Wednesday, 28 October 2020
As the government has tightened the coronavirus rules, the traditional festivities could indeed look very different this year. With a ban on social gatherings of more than six people – both indoors and outdoors – it’s looking like Halloween parties and trick-or-treating in large groups are out of the window. And as for bonfire night, many organisers have had no option but to call public firework displays off, due to social distancing guidelines. All this means you’ll inevitably be spending more time in the house with your loved ones. But how safe and secure is your home?
You’d think that the number of thefts and break-ins would be much greater during the summer when doors and windows are left open, and homeowners are out in the garden – making the most of the sunshine. However, this isn’t the case and, theft insurance claims increase by a whopping 34% throughout the winter months.
Whilst you might not be able to completely eliminate the risk of a home invasion, steps can certainly be taken to keep your property safe during the cold period. Here we look at just some of the ways you can secure your home, ready for the months ahead:
Check your locks
First and foremost, make sure that your front and back door locks are secure. Though it’s easy to assume that, because they are locked, they are protecting you, your family and your possessions, several factors – including lock snapping, incorrectly fitted locks and duplicate keys – can threaten your security.
If you’re not convinced your door locks are secure, our best advice is to get in touch with your local locksmith. They will be able to advise you on whether it’s worth replacing the lock or if it simply needs repairing. They can even fix your faulty lock or install a new one – providing you with the peace of mind that it’s done properly.
As part of our online store, here at LockShop Direct, we have a variety of door locks available – ranging from UPVC door locks to mortice locks and latches, anti-snap cylinders and smart locks. What’s more is that, when you spend more than £60, delivery is free of charge!
Fit an alarm
If your budget allows, we would always suggest having an alarm system installed at your home – not only to alert you (and your neighbours) to the presence of suspicious activity but to warn off anyone thinking about breaking into your home.
When used alongside other burglary deterrents, such as CCTV cameras and motion detectors, intruder alarms offer a multi-layered defence programme – ensuring that every angle of your property is protected at all times.
Although burglar alarm systems are often fixed close to the front and back door – easy to spot through the glass – they work well in hidden areas of the home to catch out savvy burglars.
Invest in a small safe
Due to COVID-19, we’ve all been spending a lot more time at home – meaning that the urge to sit and online shop has never been greater. If – like many people – you’ve made a start on the Christmas shopping, you’re probably trying to think of a good hiding spot to ensure you don’t spoil the surprise early. But, more importantly, you need to make sure that lavish gifts are stored safely – out of sight of opportunistic criminals!
The solution?
Invest in a small home safe. Though there are several factors to consider, including size, weight, lock-type, the degree of protection and cash-rating, you’ll find a vast range of home safes on our sister site, eSafes.co.uk – all priced competitively and delivered to your door in just a few days.
For more tips on how to secure your home this winter, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts. Alternatively, if you’re unsure about anything or have any questions about the door locks we supply or any of the other security products available, give us a call on 0330 174 0851 or drop us an email at info@lockshopdirect.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you.
Author: Richard Nash
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