Congratulations, you’ve just moved into a new home! It’s an exciting time, and no doubt you’re sitting on the sofa looking at a sea of boxes, wondering how you’re going to unpack it all. We’ve all been there! But once you’ve had a cup of tea and a takeaway, there’s one thing you should prioritise – security. After all, you rarely know who might still have keys. The previous owners, their friends and family, if they gave out spares. Today, we share with you 10 essential security steps to take when you first move in.
Change the Locks
Very first job – call a locksmith. Get them to come out and change the locks on all of the external doors. This is the most crucial step in home security. Even if the previous owners seem trustworthy, you can’t be sure how many copies of the keys exist. All external doors should have their locks replaced with British Standard or high-security cylinders to prevent lock-snapping and keep your home secure.
Install a Smart Doorbell
A video doorbell is a very strong visual deterrent for criminals, as well as being convenient for you. They allow you to see who’s at the door without opening it, record footage of anyone approaching your home, and give you another line of defence against both burglars and ‘porch pirates’ (people who steal packages that are left on doorsteps).
Inspect and Secure Entry Points
Walk through the whole property and check that all of the window locks are functional. Make sure any sliding doors in the property are secured with a brace or dowel to stop them being forced open, and chedk the door locks for signs of age or damage. These entry points are the first place burglars will try, and so they are the first line of defence for your home.
Install an Alarm
If the house already has an alarm installed, your first job should be to have it serviced and change the code so that you are the only people who know it. If there isn’t an alarm system installed, we highly recommend you get one. You can either try a DIY solution, or you can work with a security company like us to install something that meets all of your needs.
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
There should be at least one smoke detector on each floor of the house, and a carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a carbon-burning appliance. You can, of course, install extras as well, particularly if the house is very large or spread out. Go around the house and make sure there are enough present, and test each one to make sure they work. If there are any missing or outdated, replace them.
Upgrade Outdoor Lighting
Burglars love darkness. So your job is to make sure there’s as little as possible around your home as possible. Motion-activated lights are your best friend for this, and they should specifically cover the back door, garage and any dark pathways around the home. Floodlights will expose potential intruders and send them running.
Secure the Garden Perimeter
Once you’re in, take a minute to walk around all the edges of your property and make sure everything is secure. Things like side gates with hardy locks, as side gates provide access to the back of the property and are the starting point for a huge number of break-ins. You should also check for overgrown trees and shrubbery, trimming them back so that they don’t provide hiding spots for thieves.
Secure Outbuildings and Tools
Garages and sheds are common targets for burgalrs. This is mainly because they often hold high value tools that are untraceable and easy to sell. Not only that, but they can find tools like ladders, spades or hammers that they can use to break into your home. It’s best to secure them with high-quality padlocks, and make sure you don’t leave any tools lying around in the garden.
Introduce Yourself to the Neighbours
Getting to know your neighbours isn’t just polite. It’s a useful extra security measure! Not only can you let them know who lives in the property, but they provide an extra set of eyes and ears to keep a lookout for mischief. If neighbours know each other they’re more likely to let you know if someone suspicious has been hanging around, and you’re more likely to do the same in return, keeping each other safe. Plus, they can keep an eye on things if you go away or when you’re not home, creating a more secure community.
Never Hide Keys Outside
This is more of a habit to get into, rather than something to do in the first week. A lot of people think the best place to hide a spare key is under the doormat, in a flowerpot or even in one of those fancy fake rocks. But these are some of the worst hiding places you can choose, as they’re very commonly known to burglars. Our general advice is to avoid keeping a spare key outside your property, and if you have to, use a secure, coded key safe in a hidden location so that the key can’t be easily stolen.
If you’ve moved into a new house recently and aren’t sure how to secure it, we’re more than happy to help. The team at Securifix are happy to do a complete home security audit free of charge, leaving you with a solid idea of what needs doing and roughly how much it will cost. To find out more, just get in touch with the team today.
