Reality of CCTV hits home for good sense of security

MIRI: It’s a reality check that window grilles are no longer a water-tight option to protect homes or property, and the perceived rising crime rate calls for more ‘alarming’ e-devices to strike fear into thieves and robbers.

Francis Tiong, director of a security system company, shared with thesundaypost in an interview recently on issues relating to security devices such as alarms and the ubiquitous closed-circuit television (CCTV), saying that many overlook the importance of these gadgets.

“In the past, people thought once they installed an alarm device or CCTV, their home will be secured. The truth is, you need to learn about your own security device, what it can do and the necessary maintenance to ensure the device protects your home better,” said Tiong who has been in this industry for more than two decades.

“Why a thief can still can break into an alarm-secured home is the million-dollar question many often ask,” Tiong pointed out.

The reason, he reiterated, could boil down to sensor problem and outdated or a damaged device.

“I am sure those who install an alarm device notice the importance of installing sensors at their windows, front and back door. Initially when the devices are newly installed, these devices are accurately positioned. As the time goes by, window and doors are opened and shut on a daily basis causing the sensors’ position to shift, not accurate anymore.

“Therefore, a house owner must check from time to time to ensure sensors function properly.”

Unlike older technology, the up-to-date devices found in the market today are much smarter and helpful in terms of identifying the perpetrator(s) and ultimately, it’s the accuracy of the whole security device.

Tiong added that about 70 per cent of overall users ignore the importance of maintaining their security devices.

“Maintenance of alarm device includes a constant check on the wiring and battery. In recent years, we get jobs that required us to check on customer’s old alarm devices. Owing to their ignorance; an emptied battery can damage the whole alarm device. This leads to the need to spend more money to repair or change to a whole new system.”

Similarly, Tiong advised consumers to do a bit of research before deciding which type of CCTV system their home needs.

“New residential housing may not necessarily have a fixed telephone line. Therefore, we would advise them to install wireless CCTV so that they can monitor their home via mobile apps.

“However, if given an option, I would advise my customer to opt for wired-CCTV as it would last longer with bigger memory capacity.”

The importance of CCTV is to enable a house owner to monitor home, Tiong said.

“If unfortunately, the house is broken into, images from CCTV could assist police in identifying the suspects as well as to make insurance claims easier,” he said.

Today, various CCTV brands and prices can be easily found in the market, therefore consumers are advised to check on the company’s installation techniques and aftersales services before purchase.

“I often learnt from random friends complaining on their blurry CCTV images. The reasons contributing to this could be due to wiring problem and secondly, the cameras they bought are not of high definition (HD) quality.

“Hence, my advice to those who installing a CCTV is to do a little bit of market survey before purchase as it could save them a lot of trouble.”

Currently, he added, CCTV with four-channel DVR quality is priced between RM1,800 and RM2,000 including wiring and installation.

Years ago, the economy downturn and inflation meant that prices had soared drastically.

“For those who opt on getting it cheaper, the downside is that it may not be as good as an expensive one. All in all, my advice would be ‘prevention is better than cure’, thus, it is advisable to install an alarm and CCTV as it is the first layer of protection that helps scare off the thief,” Tiong concluded.

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