Tips to Improve the Safety of Your Home

To improve the security of your home against burglaries

Burglaries are more common in the winter months. So, how can you take steps to secure your property?

According to Aviva, burglary rates increase by an average of 26% in the second half of the year compared to earlier in the year.

Taking advantage of shorter daylight hours and valuable family content, burglars often choose the holiday period as the perfect time to attack your home.

There are several steps you can take to increase the safety of your home. Follow these tips

Domestic security alarms

According to a report by UK Home Security Week 2010, just one-third of homes in the UK have an alarm installed.

These alarms usually contain a wall unit that is installed on the outer wall of your property, in an area clearly visible to passersby. Alarms are perhaps the most common form of deterrence against burglars, sending a clear message to potential criminals.

Locks

According to Secure One, 20% of all burglaries are not the result of access to property by force.

Many households do not have essential safety equipment, such as outside locks on the back of their property.

Locks, chains, and other devices are easy to install and simple to use, but can be a big deterrent if you cannot secure your entry by using an Intercom or an electronic lock. It is always important to match the lock to the specific area where it will be placed and always look for areas that may be vulnerable – such as sheds, garages and doors.

Security cameras

Another great deterrent are security cameras which are an easy way to improve the security of your home. These are the perfect devices because they act as a clear deterrent, while ensuring you have a high level of visibility at all times.

As there are more than a million burglaries and burglary attempts each year, increased visibility and surveillance at your home is essential and these devices could help take the assailants responsible for breaking into your home.

Best practices

According to information from the UK Home Security Week, a fifth of British households admit that they leave the windows open when they go out, despite the fact that 45% of them believe that the locks of windows and doors are forms of sufficient and effective home security.

20% of burglars have access without using force and many of them will simply enter your property through open doors and windows.

Addressing your own habits can help reduce the risk of burglary. Simply closing and locking all windows and doors before leaving the house is the easiest way to ensure that burglars are not given an easy access point.