Clare Macnaughton's Blog, page 23

West Ham Up Their Game Capacity

West Ham United are aiming to increase the capacity of the Olympic Stadium to 60,000 in response to increased season tickets sales, according to vice-chairman Karren Brady.

The east London club intend to move across London from Upton Park at the end of this season but Brady said the initial 54,000 seats may not be sufficient to meet demand.

After a series of sell-outs at Boleyn Ground, Karren Brady believes West Ham can draw much larger crowds following the move.

The Hammers are sitting 7th in the Premier League table, lead by manager Slavan Bilic and are keen to obtain a place in the European places to open their new era at the Olympic Stadium in style.

Speaking to BT Sport, Brady said: “It’s 54,000 [at the moment], we are looking to take it up to 60,000 because demand for season ticket’s has been so high that we’ve now got several times as many people that want season tickets than we can actually fulfil demand, so, we are looking at increasing the capacity.”

The Hammers depart the Boleyn Ground and move to Stratford at the end of this campaign.

This controversial shift to the Olympic Stadium has created rows among supporter groups of rival London sides, as the Hammers allegedly are paying only £15m of the £272m conversion costs to transform the stadium in the new season. Their 99 year lease with the London Legacy Development Corporation for 25 days at the ground is approximately £2.5m per year.

It’s quids in for the London side though, in February 2015, West Ham United announced a new record shirt sponsorship deal with the online bookmaker Betway, after their previous sponsor, Swiss company, Alpari’s business went under. This is one of the biggest deals in the club’s history.

It is understood that under the agreement Betway will pay West Ham £20m over the next three and a half years. It dwarfs the deal with Alpari, which was worth £3m per year, and comes as the club prepare for their move to the Olympic Stadium. This combination of this fantastic new partnership and new 60,000 capacity ground could mark the beginning of a spectacular new era for West Ham.

 

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Instant Fun On The Go

Mobile devices are rising  in popularity, especially with the use of smartphones, so it’s no surprise that mobile phone games are also becoming more popular. The average user teens or twenty year olds use their smartphone to stay in touch with their network of friends and wile away the hours.

Ready to play

The growing popularity of mobile games can be attributed to the smartphones’ increasing popularity among people of video-game age. With the mobile and connected capabilities of smartphones gamers can play anywhere, liberating them of the physical limitations of a desktop computer and archaic landline connections. Combine rapid improvements in mobile graphics and speed, and the perfect conditions are set for play-as-you-go games.

Ease of access

Overall, mobile phone games sit comfortably between simplicity and creativity.  The nature of the interaction suggest that a mobile game needs to be simple, and yet with such a large range of games, individually they need to be a good standard and creative. So that sporadic gamers, or those who are less skilled at playing computer games, can still have access to good-quality game without getting bogged down. Mobile phone games don’t just appeal to the technologically savvy kids, but also to older generations with less acumen who want a fun, user-friendly game to play every now and then.

Mobile bingo has taken off and it’s quickly becoming the most popular mobile games. Bingo can be played quickly and if there’s real money at stake it can offer speedy gains. The benefits about gaming on the hop is it can be done anywhere- from queuing at the bus stop to sitting on the couch. It’s social which adds to the fun and with the growth of social networking, most of the mobile bingo games have responded to this. You can try out your luck with mobile bingo at Landmark Bingo.

Mobile phone games are not going anywhere. People love the simplicity of the games because they are cheap, have a variety of complexity and are easily accessible. If you are a frequent gamer or a numpty novice, there is a mobile phone game out there just for you.

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Health Problems After Military Service

Most people are aware that military service can be dangerous.  Even during peacetime, it’s understood that active service members are at risk of getting shot, or suffering other combat injuries – especially if they are deployed to a volatile area. People are also aware of the mental and psychological toll that combat, and combat injuries, can take on our veterans. What most people don’t expect are injuries not from combat, but from constant and repeated exposure to chemical agents and environmental contaminants.

Mustard Gas, Agent Orange, and Asbestos

Mustard gas was one of the earliest chemical weapons used in 20th century warfare. While it was first developed by the French in 1914, mustard gas was widely used by the Germans during World War One. The gas was added to shells, grenades and bombs, and was also sprayed into the trenches in liquid form.

Mustard gas caused skin burns, and it also damaged the lining of the respiratory tract. Those who did not die immediately from the gas attacks often suffered lingering, and debilitating, long-term effects. It was not unusual for soldiers to return home with serious respiratory issues that grew worse, until they finally succumbed to their injuries years later. Although a majority of the soldiers affected European, approximately 73,000 American soldiers were also exposed to the gas. Because of its devastating effects the use of mustard gas, and other poison gases, in warfare was banned in 1925.

One thing about mustard gas is that it was considered a legitimate weapon, and the injuries sustained from exposure were considered combat injuries.

Agent Orange and Asbestos are a different story.

Agent Orange

Although Agent Orange, originally developed by Monsanto, was used in combat operations, it was not designed to attack human targets. Agent Orange was an herbicide that the United States developed for use in South East Asia during the Vietnam War. It was designed to destroy the thick vegetation that was used for cover by the opposing forces, and to destroy the enemy food supply.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that more than 19 million gallons of Agent Orange and other herbicides were dropped over the jungles of South East Asia, including areas where allied forces were stationed.

Agent Orange contained extremely high amounts of a chemical called dioxin, a known carcinogen. Long-term exposure to dioxin is also linked to immune system impairment, Hodgkin’s disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, neurological disorders, and other illnesses.

Many soldiers did not have any symptoms while they were deployed, but developed diseases and disorders believed to be related to Agent Orange years after exposure.

Asbestos

Asbestos saw wide usage in the United States military, especially in the Navy. Because it is so durable, as well as heat and fire-resistant, it was used in the engine rooms of ships, and in materials used to build and repair the ships. It was also used in building materials on bases, and in the field.

Soldiers who worked in shipyards were at great risk of exposure to asbestos, and rates of exposure in the Navy were some of the highest of all branches of the military. However, because it was also widely used in construction, service members who did insulation and construction work as part of their active duty were also at greater risk for exposure.

Asbestos is a fibrous material that is fairly safe when it is intact, but when it is damaged it can release those tiny fibers into the air. If those tiny fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can get stuck in the tissues of the lungs, the digestive tract, and the membranes surrounding the organs.

Asbestos exposure is linked to several serious, and life-threatening, diseases including malignant melanoma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Like Agent Orange, service members often do not show symptoms during the periods of exposure, but develop their illnesses years later.

Issues Surrounding Exposure

The biggest issue surrounding exposure to chemical agents and environmental pollutants is that it can often take years to discover the damage.

While the Department of Veterans Affairs does acknowledge that there are illnesses associated with exposure to Agent Orange and Asbestos, and has compensation programs in place, it’s not always easy for veterans to get the help they need.

Service members have to prove that the exposure happened during military service, and not through other means. They may also have to prove that they were in specific places, at specific points, during their military service. If they have been discharged from the service, it has to have been under other than dishonorable conditions, and they will need to submit to a physical examination by the military.

Service members filing on behalf of children born with birth defects, as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, also have other hoops to jump through, and there is no guarantee that the Veteran’s Administration will approve the claim.

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Real Life: #PoshPeople on BBC2 @TatlerUK – How posh are you?

I love watching tv shows about rich people and posh people. Made in Chelsea is my guilty pleasure, although I can only watch it sporadically as I find it utterly vacuous; yet it’s so awful that it’s so good. It’s like Fifty Shades of Grey, saccharin. (Check out my review of Fifty Shades of Grey: http://amodernmilitarymother.com/book-reviews/i-am-clit-flick-lit-crack-whore-fifty-shades-of-grey-review)

I don’t watch soap operas such as Eastenders or Coronation Street or Emmerdale. They bring me down. I find them too depressing. In my youth, I religiously watched Dallas, Dynasty and The Colbys; even though I knew it was car crash tv. I love a super, speedy, trashy rapid plot cheese fest and there is nothing finer than forthcoming New Year dose of Nashville, if you are looking for a modern day Dallas.

As I have been living in the heartlands of the posh in the Shire of Wilts, in a house traditionally occupied by posh people and I could be perceived myself as one of them posh people. I have been battling with the dilemma of whether I am posh or pikey? Watching the TV show Posh People: Inside Tatler, on BBC 2; a behind the scenes look at Tatler magazine, brought these thoughts to the surface once again. I loved watching the documentary about the posh person magazine, which is run by the lesser attractive posh people (apart from the editor and the school’s guide editor) and it was a fascinating insight into the bonkers world of posh people. The shots from the front row of London Fashion Week were indeed like images out of a Gerard Scarfe illustration. It really did reveal the revoltingness of the opulent world of the posh, some of which are now poor posh people, in an unintentional Gonzo way. For a minute, I thought I should be buying Tatler. It was an odd moment of social confusion. By the end of the tv show I decided that I won’t be buying Tatler.

I wrote this in 2011 – http://amodernmilitarymother.com/mother/to-be-or-not-to-be-posh-or-pikey

Over the years and through my drunken, inappropriate, posh rule breaking and offensive to posh people behaviour, I have come to the conclusion that I am definitely NOT POSH and I don’t want to be. Now, I do want to live in the big house, have lovely holidays, grow my own vegetables, pursue my dreams; but I don’t want to wear tweed, ride horses, own dogs, speak without moving my lips, or shout without listening to people, observe ridiculous rules as decreed by Debretts and general suck up to the establishment who behave revoltingly and then lie about it. I am just going to be straight forward revolting and true to my crazy self. I am lazy and being posh is too difficult and not much fun, especially if you can’t be bothered to learn the rules and adhere to them. I prefer a carefree, fun, posh free, existence.

It’s such a relief to throw the shackles of posh ambition away and live a life true to myself instead. As an officer’s wife there are unspoken rules of engagement that I just don’t adhere to them either. The Wessex punk that occupies part of my soul says ‘fuck you stupid rules’.

I like to make my own rules.

These are very simple:

1.) Try not to be a complete and utter cunt.

2.) If being a complete and utter cunt then stop immediately

Sometimes, you just have to know who are your people and my people aren’t posh people they are people who are not cunts. (There are obviously exceptions to every rule and I do have a few lovely posh friends; but we are friends because we like each other and laugh at the same things.) How about you? Are you a posh person? Do you wannabe posh?

Deep down I am a Republican, who doesn’t endorse the patriarchal, wealthy, ruling elitist system. I want electoral reform. I want to shut Westminster down and turn it into a tourist attraction. I want a purpose built Government campus in the West Midlands. I want parliamentary sessions to be tailored to support the greater inclusion of women of child bearing age and with children. I believe in progression and the traditions that the posh and wealthy newbies cling to stifles change. Power to the real people.

Bearing in mind, that I am a terrible posh person and a dreadful officer’s wife, I will be launching a new blog called Macnaughty so that I can write without the conflict of interests that this blog currently exposes.

For more information on Macnaughty and the blog conflicts watch this video:

This blog is managed by Clare Macnaughton; a modern military mother; a feminist, British military spouse, and lifestyle journalist, writing about real life adventures.

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Real Life: Strong women love ‘em or hate ‘em?

Writing this blog today feels like an indulgent luxury. I have been so f*cking busy that I haven’t had time to blog in that just chewing the fat, this is what is going down in my hood kinda way. Finally, I can focus on my future and start building the business that I want but I’ll come back to that in a minute.

Available from Amazon worldwide

In the rollercoaster that is my world I have been stepping out and meeting fellow creatives and virtually meeting fellow feminists. I have come two over-riding observations:

1.) The world wants more strong, independent women. However, strong women are not liked. I am a strong woman and I am not popular or well liked. I have my own opinion and I don’t say what people want to hear. People don’t like this and they don’t like me for my honesty. This oxymoron creates a huge barrier for women. We can’t raise our daughters to be popular and well liked and strive for independence because to cut your own path it is imperative that you don’t give a f*ck what other people think and that is never the popular option. This doesn’t mean women shouldn’t take guidance or steering, or they should ignore those who are wiser, because most of our journeys are about gathering knowledge and applying that learning. But more that being independent and strong is about deciding what you want out of life and striving for those goals regardless of the goals of others. In business it’s called strategy.

2.) Radical feminism is dominated by lesbians who think of men as male oppressors and want a utopian man free world. It wasn’t until I joined the Facebook group ‘Feminism!’ that I realised that in comparison to true radical feminists I am actually a homemaking, man loving, Daily Fail reading (I don’t read the Daily Fail really), facist cop out.

These two observations pose many ethical and intellectual challenges for me. The sort of challenges that create weakness, self doubt and wishy washyness.

Having lived in military quarters for 11 years and being viewed as a troublemaking, leftish (compared to the regular military lemmings), feminist, alcoholic, queen bee type and then moving to The Shire where the ruling elite are tweed wearing, posh people who do actually read the Daily Mail and vote UKIP. I have been sat here smugly reading progressive sites – such as Jezebel, Pink News and The Root so that I can keep up to date with the voice of emerging and fighting groups – confident that I was a liberal open minded feminist with a dream of living off grid, in a world where women were strong and independent, and not continually exploited; but also with a bit of travel to exotic destinations thrown in for good measure. Now, I realise that I lack conviction and integrity and that in truth I have a lot of learning to do.

Rather than feeling threatened and withdrawing by this new status quo of my liberal feminism and my unpopular, strong, independent stance I have decided to own it. A bit like owning my curves, my age, my reality and instead of denying it, I am coming terms with it, and using it as part of the way forward.

2015 is a year of new beginnings. Especially for me. I am focusing on my businesses and creative projects and looking forward to seeing how the future will unfold.

Writing projects:

The next book – Looking For Mr Rabbit will be edited and re-worked.

This playlist will bring you up to speed with Looking For Mr Rabbit – the story so far…..

The play – Opposites Attract will be developed for the stage

 

The Blog:

The blog will be re-branded and will incorporate Clare Macnaughton into the brand. I will have two new logos and a new blog theme.

I will be developing regular features – food, politics, reviews and living.

I will be connecting with a wider audience; Wiltshire women and other bloggers.

I will sort out my subscription platforms, so that I can keep you all informed.

I will be looking at how to expand into a retail based offer.

 

A Local Life

I will be growing the reach of the free A5 Warminster magazine.

 

Others…..

There are few ideas in the pipeline – a pop up cafe and maybe some social media, PR courses, etc, so watch this space.

Hagar, the estranged husband has a year in post left in his current job and then he is faced with a very difficult decision his career, or his kids – yes, folks it’s that simple. His current job is demanding but delightful as he gets to spend time with his family and those that execute the military doctrine in his current role have no beef with me and I have no beef with them. Recently, there was a little incident with a spineless, lying element of the executors of military doctrine which, when I think about it makes my blood boil, and I feel like having a little fight with the assholes but as I am being all positive and spiritual I am, for now, letting it go.

I have had to do a little bit of Facebook blocking to some factions of my past life, especially related to the time I lived in military quarters because, ultimately, I would rather not have their toxic voyeurism via Facebook. Of course, if they want to come over to here and have a little nosey I have no problem with that at all. This little blockathon was triggered by the spineless, lying executor of military doctrine, who reminded me of the unprofessional, nepotistic, empire building elements of the military business which I despise; and also that there are people who occupy the military extended family that are very unpleasant and not to be trusted. Luckily for me as an unpopular, strong, independent women, who is owning her new destiny, I am ready as ever to stand my ground, although I doubt the spineless lemmings will have the courage, or even care enough, to confront the truth. They are all smug and comfy in their ivory towers, with their buddies, blowing sunshine out of each other’s arseholes to even give a shit about who they are shafting. Blimey, where did that little toxic rant come from? You see the poison of the past in some ways still occupies my veins if I feed it with my thoughts so begone nastiness; onwards and upwards.

Life at the moment is more sunshine and lollipops. Christmas is coming and it’s truly magical time at Christmas at my house so I leave you this to enjoy and just in case you were wondering this is how I feel…..Nina Simone – Feeling Good….

This blog is managed by Clare Macnaughton; a modern military mother; a feminist, British military spouse, and lifestyle journalist, writing about real life adventures.

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How to have a fulfilling sex life in later life

It’s perfectly natural for things to change as we age, including our sexual lives. What was typical at 18 may not be the norm at 35. Similarly, our experiences of sex in middle age may differ widely from our experiences in later life. However, it’s important to remember that, no matter what your age, it’s possible to have an enjoyable and satisfying sex life if you are prepared to tackle any problems you encounter.

Here, we take a look at two of the most common sexual problems people face as they get older and how they can be resolved:

1. Erectile dysfunction

About half of all men aged 40 to 70 experience difficulties getting and maintaining erections. This condition can cause a lot of distress and, in some cases, can result in people avoiding sex altogether. Many people assume that erectile dysfunction is a normal part of the ageing process. However, this does not have to be the case. It is important to remember that an unhealthy lifestyle can cause sexual dysfunction at any age. Getting enough exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping cholesterol levels in check and not smoking can lower a man’s chances of developing erectile dysfunction as he gets older. If a man is physically well and leads a healthy, active lifestyle, a psychological problem, such as depression or anxiety, may be to blame. Mental health problems are not uncommon and help for these issues is widely available. Treatments, such as talking therapies and medications, can be accessed through your GP. While getting back on track psychologically, some men choose to use erectile dysfunction medicines, such as sildenafil. These days you can get sildenafil online quickly and safely.

2. Pain during sex

Many women that have gone through the menopause report feeling pain or discomfort during sex. In fact, one survey indicates that 84% of women find sex painful after the menopause, and almost 70% reported that this issue had caused relationship problems. Pain during sex (known as dyspareunia) in menopausal women is often caused by a drop in oestrogen levels, which can result in the vaginal dryness. For many women, this can make sex very sore and uncomfortable. Vaginal dryness may be a natural part of ageing but this does not mean you have to put up with it. There are a variety of treatments available, from lubricants and intimate moisturising gels to oestrogen creams and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women can also lower their risk of experiencing vaginal dryness by avoiding intimate washing with shower gels and soaps.

Aside from pleasure, there are many reasons you may want to pursue a satisfying sex life. Sex can reduce stress, support immune system function, lower blood pressure, improve bladder control and reduce the risk of heart disease. Whether your problems are physical, psychological or emotional, don’t let it put you off your quest for a fulfilling sex life. There is help out there and there is no need to be embarrassed about getting it.

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Snuggle Up

Check out these handy winter warming hints so you get snug this winter:

Layer up

The more skin is exposed to cool air, the colder you will feel. Wearing layers of thin clothes will keep you warmer than big winter jumpers as they trap body heat. The more skin is exposed to cool air, the colder you will feel.

Eat well and drink warm

While having a hot tea or coffee may make you feel warmer, it’s more to do with the caffeine. That is because caffeine increases blood flow to the skin. You may feel warmer as a result, but your body is actually losing heat. Alcohol has the same affect. Try sticking to decaffeinated or herbal hot drinks instead.

Eating regular meals with carbohydrates will also help keep you warm. Porridge, stews and soup are great winter-warmers. These healthy hearty foods are great for warming you up from the inside out.

Get moving

Working out in the winter. It may be the last thing you feel like doing but it gives you a rush of mood bosting endorphins. The exercise will get the blood pumping around your body and heat up your skin.

Stay social

With chilly, longer nights in winter, the temptation is to hibernate at home rather than catching up with friends. Research from the University of Toronto has discovered that social exclusion makes you feel colder but socialising and spending time with people, warms you up.

Snuggle up

Save on your electricity bills this winter and get cosy with warm blankets, fleecy onesies and duvets instead. Fill a hot water bottle to hug. While sleeping, ensure you stay toasty by wearing pyjamas and bed socks to keep your feet from getting cold at night.

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Electoral Reform Society Welcomes Report on Voter Engagement

Responding to the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee’s report Voter engagement in the UK, published today, Katie Ghose, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said:

“Voter disengagement is the central political challenge of our time, and the Committee should be applauded for its excellent work in this area. We wholeheartedly support the report’s recommendations on reforming voter registration to make it easier for people to vote, as well as widening the franchise so 16 and 17 year olds can take part in our democracy.

“It’s also gratifying to see so many respondents to the inquiry point out how utterly broken our electoral system is. We’re now in a four, five or even six-party era, so we can expect some horribly unfair results in the general election next year. We believe it is high time we got rid of the outdated First Past the Post, and replaced it with a fairer system where every voice is heard and every vote counts.”

The Committee has called on the Government to explore the idea of making election day a public holiday. Responding to this idea, Katie Ghose said:

“Voting is a fundamental part of our role as a citizen, so it’s right to celebrate the day we go to the polls and choose who represents us. It’s important that we innovate around how we do elections so we can successfully close the gap between people and politics. We’ll support any measure which creates a sense of occasion on election day.”

The Committee has also recommended making voting compulsory for some elections. Responding to this idea, Katie Ghose said:

“Making it compulsory for people to vote hides the symptoms of voter disengagement, but does nothing to address the causes. Many people are deeply distrustful of representative politics, but they won’t come back into the process in any meaningful way if they are forced to take part.

“We believe there are many other more positive things we should be doing to close the gap between people and politics, some of which have been recommended in this report.”

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Reasons to join the RAF

The RAF is a real source of national pride and it plays a crucial role in defending the country. Established in 1918, it boasts some of the Reasons to join the RAFmost impressive technology and highly trained military personnel in the world.

To show your appreciation of this beloved institution, you can purchase a variety of RAF gifts and memorabilia from the Royal Air Force Museum Gift Shop. Meanwhile, if you want to take your interest in the RAF a step further, you might be interested in joining up. There are a host of benefits associated with working for the UK’s air force, and here are some of the most important.

Serve your country and be a team player

By starting a career in the RAF, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re serving your country. You’ll also get to meet lots of interesting and like-minded people. Individuals from all walks of life sign up, but they each have certain things in common. For example, all are looking to get the most out of life. In the RAF, you’ll be a true team player and you’ll benefit from a sense of belonging and purpose.

See the world

You might also get the chance to travel. Bear in mind that the organisation has an active presence overseas, with bases in the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Gibraltar and Ascension Islan

Further your education

In addition, you’ll have the chance to further your education. Joining up entitles you to an annual allowance to study for new qualifications and, depending on the position you take, you might get to complete an apprenticeship or earn a recognised qualification for free. You can also claim back up to 80 per cent on a variety of course fees.

Benefit from an impressive package

The RAF offers a competitive benefits package too. For example, personnel are entitled to six weeks of paid holiday every year, as well as public holidays. If you join, you’ll also get private healthcare and dental care that’s available at a moment’s notice.

It’s easy to keep fit when you’re in the RAF too. Bases include free sports facilities and physical training instructors are on hand to offer advice to help you stay in shape. You might also be interested in the array of sports clubs on offer.

These are just some of the reasons why you might want to consider joining the RAF. Of course, choosing this as a career path is a big decision, so it’s important that you do plenty of research first. You should be able to find all the information you need on the web.

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Cut Crime Over Christmas

You might be looking forward to the impending festive season. After all, this is the perfect time of year to catch up with friends and family and to generally make merry and have a good time. However, you’re not alone in your eager anticipation of this annual celebration. Criminals across the land are bracing themselves for a busy and potentially productive couple of months. Residential burglaries in the UK peak between November and January, and it’s not hard to see why. In many ways, the Christmas period represents the perfect storm for domestic security. The nights are long and people are steadily amassing gifts in their homes to give to loved ones. Also, many people head off on trips over the festive season, leaving their properties vulnerable to break-ins. However, by following these simple tips, you should be able to cut the risk that you’ll fall victim to crime over coming weeks.

Invest in the best tech to protect your home

There is now an impressive selection of hi-tech devices on offer that can help to bolster security in your home. For example, if you don’t already have one, it may be worth investing in a CCTV system. Security specialists such as Big Brother Systems offer an array of solutions and may have just what you’re after. As well as helping to identify any intruders, this equipment serves as an effective deterrent. Opportunistic burglars are much less likely to attempt to enter a property if they know their actions will be recorded on video.

Another effective way to increase safety at your property, and one that you may not have even heard of before, is to install infrared perimeter beams. These systems are at the cutting edge of intruder prevention. You can set the beams up around your home and if they are broken by someone stepping through them, an alarm will be sounded. This can alert you to the presence of potential intruders before they have even reached your house. The beams are positioned at waist height, so you don’t have to worry about your neighbourhood cats or any wildlife giving you an unnecessary fright.

Get the security basics right

Of course, it’s no good spending money on these sophisticated systems if you then fail to get the basics right. As well as taking advantage of the very best modern technology has to offer, make sure you focus on common sense security provisions. For example, always make sure your doors and windows are locked, particularly when you leave your property. Also, never rely on flimsy locks. Heavy duty versions are a must for your front and back doors.

Give your home the lived-in look when you’re away

Like lots of people, you might be planning a trip away this Christmas. Perhaps you will be visiting family or maybe you’ve booked a holiday. The trouble is, if you’re not careful, criminals will wise up to the fact that your home is unoccupied, making them more likely to strike.

This is why it’s so important to give your home the lived-in look when you’re not there. It’s now possible to buy timer switches for your lights, and this can help to give the impression that you’re in. If possible, get your neighbours to check in on your home and move any mail from your doorstep every couple of days too.  Also, don’t forget to cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries.

As long as you bear tips like these in mind over the festive season, you should be able to minimise the risk of break-ins and better protect your property and family.

 

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