Beat the Burglar Home Security Guide
Authored by Christopher Rowlands of the landlord insurance team @ moneysupermarket.com.
Every home could be a potential target for burglars; some are more of a challenge, others just invite them in.
If you think that your home may fall into the latter category then you should read this guide. This will help you to improve your security to ensure you beat the burglar and protect your home and possessions from loss.
Every year, home insurance premiums continue to rise due to continually climbing claims and burglary; acerbated by increasing insurance tax and the fragile economy. Home insurance comparison has never been more important as it can help you find the best policy for your needs with the cheapest cost. This is a good start but what else can you do to make your home more secure and less appealing to burglars?
Home Security Tips
1: Windows; the most common way for a burglar to enter your home is to break in through a rear window. They usually prefer to force a window rather than smash it which could draw unwanted attention. To help prevent this you should add key operated window locks where there are none as a visual and physical deterrent.
2: Lighting; no burglar likes to be in the spotlight, so fitting outdoor lights which operate on a sensor can make life that little bit more difficult for them. If you are to be away from home for a few days then timer switches can be good for a couple of strategically placed lamps in your home to give the impression that someone is home.
3: Burglar Alarms; ideally this should be a standard security measure on all homes; a visible deterrent and enough to deter the average opportunist thief with this or the activation of the siren should they enter the property. You can now buy dummy siren boxes if you don't want to go the whole hog.
4: Doors; all of your external doors should be strong and in good condition to prevent a burglar entering your property. Security can be improved by adding a 5 lever mortice deadlock or sliding bolts. Particularly important on French doors (these are much weaker than standard doors) is the addition of top and bottom mortice locks to give extra strength and security.
5:Fences and Gates; don't forget to pay attention to the fences/hedges surrounding the rear of your property. Weak or low fences make for easy access so you should ensure you have good solid fences at least 6ft in height that cannot easily be lifted out of their framework. Thorny hedges such as Hawthorne make for a good deterrent too and these can be combined with fences if you have the space and want extra security. Gates should also be sturdy and of a good height with a lock on the inside such as a sturdy padlock and bolt.
6: Spare Keys; should never be left hidden under rocks or in any other seemingly secret (but easily located) places. This leaves your home wide open to burglars and will void your home insurance policy should your insurer find out.
7: Hide Your Valuables; don’t leave your treasured possessions in full view for burglars to see. Fit blinds and curtains where possible to prevent unwanted views of your 40" LCD TV.
8: Use a Safe; high value items such as jewellery and large sums of money are best stored in a strong safe which can be secured in position in a hidden location. Don't forget to keep your passport and credit cards here if you're not using them as these will be the first things to go should a burglar break into your home.
9: Mark/Label Your Property; this will help the police to identify them should they be recovered. You can either etch your postcode, house number/name and surname on them somewhere discreet or make use of an ultra violet marker to do the same without damaging anything.
10: Keep Your Absence a Secret; try not to tell too many people you will be away from home or discuss it somewhere public. Similarly, don't advertise this fact on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
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