There’s nothing better than being a homeowner. You have a place of your own where you can relax in the evenings, and everything you own is just the way you want it to be. But do you have the security measures in place to protect yourself, and your belongings should a pesky criminal decide to target your home? Unfortunately, in the UK alone, 816 burglaries take place each day. That’s 1 property every 108 seconds, so it’s extremely important to have precautions in place no matter where you live. Luckily for you, that’s why we decided to write this article. From window restrictors, burglar alarms to spotlights and triple glazing, here are the things you can do to make your home safer.
Invest in Triple Glazed Windows
If a burglar wants to get into your home, they’ll aim to do it quickly to avoid getting caught and smashing through a window is the most common type of forced entry. Fortunately, they’ll find it exceedingly difficult to do this if faced with triple glazed windows. These types of windows are incredibly strong and made up of 3 panes of glass that are strengthened with a special type of insulating gas.
Window Restrictors
Much like a chain (but a lot stronger!) window restrictors allow you to leave your windows slightly open to let air into your home. Most people actually get these restrictors installed to prevent their children from falling out of their windows, which is of course especially important but they’re also an exceptionally good burglar deterrent too. You can leave your windows open without the worry of someone entering your property to steal your things. Window restrictors are also very cheap, so you don’t have to break the bank by investing in them.
Spotlights
Apart from wanting to enter a home as quickly as possible, a burglar will want to remain unseen. So, an investment worth making is buying some spotlights to place in your garden. Afterall a burglar is going to need to walk through it to get to your property. If they immediately trigger a light, they’ll run a mile before getting to a window or door.
Hide Away Your Valuable Items
This one is straightforward, don’t keep your valuable items on show for everyone to see. Outside, keep your tools, bikes or any other expensive items locked up or store them in your garage when they’re not in use. Inside, use window treatments like blinds or curtains to stop passers-by from looking in and potentially eyeing up your valuables.
Install a Burglar Alarm
Some homeowners believe that burglar alarms are nowhere near effective enough. But we actually disagree. Having a burglar alarm is an essential part of your home’s overall security. If in the event that a burglar enters your home, an alarm will send them running as they try to avoid further detection.
Use a Patio Door Lock
Back in the day, securing a patio door was usually done by using a broom or other piece of wood to block the track. But over the years, criminals have got smarter, so this method is longer effective to prevent getting robbed. These days, a much better option is by using a patio door lock in addition to the one already fitted within the door. They simply work like a deadlock and are really affordable for the security they offer.
Be Wary About What You Put on Social Media
Lastly, but still really important, you must be incredibly careful about what you post on your social media accounts. Don’t get us wrong, social media is absolutely fantastic for posting them Instagram worthy photos of you on holiday. But only when your back we’re sorry to say. The majority of social media is public, so a criminal will only need to search for #holiday, #trip or #vacation to find out who’s houses are empty.
