How Secure is Your Home?

It’s Christmas time again, and for many people a time of celebration, but not for those who fall victim to burglary this festive season. In autumn and winter there is often an increase in burglaries. Dark evenings together with many people buying expensive presents such as laptops, televisions and mobile phones means that Christmas time is a very popular time for burglars to strike. Our tips below aim to help you stay safe and secure this Christmas (and beyond!) and prevent your festive cheer being disrupted.

Keep your room lights on (and radio)

A house which is unlit looks like an empty house and therefore an easy target for thieves. When out and about this Christmas shopping for gifts for friends and loved ones or whilst out at the work Christmas party remember to leave a light on in your home.

Use timers to control when your lights come on, this means that you can set the lights to come on at dusk even when you’re not at home. Leave a radio on also as a further deterrent. A seemingly occupied house will look like a much less appealing target to any burglar looking to break in.

Install a burglar alarm

If you don’t already have one, install a burglar alarm. Not only will the siren alert people around you if you do get broken into and therefore disrupt the thief, but the siren box on the front of your house will also serve as a visual deterrent.

If you already have an alarm make sure it is set whenever you leave the house or go to bed – you never know when a burglar may strike! Find a local alarm fitter near you.

Make sure valuables (including gifts) are out of sight!

Houses are treasure troves of valuables at Christmas time which is why it’s a busy time for burglars. Make sure that valuables (televisions, jewellery, tablets, laptops, etc.) are kept out of sight as well as Christmas gifts.

Using a drawer and cupboards in your home (especially if they are lockable) is a great way of keeping valuables such as tablets, bank cards and gifts out of sight. Keys (including car keys) should also be kept out of sight and not visible through a downstairs window or letter box. Also consider using a secure safe for storing valuable items such as jewellery and passports.

Install an outside light

At many homes, especially back gardens, the area outside your home can be very dark and shaded. By installing an outside light which automatically comes on when walked near you can help reduce your chance of falling victim by making the burglar’s task more difficult!

A house which has a dark and shaded garden may be more appealing to a burglar at night who can break in without being spotted. An automatic outside light can help disrupt potential thieves and alert you and your neighbours to movement outside your home!

Ask your neighbours to keep a look out!

Simply asking your trusted neighbours to keep a look out could really help to protect your home. Asking trusted neighbours to alert you if they see anything suspicious can help prevent a burglary before it happens. Make sure your neighbours are able to get in contact with you easily, perhaps by providing them with multiple telephone numbers which you regularly use.

Prevent access to the rear of the property

Making the burglar’s task to break in as difficult as possible is all part of protecting your home. By securing the access to the rear of your property you are forcing burglars to take risks by breaking in at the front, possibly in view of passers-by.

You can help make their task to break in much more difficult by requiring them to break into the rear of your property first, potentially causing noise which may disturb you or your neighbours. Install a high, well-built fence and lockable gate in areas where there is access to the rear of your property.

This step will also help better protect access to sheds and garages which are also a popular target for thieves. Make sure garages and sheds are also adequately security protected and even consider fitting an alarm.

Check your locks!

Many UPVC doors can be vulnerable to lock snapping. Lock snapping is a very common method which is used by burglars for gaining access to homes with euro cylinder locks which are found in the majority of UPVC doors. West Yorkshire Police say that this method of burglary accounts for 20-25% of burglaries in West Yorkshire, although 40% of these offences are failed attempts.

By installing anti-snap locks you can help to reduce your risk of being targeted by thieves in this way. Replacing the door handle for a more secure version can also help to further increase the security of the door. Find a local locksmith near you for more advice and to have your old locks replaced.

Follow these tips to help reduce the risk of burglary this Christmas and beyond. A local alarm installer and locksmith can help you make significant security improvement in your home, helping to keep the criminals locked out.