Home security advice with expert help
Our top home security tips from the experts to ensure your home remains secure.
Having appropriate protection for your home is vitally important to your home and everything inside it. The Office for National Statistics reported 260,000+ burglaries in 2022.
The difficult question to ask yourself is how can I protect my home against a break-in? There are a few security options that you can use to deter burglars read on to find out more or speak with the security experts at GCD Security.
Another step you can take for protection against damages is with home insurance. This guarantees that you can claim the costs of repair or theft for anything in your home. Home insurance also comes with the bonus of protection against fire damage or flooding etc.
1. Setting up alarms
A fundamental part of home security is the alarm system. The intruder alarm provides a layer of security to your home when activated. Active alarms can also reduce the cost of insurance for your property.
Setting your alarm when you leave the house, or even when you are sleeping, is an effective security option to protect against burglary. Getting into the routine of setting your alarm is a central part of the security of your home.
2. Key storage
Burglars are aware of common practices for spare keys. Leaving a key under the door mat or in a plant pot is not recommended, in addition to leaving your key on the inside of a door. Keeping your keys out of reach of burglars is the most important factor.
Some burglars use a tactic called “letterbox fishing” involving a magnet on the end of a long rod. Leaving your house or car keys close to your front door or in the back of the door puts your property at risk. Ensure that any important keys are stored safely and out of reach.
3. Secure your windows
The same guidance for door locks can be applied to windows. Benefitting both insurance costs and home security ensuring your windows are secure protects against other entry points for intruders. The three main factors of window security are the quality of the locks, the type of windows and the quality of the frames.
Ensuring that your windows are high quality and remain in good condition can hugely increase your level of protection. You should also ensure that our windows are closed as often as possible, especially when you leave your house.
4. Changing locks
Certain types of locks can greatly increase the level of security in your home and decrease insurance premiums. Certain approved locks are more likely to prevent unauthorised access to your home. This is because burglars have experience with breaking them open. For this reason, we strongly recommend the professional installation of modern locks.
To find out more about upgrading your house locks, get in touch with one of our locksmith partners.
5. Security lighting
A number of burglars use the cover of darkness to operate. Installing motion-activated security lighting can be enough to deter a burglar from approaching your home. These lighting systems can also be connected to a CCTV camera to provide extra security or automatically turn on while you are away.
6. Valuables
Some aspects of home security are focused on the organisation of your house. Keeping valuable items out of view prevents the attention of potential thieves. Giving burglars the temptation of valuables can only risk the items. This includes jewellery, technology and other expensive items.
Further security measures can include a safe. MLA-approved safes can provide further protection to your valuables even if an intruder gains access to the property.
7. Do not make it obvious when you aren’t home
A burglar planning a break-in will wait for you to be away from home as there is much less resistance. Disguising your absence for longer periods can be as simple as pausing or cancelling subscriptions so they don’t collect at our front door or asking a trusted neighbour to collect your post during your absence.
It can also be beneficial to be careful of publicising your absence. This includes posting many pictures of your holiday publicly on social media.
8. DIY Projects
Poorly done home DIY projects can seem like a fun project that also saves money. However, for projects involving windows and doors, it is often not worth the risk to your home security (It may also not be covered by your insurance).
By enlisting the services of a qualified professional installer, you can be assured of the quality and security of the project.
9. Shed security
Considering the security of your shed or outbuilding protects not only its contents but the security of your house. Burglars may use your own tools or ladders against you to gain access to your home.
Ensure that any other outbuildings on your property are secured to prevent potential break-ins.
10. Maintain your security
Installing and setting up your security systems is vitally important to the security of your home. However, Regular maintenance is equally important to the security of your home. Ensure that your alarm systems and security systems remain tested and up to date.
Testing these systems, yourself is a good habit to form but enlisting the help of a security professional is recommended. Get in touch with the security experts at GCD Security to find out more.
