How To Secure Your Home And Avoid Burglaries

Unfortunately, theft and break-ins have become part of everyday life in many areas. Most burglars are opportunists who will only rob houses when they spot a way to easily enter a home or when valuables are on display. You can greatly reduce the possibility of a break-in by following this home security checklist:

Home security advice

You should include all of the following in your everyday routine in order to avoid break-ins:

• Use Levered Deadlocks: Fitting and using good quality locks such as levered deadlocks on your doors will make it harder for burglars to barge through them, while fitting a stop to the top of the door frame will prevent the doors from being lifted out of their frame.
• Ensure all ground floor windows have locks: All ground floor windows and other accessible windows, as well as fanlights and rooflights, should be fitted with locks, preferably ones with key-operated security bolts with removable keys.
• Hide keys out of sight: Remove keys from locked doors and windows and keep them out of sight.
• Hide valuables out of sight: Valuables (cash, jewellery etc.), which can be seen from outside, are tempting targets for burglars, so keep them out of sight.
• Hide proof of valuables: Storing photos and proof of purchases for your valuables away from the items themselves will prove to your insurance company that you did own these items before they were stolen.
• Apply timed switches on lights: Put timer switches on your lights so it looks like you’re at home when you’re out.
• Install home security cameras: They can act as a deterrent and may ward off burglars.

Alarm system

When choosing a home alarm system, look for one which is all of the following:

• Make your home alarm visible: Your home’s alarm should be easy to see, as it will ward off burglars.
• Choose a noisy alarm: A loud alarm will scare off burglars’ mid-break-in, while a fake or ‘dummy’ alarm won’t.
• Consider a monitored alarm: Home alarm systems that are monitored will allow the police to respond to an alarm event much more quickly.
• Choose a wireless alarm: Household alarm systems that are wireless are harder to tamper with and continue to work during power outages.

Garden Security measures

Just like your house itself, there are a number of things that you can do in your garden on a daily basis to boost your overall home security:

• Lock garden items away: Valuable items such as bikes and power tools should be locked securely in a garden shed or outbuilding when not in use.
• Trim trees and bushes: Burglars can hide behind unkempt shrubbery and overbearing branches, using them to get closer to your house without being seen.
• Install garden lighting: A well-lit garden can deter would be burglars as it sops them from sneaking around unseen.

Tips for when on holidays

Before you go away on vacation, you should look to do the following so that your home is not targeted by would be thieves:

• Keep your plans secret: Be careful when sharing your holiday plans outside of close friends and family, especially on social media, as this could cause thieves to find out when you will be away.
• Check alarm batteries: Even the best home alarm systems are rendered useless when the batteries run out, so be sure to check that they are working before you leave.
• Cancel all deliveries: If uncollected packages build up in your hallway or porch, it shows burglars that you are not home.
• Make your house look occupied: Give a friend, relative or trusted neighbour a key so they can collect excess post and open and close blinds so it looks like you are there in the house.

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It is also recommended to ensure you have the right home insurance cover in place for your home, should you be unfortunate enough to have a break in. At Maher & Richardson Insurance Ltd, we offer expert advice on the best insurance cover for your home. Talk to us now.