Monday, 22 September 2014
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but summer 2014 is well and truly over. Autumn is here and the dark evenings are on the way. This is traditionally boom time for burglars, so it’s important to think about home security and get your property ready as soon as you can.
The good news is that help is on the way. October is officially Home Security Month and throughout that time we’ll be providing plenty of helpful hints and tips for protecting your valuables and more.
In the meantime, take a look at our Top 5 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Dark Nights and discover some fast and simple changes which could make a big difference to the security of your house.
1. Lock Up
Always lock all of your doors and windows when leaving the house and leave doors locked even when you’re there. Opportunistic burglars are smart and they’re prepared to take advantage of any lapses in concentration that you make.
That means if you’re not used to locking the door behind you when you arrive home, it’s time to develop the habit and you should even consider locking the back door when you head into the garden to bring in the washing or take out the bins.
2. Out of Sight
Don’t ever leave valuables on show, or things that a thief could use to get into your house in the first place. If you have a lot of expensive appliances within the house or equipment in the garage, keep everything out of direct sight from doors and windows.
One of the best ways to deter criminals is to give them no reason to target you in the first place. If you leave ladders or garden tools out at the side of your house, you’re inviting a thief to use them to get inside. Likewise, if you have things they’re likely to want don’t advertise it.
3. Lights On
As the evenings get darker, crimes occur earlier. If you aren’t going to be home from a trip or commute until after dark it’s a good idea to leave on a light or install a timer so lights come on at a certain time and make your property look occupied.
Nothing looks more appealing to crooks than an empty home but you can’t be there all of the time. You can at least make it look like you are. Another useful tool is the telly. Burglars won’t break into a house, if the TV is on. You don’t know who might be watching.
4. More Telltale Signs
An extension of this point applies if you plan to take an autumn or winter holiday. Try to think ahead and avoid leaving clues for burglars that nobody’s home. If you receive milk, newspapers or magazine subscriptions get them paused while you’re away.
Likewise, if you’re bins our going to be emptied, arrange for somebody to take them off the street afterward to prevent them from drawing attention. The best bet is to ask family or friends to drop in while you are away, pick up any post and make the place look lived in.
5. Trust Home Security Tools
Got an alarm? Then use it! Thieves are alerted to an opportunity when a homeowner leaves without activating an alarm. You can tell by the giveaway beeps. An alarm doesn’t have to go off to deter thieves it just has to be there and be ready. They’ll think twice if an alarm is on.
In addition to an alarm, you could consider installing extra locks, window restrictors or even home safes. There are absolutely loads of handy gadgets out there to keep your valuables out of the wrong hands and many of them are available right here at the Lock Shop Direct store.
There is plenty to look forward to about Autumn Winter 2014: there’s Halloween, Bonfire Night and, of course, Christmas and New Year. But while, we’re wrapping up and having fun it’s important to spare a thought for our home and our stuff.
It doesn’t take much, but if we don’t do it, a thief certainly might.
Author: Paul Young
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