Rural Charm and Connected Living

Finally, hold back from making public posts about your holiday on social media sites. Checking in at the airport on Facebook is a sure-fire way to put your home and all your belongings at risk. And remember: unless they’re locked, everyone can see your Instagram and Twitter profiles, too.

11. Secure your smart devices On that note, remember that home security isn’t just physical – it’s also electronic. Your savings, your identity, your car, and even your fridge could be under threat if you control them with smart technology.

Make sure to get the latest security updates for all your devices, and keep up to date with whichever malware protection you use. When your laptop or phone wants to download a system update, let it do so. Create a wifi network for guests who you don’t know well (like tradespeople), and make sure that your smart TV, fridge, and bin all have different passwords.

12. Ask a neighbour for their assistance If you can ask a neighbour to help out while you’re away, you can certainly ask them to keep an eye out in general, especially as you can offer to do the same for them. You won’t be home every minute of every day throughout the year, so it’s important to ask for help keeping your belongings safe. This doesn’t mean slipping them a pair of binoculars and asking for them to set up a constant vigil – just ask them to report anything suspicious.

13. Join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme If you want to feel even more secure, you could do worse than join your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. The organisation told The Eco Experts that 2.3 million households across the UK are covered by the programme, which essentially involves people looking out for each other. Protecting everything important to you while making the world a bit better? That’s a win-win.

How to improve home security In summary, you can make your home safer for you and your family by making your entry points harder to access, giving burglars no reason to think you’re away, and keeping your most precious belongings in the places which are hardest to break into.

Equipped with all of the home security tips above, take a look at your home from a different perspective. Case the joint. Get into the mindset of any potential thieves, and see if your home has any weaknesses which they could exploit – then fix them.

And most importantly: lock your doors. You don’t need home security tips from a master burglar to figure that one out. n

Josh Jackman, Senior Writer The Eco Experts www.theecoexperts.co.uk

Nestled in the countryside, and a 7-minute cycle from Warwick Town Centre, L&Q’s Beauchamp Park is meeting the demand for family homes in Warwickshire.

Forming part of the Warwick Gateway urban extension, which will bring 1,600 homes, a community centre, a primary school, and a country park to the local area, the development benefits from excellent views onto Warwick Castle. Combining outdoor fun, with play areas and cycle paths on the doorstep, with the medieval architecture and bustling food scene of Warwick, residents have plenty to see and do in their local area.

For those keen to explore further afield, Birmingham is 30 minutes by train from nearby Warwick Station, while London can be reached in an hour and a half. For trips away, the Cotswolds is under an hour away, and a journey to Birmingham Airport takes 24 minutes by car.

With materials and colours chosen to reflect the surrounding natural landscapes of Warwickshire, and each home including L&Q’s New Build Homes: Quality Standard promise, excellence is guaranteed. The contemporary kitchens are complete with integrated appliances, giving the living areas a spacious feel, while the bathrooms feature chrome fittings and heated towel rails. The double doors that lead out onto turfed gardens help to enhance the family-friendly feel of the homes, with easy access to the outdoors to enjoy the warmer months.

Set in a friendly community, and surrounded by green space, Beauchamp Park is an excellent choice for families and individuals alike. n