Protecting the people, you love and the places they reside is one of life’s top priorities and with the governments concerning statistics on burglary, it is no wonder many of us are seeking to understand how we can prevent a break-in.
2021 recorded a shocking 257,000 burglaries in the UK, with the average value of stolen goods racking up a loss of £2856 per household. In 2023 with the cost-of-living crisis still ongoing, protecting your family, home and finances is a high priority which is why our locksmiths and home security experts have collated some top tips to help with security in your home.
Lock everything
We appreciate that this may sound obvious, however, to prevent a burglary ensuring that all your common entry points are locked must be the first step on your checklist. Make sure that front doors, side gates and garage doors are all locked and can withstand someone attempting to break its lock. Britain’s police force has warned that in most burglaries, the thief will simply try to enter through the front door – so try and find a robust front door for your home.
Keep your keys in a safe place
We advise keeping your keys out of an intruder's reach and sight. This means if you regularly keep your keys in a key bowl by the door or hanging up, they should most likely be moved to a safe distance. This should prevent the burglar from seeing an easy opportunity as it has been recorded that 47% of burglaries are committed on the spur of the moment.
Get a video doorbell
Many burglars will use a simple method to check if someone is present before breaking in: knocking on the door. A video doorbell will let you know who's outside your home, whether they're a friend or foe, and give you the chance to talk to them as if you're inside. Not to mention that a video doorbell works as a kind of CCTV for you in case anything does happen to your home.
Make your house appear occupied whilst on holiday
If you're planning on leaving your property empty to jet off on holiday this year ask a neighbour to help out while you’re away. From closing curtains and blinds at night, to ensuring no parcels are left on your doorstep, there are a number of small things that can be done to disguise the fact your home has been left unoccupied.
Stay off social media whilst on holiday
Hold back from making public posts about your holiday on social media sites. Checking in at the airport on Facebook, or posting pictures of your resort on Instagram is a surefire way to put your home and all your belongings at risk. It's important to always bear in mind unless they’re locked, everyone can see your Instagram and Twitter profiles, too.
Secure your windows
One of the best home security tips we can give you is to make your windows more secure. While it’s important to have an alarm system that tells everyone if someone breaks in through your window, it’s better for your family’s safety if no one can get in at all.
Consider getting extra locks on your windows, particularly if you have any on the ground floor. Pin locks will stop burglars from lifting your windows, while keyed locks will present another obstacle for the intruder to get past.
In summary, you can make your home safer for you and your family by making your entry points harder to access, giving burglars no reason to think you’re away, and keeping your most precious belongings in the places which are hardest to break into.
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