How to Secure Your Home What is the best way to secure your home from burglars? Step 1. Lock down. All external doors should be fitted with adequate locks. Mortise locks are ideal. Secluded back and side doors are more commonly used by burglars than the front entrance. So pay these just as much attention if not more. If you leave back door open during summer it may be wise to fit security chain preventing unwelcome visitors. Most thieves are opportunists. An open window makes it easy for them to reach through and grab what is at hand. Remove this temptation by closing the window in the rooms you are not using. Every time you leave the house ensure they are securely shut. Take the extra precaution to fit good locks too. Another thing to think about is using door reinforcement hardware. Contact the crime prevention office at your local police station. They will be able to advise you on which top security measures are most suitable for your home. Step 2. Alarms. Burglar alarms are an excellent deterrent to would-be thieves. Fit the exterior alarm boxes which have blue strobe lights attached. These make it easy to identify which property has its system activated and prompts action. If you have a false alarm box fitted, make sure it is printed with the name of a false security firm and false telephone number. A blank alarm box screams fake! Top tip. Alarm boxes are controlled by four digit security numbers. Avoid picking your date of birth as a code. It may be easy to remember but most thieves will work this out too. Therefore they already have the 1 and the 9, lowering the the odds of getting the remaining two digits. You should also check wireless home security camera systems ans find out which one is
best for you. Step 3. Outdoor precautions. Sensor activated lights are relatively cheap and easy to fit to the exterior of your house. They are great at deterring the theft and give you the extra security of being able to see into your garden at night. If you have huge plants and bushes obscuring the front of your house, then trim them back - they are the perfect cover for a thief to break in unnoticed. Step 4. Property marking. Identification is key to having valuable property returned if it is ever stolen. Use an ultraviolet pen to write your postcode and house number on any larger items such as computers and televisions. Over time the marking will fade so reapply every year. Don't forget to mark new items you have bought in the meantime. With delicate or smaller items, take clear, detailed photographs. Give a sense of scale by putting a coin in show. These photos may be useful for insurance purposes as well as for their recovery. Step 5. Know your neighbors. Your neighbors are your biggest ally in keeping your home safe. So if you are not acquainted to them, go and introduce yourself. If you trust them enough to give them the spare set of keys, rely on them to look after your house when you go away on holiday and do the same for them.