As locksmiths, we understand the importance of home security. Your home is your sanctuary, and it’s critical to protect it from potential burglaries. That’s all very easy to say, but how exactly do you do it in reality? In this blog, we’ll provide you with some expert tips and advice on how to prevent burglary and ensure peace of mind for you and your family. So see what you think, and if you could implement any of them yourself.
Install High-Quality Locks
One of the most effective ways there is to prevent burglary is by installing high-quality locks in your home. These should be fitted to all entry points in the home, including doors, windows and even the garage. Make sure you choose locks that meet the British Standard (which is BS3621), if you can. If you aren’t sure if your lock meets this, you can always ask a locksmith, who will be happy to help.
On top of this, you might want to install additional locks in certain spots. Deadbolts, rim locks and mortice locks can be a great option to reinforce your home’s defences.
Reinforce Your Doors and Windows
Burglars are inherently lazy. They will always look for the weakest entry points in your home and go for those. Doors and windows are their favourite targets, so strengthen them by adding security measures like door chains, peepholes and robust window locks. If you have any glass in the doors (there’s obviously glass in windows), then upgrading to reinforced or laminated glass is a great option to make it harder for intruders to break in.
Invest in a Home Security System
Using a reliable home security system is one of the bigger things you can do to deter burglars. As well as being a good preventive, it can also help you monitor any potential weak spots, make proactive changes and it can even reduce your home insurance costs. It’s a win-win. If you can, opt for a comprehensive smart system that includes a variety of security products, including burglar alarms, doorbell cameras, motion sensors and CCTV cameras. All of these elements work together to provide comprehensive cover that keeps criminals away, and catches them if they’re brave enough to break in anyway.
Light Up Your Home
Darkness is a burglar’s best friend. With most break-ins happening between 8pm to 7am, lighting up your home can provide a really cost-efficient layer of security. Motion sensor lights are particularly effective, as they make your property look inviting and then startle intruders. This draws attention to their presence and makes them skedaddle pretty quickly.
Secure Your Garden
Don’t forget about your outdoor space. Keeping the garden tidy is good for more than just good looks – it stops burglars from hiding in the bushes. Adding in prickly bushes and thorns near access points can also deter a lot of wannabe criminals
As well as maintenance, make sure you keep any tools locked away and out of sight. This includes ladders (which provide easy access), as well as tools like hammers, screwdrivers and even trowels. All of these things can be used by criminals to break into your home, and if they do your house insurance won’t cover it.
Don’t Advertise Your Absence
When you’re away from home, try not to make it obvious. Use timers to turn on lights or even a TV every now and then to create the illusion of activity. Ask a trusted neighbour or close friend to collect your post, and make sure your bins go out on the right nights and are brought back in. And absolutely don’t share your absence on social media – at least until you’re home again.
Join the Neighbourhood Watch
Being part of a neighbourhood watch scheme is a great way to get to know your neighbours, foster a community feeling and ensure everyone is looking out for you. It also means that you can share information and get early tipoffs to suspicious activity. Plus, neighbourhood watch signs can be a deterrent for burglars, since they indicate a vigilant and proactive community.
You see, home security is about more than locks and burglar alarms. It’s about understanding your property and its weak spots, as well as how you can protect them. Saying that, we can help you with the locks bit. At My Lock we can provide professional lock security reviews and make sure that everything is working as it’s supposed to. If you’d like to know more, or just have a burning lock question, get in touch with the team today and we can help.