5 Vacation Security Tips for your Home in Kenya

Vacation in Diani Beach, Kenya.

We are nearing the festival month and as we do we each year many of us have already started making holiday plans to travel with their families to upcountry, the sunny coast, Mombasa and to different parts of Kenya for the festivities. It can be quite a challenge to go away for an extended amount of time and not worry about the security of your home. By taking security precautions before leaving, you gain peace of mind and improved home security. 
Here are 5 tips to prepare your home’s security for that upcoming vacation. 

1.      Ask a friend to keep an eye on your home
The key objective of this is to continue to make the home appear occupied. If you don’t plan to have someone stay in your home while you are gone, it is a good idea to have someone stop by at least once a day or minimally ask your neighbors to keep an eye out.

2.      Install a home security system
Installing a home security systems in Kenya provides you peace of mind with 24/7 monitoring and alerting the police to any security breaches. Plus, alarm systems Kenya deter potential intruders from entering your home. Additionally, CCTV cameras in Kenya, offer an option of mobile video surveillance. From your phone, you can remotely watch over your home for any movements or changes.

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3.   Don’t post vacation plans on social media
Even though you are excited for your upcoming vacation, it’s safest to share your experience after you’re back. If you post about your upcoming trip, you’re sharing that your home will be vacant in the upcoming weeks on public networks, which is a security risk. Also, refrain from posting photos during your getaway, no matter how beautiful, until you return home. Giving away your current status is another security risk for your potentially vacant home.

4.      Make sure you lock up
It may seem obvious, but make sure you lock all windows and doors. With the home being fully locked, it becomes less attractive as a target to intruders who are looking for a quick entry point. Double check your windows and doors upon your departure.

5.    Protect your vehicle
If you are leaving on an extended vacation and not planning to travel with your car, you can park it at the airport or elsewhere, but ensure it is in a secure location. Thousands of cars are stolen everyday throughout Kenya, particularly new cars. My advice to car owners is to consider contacting one of the vehicle tracking companies in Kenya to install a GPS tracker to ensure maximum security for your car when you are on holiday. 

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Top 5 Uses of Biometrics in Kenya

Over the years, there has been an upward growth of biometric companies in Kenya along with video intercom systems in Kenya for myriad reasons but mostly due to the fact that personal identification and authentication is considered more and more important. From the border and immigration control to identifying criminals to employee time attendance management, the practical uses of biometrics in Kenya are growing rapidly.

Many businesses in considered biometrics to be applicable for the exclusive multinational organizations and sensitive government institution in Kenya but are now quickly learning that the applications of biometrics extend far beyond the big companies and government use. In this post we will discuss the top 5 uses of biometric security systems in Kenya— places where the technology is used to create more security and convenience for everyday citizens.

Airport Security

Example of the Iris biometric system similar with that used in airports

Making the journey through airports to be more seamless has been a shared goal by all major international airports across the globe. The new terminal 1 at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has inculcated this biometric modality to increase the effectiveness of its immigration control. 

The biometric modality choice for J.K.I.A is the iris recognition. In order to use iris recognition, travelers are first enrolled by having a photo of their iris and face captured by a camera. Then, their unique details are stored in an international database for fast, accurate identification at ports of entry and exit that use iris recognition for traveler identity verification.

Time and Attendance

Workforce management is another field where the use of biometrics in Kenya is on the rise. Fraudulent employee time and attendance activities are a common phenomenon in organizations in Kenya. Using biometric time registration or attendance management avoids fooling and also reduces overhead for security personnel.

Especially video intercom systems in Kenya and time attendance systems in Kenya have lately gained a lot in popularity.

Law Enforcement

One of the most fascinating uses of biometrics is in crime solving. It has been rather slow to be implemented in Kenya but once it does, it will help solve many cases usually go unsolved in Kenya. Organizations like the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Interpol have been using biometrics in criminal investigations for years. Today, biometrics systems in Kenya is widely used by law enforcement agencies across the world for the identification of criminals.

Access Control

The primary reason behind more and more organizations and personnel in Kenya are adopting biometric  access control systems in Kenya is because traditional authentication tactics like passwords are insufficient for personal identification. Passwords only provide evidence or proof of knowledge whereas biometrics provides unique advantages because it relies on identifying someone by who they are.

Banking

One of Kenya’s largest financial institutions, is pursuing a biometric authentication system for its customers, according to a Business Daily article. The system will employ fingerprint scans to determine customers’ identities for transactions with tellers and through ATMs. Though biometric systems in Kenya measures were mandated by the government’s central bank, it seems as if Equity Bank is the only Bank acting alone. It’s seen primarily as a measure to cut down on the costs of fraud, which is a problem in the country.

For more detailed information on Biometric companies in Kenya, Click on the link below.

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Top 3 Places to Install Security Cameras to Catch Home Intruders

CCTV camera positioned at the entrance of an apartment

CCTV equipment in Kenya are no longer for just the rich anymore. In fact, many people use them for a variety of purposes other than catching criminals. But let’s get back to the main topic. You’re going to want to use them to secure your family and most importantly catch burglars. 

Burglars can break into your home and take what they can before security or the police show up. This reminds me of security footage I saw from a CCTV camera that captured two burglars breaking in and stealing appliances from an apartment in Roysambu, Nairobi. Luckily, the owner of the house had the CCTV system installed and had it placed high above the front door prior to the incidence. Since their faces were captured, the footage has assisted the police in tracking down the suspects.

Knowing where to place your security camera is extremely important. Basically, an optimal security camera placement will let your camera do its best job. Catching thieves and criminals can only be done when your camera is put in the right location. Also Video intercom systems in Kenya serves as an alternate to cctv cameras.

Here are 3 tips in CCTV camera placement so you can install your home CCTV security camera to help you maximize its effectiveness

• Install home security Cameras at the Front Door

CCTV camera at the entrance of a house captured burglars in the act

Around 34% of home intruders enter through the front door by picking or breaking your door security locks, so you definitely need a security camera watching. Place your camera at a high level where the intruder can’t reach it. You could also mesh wire it so that burglars can’t use rocks or long sticks to smash it.

Pro tip: Avoid placing security cameras too high near doorways and entrances. You want a clear view of the intruders face so head height views like the above are best. 

• Locate CCTV Cameras at the Back Door

The bottom line is, arm each entry door with a camera. Again, make the effort to place your camera out of the reach of human hands, or to protect it from projectiles, like rocks or sticks or anything an intruder might hurl at it.

Expert Tip: Be sure to install a camera that’s both weatherproof and is equipped with night vision. Where to buy CCTV cameras in Nairobi

• Install Indoors CCTV camera in your house

CCTV camera positioned in the living room

Indoor cameras hidden have more benefits, if the visible outdoor CCTV camera wasn’t enough to scare an intruder off. A few well-placed cameras inside the house can help to provide more details of the burglar which will aid in prosecuting and also allow you to know what specific areas of the home were targeted to check for your belongings.

Conclusion

Keeping our home, family and ourselves safe and secure should always be our top priority. A lot of people are proactive about it, while some only hope for the best. You want to be fully prepared in the event that you find yourself in these unfortunate burglar and home intruder circumstances occur rather than regret not taking enough precautionary measures. Installing CCTV cameras and video intercom systems in Kenya in strategic locations should go a long way in easing your worries on this front.

For more detailed information on CCTV equipment in Kenya, click on the image

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

7 Home Fire Safety and Protection Tips You Should Know

Fire incidences in Kenya have been on the rise over the past couple of years. Lots of lives and property have been lost in the process and this is a clear indication that most homes and institutions are not observing the preventive measures. Even though fire accidents occur as a result of accidents, this does not mean they are unavoidable. Such situations can be prevented from happening especially if you are knowledgeable about the measures that are supposed to be applied in the event of a fire incidence.

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For home owners and commercial buildings, fire extinguishers and fire blankets in Kenya have become the most sought after firefighting equipment after a requirement (specifically for schools) was passed by the Kenyan government to have them installed within the building. Moreover, these recent cases of fire disasters in high schools have drove both institutions and home owners to look for where to buy fire extinguishers in Nairobi and for the most part, other counties in Kenya as well. 

Here are 7 home fire safety and protection tips to help keep your family safe 

1.      Fire extinguishers along with fire blankets in Kenya are vital if you want to practice home fire safety. They are the most effective for putting out fires. Never pour plain water on burning materials because it will only increase the flames due to oxygen present in the water. Fire extinguishers offer a quick solution before the fire department arrives. Most importantly, make sure you use the right extinguisher for the fire it is meant for considering there are different types of fire extinguishers in Kenya.

2.      Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire

3.      Make it a habit of checking your gas tanks to ensure there are no leakages. Additional care needs to be taken when the tanks are being replaced. In addition, make sure the regulator is properly secured. Any small gas leakage can cause a bad fire accident.

4.      Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.

5.      It is also a good idea to take members of the family to the nearest fire department where they can be taught fire safety tips that you probably never knew about.

6.      Installing smoke detectors and fire alarms is highly advisable since these devices give you an early warning. Fire companies in Kenya offer and install these devices.

7.      All electronic devices that are not being used should be turned off. Leaving electronic devices on stand-by mode consumes minimal energy but the appliances increase the risk of a fire occurring. Faulty electrical gadgets are likely to cause serious fire accidents. Therefore, your appliances should never be ignored if you want your home to be free from fire accidents. 

For more detailed information on Fire Safety Solution systems in Kenya, click on the image

Location: Nairobi, Kenya