Home security is an afterthought for some people, but it really shouldn’t be. Most people own something a burglar would find attractive, electronics being the most obvious example. If you own any high-value pieces of jewellery like gold or diamond rings, it’s a very good idea you have a plan to keep them safe too!
Secure doors and windows
Doors and windows are the first elements you will want to assess. Sixty-seven per cent of burglars get in through doors, so these should be a priority.
Digital locks (including the increasingly popular smart locks) are a highly secure solution.
Looking for something more traditional? Consider a multi-point locking system or a mortice deadlock.
Doors with a chain or latch on the inside are also helpful. Use them at night when everyone’s in bed and unlikely to need the door.
And don’t forget the windows. Remove any garden furniture in front of windows, as one favourite trick is for burglars to climb this to gain entry.
In addition, apply protective film to your windows. This means that even if someone smashes the glass, it will still be difficult for them to get in.
Use a safety deposit box
Keep jewellery, small valuables and certain confidential documents in a safety deposit box. This way, if other measures fail, your burglar will still have to contend with a lot more than they bargained for!
A handful of banks allow you to rent or buy a safety deposit box. If you’re using one situated in the bank’s vault, don’t keep items you might need frequent access to there.
You can also purchase safes of all different sizes from hardware shops and locksmiths and online retailers. They’re not too hard to find!
Get insurance
Everyone should have home insurance. For a minimal fee per month, your valuables can be covered against the cost of theft. Read the specifics of each policy before you buy one, though. There may be certain caveats. For example, you may have to ask the provider to list valuable items like engagement rings separately if their value exceeds the single-item limit (the maximum amount you can claim for any one item that is damaged or stolen).
Install a home security system
One recent survey found that one-third of homeowners don’t have a security system. It revealed that 30% have home CCTV while 24% have a burglar alarm. A small minority had some other type of security system. Don’t these percentages seem alarmingly low? If you don’t have one already, now is the time to protect your property with this extra security measure.
There are two types of burglar alarm security systems you need to know about. Firstly, there’s the audible alert-only alarm. This does exactly what the title suggests, making a loud sound if an intruder sets foot in your house. Some of these can even send a notification to your smartphone (the last thing you want to see when you’re sitting by a beach somewhere, we know, but still a great feature to have!)
On the other hand, there are also monitored alarms. This one will alert the relevant monitoring centre. They will assess the signal to see if the threat is genuine. If so, they will either call you, the police or a private security guard.
Theft prevention strategies can save a lot of tears and money. For those who own valuable keepsakes like jewellery, even the most generous of insurance payouts might not make you feel better about what you’ve lost. For this reason, it’s of the utmost importance you prioritise home security.
