Having a baby changes everything. There’s no real denying that! You start noticing all the sharp corners in your house, loose railings on the stairs, and suddenly plug sockets hold a whole new level of fear. But while you’re busy baby-proofing and decorating the nursery, there’s one element of preparation that often gets overlooked. Home security.
Bringing home a newborn means new routines, less sleep, and more time spent in and around the house. It’s the perfect moment to consider just how secure your property really is. To help you get started, here are 7 key home security changes you should consider before your little one arrives.
Upgrade Your Door Locks
Did you know that most home insurance policies require your external door locks to meet recognised standards for your insurance to be valid? That means if your locks aren’t up to scratch, your insurance won’t pay out if there’s a break in. The most common standards they look for are BS3621 for mortice locks, and TS007 3-star rated cylinders for uPVC doors. If you’re not sure what you currently have fitted, it’s worth checking now. Older or basic euro cylinders are quite vulnerable to snapping, which is why it’s also the most common method of entry for burglars. Upgrading to anti-snap cylinders, BS3621 5-lever mortice locks or high security multi-point locking systems can all significantly improve your home’s protection and give you peace of mind. Especially during those early months while you’re adjusting to life with very little sleep.
Check Window Security
Babies grow quickly. Before you know it they’re crawling, pulling themselves up and getting into all kinds of mischief. Rather than waiting until a near miss (or god forbid something does happen), now is the time to check your windows. In particular, you should:
- Make sure all downstairs windows have key-operated locks
- Check that all window handles are working correctly
- Think about adding restrictiors where appropriate. These will stop the windows being opened by anyone but you.
Ground floor windows are often a common entry point for burglars as well, so getting them properly secured is a double win, protecting both your baby and your belongings.
Think About Who has Spare Keys
When a new baby arrives, friends and family will often gather to help out. You might even give out a spare key to parents or close friends for emergencies. Take a moment to count how many of your spare keys are in circulation. This is more important if you’ve recently moved in and haven’t changed the locks yet, or if you’d given previous tradespeople (like cleaners) a key that hasn’t been returned. If you’re in any doubt, change the locks. It’s a simple and relatively cheap way to get full control over who has access to your home.
Install or Upgrade Outdoor Lighting
UK winters mean long, dark evenings, and can last a good half of the year! Burglars love darkness, so the best thing you can do to deter them is bring light. Motion-sensor lighting at the front, side and rear of your property has been proven to deter criminals and even petty vandals or looky-loos. Good lighting reduces hiding spots and increases visibility, making it easier for you to enter your house safely when carrying a baby or a pram.
Consider Smart Security
When you’re juggling a car seat, changing bag and a sleeping newborn in the rain, the last thing you want is to be stuck fumbling for your keys. Smart doorbells, CCTV systems and smart locks can all be a big help to new parents. They can not only let you see whos at the door without opening it, but they offer keyless entry options too. They can even do remote monitoring, so you can check who’s at the door even if you’re upstairs feeding or settling baby. If you do go down this route, make sure you get them professionally installed and properly secured.
Review Your Alarm System
If you don’t have a burglar alarm in place already this section is nice and short – get one! If you do, check that it’s serviced and working properly, that you know how to use it confidently, and that the codes have been updated if they need to be. It seems simple, but visible alarm systems are a major deterrent and just provide you with that extra layer of security.
Prepare For Sleep Deprivation
You might think you know what it’s like to be tired. But nothing prepares you for the sleep deprivation and exhaustion of a newborn. And when you’re that tired, your brain just doesn’t work properly. You forget the smallest of things, or how to do the most basic of tasks. So putting a few things in place before the baby arrives can be a godsend later on. Things like:
- Auto-locking night latches
- Door chains or restrictors
- Developing a nightly lock-check routine
All of these can prevent accidental security lapses while you’re in the baby fog.
Welcoming a baby home is exciting, overwhelming and life-changing. And the last thing you want during that precious first year is to deal with break-ins, lost keys or faulty locks. Taking the time to review your home security now means one less thing to worry about later. And if your’e not sure where to start, give us a call. As professional locksmiths we can carry out a complete check of your property inside and out, and recommend the right upgrades to keep your growing family safe.