How to improve your home’s security

Burglar-proofing your home

Between March 2021 and March 2022, 192,060 burglaries were reported across England and Wales, averaging out to 526 homeowners being affected every single day. Installing an alarm system is a great first step, but there are plenty of other ways you can improve your home security, so that you can keep you and your loved ones safe and avoid your belongings from getting stolen.

The below tips will help you decrease the risk of your home being burgled. How many of these does your property already have, and which are you thinking of getting installed this year?

How to deter burglars

Think about where you keep your keys

Your new locks won’t keep burglars away if you don’t keep your keys safe too. Avoid keeping your keys near your door, as burglars could potentially reach them by passing a piece of wire through your letterbox or by using strong magnets. Keep your keys in a closed key box or away from the door to avoid this from happening.

Never leave a spare key under a plant pot or rock, as this is an easy way to help an intruder get in. If you want to have a spare key for visitors, install a wall-mounted key safe in a discreet location. These are really difficult to break open and will keep your keys secure. They usually open with a combination code, which you can share with your guests.

Upgrade your door locks

The best way to prevent a burglar from getting in is by updating your door locks to high quality models that are more difficult to force. Head over to our blog on security tips from locksmiths to read our comprehensive guide on how to pick out new locks.

To get new locks fitted, request a quote today from a skilled locksmith in your local area.

How should I use security lighting?

Security lighting is an effective deterrent when it comes to preventing burglaries because it puts off thieves who feel they can operate safely under the cover of night. They can also help you navigate coming in and out of your house after dark. There are two main types of security lighting:

1. Motion sensor lights, which switch on when they detect movement
2. Dusk til dawn lighting, that stays switched on all night

Motion sensor lights, which you can install both at the front and rear of your property, are the most effective, as they alert you to a potential danger whilst also startling the intruder as they approach your home. Other outdoor lighting, which you can switch on manually or schedule to come on and off when you want, is also a great deterrent – just make sure you aren’t annoying your neighbours by shining lights directly into their properties.

A home security specialist will be able to advise you on the best fit for you.

Is your garage a security threat?

Your garage is an entry point used by many burglars to gain access to the valuables stored in there, and to the house itself (for properties that have an internal door in their garage). Making sure both your internal and external garage doors are locked is very important. You should invest in good locks for your internal door, as this is an often neglected entry point into your home that could put you and your loved ones at risk.

Store your garage door opener outside of your garage, or consider getting a smart garage door system installed instead. If your garage has windows, black them out so that intruders can’t see what valuables you have stored inside. Driveway alarms can also help you rest easy at night.

Security specialists are also experts on garage door security. Request a quote from one in your local area.

Garden shed security

Outdoor buildings are a prime target for burglars, as they often lack the secure locks and alarms that your house does. Not only can tools and other objects like ladders be stolen from your shed, they can also be used to help an intruder break into your property. Battery powered alarms are cheap, and can add a layer of security to your shed.

Lock down your garden valuables

Have you got garden furniture? Invest in some wall or floor anchors to lock your outdoor furniture to a hard surface, like your patio or deck. This will deter burglars from trying to pinch it!

Increase gate and fence security

Gates and fences around your garden will also make your home harder to access – aim for at least 2 meters high. Lastly, never leave empty boxes and packages by your rubbish bins – it can alert an intruder to the kinds of valuables you might have inside your home, enticing them into breaking in.

Speak to a security fencing specialist to get a quote for a new garden fence.

Home security CCTV

There is nothing more effective than having a security camera installed, as this can enable you to monitor who goes in and out of your home, and also acts as a deterrent when installed in plain sight. New security cameras allow you to view live footage from any device, and come with extra features like night vision and motion-triggered recording.

Smart video doorbells are also a great way to up your home security. You can communicate with a delivery driver without having to open your front door, and when paired with a phone, they can allow you to receive notifications whenever somebody approaches your door.

Keep your valuables out of sight

If someone does manage to make their way into your home uninvited, there is still one last thing you can do to keep your most valuable possessions secure: installing a hidden safe. Home safes are the perfect place to keep jewellery and cash, as well as important documents, especially if you’re heading on holiday. To secure your belongings even more, get your safe bolted to a wall or floor so that it can’t be easily removed from your property.

Protect your home when you’re away

Burglars often strike when they know you aren’t home. Smart lighting that you can programme to switch on and off at random times can help create the illusion that you’re home when you’re not. The same goes for syncing your TV or radio, all of which you can control from your phone, even when miles away from your property. And avoid posting about your holiday on social media whilst you’re still away.

Find out more about securing your home when you go on holiday.