Although CCTV cameras have long been a feature of shopping centres, car parks and other public places, they’re still considered to be a costly option that’s beyond the budget of most homeowners.  However, the cost of installing a CCTV system is falling and the number of systems we’re installing is on the rise.

CCTV cameras can either be purchased on their own or as part of a complete security package with the cost varying widely depending on the type of system you choose.  A range of CCTV systems are available, from dummy cameras which can cost as little as £10, through to complex wireless systems.

The different types of CCTV systems which are available all work in different ways.  The cheapest and most common type of system includes cameras which plug directly into a monitor.  More expensive but offering a higher quality picture are wireless home CCTV systems which can be prone to signal interference from other devices such as mobile phones.

Within these two main types of camera system, it’s possible to buy CCTV cameras which are designed to be used outside or inside the home.  Outdoor cameras must be weatherproof and should be carefully positioned where they can’t be tampered with whilst indoor cameras are available in wired and wireless designs.

Here at Dalec we’re specialists in all aspects of home security and are happy to offer free, no-obligation advice on installing a CCTV system in your home.  We know that CCTV can seem daunting and we can provide information on everything from storing CCTV images, through to night vision cameras and motion detection systems.

There’s nothing like a bargain and most of us like to save money whenever we can. However, when it comes to buying electrical goods, it’s important to put safety before any savings you might make by buying cheap counterfeit goods.

Electrical goods which are available at heavily discounted prices should always be treated with caution; it’s important to remember that they could be fake and designed to look like a well-known brand or second hand. Buying fake electrical goods can be very risky indeed as at best they are simply a waste of money, or at worst highly dangerous.

Over the last few years the range of fake electrical goods available has increased dramatically with the most popular being mobile phone chargers, games consoles and hair styling products. Fake electrical goods are almost guaranteed to contain faulty or incorrect components which are likely to overheat when the item is used, leading to an increased risk of electric shock or fire.

Unfortunately the increase in online shopping hasn’t helped and buying fake or counterfeit electrical goods is easier than ever. The very best way to protect yourself is to only buy electrical items from reputable store – whether it’s through an online site or in a high street shop.

If you would like advice on any aspect of electrical safety in the home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

These days we take electricity for granted and very few of us stop to think about how much electricity we use on a daily basis.  From boiling the kettle to switching on a light or charging a mobile phone; it all adds up and because the price of electricity continues to rise, energy efficiency is something should all take more seriously.

Becoming more energy efficient will not only help you save money by reducing your electricity bills, a reduction in the amount of energy you use also means that fewer fossil fuels are burnt.  Fossil fuels are burnt in order to produce electricity and this in turn increases carbon emissions which have been linked to global warming.

The way in which electricity consumption is measured can be very confusing – working out how much electricity you’ve used by looking at your bill can prove almost impossible!  One of the best ways to keep tabs on how much electricity you use is to invest in an energy monitor.  These small portable gadgets are designed to tell you (almost in real-time) how much energy you are using, either in pounds and pence or in kilowatt hours.

There are many things you can do to reduce the cost of your energy bills.  Energy-efficient household appliances can prove to be very useful but there’s little point in splashing out on brand-new appliances unless it’s time to replace them.  Some energy-efficient appliances can be very expensive to buy so it’s important to take into consideration how much money you’ll save.  Or, if you want to try something radical, you could switch to one of the green electricity suppliers or even think about generating your own electricity.

Small changes though can make a big difference and as we’ve covered in previous posts, remembering to unplug your mobile phone charger once your phone is charged and turning the TV off at the mains at night, can all help.

Following on from last week’s blog on kitchen lighting, I thought I’d offer advice on planning bathroom lighting.

It goes without saying that electricity and water don’t mix and with this in mind, when choosing lighting for your bathroom, you should select lighting which is specially designed for use in high-moisture environments.

When planned carefully, bathroom lighting can be used to create the right mood: too bright and the light will seem harsh and cold, but if it’s too dim you’ll find it difficult to see what you’re doing! Using a ‘layered’ approach to lighting is the easiest way to avoid extremes – the best way to do this is to install spotlights over the bath and shower, with task lighting around the mirror and wall lighting to create a relaxing atmosphere.

These days bathroom lighting is available in a huge range of styles and designs and it’s even possible to install LED lights into the floor or around the base of the bath to create a relaxing mood.  Spotlights make effective task lighting whilst warm white LED recessed spotlights can be used over the bath or shower.  In addition, by fitting all the lights to different switches you’ll be able to adjust the mood.

When buying bathroom lighting it’s very important to make sure that the lights are suitable for use in a bathroom and to check how far from a water source they can be fitted.  Here at Dalec we are specialists in domestic lighting installations and if you would like advice on choosing bathroom lighting, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Although we’re all well aware that electricity is extremely dangerous, it can be very tempting to try and fix a dodgy socket or a loose wire.  However, although these might seem like very simple jobs, electrical DIY really is something that should be left in the hands of the professionals.

Damaged or broken sockets

One of the commonest electrical problems in the home is electrical sockets which have been damaged.  If one of your sockets has exposed wires or is coming away from the wall, it will need professional attention, even if you think the damage to the socket is superficial.

Scorch marks

If you notice that any of your sockets are getting hot it’s very important to remember that this shouldn’t happen and is a sign of potentially hazardous electrical fault.  Burn or scorch marks on the socket are also tell-tale warning signs.  In either case you should stop using the socket immediately and arrange for a professional repair or replacement.

Crackling sockets

Sparks or crackling noises coming from a socket are other indicators that there’s a significant safety issue with a socket.  The worst thing you can do in this situation is try to repair the socket yourself as there is a very real danger of electrocution or an electrical fire.

When it comes to electrical safety it really is better to be safe than sorry.  Here at Dalec we’re happy to give free, no-obligation quotes at a time to suit you and our team are available to carry out electrical repairs large and small.