Making Sure Your Home is Secure

How To Make Sure Your Home Is Secure

Although violent crime is decreasing, the figures for burglaries are showing no such change. The often quoted statistic is that there is an attempted burglary somewhere in the UK every 45 seconds, and 59% of these attempts are successful. The average amount lost in financial terms after each burglary is just over £2,000 and the amount of distress and upset caused to the homeowners cannot be quantified. Many homeowners think that home security means installing expensive alarms or CCTV systems, but this is not always the case, and some of the most basic crime prevention and home security measures are very cheap, or even free.

Doors

Most burglars get in and out of houses through the front or back door, so any attempts to improve home security should start here. If your door is old and flimsy, and looks like it would easily give way if you put your shoulder to it, chances are that a burglar thinks the same. A single lock really is not sufficient to secure the property, so consider investing in a 5level mortice lock to give additional security. Fit a chain on the door so you do not have to open if fully if you don’t recognise the person ringing the bell, and consider replacing doors with stronger ones if they are flimsy. Never leave keys in the back of the door, or within reach of someone putting their hand through the letter box.

Garden

Many break ins happen at the rear of a property, where a burglar is less likely to be noticed by passers-by. If you have access to the back of your house around the side, fit a tall garden gate and always keep it locked to deter people from coming in. Think about the items you leave lying around in your garden; if you have an unlocked shed full of tools like hammers or ladders, these could easily be used by a burglar to gain access to your home. Fit trellis to the top of your garden fences as this makes them more difficult to climb over and makes it harder for a burglar to get into your garden from a neighbouring property.

Lighting

Burglars are far less likely to break into a home if they think someone is there, so consider buying some of the timer switches which can be used with lamps around the house. Timing the lights to switch on and off when it gets dark can make a passing burglar think there is someone in the house. These sorts of timers only cost a few pounds and are a wise investment. Security lighting around the house can be useful too, especially to the sides or rear of the house where there are lots of dark corners. Take advice from your local Crime Prevention officer about where best to position your lights and what strength to use to give you security, but not so much light that it wakes you several times a night.

Marking Items

Labelling items which are targets for theft such as laptops, televisions and other electronics with your postcode or mobile number can help you get them back if they are stolen. There are several anti-theft software programs and apps which you can download and will help Police find stolen computer equipment, and the latest technological development on the market is “smart water”, a very clever chemical compound which painted onto your valuables and as each batch is different, Police can definitively prove items are yours. Warning signs around the property stating items are marked with smart water could be enough on their own to deter theft.

Windows

It may sound obvious, but all windows should be closed every time you leave the house, even if you are just popping out for five minutes. Ideally windows should be double glazed as these sorts of windows are harder to break, but even if you have single glazed units they should be fitted with a proper key and lock. Single glazed windows can be coated with a special laminated plastic which makes them far harder to break, meaning it takes longer for the burglar to force his way into the home.