Essential home security: protecting your property from burglars

Over 40,000 burglaries took place in the UK in January 2013.* 

It makes good sense to take the threat to your home and your belongings seriously.

Try thinking like a burglar…take a tour around your property and view it through the eyes of a thief – identify the weaknesses, consider the opportunities and use these top 10 suggestions as a starting point when assessing your home’s security:

• Begin by filming every room of your house in detail with a video camera, or take lots of photos. Not only does this help you to recall what has been taken, it also helps you to provide any necessary evidence to your insurance company.
• Under no circumstances should a key be kept under the door mat, or anywhere else in the vicinity of the house.
• Keep your front door clear of obstruction where possible. Cut back shrubbery which may provide cover for burglars.
• A burglar will be put off by delays in gaining access so have two locks on your front door and window locks that are visible from the outside.
• A wire basket inside your letterbox will prevent a burglar fishing for keys.
• Avoid keeping calendars of holiday dates and appointments on display, this will give them the information they need to plan their next visit.
• A common strategy involves escaping swiftly with small items such as cash, jewellery and credit cards, but making a note of large expensive items and returning at a later date.
• Once a burglar is in your house, they will often look for keys first. Don’t leave them in obvious places such as by the front door or in a handbag.
• Never leave packaging from expensive electrical items and similar purchases in view. To you, it is rubbish out on bin day; to a burglar it is an invitation.
• ‘Beware of the Dog’ signs often have the opposite effect as a dog is frequently an alternative to an alarm.

There are a number of additional tips you can consider to deter burglars and keep your home and your belongings safe. Here are some of our suggestions:

• Keep doors and windows shut and locked, even when you are indoors. Many burglars will attempt to break in even when someone is home.
• Have a visible burglar alarm fitted and ensure its checked regularly.
• Lock ladders or any other items which could be climbed on, away when not in use.
• Cancel regular deliveries such as newspapers or milk during holidays.
• Ask a neighbour to collect your mail from your porch.
• Ask a neighbour to visit regularly to open and close blinds and curtains, switch lights on and off or consider using a timer device.
• During long periods away arrange for a gardener to mow the lawn.
• Never record a voicemail message saying that you are away on holiday.
• Be careful when discussing your travel plans; you never know who is listening when you give dates and details to your friends in public.
• Beware of over-sharing online. It’s very tempting to post holiday information on Facebook and Twitter but remember that it may easily fall into the wrong hands.
• Don’t write your full home address on your luggage tags. A house number and postcode is sufficient.
• Move any valuables, such as bikes, from the shed into the house while you are away.

Click for further information on protecting your home and other security advice

*UKCrimeStats.com