Candles make lovely Christmas decorations and at this time of year many people light candles to create a festive, cosy feel in their homes.

However candles are responsible for increasing numbers of house fires each year so it’s important to know how to use candles safely to keep your home and family safe.

Here are a few simple tips for using candles safely:

  • Always use a specially designed candle holder that has a stable base to ensure that it won’t fall over.
  • Never put candles near curtains or other fabrics.
  • Candles should always be placed on a heat resistant surface; however a TV or other electrical equipment is NOT heat resistant!
  • Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
  • Never move candles whilst they are burning.
  • It goes without saying that candles should never be left burning when you go to bed or go out – double check that a candle is out before leaving it unattended as candles that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire.

At Dalec we offer a range of fire protection services for homeowners and business in and around Leeds.  From simple smoke alarm installations, through to fire alarm systems for large buildings, our team are happy to offer further advice and information on staying safe this Christmas.

 

If you’re anything like the team here at Dalec, you’ll be fed up of the long dark nights and short days that we have at the time of year.

Security lighting is an excellent way to not only protect your home or business against theft or vandalism, it can also prove a valuable asset in helping navigate around the exterior of your property at night.  Before installing security lighting at my home, I’d lost count of the number of times I arrived home at night and struggled to locate my keys in the dark, or answered the door without being able to see who was standing on my front step. However security lighting will effectively illuminate your driveway and doorways at night, whilst providing an excellent deterrent against intruders.

At Dalec we install and fit security lighting systems to homes and businesses throughout Leeds, Keighley and Yorkshire and can offer advice on the most effective lighting for your property.  From a simple motion sensor security light to protect your back garden, through to programmable lighting solutions to designed to protect large buildings, our team will happy to talk through the various options available.

When fitted in conjunction with a security system, security lighting offers the reassurance of complete protection from intruders and at Dalec we have many years of experience in the design and installation of security systems.

For extra protection for your home or business throughout the year, why not get in touch for further information on installing security lighting?

The team here at Dalec would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers a very happy Christmas and New Year!

We’re taking a well-earned break for a few days over Christmas but will be back in January with more top-tips and advice on electrical safety, electrical installations and security for home or business.

Whatever you’re planning this Christmas, remember to stay safe and above all have fun and enjoy yourselves!

Merry Christmas from all at Dalec!

Happy New Year to all our customers!  We hope you’ve had a happy and relaxing Christmas and if you’re anything like the team here at Dalec, you’ll be looking forward to a busy 2014!

We thought we’d kick off this year’s blogs with a reminder about electrical safety in the kitchen.  Now you may not have realised it but the kitchen is the most dangerous room in the house.  More than 50% of house fires begin in a kitchen.  Kitchen fires can start for a variety of reasons but most are due to faulty wiring, pans left unattended or when electrical sockets come into contact with water.  However by following a few simple electrical safety rules, you can help make your kitchen a safer place to be!

Now most modern kitchens boast an alarming number of electrical appliances and gadgets so having an adequate supply of electrical sockets is essential.  Never overload sockets and regardless of how small your kitchen may be, it is vital that sockets are positioned well away from taps and any other sources of water.

Even if electrical kitchen appliances meet current British safety standards, they can still be potentially dangerous if used incorrectly.  Smaller kitchen appliances such as toasters, microwaves and kettles should always be turned off when not in use and it’s important to ensure that electric chords are kept well away from hot surfaces such as cooker hobs.  It goes without saying that small appliances should never be positioned under or near curtains or blinds.

If you’ve moved house or are considering having a new kitchen fitted, it’s important to contact registered safety professionals such as Dalec for advice on the electrical wiring in your kitchen.  As specialists in all types of electrical installation, we can offer guidance on the best places for plug sockets and can carry out safety checks on electrical wiring of any age.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions about electrical safety in your home.  We’re specialists in electrical safety and electrical installations – our services are available to homes and businesses throughout Leeds and West Yorkshire.

WHY USE DALEC UK LTD, AN SSAIB REGISTERED INTRUDER COMPANY?
When it comes to protecting your property from the potentially devastating impact of crime or fire you can’t afford to take any chances. The correct choice of fire or security protection system and service provider is vital.

Having a fire or security systems provider in whom you can trust will ensure peace of mind for you and demonstrate to your insurer that you have acted responsibly to protect your home or business. This need not be a matter of luck; it can be an informed choice if you select an SSAIB certificated firm.

Confidence
SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board) only certificate companies that can demonstrate technical and managerial competence through an inspection of the processes and procedures they operate.

SSAIB certification means that you can be confident in the quality of service provided to protect your business from the potentially devastating consequences of fire or crime.
Increasingly insurers require evidence that all reasonable steps have been taken to mitigate risk and ensure the safety of personnel and assets within the workplace. SSAIB certificated providers will meet or exceed your insurer’s requirements.

For increased confidence when buying a fire or security system you should:

· Use only SSAIB certificated companies.
· Always agree a written specification.
· Ascertain what repair or call out cover is provided.
· Ensure that you are given a Certificate of Conformity for your system. This confirms that the system has been installed to all relevant standards.
· Confirm whether you have bought or leased the system.
· Have your system regularly maintained; this may be a condition of cover.
· Seek and follow up references.
· Ensure that your Intruder Alarm System provider obtains a police unique reference number for monitored installation as this will be used to verify the alarm and initiate a Police response. Only certificated providers are able to obtain Police URNs.
If you are in doubt and would welcome advice when purchasing a fire or security system, contact SSAIB on 0191 296 3242

SSAIB Manned security from Andrew Brown on Vimeo.

SSAIB Security Systems from Andrew Brown on Vimeo.

We’ve read with interest an article on the Electrical Safety Council’s website which highlights the dangers of hiring unqualified, unregistered electricians.

The Electrical Safety Council, a charity which works to promote electrical safety and good practice, has found that around a quarter of people who have hired an electrician have done so without checking that they are suitably qualified.  Electrical accidents and faults are responsible for over half of the house fires in the UK and the Electrical Safety Council is keen to stress the importance of hiring electricians who have the appropriate qualifications.

At Dalec we are registered members of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) – the UK’s leading trade association for electricians and electrical contractors; offering our clients and customers the reassurance that we are fully qualified to install, inspect, test, design and maintain electrical services.

However, the Electrical Safety Council estimates that there are approximately 20,000 non-registered electricians working in the UK which is a very worrying figure.  The charity is concerned that a combination of casual attitudes to hiring non-registered electricians, and unawareness of how to check whether an electrician is registered, are contributing to electrical accidents in homes.

The study carried out by the Electrical Safety Council has found that one third of people hired an electrician recommended by a friend, without checking the electrician’s credentials.  The study also showed that a quarter of those who took part would hire an un-registered electrician if they wanted work carried out quickly or at short notice.

This issue is of huge concern and what makes it even more worrying is that the problem appears to be on the rise.  The Electrical Safety Council say that one third of registered electricians have seen an increase in substandard or dangerous electrical work carried out by unregistered electricians; and this is certainly something that we’re seeing more and more often.

The Electrical Safety Council’s Director General, made the following comment: “It is worrying that many people are simply unaware of the need to ensure the person carrying out electrical work in their home is competent.  Choosing an electrician registered with a government approved scheme guarantees they have the skills to carry out the work and ensures procedures are in place should something go wrong.  Electrical safety is not something anyone should take a gamble on – this is why we are providing information online, to support people in identifying registered electricians in their area.  You wouldn’t get an unregistered tradesperson to fix your boiler so why do it for your electrics?”

We couldn’t agree more!  If you would like further advice or to arrange for a free quote at a time to suit you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

If you run your own business, you’ll understand how important adequate security can be to protect your staff, customers and property.

At Dalec we are specialists in the installation of a wide range of CCTV systems, varying in complexity from simple systems, through to tailor-made systems designed to offer complete protection.

CCTV is known to be one of the very best ways to protect a business against theft or vandalism and thanks to significant improvements in technology over recent years, CCTV systems can now offer mobile visual access to your property, offering you 24/7 reassurance that your business is protected.

There have also been massive improvements in the technology behind security cameras and monitors, with products capable of taking up to 1650 images using a smart card.  Images can then be downloaded from a smart card (through a smart card reader) straight onto a PC.  This type of system really is incredibly easy to use and is simple to move to other locations which may not be covered by a hard wire system.

From experience we know that our business customers really appreciate efficient security systems that are easy to use and will actually prevent costly losses or damage.  Whether you would like further information on protecting your business or for a free quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

 

An effective fire protection system – whether a couple of smoke alarms or a state-of-the-art system – is essential for protecting your home or business from the danger of fire.

At Dalec you’ll find that we’re experts in all aspects of fire protection.  Our expertise covers fire protection installations for commercial premises and we’ve installed systems in commercial properties of all shapes and sizes, from single offices, through to multi floor buildings.  We have a skilled team with experience of designing and installing the very latest in fire protection technology.

It’s important to remember that no matter how technologically advanced your fire protection system; failure to maintain the system will mean that the effectiveness of the system deteriorates over time.  At Dalec we also provide alarm maintenance and servicing services, designed to ensure your fire protection offers reliable round-the-clock protection.

So rather than spending time worry about your home or business, why not get in touch with us for further information on how we can help you safeguard your nearest and dearest from the threat of fire?  Our team can visit you at a time to suit you and are happy to offer advice on the best ways to protect your property.

It’s worrying to think at every year in the UK, around 70 people die and are 350,000 are seriously injured as a result of electrical accidents in their homes.

At Dalec we are specialists in all aspects of electrical safety and electrical installations and our services are designed to ensure that the electrics in your home are up to scratch.

Almost half of the accidental house fires in the UK are caused by electrical fires and around nine out of ten of these fires are caused by the misuse of electrical products.  We’re happy to offer advice and guidance on keeping your home safe and if you are in any doubt as to the quality and reliability of the electrical wiring in your home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Our electrical services for homeowners in Leeds include complete property re-wiring, through to minor repairs and safety checks.  We know that electrical safety in the home is vitally important and all our work is carried out by qualified, experienced electricians who work to the highest standards.

So whether your home needs re-wiring, or you simply need a new cooker socket, why not get in touch with us today?

Installing an access control is a great way to improve the security of your home or business premises.  At Dalec were specialists in all aspects of security installations in Leeds and re able to supply and fit a range of access control systems to suit all budgets and and requirements.

Access control systems can be used on any doorway, or multiple doorways, to offer added protection and peace of mind.  Ideal for use in shared occupancy hallways, apartment buildings, first floor offices and commercial buildings, an access control system offers as simple way to help you to monitor visitors.

Our expertise covers everything from simple access control systems for single doorways, through to fully networked systems that can be installed across multiple sites.  We’re happy to offer further advice on the most appropriate systems for your requirements – please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like more information.