You have got your perfect home and have made all the improvements to brighten up your property, however, one thing you should not disregard when improving your home is secure. Although burglaries have decreased by 3% in the previous year, home security should not be compromised at your property. According to previous crime reports, nearly 400,000 burglaries take place each year in the UK, so it is crucial that you have taken the time to consider the security elements of your home. In this article, we will take you through our top 5 home security tips so you can ensure that your property remains secure and deters any intruders.
Secure your doors
A third of burglars enter homes through external doors, so if your doors are not secure you are leaving yourself open to potential intruders. To secure your doors we recommend inspecting all of your external doors to ensure that the frames are strong and the door hinges are protected. If your doors are deemed to be too thin you could add additional support with a security bar for extra security measures. For those with larger budgets to spend on home security, we recommend increasing the security of your property by adding video doorbells, so you can monitor who is approaching your home at all times. To further inspect your exterior doors for safety you can contact a professional at the master locksmiths association to check if your doors meet the PAS 2:2016 UK security standards.
Invest in outdoor lighting
If your property doesn’t have any outside lighting, you should consider purchasing motion detective lights or an automated night light to cover your external doors. Intruders and burglars aim to be as discreet as possible, so with outdoor lights any movement will set your lights off and can be enough to deter any potential intruders. This can alert you and surrounding homes when someone has approached your home to increase the security of your property. Regular home lights will do a similar deterrent job, as your doorways will remain well-lit throughout the night. This is a low-cost fix that can make your home more secure so you can feel safe within your area.
Update your locks
If you haven’t updated your locks for a while you should conduct a check to see if they are damaged and are still working properly, if you witness any faults you should consider updating your locks. Installing new locks will ensure that your home becomes safer and more secure. When picking out your new locks it is important to ensure that they meet British standards. If your locks are approved by BSA standards they can reduce your home insurance premium, as they are more likely to prevent intruders from entering your home. If you are not looking to update your locks yet, we recommend ensuring that all of your doors are tamper-proof and secure before making this decision.
Keep keys in a safe place
Many people leave a spare key outside under a doormat or a plant pot, however, burglars are aware of all of the most common places for hiding spare keys. Although this seems like a simple tip, homeowners still leave their keys in places of access for intruders. You should also avoid leaving your keys near the inside of your door as burglars can use a fishing technique through your letterbox to take your keys. Some insurers may not pay out on a claim if there is no evidence of forced entry, so it is vital that you keep your keys in safe and secure places. So, put your keys in a more secure place today to prevent intruders from easily entering your home.
Install an alarm system
Many homes may already have an alarm system, if you don’t have one, we highly recommend installing one to provide another layer of security to your home. Installing an alarm system could also help to reduce your home insurance premiums as it improves the safety and security of your home. If you have an alarm it is crucial that you set your alarm when leaving the house and going to bed, as this can invalidate your insurance if it is not activated or effective. If you have a burglar alarm that is on display it is likely to deter thieves from your home, as it will appear to be too much of a risk. So, install an alarm at your property today to make your home more secure or set yourself reminders to activate your alarm daily to improve your security.
Follow our home security tips today to ensure your home stays safe and secure. Using our tips will help to deter thieves and intruders away from your home, whilst reducing your insurance premiums so you can reap the benefits of improved security.