What experts say is the best way to protect your home from burglars
The nights are drawing in and it won't be long before the clocks go back. We're filling our houses with tech during the Black Friday weekend, and it's a matter of time before the spare room is chocka with Christmas presents.
There has never been a better time to turn your thoughts to home security. According to the ONS, domestic burglary is 1.14 times more likely in winter than summer, so reducing the risks of your home becoming a target is well worthwhile.
Thankfully, there are lots of simple ways to make your house less attractive to burglars. And some solutions are surprisingly cheap.
We approached Alison Peckham, a security expert at myjobquote.co.uk for some top tips on how to ramp up your home security as the winter months approach, and we've added in a few Mirror Choice product recommendations that we've tried and tested.
Install an alarm system
One of the most important security devices in a home is a robust home security system. Homes with an alarm system are around 300% less likely to be burgled than a home without one.
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Some security systems can be quite expensive, so make sure you shop around and choose a system that suits both your needs and your budget.
Alarm systems are a vital part of any home security setup.Invest in a smart doorbell
Smart doorbells are a superb first-line defence in protecting your home. Video doorbells can help you keep a close eye on who is at your front door, and they can store video in the cloud or locally for later review.
They will also allow you to interact with someone at your front door using your smartphone or tablet without needing to get up, and you can see when someone is there, even when you’re not at home via an app on your phone.
Video doorbells can be bought for less than £100- Buy a Ring wireless video doorbell for £99.99
Install motion detector lighting
Instead of constantly having your outdoor lighting on, install motion-activated lights around the perimeter of your property. The sudden bright lights can startle potential intruders and scare them away.
Burglars typically prefer privacy while they’re at work and will be deterred by a well-lit property.
Add a home security camera
Security cameras are surprisingly affordable, and can be a doddle to install. Just like a video doorbell, they firstly act as a deterrent, and the camera footage can help you get justice if you are unfortunate enough to be burgled.
Wireless cameras are very cheap to by these daysBe sure to install the cameras close to your home's entry points. You should aim to install cameras at both the front and back entry points to your property.
Always discuss the cameras with your neighbours if they point at another private property.
Make it look like someone is home
Whenever you’re not at home, It's always worth making it look like someone is. This can be as simple as leaving a light on inside the home, but some burglars will monitor a property to look for signs it might be empty.
A simple solution is to buy a smart plug or smart switch for some of your lights. These can be really cheap, and you can set up fairly random patterns, just in case someone is keeping watch.
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Leaving a radio on could convince a would-be intruder there might be somebody in the houseOther ways you can make it look less inviting include leaving a TV on, leaving a car in the driveway, having a neighbour collect your mail, and leaving a radio playing in the property.
Educate your family
“Education is a cornerstone of effective home security”, according to Emrecan Dogan, security expert and founder of Score Beyond. “Regularly educate family members about security protocols, such as locking doors and windows, setting alarms, and being cautious about sharing personal information online”, says Dogan.
When your entire family is aware of the safety and security precautions associated with your home, this will help to ensure that your home stays secure at all times.
After all, you can’t expect your family members to know how to set the alarms if they haven’t been shown how to do it. You may be cautious about sharing your security codes with your children.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t tell your children about other precautions, such as ensuring the doors and windows are locked and avoiding sharing any personal information online or with their peers.
Visibility is important
Visibility is one of the simplest methods of deterring burglars. “The visibility of security equipment itself functions as a robust deterrent to potential intruders”, says Michael Falls, CEO of Sabretooth Tech Group.
“The knowledge that a property is under vigilant monitoring and safeguarding can dissuade criminals from even considering a burglary.
"These specialised devices possess the capability to identify any unauthorised entry into your residence, immediately detecting any intrusion attempts.”
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