How to improve house security
In 2021/22, there were 196,066 reported burglaries in the UK, according to the Office of National Statistics, with 23,144 of these taking place in the West Midlands. It is important therefore to keep your home protected from criminals and here are Pro-Guard Security’s top tips to improve your home security.
When burglars target a home, there are certain key elements that they look for that will help them to commit the offence, including:
Weak front doors and windows
Burglars will often try to enter through the front door as it doesn’t alert neighbours and is the easiest way in in terms of accessibility. The weaker the locks are the easier it is for someone to break in.
Failing the front door, a burglar will look at windows for weak points and they are also used more commonly in the summer months, when a homeowner may forget to close a window which they opened to let some air in earlier in the day. Similarly, windows that overlook a low roof, such as a porch, may be attractive to burglars as it will be easy to climb onto the roof to reach the room. Purchasing good quality door and window locks are one of the first steps to protect your home.
Shadowy/dark areas outside your home
Burglars will often look to break in where they are hidden so any houses that are concealed by trees, cars, or other walls can entice burglars as it helps to hide them from neighbours. Using motion detector security lights strategically can illuminate these areas when someone gets too close which can scare off burglars.
Lack of alarm system
Another deterrent can be a security alarm system to let you and other people know that there is an intruder trying to gain entry into the building. If you do fit an alarm system you should make sure the external sounder is clearly visible on your property to let potential burglars know you have an alarm. You should also position the control panel carefully so that it is difficult for a burglar to deactivate it if they do decide to break in.
Leave keys in a safe place
You should never leave your keys close to the door as a burglar could easily hook them with a piece of wire through the letterbox or a cat flap (as a bonus tip if you have purchased a house from a pet owner and you don’t have a pet, replacing the door with one without a cat flap may also be a good idea).
Protect your possessions
In the event of a burglary, you should also keep your valuables safe in the event that someone does break into your property, especially items of sentimental value such as jewellery and heirlooms. It may be a good idea to invest in a home safe to store these items in. You should also consider moving expensive items so they are out of view from the street outside as this can serve as an advertisement to burglars.
Don’t forget the garage
If your house has an adjoining garage, especially with a connecting door to your house then you should also ensure that the garage is protected as this is becoming a more common entry point for burglars.
Invest in CCTV systems
As well as an alarm system, a CCTV camera system can also act as a deterrent as part of a home security system, whilst also being useful in the event of a burglary to provide evidence to the police of the crime being committed.
If you are away, don’t make it obvious
It can always cause some fear to leave your home unoccupied for a few days, either due to a holiday or a family occasion. If you are leaving your home empty then don’t make it obvious. Have a trusted person come and collect your mail so it doesn’t stack up outside, use lights on a timer (though make sure they are used realistically to imply the house is in fact occupied). Also don’t advertise that you are away on social media as this may invalidate your home insurance policy if your house is burgled as you didn’t take the necessary care and attention to protect your property.
Use your garden as a deterrent
If people could gain access to your property through the garden, then there are various steps you can take to deter burglars – from adding trellis to your fences that could break if people climb over it, to using gravel on pathways that will crunch underfoot, to using thorny shrubs and hedges to reduce the number of hiding spots for burglars.
Security mark your valuables and take photos
This isn’t necessarily a measure to prevent crime in your house but if someone does successfully break into your home and items are stolen, then marking your valuables with a house number and postcode can increase the chances of the item being recovered. Also taking photographs can make it easier to claim on house insurance for that item in the event of a crime.
Pro-Guard Security are based in Walsall and have provided domestic and commercial security solutions to protect family and businesses for 30 years. Our home security solutions range from CCTV systems and burglar alarm installation, emergency locksmith services, security system maintenance and vehicle trackers. If you would like to find out more please get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team who will be more than happy to assist you.
