Research by uSwitch states that there are around 400,000 burglaries each year in the UK. On average this works out to around one burglary every 40 seconds! Based on these worrying statistics, it led us to wonder ‘is home security high on the priority list?’.
In this blog post we have put together some top tips for those that do have home security high on the priority list. For those people that want to improve their home security, this is a must read blog post for you.
Firstly you need to get the basics right. Doors and windows are how most criminals will enter a home. Check the locks you have on your windows and doors. Are your doors and windows secured? If you have locks that aren’t working or doors that are loose in their frame, get an expert round to fix them. Making it harder for a potential thief to break in could be what deters them, gets them caught or means they just give up.
While it may be tempting to keep a spare key under the doormat, next to the gnome or hidden in the flowerpot this is not recommended. It may be useful for the cleaner, your child that has lost their keys or the neighbour to feed the cat, but prying eyes are watching! Not only could a potential thief see where the keys are hidden and gain easy access to your property, but your insurance company may refuse to compensate your claim too.
Every time you go to bed, leave the house for the day or just pop to the shops, do a quick check of your home. Make sure that your handbag isn’t on the worktop that you can see through the window. Put keys in a safe place too. The car keys on the key rack by the front door may make them easier to find, but they are easier for potential thieves to find too. Make sure iPads, phones, tablets and other expensive electrical items aren’t in plain sight either as this can be a temptation for thieves to break in.
If you have valuable items such as bikes, tools, etc – make sure they are locked away when not in use. Hopping over your fence to take these items away will not be tricky for your potential thief, but it will be tricky for you to explain to your insurance company.
Is home security high on your priority list? If so, give us a call. We can help improve your home security so you and your family feel safe and secure at all times.
