Basic pointers for home security

Regardless of how impressive your flashy burglar alarm looks, if you neglect some basic fundamental rules, then you’ll leave your home open to opportunist thieves. Here’s a checklist of some of the basics to stop your property from being marked out as a target.

Get into a routine of checking all windows and doors are locked before you go to bed, and before you leave the house. This may sound obvious but a recent survey found that 1 in 5 burglaries showed that the perpetrators entered the property without using any force at all, which means someone had forgotten the basics.

If you are getting new windows fitted ensure they are certified under the British Standard BS7950 and come under the term “windows of enhanced security.” Getting basic windows and having locks fitted afterwards is generally more expensive so make sure you get windows complete with security from the outset. Once your high security windows are installed, remember to take the keys out of the locks and put them somewhere safe. It’s also a good idea to have the locks visible as this will be an added deterrent to potential thieves.

Doors should also be fully fitted with locks, chains and bars. Patio doors will need a lock at both the top and the bottom. If you have a glass panel on your front door ensure the glass is laminated so it can’t be broken easily. It’s also worth investing in a good quality locking system, deadlocks are highly recommended as they make it harder for thieves to get out again. Try an automatic deadlock or mortise deadlock for added peace of mind.

Seek out the vulnerable spots around your property and put extra safeguards in place. Think about how you would gain entry to your property if you lost your keys, if you can get in, so can the burglars. Perhaps there’s a rotten window which can be easily forced? A concealed doorway out of sight or prying eyes? A drainpipe which leads to a flat roof with a large window?

Always keep your keys safe. Never leave a spare key under a doormat or flower pot as thieves are more than wise to this trick. Also don’t put your valuables on display by having a giant plasma screen by the front window for example. Always close you curtains at night time, a survey found that 58% of burglaries occur in the evening.

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