Keep Your House Safe this National Home Security Month

Did you know there is an attempted burglary every 45 seconds in the UK? And every 76 seconds, one of these burglaries is successful. October is National Home Security Month and its aim is to make people more aware about the potential risks as well as how to make their home more secure. This doesn’t have to mean installing expensive security alarms or re-fitting all your windows – there are other less costly ways of adding deterrents to your home too…

Review Your Home Exterior

You house could inadvertently be giving off the wrong signals to potential burglars but a lot of these are things you could easily change. For example, making sure there are no tools or ladders lying about in your front yard, keeping your back gates locked and installing blinds for your front windows so your indoors isn’t quite so visible to passers-by. Make sure there’s no easy access to the rear of your property or your conservatory, and if you have any overgrown bushes in your front garden that could provide shelter for someone trying to break in, give them a trim or perhaps think about getting rid of them altogether.

Working Windows

Most people have double glazing these days, but there might be the odd pane that needs reassessing. For example, if you have an older style of front door, your glass panes could well be single glazing. If this is the case, you should consider getting them laminated to make them stronger, or perhaps think about replacing your door for something altogether sturdier. Check all the locks on your windows and make sure, firstly that they are working and secondly, that you have keys to hand for all of them. Bear in mind that not having working locks, or not making sure they are all locked before you leave the house could invalidate your home insurance.

Security Alarms

Alarms aren’t a necessity but they can act as an effective deterrent, but if you are considering getting one installed, it’s important to get it done by a professional and reputable security company – a badly installed alarm could cause you’re a whole raft of problems, especially if it fails to go off, or goes off but at rather inconvenient times. It’s also important to make sure you use and maintain said alarm, especially if you’ve informed your insurance company that you have one, and don’t assume it can act as an alternative to other security measures, such as securing doors and windows – if you do experience a break in and it’s found you’ve set your alarm but you didn’t lock up properly, your insurance company might not honour your claim.

Lighting

Burglars love darkness, so don’t make it easy for them. If you don’t have any exterior sensory lighting installed, perhaps now is the time. And it’s not just about the outdoors – have a think about how you use your indoor lighting and what message it sends out. Going out for the evening? Then make sure you leave at least one of your lights on at the front of the house, be it the hallway or living room.

Hide Those Valuables

There are some measures you can take that won’t cost you anything at all, but could save you a huge amount of money and bother. Basically, just make sure you don’t have any valuables in plain sight. Many burglars are specifically looking for car keys, so don’t leave them in the hallway in full view of your letterbox and/or front window. The same goes for any other household keys as well as your documents detailing personal and banking information – always make sure these are locked away because if it gets in the wrong hands, it could prove infinitely more disastrous than an already horrendous break-in.

No matter how security conscious you already are, there could well be room for some more improvement. So if you want to invest in any additional locks or other security accessories this National Home Security Month, Maplin voucher codes and Argos promo codes can offer excellent online savings. And if you want to look at some lighting options that might improve your home security, Lights 4 Living discount vouchers provide a number of different products as well as savings.

By Anna Scott, 3rd October 2016