Your home should be the place you feel safest. It’s a comfortable retreat from the world, where you can be yourself and not have to worry about anything – or anyone – that you don’t want inside. While Christmas Day sees a big drop in theft insurance claims (down by an average of 69%), by New Year’s Eve there’s an 8% spike in thefts once again.

If safety has become a concern for you, then this might be the time you’re researching home security systems. You might have even made a New Year’s Resolution to increase your home security! If you’re not sure where to start, then we have some great home security tips for you to consider.

Don’t Be An Easy Target

If you look at TV and the movies, burglars use all sorts of expensive, high-tech gadgets to break into houses in seconds flat, bypassing everything and anything in their way. Unless they’re in Home Alone, of course! But back in the real world, the average burglar is more interested in looking for an easy target that isn’t a big risk for them. They want to get in, get the good and get out as fast as possible. So your best defence against thieves is to make your home look like it isn’t an easy target. Here deterrent is the best prevention.

Windows

Most people would never leave the house with the doors unlocked – but they aren’t so careful when it comes to windows. These are often left unlocked, and sometimes even wide open if you’ve forgotten that you opened a bedroom window and haven’t been back in there since. Thieves are happy to make the most of this situation and let themselves into first-floor windows on the back of the house, and sometimes on the second floor if they spot a ladder, tree or trellis they can climb on. So before you go anywhere and before you go to sleep, check all of your windows are locked. At this time of year windows are rarely opened, so make sure they are locked up tight. 

Doors

Believe it or not, most burglars won’t target your front door. Most front doors are right in plain view of the street, which means they can be seen very easily. So instead thieves will target other entrances, especially as these are often less easily guarded. Make sure that all of your doors have high-quality locks with a high-security rating, and that they are locked properly. Back doors should be locked even when you’re home, only unlocked when you need to use them, as it’s all too easy to sneak inside. If your key is sticking in the lock, or the lock isn’t operating as it should, then it’s time to call a locksmith and give it a service. Only then can it really protect you.

Lights

A determined thief can learn a lot about you, your family and your routines by just watching your house. It’s all in the lighting patterns. For example, when you drive past a completely dark house on a winter evening, you know that no one is home, or that everyone is asleep. If you have lights on overnight but no movement in the day, it might mean you work night shifts. Thieves will watch your home day and night to see if there are any changes in the lighting patterns. If there aren’t any people around and the outside lights are on day and night, then they know that you’re away and it’s sake to break it. This is why proper lighting acts as a good deterrent to thieves. A few ways you can achieve this include:

• Using a timer or a day/night sensor to keep your front door lit up after dark.
• Install motion sensitive lighting to illuminate anyone who comes close to your property.
• Put the inside lights of your home on a timer, even if you’re only away for a short weekend.
• The same goes for any festive lights you have displayed from Christmas. Put them on timers to mimic how you were putting them on. 

Security

Finally, you need to have some form of security system around your home. Whether that’s CCTV cameras, door entry systems and intruder alarms – a security system is one of the biggest deterrents for burglars there is. If you aren’t sure what you need, or if what you have is up to the job, you can always ask for help. At Securifix we provide free, no-obligation home security audits, which are perfect to help you understand the security risks of your home and how to protect them. In fact, reviewing your home security (and your home security habits) is a great way to keep you, your family and your belongings safe. If you’d like to find out more, just get in touch with our team today.