Every year in the UK there are over 250,000 burglaries and attempted burglaries. Being a victim is burglary is about more than just losing your property; it can be deeply traumatising.
Here are some top tips on how to secure your home that have been specially prepared by Tunbridge Wells Locksmith which are based on many years experience. Keep burglars out of your home!
Who goes there?
When an unknown visitor comes to your door, you really shouldn’t answer it until you have seen who it is. Ideally you should fit a spy hole and a door chain. Look who is there before opening the door, and keep the door chain in place until you are happy that the person is who he or she claims to be; always ask for ID.
Keep your doors and windows locked
It might sound very basic, but you would be surprised by all the times when people fail to do so. Leaving your home unlocked is simply inviting burglars in. While any lock is a deterrent, the more secure the lock the safer your home will be.
Keep your keys out of sight
Any visible key is a magnet to burglars. While many burglars are merely opportunist, professional burglars can be very skilled at hooking a key, for instance through the letterbox. Car keys should also be kept very safe; nowadays most drive away car theft is carried out by first breaking into homes and stealing the car keys; it is much easier than breaking into a modern car.
Keep your ladders secure
One of the worst things you can do is to leave a ladder accessible. In moments a burglar could use it to gain entry to an upstairs window, so keep your ladders securely stored away.
Fit an alarm
A visible alarm is a useful deterrent, though not all alarms are equal. Alarms that are monitored and connected to the police are obviously the best, though if you are thinking of installing one you should discuss your plans with a security expert. Locksmiths Tunbridge Wells are able to advise on the most suitable alarm for your home.
Fit a light timer
Leaving lights on while you are away might be a deterrent, but if they are left on permanently it is something of a give away that you aren’t there. The wy round this is to fit a timer that will switch your lights on and off at different times of the day and night.
Fit security lights
Security lights are not expensive, and they can be an excellent deterrent. Don’t just fit them to the front of your house; fit them to the rear and the sides too. Make sure that you adjust their sensitivity though; you don’t want them switching on every time a cat walks past your home.
Use a home safe
If you tend to keep valuables such as jewellery and cash in your home then it makes sense to keep them in a home safe, but ideally you should keep all important documents, such as those that contain financial information and your passport, in a safe.
Keep your private information private
Don’t leave private information lying around your home, for instance banking, other financial information and passwords. Make sure that they are secure as otherwise your burglary could have even worse consequences for you. The best way to do that is to invest in a home safe.
Don’t leave cash lying around
Most burglars prefer cash, so don’t make their lives easy for them. Don’t store cash or valuables such as expensive jewellery lying around. If you must keep it in your house, then keep it in a home safe.
Be careful what you disclose about your movements
When you go on holiday or you are likely to be away from home for a few days don’t announce the fact on your social networks or for that matter tell anybody who doesn’t need to know. Burglars love empty homes which give them as much time as they wish to gain entry.
Ask for identification
When people come to your door and wish to come in, say to read your electricity meter, don’t let them in until they have shown you their identification. Many burglaries are the result of bogus utility workers and tradesmen.
Change the locks
If you are moving home, whether it is rented or if you have purchased it make sure that the locks are changed. Even if it is new build the keys are likely to have been accessed by many different people and they might have made copies and are waiting for an opportunity to burgle you.
Protect your outbuildings
Many thieves target outbuildings which tend to be very vulnerable. If you keep garden tools, bicycles and other expensive items in sheds and other outbuildings then you should secure them with high quality secure padlocks. They might be a little more expensive, but they are a good investment.
When away from home
When you are away from home you should try to disguise that fact; it doesn’t always work but it might help if you uses timers to switch lights on and off at certain times of the day. Similarly you might switch a radio on and off. Don’t make the mistake of leaving your curtains drawn during the day; that will only highlight the fact that you are away. Don’t forget to cancel your newspapers and milk deliveries.
Finally…
By following this advice you will reduce your chances considerably of becoming a victim to burglary, but if you would like further advice on this or on any other matters relating to security, please contact Tunbridge Wells Locksmith will be happy to talk to you.