The top ten ways to protect your home

It’s estimated that a burglar strikes in the UK on average every 25.7 seconds, which is a sobering thought. It also a statistic that should motivate any homeowner to take action to protect their property, but it can be something of a minefield.

So where do you begin? Our top ten tips include some simple, inexpensive measures that will help you get started, along with some more involved actions which require planning and investment.

1. Lock your doors
   It sounds obvious, but it’s potentially so obvious that it gets overlooked. A staggering 34% of burglars in the UK simply walk through the front door, so always keep doors locked. It might cause a minor inconvenience now and then, but that’s far better than enduring a burglary.
2. Check your doors regularly
   Make sure that every door is intact, that all the frames are strong, that the hinges function correctly and, if your door has a letterbox, check that it’s not possible to reach through and unlock or open the door. If you moved into a home that was previously occupied, change the locks as you don’t know for definite how many keys are in circulation. It is also worth considering the additional security that can be provided by deadbolts, strike plates, smart locks and a video doorbell.
   
   As security experts, we’re also big fans of high-tech solutions such as adding a door sensor or glass break sensor as they can alert you if anyone tampers with the glass door and can act as a deterrent. Additional security measures such as window security film, window bars and prickly bushes directly beneath the windows can also lessen the chances of a break in.
3. Let there be light
   Many burglaries take place at dimly lit properties as the darkness increases the likelihood of not being identified, so make sure your outside lighting is more than ample. Many homeowners neglect to light the front and back of their property, as well as pathways and around the garage. Using motion-activated lighting ensures that you’re not inconvenienced, and solar-operated lights are also an option. If you’re regularly returning home after dark, setting up a timer system for your external lighting means that they will come on automatically at the right time.
4. Remember your garage…
   Burglars who are deterred from breaking into your home may still chance their arm and try your garage, so keep it locked at all times and ensure that the keys aren’t easily accessible. Smart technology has also reached the garage, with fobs for remote locking and unlocking, and security codes to avoid carrying a key. If there’s a window, cover it or ensure that valuable items aren’t visible from outside.
5. Install a security system
   Whatever the age and value of your property, a modern security system is essential as it will prove invaluable in deterring would-be intruders. The latest intruder alarms enable you to set and unset the system remotely via an app on your smartphone and can also be linked into other devices such as video doorbells, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors.
6. Secure your Wi-Fi network
   It’s often taken for granted, but your home Wi-Fi network can be a doorway to your private personal and financial information. Not only that, if you’ve gone down the home automation route, it can also make your home vulnerable to a break-in. Steps such as securing your wireless router, enabling WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption, renaming and hiding your home network and even using a firewall can help to keep you safe. Installing antivirus software and anti-malware protection can also contribute to a more secure home environment.
7. Remove hiding places and tools
   We all yearn for the perfect property with oodles of curb appeal, but large bushes and trees are ideal for burglars seeking somewhere to hide. A safer alternative is a selection of smaller flowers and shrubs, and it’s advisable not to leave ladders, stools and garden tools lying around or in view.
8. Install CCTV cameras
   CCTV cameras can act as a visible deterrent, making it less likely that your property will be targeted if your neighbour’s is camera-free. Not only that, should the worst happen, your CCTV cameras may provide reliable evidence for prosecution. Most modern CCTV systems are triggered by movement and operate as well at night as they do during the day, but it’s important not to cut corners here.
9. Buy yourself a safe
   Even with the most elaborate – and expensive – security system in place, there’s still a chance that an intruder may get in, so keeping your most valuable items and documents in a safe is a good idea. Make sure it’s fire resistant, waterproof, heavy enough to stop a burglar running away with it and – ideally – that it has redundant locks (two locks on one safe).
10. Employ home automation
    If you’re aspiring to create a smart home, automation enables you not only to control your lights, locks, CCTV and other security devices, but also to receive alerts and notifications in real time so that you can take action quickly. Timing your lights to switch on and off when you’re out and also scheduling your TV to turn on can give the impression that the house is occupied, while a video doorbell can allow you to screen and talk to anyone who approaches the front door.

For Stuart Drummond, owner of ATL Alarms, it’s important to take measures to deter or even just delay intruders. ‘Here at ATL Alarms we spend our time protecting people’s most valuable asset – their home,’ says Stuart. ‘And it’s not just about protecting the physical building, it’s also about protecting the family from the psychological and emotional impact of a burglary. We specialise in intruder alarms and CCTV, and we can design and install the most appropriate solution for every size of property. We do, though, urge homeowners to take additional practical precautions to deter burglars or even just ensure that they don’t have easy access. When it comes to intruder alarms and CCTV, there are so many options available that it’s really helpful to talk to a specialist company such as ours to ensure that you tick all the boxes with the system that’s installed.’

ATL Alarms design, install and service intruder alarms and CCTV systems in Cambridge, Newmarket and surrounding areas, so why not call us on 01353 722882 or complete our enquiry form to request a no-obligation quotation?