“Part-Setting” Your Alarm: The Forgotten Habit for Night-time Safety

Did you know that 46% of burglaries in Ireland occur between 5 pm and 11 pm, when homeowners are more likely to be arriving home from work or out? This may be because evenings are darker, especially in winter, or because there is less risk of being disturbed, but there are many things you can do to keep your home and family safer at this time of day.

The number of burglaries in Ireland has risen annually for the last few years, and many people are investing in alarms to protect themselves and their property. Using these alarms strategically can offer even better protection, and part-setting your alarm can be a simple way to increase security and reduce the risk of intrusion.

Break-in Trends in Ireland

Burglary and home invasion rates have risen every year since 2022 in Ireland, and this may be due to the increasing financial pressures that have affected people across Europe in recent years. This is not a problem that is specific to one region in Ireland, as burglaries have increased in many urban and rural areas here. With households of all types affected, it is important to consider how you can protect your property and your family. Studies show that homeowners are more concerned about being burgled than they have been in previous years, and most state that they would feel safer if they installed a home alarm, especially if this was monitored.

Thanks to the Garda ‘Lock Up and Light Up campaign, we know that 46% of home invasions happen between 5 pm and 11 pm, and this may be due to darker conditions, especially in the winter, or absence from home. Break-ins are also more common at weekends, which is likely due to properties being vacant, and many of these break-ins occur via an unsecured access point, such as a garden gate.

Personalising Your Alarm System

Choosing an alarm system that works well for your property and your lifestyle means that you will optimise your security, and this will give you peace of mind. You may not have explored monitored alarms before, but these are an excellent way to safeguard your property when you are out or away from home regularly. With a monitored alarm, any alarm triggered will immediately be investigated by operators and the appropriate response made. This can significantly improve outcomes, making it more likely that intruders will be identified and detained, and reducing the risk of damage or loss.

You can ensure that your alarm system works well for you by using different settings at different times of the day. Part-setting your alarm will mean that it is activated only by the sensors on the doors and windows, for instance, and not by people walking around inside the property. This can be very helpful in the evenings, or if there are vulnerable people in the property. You can find out more about part-setting your alarm from the manufacturer’s guidance or by discussing this with your professional installer.

Protecting Your Home

If you are worried about break-ins, you can make a few simple changes to keep your home and your family safer. We suggest:

• Check your access points. Many thieves gain access to properties via easy access points such as unlocked garden gates and gaps in fencing. You can prevent this by checking all access points to your home and garden and making improvements wherever possible. Investing in padlocks and good outdoor lighting can help to deter opportunistic intruders, and repairing broken fencing or blocking easy access points can also reduce the risk of break-ins.
• Use a monitored alarm. Intruders are less likely to try to get into a property with any alarm system, but a monitored alarm system is an especially good deterrent. If you have a monitored alarm, which can alert operators immediately, thieves are likely to be put off by the higher risk of detection. A monitored alarm can protect urban and rural properties effectively, especially if you are out or away regularly, and displaying evidence that your home is protected by a monitored system can help to deter potential intruders.
• Use part-setting features on your alarm. Part-setting your alarm will mean that your home is protected when you or your family are inside it, which can be especially helpful during the key times of 5 pm – 11 pm and overnight. Part-setting ensures that the perimeter of your home is protected, usually by the sensors on the doors and windows, but you can still move around inside the property without triggering an alarm.
• Improve physical security. As well as installing better lighting and locking garden gates, you can improve the physical security measures in your home by upgrading locks on doors and windows and installing deadbolts for extra protection. A smart doorbell or CCTV camera can also work well as a deterrent to potential intruders.
• Use timers and SmartHome tools. You can set your internal lights to come on in the evenings using a smart plug, or use smart home tools to close blinds or curtains in your home at a certain time. These are very useful if you are away from home regularly, and can also be used to set heating controls or switch on the oven to welcome you home!
• Join Neighbourhood Watch Programmes. Organisations such as Neighbourhood Watch can help you to feel more secure in your home, and studies show that communities that work together to protect one another are safer. Community initiatives by your local Garda may be worth exploring to improve security in your area.
• Have an emergency plan. Would your family members know what to do in an emergency? It can help you and your family to feel safer if you are well prepared to cope with an emergency situation, such as a break-in or fire. It is worth taking the time to make an escape plan, and you should check that every member of the family understands their role. If you can, it can be a good idea to practise escape routes and talk about how to seek help in an emergency situation.

At Sentinel Security, we are committed to helping every customer find the best options for their needs, and this includes domestic and commercial security. You should always feel safe in your own home, and we can help to make this a reality.

Sentinel Security: Home Security Solutions in Ireland

We know that installing a home security system is the best way to protect your home from being burgled, and we can help you to find the best system for your property. The right choice for you will depend on your location and the type of property you are protecting, and options include monitored systems and self-monitoring, as well as smart integration.

We provide expertise in Ireland’s security and access management industry, with bespoke security solutions for homes, businesses and farms, as well as security gates, bollards and turnstiles. We can deliver security solutions for public buildings, events and private properties, and we will tailor our services to suit you and your home or business. We are fully licensed by The Private Security Authority and certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland.