the importance of locking your windows and doors should never be underestimated!

If you wold like advice on any aspect of home security, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for further information. Our quotes are free and because our team operate throughout the Leeds area, we’re happy to visit at a time to suit you. Why not contact us today to arrange an appointment?

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Protect your property with security lighting

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We install security lighting throughout Leeds

Although it’s only August and those long winter nights might seem like a long way off, now is the ideal time to start thinking about protecting your property with security lighting.

A highly effective way to protect your home or business from the threat of theft or even vandalism, security lighting will deter intruders whilst making it much easier to find your way around outside when it’s dark. There’s nothing worse than trying to find your keys on a cold, dark night but security lighting is a great way to solve this problem whilst helping to make you feel safer at night.

Security lighting for homes and businesses

A wide range of security lighting systems are available; from simple floodlights which are operated by a motion detector sensor, through to complex systems designed to be integrated with an intruder alarm or CCTV system. Whilst complex systems are generally best suited to business properties, increasing numbers are now being installed in domestic properties in conjunction with CCTV cameras. An excellent way to improve the security of your home, a CCTV and lighting systems will prove to be a highly effective deterrent to intruders and could even help to reduce your home insurance premiums.

Specialists in security lighting

Here at Dalec we are specialists in all aspects of security for home and business and we are happy to offer further advice on the most appropriate system for you. Our security lighting systems are designed to be highly flexible and whether you are looking for a simple security light to cover the entrances to your home, or lighting to illuminate the car park at your business, we can help.

Contact Dalec on 01535 606 006

To find out more or to arrange for a free, no-obligation quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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Is your home or business safe from the risk of fire?

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Fire protection services for homes and business in Leeds

Dalec is an established company and we have many years of experience in installing smoke alarms and fire detection systems in homes, business, schools and commercial buildings in Leeds and surrounding areas.

Several major fires have hit the news headlines over the past couple of months with the most recent being a devastating fire at a secondary school in the south of England. It’s worth bearing in mind that even the most basic of fire alarm systems and smoke detectors can prove to be an effective way to protect your home or business but to ensure that a system is reliable; it must be tested on a regular basis.

Different systems designed for a range of environments

A range of different smoke alarm systems are available and optical smoke detectors are specially designed to detect both invisible and visible smoke particles. Smoke detectors are designed to protect an area within a radius of 7.5 meters; however if a large area is to be protected, several detectors should be used to ensure that their radiuses overlap.

Kitchens or areas where sudden rises in temperature will naturally occur are bested protected by fixed temperature heat detectors. These highly effective sensors are specially designed to quickly detect any sudden rises in temperature, triggering an alarm to warn of the danger of fire.

Rate of rise detectors are designed to detect a fire as soon as the temperature in a room begins to rise suddenly. This type of detector is most suitable for use in environments which have a stable ambient temperature. Heat detector alarms cover an area of 5.3m but in large rooms several detectors may be required to ensure the radiuses overlap.

Contact Dalec for advice

Using a heat or smoke detectors is a great way to provide effective protection for your home or business from the risk of fire. Here at Dalec we are accredited and approved installers of a wide range of systems and if you would like further advice or a free, no-obligation quote, we’d be happy to help.

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Why choose Dalec for your alarm installation?

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Certified alarm installation services in Leeds

Here at Dalec we know that buying and installing a new security alarm system can prove to be a big investment – especially if you’re installing an alarm in a business premises – and with this in mind it’s important to choose a reputable company. We’re incredibly proud of the high standard of the services we offer and because we are registered by the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your alarm will be installed correctly and safely.

It’s important to remember that the after-effects of a burglary can be devastating, whether in terms of the intrusion to your home and the loss of personal items which are impossible to replace, or the financial impact that it can have upon a business. Not only are our alarm systems installed to the highest standards, we also offer the expertise to ensure that your chosen system is designed to meet your requirements and the requirements set by your insurance company.

The Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board will only provide certification to alarm installation companies who are able to demonstrate through their procedures and inspection processes that they have the technical competence and managerial experience required.

Contact us for further information

So rather than choosing a second-rate alarm installation company why not choose to work with Dalec instead? If you would like a quote or further information on our alarm installation services in Leeds we’d be delighted to help – why not get in touch today by calling us on 01535 606 006?

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Reputable electrical services for homes and businesses throughout Yorkshire

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Here at Dalec we are established electrical contractors with many years of experience in offering electrical services for residential and business customers throughout Leeds and West Yorkshire. Whether you are considering installing a new security alarm or would simply like to add extra plug sockets to your kitchen, we’d be delighted to help.

Security solutions to suit all requirements

We offer a wide range of security solutions, from the installation and maintenance of security alarms, through to access control systems, CCTV and fire alarm installation. Our security installation services are available to both home and business owners and are designed to offer cost-effective solutions designed to meet all budgets and requirements.

General electrical services

Our general electrical services cover everything from general re-wires through to electrical testing. Our expertise also covers electric installations and our team are happy to handle anything from the fitting of a new kitchen appliance to whole-house re-wires. Regardless of the size or complexity of the installation, safety is of paramount importance to the team here at Dalec and by choosing us you’ll be able to relax in the knowledge that your home or business is in safe hands.

Network installations

We have a wide range of experience in the installation of CAT5e and CAT6 networks and whether you need a single additional network port into or a full building system, we’d be happy to help.

Contact Dalec on 01535 606 006

If you would like to find out more about any aspect of our services, or to obtain a free, no-obligation quote, our team are available at a time to suit you. Why not get in touch for further information?

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Electrical safety advice for landlords and tenants in Leeds

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Are you a landlord in Leeds?

Here at Dalec we work with a number of landlords in Leeds, providing them with electrical installation services and advice on electrical safety. Although the landlords we work with are all aware of their obligations when it comes to electrical safety, according to the charity Electrical Safety First, there are many landlords who continue to put their tenants at risk of serious injury or via through badly installed or poorly maintained electrical installations.

If you’re a landlord you’ll be all too aware of just how complex the legislation surrounding electrical safety in rental properties can be so with this in mind, we’ll give a brief outline of what is required. Landlords are required by law to ensure that all electrical installations in a property are safe BEFORE a tenant moves in and for the duration of the rental agreement. Rental properties which are occupied by multiple tenants – flats, shared houses etc. – must be inspected by a qualified electrical every five years. Although properties which are occupied by a single tenant are not required by law to be inspected, it is recommended that a registered electrician inspects the property every five years.

It goes without saying that all appliances which are provided by landlords must be safe and in good working order and will ideally carry the CE marking; it’s also important that regular safety checks are carried out on appliances.

Contact Dalec on 01535 606006

 

Landlords should only use registered electricians such as Dalec to carry out work on their rental properties and if you would like further information on our electrical services for landlords in Leeds, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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