7 ways to keep your home safe this autumn


Autumn brings with it shorter days and longer, darker nights, creating the perfection conditions for opportunists planning to break into vulnerable properties.

While you can’t prevent a burglary altogether, there are many things you can do to improve the security of your home and to deter thieves from targeting you. So, as those nights start drawing in, heed these seven tips for keeping your home safe this autumn:

1. Light it up

Installing motion-sensor lights outside of your property will discourage burglars from breaking in out of fear that they’ll get caught. The GP Safeguard boasts a bright, energy-efficiency LED light and an adjustable sensor angle; it’s wireless and doesn’t require an electric socket, meaning it can be installed almost anywhere with ease.

2. Set timers

If you’re out for the evening or away for the weekend, set timers on your lights (particularly in the hallway and living room) to give the impression that someone’s home. It’s also worth letting a trusted neighbour know how long you’ll be away for, so they can keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

3. Hide valuables

Don’t lure burglars into your home by leaving expensive valuables in full view, which includes your car keys. And make sure you keep them out of sight during the day and the evening, as burglaries don’t just happen in the dead of the night!

4. Fit a burglar alarm

If you don’t have one already have one, install a good quality burglar alarm, ideally with a prominent outside alarm box and light. The majority of alarms automatically alert the police if they are activated - and if you let your home insurer know, there’s a chance they’ll knock some money off of your premium, too. While you’re at it, you could also think about installing hidden cameras in the main rooms of the house - there are many out there that can be accessed by an app, giving you peace of mind when you’re away from home.

5. Lock doors and windows

You always lock your doors during the day and night, but locking the windows will keep your home extra secure while you’re sleeping. Older windows, in particular, may benefit from shop-bought window locks. If any locks are broken or aren’t very secure, don’t wait until it’s too late to get them replaced.

6. Secure the outside

Assess the outside of your home: are there any gaps where burglars could easily gain access to the property? If so, block them up with a fence or gate. At the same time, give any overgrown hedges or bushes a trim, so that thieves don’t have any hiding spots. Don’t hide keys in ‘secret places’ - instead buy a quality wall-mounted key safe.

7. Work together

If you’re still concerned about your home’s security, get in touch with your local police as they’ll often share some tips and may even be prepared to visit your home. You should also think about joining your area’s Neighbourhood Watch scheme; simply displaying a sticker in your window will alert potential burglars that you and your neighbours are all keeping a close eye on one another's properties.


Finally, think like a burglar! Try and find ways of breaking into your own home (stripy jumper and SWAG bag not essential!) and you’ll soon find the weak spots that you can make secure. Then you can curl up on the sofa this autumn in front of the fire; safe in the knowledge that your home is as protected as possible...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 4 benefits of walking every day – and how to stick at it

Image
Did you know that dog owners walk 79% further than non-dog owners? Great news for those with a canine companion...not so great for the rest of us who don’t have a beloved pooch to pry us out of our homes when it’s cold and wet outside. Dog or no dog, walking is a great way to get fit and lead a healthier lifestyle. Nature is free, not to mention the environmental advantages of walking instead of driving or catching the bus. Sure, walking outside isn’t so appealing in the winter months. But spring is just around the corner and soon, those lighter, warmer evenings will be tempting you to step outside and make the most of the great outdoors. There are lots of reasons to try and incorporate more walking into your day-to-day life. Here are four key benefits of walking every day for starters: 1.Reach your 150 minutes Walking can count towards the NHS’ recommended 150 minutes of exercise minimum per week, for people aged 19-64. A leisurely stroll through the park w
Read more

Time for a digital detox? 6 tips to help you reconnect

Image
  We all know when we’re using our smartphones too much. You put it down, only to pick it up again. There might not even be a notification on the lock screen. If that sounds like you, don’t worry... you’re not alone. Lots of people find it difficult to unplug from the world, even for a short while. In fact, the average person in the UK checks their phone every 12 minutes throughout the day! To mark the USA’s National Day of Unplugging on March 1-2, we’re inspiring our UK readers to join those on the other side of the pond by taking a ‘digital detox’. So, here are some ways you and your family (particularly if you have teens or tweens in the house!) can reconnect and enjoy some time away from your devices: 1.   List what you love Sit down with your family and write a list of all the things you enjoy doing in life – running, meditating, reading – but currently aren’t making enough time to do. Hopefully you’ll get to the end of the list and realise that if
Read more

Geocaching: everything you need to know about the world’s largest treasure hunt!

Image
Blending technology with exploration, geocaching is an exciting outdoor activity that’s become extremely popular in recent years. If you’re yet to try it, here’s a brief explanation of what it is, followed by some final tips before you set off on your big adventure... What exactly is geocaching? Geocaching is essentially a modern version of an age-old recreational activity known as ‘letterboxing’ – with the addition of tech. People hide boxes, called ‘caches,’ in different locations and others hunt for them using GPS. Each cache is recorded on the official free geocaching app and contains a log book to sign and date once you’ve located it. Many of the boxes contain small knick-knacks for trading, too. Once you’ve placed the box back in its original position, you can later record your find on the app and share your adventures on social media – fellow geocachers will be keen to read about your experience! Geocaching in numbers There are around three million geo
Read more