Securing your home against potential burglars is more critical than ever, with 250,690 home burglary incidents reported in the UK in 2022 alone. While these statistics are alarming, there are numerous steps you can take to protect your property and give yourself peace of mind. From safeguarding outdoor spaces to utilising modern technology, here are 25 practical tips to help you secure your home and deter thieves. Implementing these strategies can significantly reduce your vulnerability and keep your belongings safe.
1. Storing Belongings Safely
Secure outdoor items like garden furniture and bicycles. Opportunistic thieves target easy-to-grab items. Most burglaries (32%) occur in the evening.
2. Securing Garden Offices
Garden rooms add value but are vulnerable. Use high-quality doors and locks. Rim locks for added security and add them to your alarm where you can.
3. Hiding Spare Keys
Avoid leaving keys under doormats or in obvious spots. Use an outdoor key safe or leave a key with a trusted neighbour.
4. Strategic Garden Storage
Place storage boxes away from windows to prevent them from being used as stepping stones for burglars – this is the same for wheely bins.
5. Installing Garden CCTV
Use video doorbells and smart cameras to monitor both front and back entrances. This keeps expensive outdoor items under surveillance.
6. Maintaining Front Visibility
Keep the front of your house open with no high walls or dense shrubs. This increases visibility and reduces hiding spots for burglars.
7. Locking Away Tools
Store gardening and maintenance tools securely to prevent them from being used by burglars.
8. Avoiding Delivery Notes
Don’t leave notes for delivery drivers; they signal your absence. Opt for digital instructions or arrange deliveries when you're home.
9. Investing in Reliable Alarms
Only 32% of UK homes have burglar alarms. Invest in a robust security system with app access, motion sensors, and ones you can arm remotely. But what is absolutely necessary is ensuring you maintain your alarm and have it regularly serviced.
10. Managing Post When Away
Ask a neighbour to collect your mail or have it put on hold to prevent a full mailbox from indicating your absence – and remember to cancel your milk deliveries! Same with newspapers if you still have one delivered.
11. Preventing Identity Theft
Store or shred documents with personal information to protect against identity theft. Keep valuable documents out of sight.
12. Being Cautious on Social Media
Avoid posting about vacations on social media, as it can signal an empty home. Even with a private account, 43% of burglaries are by someone the victim knows.
13. Concealing Expensive Items
Keep valuables out of view from windows and avoid posting about them online to reduce the risk of burglary.
14. Installing High Fencing
High fences and defensive planting can deter burglars by making it difficult to access your property – but be careful they’re not a way of burglars hiding from prying eyes.
15. Locking All Entrances
Ensure all doors, including garage doors, are locked. In the UK, 20% of burglaries involve entry through the garage.
16. Checking Deadlocks
Ensure your deadlock is functioning properly. A faulty deadlock can make it easy for burglars to gain entry.
17. Using Video Doorbells
Video doorbells deter burglars by capturing footage of visitors. They also allow remote communication with visitors.
18. Installing Motion Lights
Motion-activated lights startle intruders and are more energy-efficient than leaving lights on all night.
19. Creating Noisy Driveways
Gravel driveways and paths deter burglars due to the noise they create, drawing attention to unwanted visitors.
20. Disposing of Packaging Carefully
Dispose of packaging for new electronics discreetly to avoid attracting thieves looking for high-value items.
21. Keeping Gardens Clear
Maintain an open area near your house to reduce hiding spots for burglars. Use motion-sensitive lights for added security.
22. Installing Window Locks
Ensure all windows have locks and are kept closed when you're not home, including those on higher floors.
23. Joining Neighbourhood Watch
Participate in Neighbourhood Watch programs to reduce crime through increased surveillance and community cooperation.
24. Securing Keys Indoors
Avoid leaving keys near doors or in visible spots. Store them in drawers or further inside the house to prevent "fishing" through the letterbox. And the same for key fobs - keep them away from cars to prevent relay theft. Use signal-blocking pouches and consider steering wheel locks.
25. Hiding Car Keys
Store car keys in secure locations, as thieves now target keys more than electronic goods.
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