HOW TO INCREASE YOUR HOME SECURITY – Long gone are the days you could leave your front door open without the worry of some burglar paying a visit. The real problem is, for most, the expense required to make a home more secure, but what choice do we have?
In this guide we provide practical advice and ideas on ways of increasing your home security, that involves very little cost or, in some areas, no cost at all.
Step 1
Fit a Burglar Alarm – The cost of fitting a burglar alarm will depend on the type of system you want to install and the features that it has. If you go for a good quality infrared system, then you don’t have be an expert fit it in your home, in fact these are easy to fit, with no wiring. You can buy these in kits and even buy additional accessories as you need them and simply add them to the system. Because these are easy to install, which means you won’t need a professional tradesman to do fit, you can spend more on the quality of the alarm system from the fitting savings you made.
Step 2
If you are looking for the ultimate in home security, and you can afford it, then consider having a company monitor your alarm system 24/7. These companies, such as ADT, will fit and monitor the system. In the event of the alarm being activated they will also notify the police. These really are good systems and are completely worry free. The company responsible for the alarm system will periodically check, test and maintain the system for you. If you do want this type of system then do get a few quotes – they can be, depending on the level of service you want, be very expensive.
Step 3
Place signs on the front lawn and back fences informing people you have an alarm system installed. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to actually get the alarms installed but by simply telling a would be burglar you have them might just be enough to deter them from trying to enter your house. Most burglars want to get in and out without being detected, so if they see a sign, it may well put them off – no point in taking any excessive risk!
Step 4
Put signs up telling people you have a large dog – even if you don’t. Large breeds, such as Alsatians, Dobermans, etc., are a very good deterrent – again, putting up a sign might just do the trick.
Step 5
Buy good quality doors and windows and fit security devices, such as window locks, deadlocks and mortise locks. When it comes to external doors you can buy these that have a steel plate that has wood fascia. These are very difficult to break down. Also, consider the hinges on your doors. You can buy and fit security hinges which consist of a regular hinge plate but have deadbolts attached. This means that each time you close the door the deadbolts thread deep into the frame. These types of hinges make it virtually impossible for someone to kick the door in from the hinge side of the door.
Step 6
Don’t leave windows open at night or when you are out. This may be tempting if it is very hot outside and you are only going down the road to buy a pint of milk and a loaf of bread. However, many burglaries occur during this very time, especially when you are away for a few minutes to do some local shopping. An opportune thief can easily enter, take what they want and be gone in a matter of minutes.
Step 7
Secure Your Garden – Many people only think about the front of the house, but in fact most burglars prefer to enter from the back. This is because they are less likely to be seen as most gardens are enclosed with fencing. Buy a good strong padlock for the back gate, don’t ever just leave it so that a burglar only needs to lift a latch to enter. You need to make things difficult for them. When it comes to the fencing try attaching trellis and grow some thorny climbing plants such as roses. Anyone trying to climb over the fence will find it extremely difficult as the trellis cannot support their weight. If it all comes crashing down it’s going to make a lot of noise and any burglar won’t hang around if this happens. From a burglar’s point of view it’s not an attractive proposition of having to climb through thorns either so this acts as a double deterrent.
Step 8
Buy some dummy CCTV cameras and place these where they can be seen by passers-by. Again, what burglar is going to know that these do not work? These can be a great deterrent, however, if you can afford it then consider the real thing. At least then if you do get burgled then the police might be able to determine who the thief is and make an arrest – there’s not much better evidence in a court of law than good solid video evidence and digital systems now produce very high quality video footage.
Step 9
Never leave your garage door open, whether you are at home or not. It’s just too easy to enter a garage, take something and then disappear. When you are not at home or not using the garage, then lock it. Buy a good weatherproof lock – this will save it from rusting and then having to cut it off the lock and buying a new one.
Step 10
Buy a light timer if you are out or away on holiday. These automatically come on when it gets dark giving the appearance that someone is home. These are very cheap and easy to fit.
Step 11
If you are going away for a vacation DON’T leave a note out for the milkman or newspaper boy. Cancel the deliveries before you leave in person. If you get on well with your neighbors then tell them you are going away and ask them to keep an eye on your home during that period. It’s a good idea to give someone the key to the house, obviously someone you trust, just to go in and pick up the mail etc., from the mat. The idea is to make it look like someone is around and this will deter most burglars from targeting your home.
Step 12
Buy a good quality safe to put your valuables in. Make sure it’s fire resistant! A safe is essential for all your valuable documents and valuables. Most burglars won’t bother trying to open a safe, these people generally want a quick entry and exit and won’t bother to spend time cracking a safe.
Step 13
Lastly try fitting motion sensor lights on the front and back of your home. Any would be burglar will soon leave if a light comes on. Motion sensor lights now come with energy saving bulbs and can be fitted very easily. Just make sure when you do fit them, you DO NOT end up pointing them at a neighbors window – they won’t be too pleased to get woken up in the night just because your cat comes home – do be considerate of your neighbors when fitting these.
