Home Security Guide For Top Safety

How to Fortify Your Home and Deter Burglars

A secure and protected home provides peace of mind, whether you are absent for an extended trip or just for a single night. As summer approaches and travel plans firm up, taking proactive steps to safeguard your residence against intruders is more important than ever. While national burglary rates in England and Wales have seen a long-term decline, vigilance remains crucial. Recent statistics show a house is burgled frequently, underscoring the persistent threat. Simple actions can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a target.

This comprehensive guide offers practical strategies, from basic physical deterrents to advanced technological solutions. It will help you create a robust security plan for your property. By implementing these measures, you can confidently leave your home, knowing you have established a formidable defence against potential break-ins. The following sections explore various methods to maintain the safety of your residence and belongings.

Creating the Illusion of Occupancy

An empty house presents an open invitation to opportunistic thieves. Therefore, your first line of defence is to make your home appear occupied at all times. Simple tricks can create a powerful deterrent. For example, halting regular deliveries like milk and newspapers prevents a tell-tale pile-up outside your door. You should also reconsider any online shopping that might result in packages left in plain sight.

Employing light timers is a classic and effective strategy. These inexpensive devices can plug into any socket. They allow you to schedule lamps to switch on and off at set intervals, mimicking the patterns of someone being home. Placing them in different rooms can enhance the illusion. Similarly, leaving a radio on a timer can add another layer of deception, suggesting activity within the house.

Securing Valuables and Entry Points

Before leaving, conduct a thorough check of your home to ensure all valuables are out of sight. Law enforcement agencies highlight that car keys are a frequent target for criminals. If your car remains at home, do not leave the keys in obvious places like kitchen counters or hallway tables. Instead, hide them in a concealed drawer or, alternatively, bring them along with you. This simple act can frustrate thieves who often look for quick and easy grabs.

Modern vehicle theft increasingly involves sophisticated techniques. Criminals use relay gadgets that capture and amplify the signal from a key fob, allowing them to unlock and start cars without physical access. A Faraday pouch, a signal-blocking wallet, offers a simple and affordable solution to this threat. Storing your keys inside one of these pouches prevents their signal from being captured. For an added layer of physical security, a steering wheel lock is a visible and effective deterrent.

Image Credit - Freepik

The Importance of Strong Locks

The physical security of your doors is a fundamental aspect of home protection. Security experts recommend that main entryways at the front and back are fitted with high-quality locks. The most commonly recommended types include five-lever mortise deadlocks and multi-point locking systems. A five-lever mortise deadlock, which embeds into the door itself, offers significant resistance to being forced. For a lock to be considered truly secure, it should conform to British Standard BS3621, a detail often required by insurance companies.

Modern uPVC and composite doors often feature multi-point locking systems. As the name suggests, these mechanisms fasten the door at several positions along the frame simultaneously when you turn the key. This distribution of force makes the door much more resilient against attempts to pry it open. Upgrading to these types of locks is a worthwhile investment in your home's defence. Reinforcing door frames and using strong hinges further enhances this protection.

Leveraging Smart Technology for Security

The rise of smart home technology has introduced a new arsenal of tools for homeowners. Smart doorbells alongside Wi-Fi-connected security cameras are powerful deterrents. Their visible presence alone can persuade a burglar to move on to an easier target. These devices provide real-time alerts to your smartphone, allowing you to monitor your property from anywhere in the world. Research suggests homes without any security are five times more susceptible to being burgled.

When choosing a smart doorbell, look for models with high-definition video, dependable performance in low light, a lens with a broad field of view, and cloud storage capabilities. This final feature is vital, ensuring that any recorded footage is safely stored and accessible even if the device itself is damaged or stolen. Certain models, like Google's Nest doorbell, are often highlighted as top all-rounders. Recent television programmes have shown how footage from these devices has been instrumental in capturing criminals and preventing scams.

The Role of Alarm Systems

A professionally installed burglar alarm is a significant deterrent. Alarm systems in the UK are graded on a scale from one through four, with higher numbers indicating more robust security. For most residential properties, a grade two system is considered appropriate. These typically include motion detectors covering the perimeter of your property. Any alarm system should be officially recognised by either the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) or the National Security Inspectorate (NSI).

You have a choice between monitored and unmonitored systems. An unmonitored alarm will simply sound a loud siren, which can alert neighbours and scare off an intruder. A monitored service, however, will also automatically contact a designated key-holder or the police in the event of a break-in. For police response, an NSI or SSAIB accredited installer and maintenance contract is usually required. It is crucial to properly maintain sensors and ensure they are well-positioned for maximum effectiveness.

Outdoor Security and Deterrents

Your home's exterior provides the first opportunity to deter a potential burglar. Simple housekeeping can make a significant difference. Tidy away all tools and equipment after use, as these could be used by an intruder to gain entry. Ladders should be securely locked away to prevent access to upper-floor windows. Covering or storing garden furniture and barbecues removes them as potential targets of theft.

Motion-activated lights are an excellent addition to your outdoor security. The sudden illumination can startle a would-be intruder and draw attention to their presence. These lights can also serve to notify your neighbors of any unusual movements. Consider the landscaping of your property. Low hedges and walls at the front of your house provide less cover for someone trying to approach unseen. At the sides and rear, taller fences combined with prickly plants can make climbing more difficult. A gravel driveway or path can also be a useful deterrent, as the noise of footsteps is difficult to disguise.

Image Credit - Freepik

Securing Sheds and Outbuildings

Sheds and garages are often seen as soft targets by thieves. They frequently contain valuable items like bicycles, power tools, and gardening equipment, which can be easily sold. Data indicates that one of every four residences has been the target of attempted break-ins into an outbuilding. Therefore, securing these structures is just as important as securing your main house.

Always verify that your shed is securely locked, preferably with strong, rust-free padlocks. Using two hasp and staple locks, one at the top and one at the bottom of the door, provides greater strength. For especially valuable contents, consider a battery-operated shed alarm, which can cost as little as £20. Secure valuable items like bicycles inside the shed, ideally locking them to a fixed anchor point. A lock that has earned a Sold Secure Gold certification offers a high level of protection against theft.

The Dangers of Social Media

In today's connected world, sharing holiday excitement on social media can have unintended consequences. Announcing your travel plans or sharing photos of yourself on a faraway beach can signal to burglars that your residence is unoccupied. A survey of convicted burglars revealed that a significant majority use social media platforms to identify and target vacant properties. They may even use tools like Google Street View to assess a property's security and access points from afar.

To mitigate this risk, the simplest approach is to delay posting your pictures until after you have returned. If you do choose to post while away, it is essential to review your privacy settings. Ensure that your posts are only visible to a trusted circle of approved family and friends, not to the public. Geo-tagging your location in real-time is particularly risky, as it advertises exactly where you are and that your residence is empty.

The Power of Community and Trusted Friends

Your neighbours and friends can be your greatest security asset during your absence. Inform a trustworthy individual about your travel dates and provide them with a contact number. They can keep an eye on your property for any unusual activity. If an alarm sounds or you receive a smart alert, having someone nearby who can physically check the property is invaluable. Police often need an in-person report to proceed, particularly if the culprits have departed.

Ask your trusted contact to perform simple tasks that help maintain the appearance that your home is occupied. This could include collecting mail from the doormat, drawing curtains in the evenings, and even parking a car on your drive occasionally. If a delivery arrives unexpectedly, they can move it from the porch. Never hide a spare key beneath a doormat or inside a flowerpot; this is the first place a burglar will look and could invalidate your insurance. Instead, leave a key with your trusted friend or consider installing a police-approved robust key safe.

Employing a House-Sitter

For those taking an extended trip, arranging for a house-sitter can provide the ultimate peace of mind. This individual could be a trusted friend, a family member, or a professional sitter found through a reputable agency. The presence of someone living in the house is the most effective deterrent of all. It eliminates all the tell-tale signs of an empty property and provides an immediate response to any issues.

Many house-sitting services operate on a reciprocal basis, where the sitter provides their services complimentary in exchange for lodging. This can be a cost-effective solution for long-term travellers. In some cases, particularly if pet care or other duties are involved, sitters may charge a fee. Thoroughly vetting any potential sitter through trusted platforms or personal recommendations is, of course, essential.

Image Credit - Freepik

Water Damage and Other Risks

The risks to an empty home extend beyond burglary. A burst pipe or an undetected leak can cause catastrophic water damage, leading to extensive and costly repairs. To prevent this, it is wise to turn off your mains water supply before you leave for a prolonged period. This can also prevent huge water bills. However, it is critical to remember that if your residence has a residential fire sprinkler, the water must remain active to ensure it functions in an emergency.

Before departing, do a final walkthrough of your property. Ensure all appliances that are not on timers are switched off and unplugged. This not only saves energy but also reduces the risk of an electrical fire. Taking these additional precautions helps to ensure that you return to your residence in the same condition you left it, free from any nasty surprises.

Checking Your Insurance Policy

Finally, before you travel, it is vital to check the terms of your home insurance. Most policies contain a clause that specifies the maximum number of consecutive days a home can be vacant, which is typically 30 days. Your specific insurance documents will outline the precise duration. If you have plans for an absence longer than this period, your standard cover may become void.

You must inform your insurer about any extended absences. They may be able to offer a special unoccupied home policy or add specific conditions to your existing cover. These conditions might include requirements for having someone conduct periodic checks on the property. Failing to notify your insurer could result in a claim being rejected, leaving you to bear the full financial cost of any loss or damage. Always read the fine print to ensure you are fully covered.