We all want to keep our homes as safe as possible; nobody wants to come home and found that they’ve been broken in to. We will look at somethings you are doing that could potentially be making your home a target for burglars.
Leaving a Note For The Postman
We’ve all done it, when we are expecting a package but realise, we will be out. So, we leave a note taped to the door asking the postman to leave the parcel in the garden/bush/plant pot. But this is a huge sign to a potential burglar that the house is unoccupied. You might be worried that your parcel will be stolen if left on the doorstep, but a burglar will be much more attracted to an unoccupied house than an unattended parcel.
Most delivery services now have the capability to change your delivery preference online or via an app, so if you are going to be out then try to rearrange or let the company know where to leave your parcel that way. Its much safer than leaving a note stuck to the door.
A Fault Lock
It might sound simple, but if your lock is faulty or not working properly then this can be an open invitation to a burglar. Safewise says that burglars gain entry via an open or unlocked door or window in more than half of all unoccupied homes. Which means more people than you think are leaving doors and windows unlocked.
Most burglars want to be in and out of a house as quick as they possibly can, which means if they find your house unlocked then they will enter it. If they find your door locked, but in a state of disrepair then they may easily be able to force the door and gain entry. But if they find your door secure and fitted with a good sturdy lock, the are less likely to try to gain entry. This is because it will take them longer and there is more chance, they will be noticed. If you think your lock may need replacing, take a look at our Locks Changed page.
Your Garden Is Easily Accessible
Another thing that burglars like is privacy, and this can come in the form of your back garden. Your back garden is a great place for someone to break in as they are less likely to be seen by a neighbour or a passer-by. Installing a high fence and a secure gate will deter a burglar from using your back garden to break into your home. Most burglars will be put off by the challenge of climbing an 8-foot fence.
However, you don’t want your garden to be too covered, as this can actually attract a burglar. Overgrown bushes and trees as well as a hight fence will actually provide a burglar with the perfect cover to break in. for more tips on how to secure your garden you can visit our garden fence security page.
You Don’t Hide Your Valuables
Burglars will use your windows like a shop window, they will look in and see if there is anything in there that they would like to take. It’s best practice to keep your valuables out of sight from the street, however this is not always possible, depending on what type of home you have and where you live. We would advise trying to keep your television out of sight of the window.
However, if this is not possible, then you need to keep items such as laptops and jewellery out of sight. Yet, you may not want to hide them in the first place you think of, try to think of somewhere less obvious. Burglars will often try the master bedroom first as that’s where most people keep the valuable items. Burglars like to be in and out as quick as possible, so if your valuables are not in an obvious place then a burglar make not take the time to look for them elsewhere.
You Don’t Have a Security System
Whether this be a burglar alarm, camera or a smart lock, a burglar wants to go undetected, and having any of these 3 will put them off. The sound of an alarm may be enough to make a burglar leave your property, add a camera that could potentially identify them, and you making your home less of a target for a burglar.
In the past few years security systems have become more advanced. With devices such as the Ring Doorbell, giving you live video stream from your home and the ability to talk through the doorbell itself, you can even deter the burglar yourself, from a safe place, letting them know you can see them, and the police have been alerted. (We would only recommend doing this if you are far away from your property and there is no change the burglar can find you). If you are interested in Smart Locks and want to find out more, head to smart locks.
If you want to find out more about protecting your home and other measures you can take to prevent break ins then take a look at our Top Door Security Tips for 2022
