George Slavov's Home Improvement Site

Legal Considerations for CCTV Use

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Jun 042013

CCTV cameras have become a normal part of everyday life in the UK. We’re used to seeing them (and being filmed by them) in public spaces across the country. As should be expected, CCTV use is closely regulated for all uses by specific acts of parliament.

If you’re planning on installing CCTV security for your home or business, you need to be aware of the legal requirements.

Publicly owned surveillance

All public uses of surveillance equipment, including CCTV, are regulated by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the subsequent amendments in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. These acts cover both local authority and law enforcement uses of surveillance equipment.

At their most basic level, they require surveillance to be used for a specific purpose i.e. preventing or investigating a specific crime for which the penalty is at least a 6 month custodial sentence. The Protection of Freedoms Act specifies that any such use must be authorised by a judge, and provides a statutory code of practice detailing how surveillance equipment can be used in order to comply with regulations. Anyone in charge of public CCTV must be familiar with this code.

Commercial

CCTV for protecting business premises makes up the majority of surveillance in the UK. This is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998. So the regulation applies more to the data collected than the actual camera itself.

The most important points to note here are that if you are using CCTV on your premises you must:

 have clear signs to let people know you are using CCTV and why
 provide images to anyone you’ve recorded (of them) within 40 days of request for a maximum charge of £10
 share images with the authorities e.g. the police, if they ask for them
 keep images only as long as your business needs them

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has a CCTV code of practice that details procedures that will ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act. Companies may use other procedures to comply with the act, but following the code of practice will guarantee you stay within the law.

Domestic

There is no regulation of domestic use of CCTV security systems. The Data Protection explicitly states that regulations for CCTV usage do not apply to domestic use.

However, that does not mean there are no potential legal pitfalls. If someone (e.g. a neighbour) feels their privacy is being intruded, they can appeal to article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998 – The Right to Respect for Private and Family Life, Home and Correspondence. So be careful about where you point that camera.
Image credit to Mike Fleming

Be Safe – Use These Home Security Tips!

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May 202013

Homeowners must assume the serious responsibility of home safety. You might think that getting an alarm is enough; however, there are many other strategies as well. Continue reading to learn more about how you can keep your home safe.

Have your dog protect the spare key. Really this works only if you have a pet door or if your dog is an outdoor dog. Store a spare key within your dogs collar so you always have access to your home.

Suggestion! Only allow maids and cleaning services to have a key to the house if they are known to be trustworthy. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding.

Do you keep your dog outdoors when you go out? He or she is actually a great place to store your spare key. Put the key on the dog’s collar. If your pet does not get along with strangers, this will ensure your spare key stays safe.

Home security systems have different kinds of features that can sound an alarm when someone breaks into your house. Modern systems are often capable of detecting any open door or window and announcing that fact. This is important if you have small kids.

Fire Resistant

Suggestion! Do you let your dog outside when you leave the house? If so, the dog can be a terrific spot to keep a spare key. Put the key on the dog’s collar.

Buy fire resistant flooring, roofing and ceiling. Having your home built with fire resistant materials will help safeguard your home in case it catches fire. Because of the amount of damage fires can cause, it is important to protect your home from them.

Don’t talk about your vacations on social media. It’s great to see new places and take a lot of photos, but posting them while still overseas lets thieves know your home is empty.

Do not let people you don’t know in your house. Do not give in, even if a person uses a convincing story, asks for help or says they are selling something. Some people will knock on your door simply to see whether you have a security system.

Suggestion! Make sure that you hide your spare key in a good spot. Doormats and door frames are predictable places that burglars will always check.

Don’t open your door when strangers are knocking. People try many ways to convince others to open up their doors so that they can commit burglary or worse. Establish a rule where you and your family only open the door for expected visitors.

Regardless of the quality of your home security system, you need to check it annually. Get someone from the security firm to inspect it. Many factors cause issues with security systems like nature and wild animals. The problem might not be obvious to you, though.

It is important that your alarm system wiring is not exposed anywhere. An intruder can easily disable your security system by cutting the wires. Do not make things simple for a burglar, but rather bury all wires or hide them in the wall. Your system will be far more effective this way.

Suggestion! In the summer, remove vegetation and dead wood from your yard. These can quickly become fire hazards when hit by direct sunlight, placing your house at risk.

If you’ve recently moved into a house, get any locks changed out. As nice as the previous person may seem, you don’t really know them. Besides, other tenants or owners might have copies of the key if the previous owners did not change the locks.

Rotted Wood

Replace rotten wood on your door frame. Rotted wood can be easily removed by thieves. Therefore, replace rotted wood with fresh wood to ensure your home’s safety.

Suggestion! See what the local police offer when it comes to home protection programs. Some police departments offer things like code numbers to help find your valuables should they get stolen.

Before you let any strangers enter your home, be sure you look over their references. It wouldn’t hurt to also perform a background check. You do not know if the people you hire are trustworthy, so do not give them a key to your home.

Now that you’ve read through this, you should be able to have a safer home. You must realize that these precautions are necessary in order to protect your family. You can do this by applying what you’ve learned here.

Best Practices For Home Roof Maintenance And Repair

DIY Comments Off

May 182013

Many homeowners do not know enough about roofing or how to perform preventative maintenance on their roof. However, if you own a home, you need to inform yourself on roofing. A leaking roof can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home. The article below has some great advice with regards to roofing.

Ensure you thoroughly inspect your roof at least yearly. Roofs tend to suffer the most damage in the spring and winter. For this reason, these are the times to pay close attention to your own roof.

If you notice a leak during a rain storm, hold off on your inspection until things dry out. Leaks cannot be quickly patched anyhow, and it may be dangerous to climb atop a wet roof. Wait until it stops raining and the roof is completely dry before attempting to repair it.

Wear rubber boots when you work on your roof. Even on a dry day, you need a proper grip. Working on a roof is always a dangerous proposition. It is easy to slip and fall while balancing on high, slanted rooftops, so take your safety very seriously.

Never hire a roofing contractor who cannot provide references. Call the clients and ask them about their experience. Take a tour of the neighborhoods and pass by the references’ addresses. Walk or drive past the homes to check out the roof and, if homeowners are outside, stop to ask some questions.

Speak with people that you know to find the best contractors. Ask people you know if they were pleased with the work done, the quality of the materials and whether the cost was fair. Inquire about how well the yard was cleaned up and what type of guarantee they received as well.

Roofing Contractors

Always research roofing contractors. Never hire the first one listed in the yellow pages or the one with the lowest rates. Look hard at the records and workmanship of various roofing contractors in your region. You can look online, ask your friends, or use a service that helps find trusted workers for you.

If you want to save some money when your get a contractor then you should find one that has employees working for them. A team can work quicker and the price may be more affordable, too. If you are hiring a single roofer, be sure that you aren’t overcharged for labor.

If you are struggling to find out why your roof is leaking, you shouldn’t get frustrated. You’ll find it sooner or later, likely by using a hose and having a friend help. If your house is very large, communicate via phone to make sure each person in in the spot they should be. You don’t want water to flow into your home if no one’s there to spot the leak!

If you want to make sure your roof stays in good situation, you should regularly clear away debris. Whenever debris builds up, water can accumulate on your roof. Sitting water on your roof can lead to rotting, leaks and a huge repair bill.

Pay attention to details when selecting your roofer. Someone who shows up on time and calls ahead when there are issues is probably dependable. They should also give you a bid that’s typed as this is professional. It is important that the roofer you hire has these two qualities.

Architectural Shingles

Utilize architectural shingles whenever you have to replace the roof. Architectural shingles not only look better than standard shingles, but some are even more durable and last longer. Using architectural shingles for your roof could also increase the value of your home when you decide to sell it.

Don’t let a contractor do work for you if they don’t act professional in every area. For instance, if you can’t get a professional looking estimate that’s typed out neatly, then move on. You need to have confidence in the professionalism displayed by the contractor.

Consider installing a metal roof that is specially coated if you are looking to become more environmentally friendly. These materials are fully recyclable, and they can help you save on energy costs. Consider placing a metal roof on top of tiles to save having to send it to the landfill.

You may not have known a lot about roofs before reading this article. Now that you’ve read this article, you should feel confident that you will be able to handle any roofing problems that may arise. Do not forget that your roof is there to protect your house and everyone underneath.

How Not To Get Cheated When Buying Plumbing Fixtures Like Bathroom Fittings and Kitchen Fittings?

Home Products & Services Comments Off

May 102013

With the presence of right plumbing accessories in your bathroom or kitchen, an individual will attain all the comforts of a hotel or restaurant at home. Most plumbing fixtures or accessories go into the kitchen and bathroom. The shops have variety of plumbing accessories to choose from and the need varies from one to another. It also depends on the requirement, the model of the kitchen and bathroom. Increasing demand is seeing new manufacturing companies enter the market. When speaking of selection of products, branded products cost more in comparison to local products. The important point that one must remember here is the life span of the product. A high quality product increases the overall life span of an accessory.

Selecting the product from the competitive market is tough. A consumer always finds in a confusing state when it comes to selection of the right product. Collecting information was always difficult. However, the scenario is now changing, due to the Internet. Consumers can easily gather information related to various discount plumbing fixtures over the internet. The best part of all is the reduction in time spent in collecting information related to bathroom fittings and kitchen fixtures. Various websites over the internet offer details about various products from different brands.

Visiting such websites is preferable prior to purchasing various plumbing fittings for both the bathroom and the kitchen. With the right information in hand, a consumer finds the power to select the right product that is affordable and of high quality. It is also possible to compare various products from different brands available in the market. This will help come across the best fittings for kitchen or the best bathroom faucets. Internet also opened online stores the next level of shopping for various products. Consumers can buy products from online stores. The process is simple and saves money and time for a consumer who is looking for best bathroom fittings and kitchen fittings.

Online purchase of fittings for bathroom and kitchen is seeing a great increase. People are finding it easy to come across the best product over the internet. At the same time, online stores provide complete protection to purchases carried out by an individual. Complete protection status applies when an individual buys from a reputed online store. There is a possibility that duplicate products being sold over the online stores that are new and offer a product at reduced cost. It is important for an individual to consider certain factors before buying a fitting for bathroom and kitchen. Continue to read ahead to come across various factors that will help a consumer buy original products of reputed companies.

1. Information

It is the first step for any consumer. Obtaining information related to product is crucial to make the right choice. As there are many companies present in the market, it is essential to carry out research to have the best product from a reputed company. Many websites over the internet provide complete details about products and companies. It is the easiest way to gather information.

2. Comparison

The next step is the process to compare various products. Different companies manufacture different products. However, their functionality remains the same. An individual should select those products that match to their requirement for bathroom and kitchen. Prior knowledge of the requirement will ease the procedure to select the right products from the massive list of accessories. Comparing products will bring out the right product to fulfill a requirement.

3. Online stores

Online stores are many and offer different products. Only reputed stores provide complete protection to their customers. They see that the item delivered is original, carries companies warranty and guarantee. It is possible to return back the product if there are damages or does not match the original specifications as stated by a seller in the advertisement. It is the safest method to prevent buying duplicate fittings.

4. Reviews

Reviews are a perfect way to select the best online store. The same applies to the fittings for bathroom and kitchen. User reviews are important. They leave a comment after using a product. This will give an insight into the fittings working functionality and the service of the online store.

5. Additional charges

Most of the online stores charge additional fees. Make sure that no such fee is collectible while checking out from the online store. Comparing prices from different websites and company official website will give an idea about the exact price of a product.

Author’s Bio: - Ronald Lee is among the best home improvement expert who writes for PlumbingOverstock to help you to choose the best option. Thus, click here to know more about this blog.

Spotless Stainless Steel

Kitchen Comments Off

May 082013

Industrial restaurants have actually preferred stainless steel for a long period of time now as a result of its anti corrosive abilities. This is due to the chromium oxide protective layer that is formed from the chromium. It has also, lately, been finding its way in to the high end domestic kitchens. It’s pretty simple to see why as well, simply because it is fairly simple to clean stainless steel kitchen appliances, it’s hard wearing, it has a smooth face so no germs can conceal in little nooks and holes, and it looks pretty good too!

Credit to Cleanerwaypw.co.uk, the best cleaners Lancaster has to offer, who have so kindly given us these great tips.

Smudges and fingermarks are immediately noticeable on the majority of coverings of stainless steel because, despite the fact it does defend against stains i.e. corrosion, it can and does mark up pretty easily from just about anything that is vaguely greasy.

Due to this susceptibility to marks it is essential that proper cleaning is performed to make certain cleanliness as well as preserve the polished look of the steel. If you’re worried about the best way to carry this out properly, don’t be. By the time you’ve read this article you will be an expert in the craft of cleaning stainless steel, and the envy of your friends.

Some DO NOTS before we go on to how you should clean your facades.

Don’t ever use chlorine bleach on the covering as the steel is sensitive to it and it will spoil the polished look.
Always clean with the grain, and never in circles or against the grain, as you may harm the finish.
Never use any abrasive materials like scouring pads, wire wool, or even cloths with grit and gunk left on them.

Now, with the cautions out of the way, let’s get down to how to clean stainless steel like a professional.

If the area that you are cleaning is a food preparation area then the final finish will be to wipe down the covering with a recommended sanitizer, if not, and your cleaning an appliance or utensils then the following is all you need.

Before anything else, make sure you remove any build up of grease, fat, or any other airborne contaminants that fly around the kitchen by applying a degreaser. This can either be in liquid or aerosol form, and once you have left it a short while to penetrate into the grime, wipe it off with a clean paper towel

Using a small amount of washing up detergent and warm soapy water, rinse a microfibre cloth in the solution, wring the cloth out, then work the cloth along the grain eliminating those pesky fingerprints and unsightly blemishes.

After cleaning the area with the diluted detergent, thoroughly rinse the cloth in warm water eliminating any soap that may have remained, wring the cloth out and work along the grain of the covering removing the soapy residue.

FOREWARNING! A few effort is need now. Buff the area with a second, dry, microfibre cloth, seeing to it you always work with the grain. It’s hard work but worth it, and don’t you dare stop until the whole area is dry.

The final step is here! Place a couple of drops of olive oil onto a clean dry kitchen towel and rub along the grain of the stainless steel. Once you have covered the whole area, repeat the process with a clean kitchen towel, no olive oil this time, and work over the surface area again. You should now be the proud owner of a spotless stainless steel area!

Other possible remedies for clearing persistent finger marks are glass cleaner or household ammonia. Whichever you use, apply it to the micro fiber cloth and not directly to the area.

For pots and pans that are stainless, try boiling water in them with a teaspoon or two of baking soda.

And finally, no self respecting cleaning article would be complete without mentioning the benefits of white vinegar. A few drops in a microfibre cloth, rubbed along the grain, will shift even the most persistent of stains.

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