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Is a bodyguard different to a Security Guard?

Bodyguards and security guards are both in charge of keeping people safe, but they are not always the same thing.

To simplify things, sort of, it is fair to say that some security guards are bodyguards but not all bodyguards are security guards.

Bodyguards, or personal protection officers are usually tasked with protecting a single individual or group from harm. You will often see celebrities walking around on TV with a bodyguard close behind, keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity or potential threats.

Whilst some security guards do take on bodyguard work, it requires a specialist set of skills that not all possess. In addition, security guards can also be tasked with protecting areas, properties, and the general public as a whole, and this makes up the majority of their workload, especially for those working for a professional security firm.

In this article, we are going to examine what it is that sets personal security guards apart from the ‘standard’ security guard, looking at what it takes to be trusted with the protection of a high-profile individual and the additional skills you need on top of the standard training that all security staff receive.

What do personal security guards do?

Close protection officers, or bodyguards, as they are better known, have a huge number of different responsibilities that all boil down to protecting the person or people they are employed by from harm.

Some of the tasks they are required to perform on a daily basis to do just that include:

Event planning

Many celebrities, businesspeople, and other high profile or high worth individuals are required to attend events. They might be performing at a concert, competing in a sports event, or hosting a business summit, or they might simply wish to be in attendance as a spectator.

Either way, they will be surrounded by other people and the centre of a lot of attention. Security guards tasked with their protection will need to prepare carefully for such occasions, identifying potential threats beforehand and using their expert eye to spot any potentially threatening behaviour on the day itself.

Should the worst happen and someone attempts to attack or harm the person in question, the close protection officer will protect them, putting themselves in harms way to ensure their safety.

As you can imagine, this requires a special skillset and mentality that few possess and is why that bodyguards are so highly trained in conflict resolution and physical fitness.

Liaising with other security

Bodyguards will often speak or meet with other security guards from a top security company Birmingham in advance if the person they are protecting is set to visit somewhere in the near future.

They may arrange to use a back entrance or sort out a way for them to arrive safely and without a big thoroughfare.

Communication

Bodyguards often become good acquaintances with their charges and build a strong bond over the years. They spend a lot of time together and a bodyguard that can be trusted is a highly valuable asset for anyone.

Many high-profile names have used the same bodyguard for years, if not decades.

The use of technology in modern pest control

Pest control is often viewed as a rather old fashioned industry, but has been influenced just as much by technological advancement in recent years as any other workplace.

Pest Control Bolton companies will utilise technology in a wide variety of different ways when dealing with rodents, insects, birds and more in homes and businesses across the North-West. Many of these technologies have only been developed or approved over the past few years. If you don’t keep up to date on the very latest innovations in the pest control market, and if you aren’t involved in the industry why would you, you probably won’t have heard of some of the technologies on this list.

The Pest Control industry, despite common belief, has changed remarkably in recent times, with an effort made to become far more humane and regulated in terms of who can provide pest control services and the form that these services will take. From drones used to examine bird infestations on roofs to smart sensors that detect and report on pest activity in real time, all the technologies that are mentioned in this article are incredibly useful to both customers and pest technicians alike.

Pest Control Technologies

Electronic traps

The concept of trapping pests so they can be killed or removed from a property is certainly not a new one. However, the nature of trapping has changed over the years, and one of the most popular type of traps that are now available are electronic traps that alert the user immediately to the presence of a pest once they are triggered. This means that electronic traps can be both humane and lethal, with humane electronic traps trapping the target pest and allowing you to remove it as soon as possible so that it isn’t stuck inside the trap for too long. Bear in mind that certain pest species, such as grey squirrels in the UK, cannot be legally released back into the wild, so only attempt live trapping with advice from a professional.

Electronic traps that work by delivering an instant shock to the pest inside the trap can be bought at many DIY shops and online and can be effective for dealing with pests if only one or two are causing you problems. If there are more than this, however, a professional pest control expert will need to be called in.

Bird deterrents

Birds can cause farmers and domestic homeowners alike a whole host of different problems from spreading diseases to dislodging roof tiles and targeting crops in agricultural settings.

One of the ways in which property owners have dealt with birds in the past is through the installation of deterrents such as scarecrows and models of certain birds of prey that will deter a smaller bird such as a gull, pigeon, or starling from landing and nesting nearby. However, the problem was that over time, these static deterrents would lose their effectiveness as pest birds slowly learned that they were not real and posed no serious threat. Step forward electronic deterrents. These devices, usually battery powered, add an additional layer of realism to bird scaring devices, issuing a recording of a predatory birds call or moving in a more realistic manner.

Thermal imaging

The police have used thermal imaging technology extensively over the years to find intruders and to detect lifeforms during the night or inside buildings. Pest professionals can use infrared camaras and scanners in a similar manner, helping them to spot pest infestations inside of wall cavities, loft spaces, and other difficult to access areas.

Once they have a better understanding of the exact location and extent of the problem that their customer is facing they will be able to create a much more effective strategy for dealing with them.

Drones

Drones are an increasingly important tool in surveying buildings for construction purposes and recently using them to identify pest issues on rooftops and for developing strategies for bird management.

Drones provide a comprehensive picture of exactly what is happening on a roof top or other high up area, without the need for anyone to put themselves in any danger by physically going up onto the roof.

Drones can be fitted with either standard or infrared cameras depending on the nature of the job at hand and many pest control companies now have a member of staff who is a trained drone pilot, or at least someone who they work with closely who can carry out drone surveys on their behalf.

Once a pest prevention plan is in place and the relevant measures have been installed such as bird netting or bird spikes, drones can be used to carry out checks ensuring that they have been effective and that the problem has not returned.

5 Common Myths about double glazing Installation

Since being introduced over 50 years ago, double glazing has become a must have for all UK homeowners and is now installed din the vast majority of homes and commercial buildings across the nation.

Despite being so common, many people still hold a number of misconceptions about double glazing that could be preventing them from saving a significant amount of money and dramatically improving the energy efficiency of their homes.

If you are unsure about whether installing double glazed windows are the best choice for you, are considering upgrading your existing windows, or have heard about triple glazing and are wondering if there is any point investing in this additional upgrade, you have come to the right place.

We are one of the leading providers of double glazing in Edinburgh and have put together a list of the common myths and misconceptions that we hear about double glazing on a daily basis from customers out in the field.

This guide will hopefully help to debunk some of the concerns that you may have about double glazing installation and put you in a much stronger position to make decisions regarding new window installation.

Myth 1 – Double glazed windows don’t work on period properties

Many owners of older-style and period properties often put off the installation of modern double glazing as they are worried that it won’t fit in with the aesthetic of the rest of their home.

However, double glazing now comes in any number of different shapes, styles, and designs with both uPVC and timber frames available from all good double glazing installation companies. Timber framed double glazing, or even uPVC frames finished in a wood effect style, will look fantastic on your period home especially when you choose a classic design such as sash or French windows that complement the style and age of the property.

Myth 2 – Double Glazed windows don’t need to be replaced

As we mentioned above, double glazing has been around for many a decade at this point, and just because your windows are double glazed does not mean that there is no benefit to replacing them with new double glazed or even triple glazed units.

Not only are modern windows fitted with a range of additional features such as an energy saving coating and thermos-spacer bars, but there is also a good chance that your existing windows performance has declined significantly over time. The smallest of gaps or cracks in the frame of the window, for example, can allow heat to escape during the winter months and make it much more costly to keep your property warm. A leak in the window itself or the seal between frame and glass pane can also allow the argon gas filling that is so integral to the performance of double glazed windows to escape, making it much easier for cold and warm air to travel from one side to the other.

Whilst upgrading from single to double glazed glass certainly brings the biggest jump in energy efficiency, replacing poorly performing double glazing with more modern units can also be hugely beneficial and a fantastic financial investment.

Myth 3 – uPVC is bad for the environment

In a world where we are all keen to do our bit to protect the environment, replacing windows with long-lasting plastic can seem a rather backwards step. However, the uPVC used in our windows can be fully recycled once it comes to the end of its natural lifespan, usually a good 25 years or more after installation. Furthermore, the amount of energy that you save by installing new double glazing will dramatically reduce your own personal carbon footprint and is widely thought of as one of the biggest steps that an individual can take to helping reduce their impact on the environment.

Myth 4 – Triple glazing is unnecessary and expensive

With modern double glazing being so energy efficient, it is easy to see why some homeowners see the additional upgrade to triple glazing as an unnecessary additional expense.

However, whilst it is certainly true that the gap between double and triple glazing in terms of boosting energy efficiency is slimmer than the jump from single to double, if you are looking to maximise your energy efficiency it is certainly worth considering this additional upgrade.

Myth 5 – Double glazing installation is disruptive

This depends entirely on the installer, but there is absolutely no need for double glazing installation to do any damage to the exterior of your property. A qualified and professional window installer will have your windows out, and a new one in place, without damaging the wall surrounding the frame and can usually complete the entire job in a couple of days. Make sure to choose a respected local Edinburgh window installer for the best chance of a painless and fast job.

10 tips for office security

Making your office a safe and secure environment is critical to the success of your business and creating a happy and productive workforce.

This is easier said than done however, and without the proper care and attention your property, data, and people can easily come under threat.

A data breach or physical break-in is any companies worst nightmare and the loss of assets, stolen goods, and reputation loss they can bring can do a huge amount of harm. Many office based businesses simply never recover from such a hit.

To ensure that you are not another office casualty that falls by the wayside, we have gathered together 10 top tips and tricks that will help you maximise protection on your premises and create a safe working environment for your valued employees.

Tip #1 – Use ID badges

In a busy workplace it can be difficult to track who is where and doing what at any one time, especially when it comes to the use of electronic devices. ID badges are a great way for you and your security team to identify exactly who they are dealing with and hold employees to account for their actions.

Both staff and visitors should be given ID badges but consider using a different colour for guests so they can be identified easily from a distance. For maximum security, make it so employees sign in and out of the office using their ID card, rather than installing a keypad or having no access control whatsoever.

Tip #2 – Install CCTV

You might be reluctant to install CCTV in your office as you don’t want your staff to feel as though they are constantly being watched. However, there really is no more effective tool in increasing office security than CCTV installation.

You might decide only to install CCTV in common areas such as corridors and entry points, or across the entire property, but either way this is an incredibly valuable deterrent to criminals and a valuable tool in tracking on-site activity.

Tip #3 – Install an alarm

When the working day is at a close, your alarm system will stay vigilant, protecting your property, assets, and data from the threat of local intruders.

For maximum protection, arrange an alarm response service with a local security firm who will response to any detected security breaches on your behalf, keeping your staff out of harm’s way and minimising any threat.

Tip #4 – Don’t forget cyber security

For the modern business, cyber security is just as important as physical security with a huge amount of financial, personal, and client data stored in your computer system. Theft of this could do irreparable harm to your business reputation so ensure you hire a professional cyber security firm to protect your systems.

Tip #5 – Remember to lock up

Far too many office crimes occur as a result of doors being left unlocked and security systems turned off by accident.

Make sure to check your locks every time you leave your office and ensure your staff are aware of their responsibilities in doing the same.

Tip #6 – Store sensitive information in a secure location

Your entire office should be secure but you should take particular care over sensitive information and equipment, even when it is keycode protected by storing it in a securer location when not in use. Contact a professional security firm for more information on where this may be.

Tip #7 – Hire a security guard

Nothing scares off intruders quicker than the sight of a professional security guard in the lobby or outside an office building.

These experts will check ID’s, monitor access control technology, look out for suspicious behaviour, and reassure visitors that they are in safe hands.

Tip #8 – Buy a safe

A fire proof, highly secure safe is a great place to store important documents, valuable assets, and more. Only give the combination to your safe to those who absolutely must have it and whom you completely trust and change the combination on a regular basis. Consult with both a local security firm and your insurance company before proceeding with buying a safe to ensure that it meets their standards.

Tip #9 – Educate your staff

Arrange for a security expert to train your staff on best practice when it comes to on-site security. Training should include everything when logging out of computers when finished with them to where to store their key cards when not in the office and how to report suspicious activity.

Tip #10 – Plan for the worst

Follow the tips above and the risk of an emergency situation in your office is slim. Failure to prepare however Make sure to have a strong evacuation and emergency response plan in place to guard against every possible eventuality.

For more information on how best to protect your workplace in the North East, get in touch with a local security company Manchester today.