Give yourself peace of mind with mains powered smoke alarms

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Following on from last week’s blog post on using alarms and smoke detectors to protect your home from the risk of fire, we thought we’d take the opportunity to cover mains powered smoke alarms.

Replacing the battery in a battery powered smoke alarm is, of course, very straightforward but you’d be surprised how many people take the dead battery out, only take to months or even years for them to replace it.  An alarm with no battery is of course completely useless but it’s also important to remember that the entire alarm should, ideally, be replaced every ten years to ensure that it continues to operate successfully.

Mains powered smoke alarms provide peace of mind and bypasses the risk of failing replace dead batteries.  A wide range of mains powered smoke alarms are available and here at Dalec our team are happy to offer advice on the most suitable alarm for your home.  One important note: building regulations came into effect in 1992 which required all new build properties to have at least one smoke alarm wired directly to the mains.  Wired alarms which are more than ten years old should be replaced and with this in mind, there are likely to be many people living in new build properties and who are relying on alarms which are long overdue for replacement.  If you are in any doubt as to the age or effectiveness of your mains alarm, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for advice.

Remember that installing and maintaining smoke and heat alarms could give you those extra few minutes you need from which to escape a fire.

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Top tips for using outside Christmas lights safely

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We know Christmas is still weeks away but it’s that time of year when we like to remind you about the potential dangers of outdoor Christmas lighting.  Outdoor lighting is becoming incredibly popular in the UK – last year more than one in four household succumbed to the trend – and with this in mind we thought we’d give you some advice on how to use electricity outside safely.

Whether you’re thinking of decorating the front door with an illuminated wreath or are planning on going full-on and covering every spare inch of brick, using Christmas lighting outdoors should be treated with caution.

Using electricity outdoors comes with added risk because of the damp conditions and it’s important to remember that December can be one of the wettest months of the year in the UK.  In addition, most people leave their Christmas lights switched on for long periods of time which presents the additional hazard of overheating.

First things first and you need to make sure that the Christmas lights you buy are suitable for use outdoors. At a minimum the lights should be ‘rain-proof’ or have an IPX3 rating. The safest type of Christmas lights available operate at a lower voltage and lights such as these can significantly reduce the risk of shock – even if a bulb breaks or there’s a fault.

Any lights you use outdoors should be connect to your indoor electricity supply via an RCD protected socket as this way even if a fault occurs, the power will automatically cut out.

If you would like further information or advice on using Christmas lights outdoors, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’ll be happy to help.

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LED light bulbs – are they worth it?

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LED – or light emitting diodes – to give them their full title, are the very latest in lighting technology.  Small, solid and incredibly energy efficient, LED light bulbs are being touted as the most economical way to light your home of office.

LED technology offers a number of advantages of incandescent, compact fluorescent and neon lighting; namely an exceptionally long life span – up to 60,000 hours is possible – and an increase of around 90% in energy efficiency.

Although the price of LED light bulbs had come down considerably over recent years, they are still more expensive in comparison to ‘traditional’ low energy bulbs.  However, when consider that because LEDs are so energy efficient and long lasting, they have the potential to save you money on your energy bills and on maintenance and replacement costs.

Alongside the energy efficiency benefits of LEDs, they also offer improved safety.  LED lights generate almost no heat, making them ideal for use in children’s bedrooms, nurseries, schools, hospitals and care homes.

LED lighting is becoming hugely popular and if you’re wondering whether they are worth the investment, we think the answer is ‘yes’! If you would like more information on the benefits of using LEDs in your home office, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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Will your business be safe, secure and protected this Christmas?

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Christmas is perhaps the one time of year when many businesses close for a couple of days and with this in mind, security is more important than ever.

Here at Dalec we have many years of experience in providing effective security solutions for business, commercial and industrial customers in Leeds.  Our expertise covers everything from large-scale security and fire protection systems, through to the installation of smoke detectors and entry phone systems.

If you run your own business, you’re probably all too aware of the importance of security but public holidays and weekends can leave your premises at risk of burglary.  There are a number of things you can do to ensure that you’re protected and first and foremost arranging to have your security system serviced is definitely worthwhile. Regular servicing is vital – regardless of the complexity of your security systems – and it’s important to remember that if your security system isn’t working properly, your insurance could be invalidated.

In addition, there a number of relatively easy steps you can take to protect your business premises.  Security lighting can prove to be an incredibly effective deterrent to intruders and a few simple dusk until dawn lights placed at strategic points will help to put off even the most determined burglar.

A cctv system offers another way to deter intruders and we have the expertise to install a range of systems, with options suitable for all sizes of business premises.  A standard system will offer protection round the clock and can include up to four day/night cameras, whilst a bespoke system can be designed to provide comprehensive protection with up to 16 cameras per video recorder.

Rather than worrying about your business when you should be relaxing this Christmas, why not get in touch with us for advice?  We offer security solutions to suit all premises and budgets and we’re happy to provide a quote at a time to suit you.

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Wall-mounted TV installation services in Leeds

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If you’ve made the most of some of those amazing Black Friday deals and have bought a new wall-mounted TV ready for Christmas, if it’s bigger and heavier than the one you had before you’ll need to make sure that it’s installed correctly.

Wall-mounted TVs are more popular than ever before and it’s not hard to see why: an excellent way to save space and to ensure that everyone gets a good view; a new wall-mounted TV makes a great Christmas treat. However, if you’re planning on fixing your TV to a wall, you need to make sure that you use a bracket that’s strong enough to take the weight. A big TV will need a big bracket so buy the best quality that you can afford. Also, remember that you’ll need to disguise the electrical cables!

Installing a wall-mounted TV isn’t as simple as it looks but here at Dalec we’re specialists in domestic electrical installations so why not let us install it for you?  Our electrical services are available to customers in Leeds and our team are happy to give you a quote at a time to suit you – why not get in touch for further information?

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Stay safe in the kitchen this Christmas

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Not long to go now until the big day and if you’re anything like the team here at Dalec, the chances are you’re already looking forward to a huge Christmas dinner!

However, you might not realise that around half of all house fires start in the kitchen and with this in mind; we thought we’d take the opportunity to offer some advice on electrical safety in the kitchen.

Kitchen fires start for all sorts of reasons but the majority are due to unattended pans, dodgy wiring or electrical sockets coming into contact with water.  Provided you follow a few simple safety rules though, your kitchen will be a much safer place.

The majority of modern kitchens include an incredible selection of appliances and gadgets so it’s very important that you have enough plug sockets.  Sockets should never be overloaded and regardless of the size of your kitchen, stretching a cable to reach a socket is a definite no-no.  Sockets must be positioned well away from the sink and any other sources of water.

It goes without saying that electrical kitchen appliances must meet current British safety standards, however if used incorrectly, they can still be very dangerous.  Small appliances like kettles and toasters should be turned off when they’re not in use and you should ensure that electrical cables are kept well away from sources of heat or moisture. Never, ever put a toaster or kettle underneath curtains or blinds.

If you’re thinking of investing in a new kitchen, or simply updating the one you have, here at Dalec we are happy to provide advice on electrical safety in the kitchen.  Our services are available to homeowners in Leeds and whether you’d like a quote for a couple of extra sockets or an electrical installation, we’d be happy to help.

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Protect your home over the festive season

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If your Christmas preparations are well underway, your home is probably full of all the gifts you’ve bought for family and friends.  Unfortunately at this time of year burglars also assume that this is the case and it’s not unusual for there to be a spike in the number of break-ins which occur in the run up to Christmas.

A home security system can really help and it is widely accepted that homes which are protected by an alarm are less likely to be burgled than those that aren’t.  However, whilst it is true that a home security system can be unwanted additional cost at this time of year, remember that a burglar alarm will provide you with year-round protection, keeping your home safe when you’re out at work or on holiday.

Here at Dalec we have the expertise to install home security systems to suit all properties and budgets and whether you live in a large detached house or third-floor flat, we can fit a system that suits your pocket and your lifestyle.

Home security systems aside, we also wanted to remind you of the importance of keeping your windows shut and your doors locked when you’re out.  Crime statistics show that around 30% of burglars enter properties through open or unsecured windows so don’t be tempted to feed extensions cables from your outside Christmas lights through a partially open window.

Our services are available to residential and business customers in Leeds and if you would like advice on any aspect of security, please get in touch.

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The importance of emergency lighting

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It’s true to say that emergency lighting can prove to be a lifesaver in the event of a fire and its provision is included in current Building Regulations and some local authority requirements. Emergency lighting is essential in commercial, industrial and business buildings and if you run your own business, or own a business premises, it’s vital that you understand the importance of emergency lighting.

Emergency lighting is lighting which is designed for use in an emergency situation where the main power supply fails and the normal lighting supply is unavailable.  This can happen for a number of reasons but is usually because of a power cut or a fire. When a lighting supply fails this can lead to panic or physical danger and so having emergency backup lighting is very important.

Emergency lighting systems must be installed in a wide range of buildings from offices, shops and factories, through to schools, museums, hospitals, hotels and multi-story residential buildings. Although emergency lighting can be broadly described as lighting which is designed to come on when the normal lighting supply fails, it can be divided into several sub-categories: emergency escape lighting, standby lighting, open area lighting, high risk task area lighting and escape route lighting. In addition, there are different types of lighting according to the type of power supply they run off such as: self-contained or single-point lighting and central battery source lighting.

Here at Dalec we have many years of experience in a wide range of lighting and electrical installations in business and commercial premises in Leeds.  If you would like advice on installing an emergency lighting system, or to find out if your existing system is up to scratch, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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Product recalls – do they matter?

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The simple answer is yes, they do matter! Electrical safety in the home or workplace is essential and regardless of the size or usage, electrical items can cause injury, electrical shock or worse. However, many people still believe that it’s OK to use electrical items which aren’t up to the job and don’t meet the minimum UK safety standards.

Regardless of whether we’re talking about a washing machine or a phone charger, either has the potential to cause a house fire or significant injury. This why product recalls can be so important and although the number of product recalls are actually fairly low, the number of recalled products which are returned by consumers is also very low.  This means that there are potentially unsafe electrical items being used in households across the UK.

So how do you find out if the electrical items in your home are safe to use? The electrical safety charity, Electrical Safety First has a very useful list of electrical items which have been recalled since 2007. Checking their list against the electrical items in your home is a very sensible precaution to take.

Alongside checking for products recalls, the best way to protect yourself from sub-standard electrical items is to only buy from reputable retailers. Never, ever buy second hand electrical items and remember if the price looks too good to be true, then it probably is!

Here at Dalec our services are available to homeowners and business customers throughout Leeds.  If you are concerned about any aspect of electrical safety, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for advice.

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Could your business benefit from the protection offered by security lighting?

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Security lighting for businesses in Leeds

Security lighting is widely recognised as an effective deterrent to potential intruders, however here at Dalec we still come across many business premises that are completely unprotected.

A wide range of security lighting is available and before investing in a system, you’ll need to think about why your business needs protection. Some businesses use security lighting as a way to improve employee safety as they enter or leave the building in the dark, whilst others use it to protect the outside areas of their business at night time. However you decide to use security lighting, it’s worth bearing in mind that it is highly effective deterrent and that most burglars will move on if they see that a building is protected.

Not only can security lighting be used to protect the outside areas of a building, it can also be prove to be very effective when used to protect entrances and exits, stairways, corridors and reception areas. In addition, some systems can be set to switch on and off automatically at certain times of day – ideal for when the building is unoccupied at the weekends or at night – or to switch on when movement is detected. It is also possible to design security lighting systems so that they work in conjunction with CCTV systems – an unbeatable way to protect your business around the clock.

Night time protection for businesses of all shapes and sizes

Security lighting systems can be designed to suit a wide range of business premises and whether you own a small shop or office building, or your business is housed in a large factory or industrial plant, security lighting can be tailor made to meet your requirements.

Here at Dalec we are specialists in installing security systems for businesses in Leeds and if you would like to find out more about our services, or to arrange a free, no-obligation quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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