Protect Your home security
- sam7142
- Feb 6, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 4, 2020
As a homeowner, there are a number of steps you can take to protect your property from potential damage or theft.
Burglaries are uncommon, but one in five of all burglaries take place through doors and open windows. These areas are often taken for granted as the strongest elements of property protection. Why this is still true, there is still plenty more you can do to protect your property and deter thieves from coming anywhere near your property. Here, I have highlighted some simple precautionary tips on various elements of your property which will help limit the opportunities for burglars visiting your home.
Burglar alarms
Installing a burglar alarm can effectively scare off potential burglars whilst also making your property giving you peace of mind.
Some people argue that burglar alarms are not enough and perhaps they are right. In any case, having a burglar alarm will greatly boost your home security and help deter any theft or damages in your property.
Doors
To ensure wooden front doors are highly secured, it is best to have them as a solid timber. There should also be a British Standard 5-lever mortice lock one third of the way up plus an automatic deadlocking rim latch one third of the way down. Also, hinge bolts should ideally be fitted to outward opening doors to ensure further protection from forceful entry. Door Viewers
Door viewers enable you to see anyone who knocks on your door or rings your doorbell (without them seeing you) before opening the first port to your home. Internal letterbox shields could also be installed to prevent access to the handle inside and also stop the occurrence of keys being fished through the letterbox with a makeshift contraption by any conniving cat burglars. Windows
For all ground floor windows and any windows that are easily accessible, window handles should have multi-locking with shoot bolts installed in the frame. If not, surface mounted, key operated window locks should be fitted (except if the window is being used as a fire escape).
CCTV
Security cameras on display around your home is one of the most useful ways to prevent home break-ins, and statistics show homes with security systems are up to 300% less likely to be broken into.
When the burglars see one, they know you're serious about protecting your home. Even if they have masks on, they still don't want to run the risk of triggering the audio alarms of security cameras and being captured in the video footage. The added protection and peace of mind you receive from a professionally installed CCTV system is not to be ignored.
What’s more, CCTV cameras can be operated and monitored from the owner’s mobile device, making it the perfect security solution for when you are away or have been looking for that added protection for your beloved home.
Security lighting
Security lighting increases vision and makes burglars feel vulnerable and acutely aware of the higher chance they’ll be spotted, meaning it’s consequentially much less likely that they’ll choose to target your property.
Other ways to protect your homes security
The use of social media
Social media and home security have been hot topics in the news recently. Back in December, TV personality, Tamara Ecclestone hit the headlines when thieves reportedly stole £50million worth of jewellery from her home in Kensington.
Detectives on the case were looking at whether the criminals involved had spotted she was on holiday thanks to her posts online. Only a few hours before, she had uploaded a picture of her daughter boarding a plane to Lapland as they jetted off on their festive holidays. While it may just be a coincidence, it’s a stark reminder about what we’re advertising when we share images of our lives.
If you want to avoid your social media putting your home security at risk, here are some of our top tips to follow.
Be Mindful of Real-Time Social Media Posts
We all know when you go on holiday, it can be a time of excitement, and many people want to share their travels on their social media, whether it’s a photograph on Instagram or a check-in on Facebook. However, think carefully about what this tells anyone who can view or share your posts online.
Do you really want to show ‘my house is empty with nobody home!’ if you’re advertising the fact you’re travelling elsewhere?
Be Picky when Posting Photos of Your Home
We’ve talked before about protecting your home at Christmas with actions like hiding packaging for expensive items at the bottom of your bins. However, many people will also post online about gifts they’ve received.
Think of your social media as a window to your home. Would you want a burglar to be able to look through and see the layout of your home and garden, the possessions available to steal or details about your latest vehicle? If you’re posting images which have been taken inside your property, consider what information this sends outs. Take a look at your privacy settings and check who can see your photos and status updates.
Get a Big Barking Dog
Having a big guard dog is an old-school method to stop burglars from targeting your home, but it does work. 34% of convicted burglars surveyed said that a dog inside would change their mind before breaking into a home. And even a small dog with a loud bark can be a deterrent against bandits and thieves to protect your home from burglary. Burglars know that small dogs barking can wake up the people inside, and most burglars don't want their presence known. That said, I myself am a dog lover. Stopping a burglary isn't a good enough reason to get a big guard dog. Dogs require care and companionship, and you shouldn't get one if you're not prepared to take care of it. Also, If you do get a guard dog, put up a "Beware Of Dog" sign to make it clear you have one.
Trim Back Bushes and Shrubs
Bushes and shrubs that grow out of control could be the best places for burglars to hide when they inspect your property. Make sure they are trimmed back sufficiently and that there aren't any dark spots or hidden areas where burglars could hide.
And you certainly don't want a burglar to feel like he can hide somewhere until the moment is ideal to break in. Illuminate everything and putting up signs would deter burglars from entering at all.
Use Indoor Lights with Random Timers
Putting indoor lights on timers can also help stop burglars from targeting your home when you're away. Just make sure the timers are random so that burglars can't detect a pattern. If you leave lights on or off all the time inside, it gives a signal to burglars that no one's home. So it is wide of you to set the lights to turn on and off randomly.
Have Someone Remove Flyers and Mails
One trick burglars often use is to put flyers in front of doors and see how long it takes homeowners to remove them. They usually do this during the summer, when families are typically on holiday. One of the best ways to deter burglars or thieves and stop them from targeting your home while you're away is to have a friend or neighbour remove flyers and mail every day.
Would you like to know more?
As always, if you would like to find out more about our services and how we can help you with your installation needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about our products and services.
Sam Hall
0333 335 35 36
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