Monday, 04 October 2021
Burglars will do whatever it takes to avoid being noticed. The last thing they want is to be seen or heard by you, a neighbour, or passer-by.
Sometimes, distraction burglars will pretend to be someone they are not and trick you into allowing them into your property. Others will keep an eye on your house and wait until nobody is home before making their move.
A break-in not only affects you financially – having to fork out on expensive repairs and reinforcements – but it can also leave you feeling helpless and vulnerable. And worst of all? Robbers strike when you least expect it.
That’s why, in today’s article, we thought we’d share some useful advice on how to safeguard your home, like investing in new door locks and fitting CCTV cameras and security lights.
When do burglars break in?
When you think of a thief breaking into your house, you probably picture it being in the middle of the night, when all the lights are off and you’re fast asleep, right?
Though many share the same belief as you, studies suggest that burglars break into homes during the daytime – typically between 10am and 3pm.
There are several reasons why burglars prefer to operate at these times, including:
- The house is likely to be empty. Adults are usually at work, running errands, or on the school run.
- Daytime routines are more predictable. Burglars will wait and gather information about their targets routines before breaking in.
- People are less cautious in the day. Most people wouldn’t think twice about shutting windows and locking doors in the evening, but it’s easy to forget these simple steps in the daytime.
- It’s less suspicious. During the day, a burglar can pretend to be a salesperson or handyman which raises less suspicion than someone approaching a property at night.
How to burgle-proof your home
- Reinforce windows and doors
When targeting a house, one of the first things a burglar will assess is how easy it is to enter a property without being spotted. The windows and doors are the most common entry points for burglars, so it makes sense to reinforce these.
If you haven’t already got one, we recommend upgrading to a composite, wood, or uPVC front door that’s strong enough to withstand impact from common burglary tools. If need be, steel bars can be added to windows to add an extra line of defence against attack.
- Invest in high-quality door locks
Having a sturdy door is one thing, but one with high-quality locks will make it incredibly difficult for an intruder to enter.
Some of the best door locks on the market today include deadbolts, mortice locks, rim locks, and anti-snap cylinders – all of which are available to purchase for a competitive price here at LockShop Direct.
Also, if you’re moving to a new house, remember to change the door locks before you move in. You can never be too sure how many keys have been cut and who has access.
- Keep areas well-lit
Although most burglars prefer to operate in daylight, some still wait for nightfall so they can hide under a cover of darkness.
With that said, you want to illuminate your home as much as possible. Installing security lights around the outside of your house can be an effective deterrent, preventing burglars from targeting it. Motion-sensor lights are also a fantastic investment for the exterior – particularly your garden shed and garage.
- Conceal valuables
Whether it be cash, keys, jewellery, expensive gadgets, or something else, it’s best to stow valuable items out of sight of prying eyes.
Whilst you could hide money in shoes, a laptop under the bed, and keys beneath a plant pot, burglars know all these common hiding spots and will check them first. Instead, why not invest in a safe and protect your possessions against theft and damage too?
- Install CCTV cameras
The presence of a CCTV camera alone can scare intruders away, as they don’t want to be caught on camera and identified. Should anyone break into your home, the footage from the CCTV security cameras can be used as evidence.
Be mindful though, these installations shouldn’t infringe on your neighbour’s privacy.
Get in touch
For more tips on how to protect your home against burglary, feel free to contact the specialists at LockShop Direct. We are always on hand to help and would love to hear from you.
Either call 0330 174 0851 or email info@lockshopdirect.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you.
Author: Innocent Olwo
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