Assuring the safety of your home – 10 Top Tips For Home Security
There will be more than 350,000 burglaries in the United Kingdom in 2022 if you don’t take the necessary precautions to protect your house and belongings. How do I keep my house safe from a break-in? “, you may be asking yourself. In order to keep burglars from breaking into your home, it is important that you follow a few simple steps.
In the event of a burglary, homeowners may want to purchase insurance to cover the cost of repairs or replacements (or another event, such as fire or flooding).
After a break-in, it’s vital to make your home as secure as possible in order to prevent any future break-ins from happening.
Do I have any defences against an intruder?
Find out how to prevent intruders from breaking into your home by reading on.
Following the Master Locksmiths’ Association’s top ten list of home security measures will help you keep your home safe while still being covered by your insurance.
1 – Set Your Alarm
If you’re worried about your safety, you should consider getting an alarm system installed. As a bonus, it may cut your insurance costs as well as improving the safety of your property. However, in order for it to work, you must first activate it if you already have one installed (and to avoid invalidating your insurance).
Avoid missing key occasions by setting your alarm before you leave the house and before you go to sleep at night. If you find it difficult to remember, set reminders on your phone or leave yourself a note at the door.
2 – Update your locks if they’re out of date
Reduce your homeowner’s insurance costs by picking the right lock. As a result, they provide the best protection against intruders in the home. Burglars may design a method of unlocking locks they are familiar with in order to avoid detection. The usage of locks that have been professionally installed is therefore crucial.
Nick Carter, owner of Willowbank Windows & Conservatories, in Blackpool, recommends that you have Multi-Point locking on all uPVC and Composite doors. “There are a few different types but essentially they are all “multipoint locking” that have a combination of hook locks, shoot bolts, roller cams and deadbolts. The BS 3621 that you might see advertised relates essentially to timber doors.”
Our guide to approved locks has more information. Your insurance company’s requirements for lock selection and installation can be explained to you in detail by an experienced locksmith (such as one who is a member of the Master Locksmith Association).
3 – Your windows need to be shut
The lower your insurance rate, the more likely it is that your windows have to be kept closed. The same rules apply to windows as they do to doors. To keep your home safe while you’re away, you must always lock your windows when you leave, Your insurance may have specific requirements for the type of window and door locks you install.
Keep your windows closed at night in the summer to keep burglars out. Check the condition of your windows on a regular basis as well, as windows with rusted or rotted frames are more likely to be pushed open, posing an even bigger security threat.
4 – Keep all of your valuables out of sight
To avoid attracting opportunistic criminals, store jewellery, iPads, and other valuables in a hidden location. After all, burglars aren’t exactly famed for their self-control. To meet your special needs, an MLA-approved locksmith can also provide and install a safe that is customised to your specifications.
Many criminals enter into homes in order to steal cars, so make sure your keys are stored safely. Keep your keys away from your front door to avoid ‘mailbox fishing,’ where burglars use a fishing rod or long magnetic object to snag keys through a home’s letterbox.
5 – Keep your keys in a safe place
Burglars may find your spare key buried under the doormat or in a potted plant. If you leave your keys on the inside of your door, burglars can utilise the ‘fishing’ approach to get into your house through the letterbox. There are some insurance companies that refuse to pay claims if there is no evidence that criminals broke into the property.
6 – Investing in high-quality lighting is essential
Many burglars prefer to work at night in order to avoid detection. An intruder may flee your property if they see movement detected by motion sensors. To save energy, you can also install automated low-energy lighting. Burglars may be put off by the idea that your house is occupied when you’re not there.
7 – Don’t make it obvious that you’re away when you’re away
Thieves have an easier time breaking into your house and stealing your goods if you’re not around. Robbers often go after valuables while their victims are away on vacation.
Keep your absence a secret by cancelling your milk and newspaper deliveries while you’re away. Another alternative is to let a trustworthy friend or neighbour to check in on your home and collect any mail that has been delivered. Even if your posts are just visible to you, it’s best not to make your absence known on social networking platforms like Facebook or Twitter. Clear up any confusion: This is not a time to post vacation photos or provide specifics about your trip.
8 – Be vigilant when it comes to protecting your outside spaces and storage areas
In addition to your home’s doors and windows, what about the valuables stored in sheds and outhouses?
As far as burglars go, if they borrow heavy equipment like ladders, they can use your own tools against you in your outbuildings.
9 – Do-it-yourself disasters can be avoided
Insurer Aviva estimates that £7 billion is spent annually on DIY disasters, with one in ten people spending more than £2,000 to fix their mistakes. One in three people eventually pay a professional to correct their mistakes, according to estimates.
Avoid putting yourself at danger by working on projects that could compromise the safety of your house or affect security measures (such as fitting doors and windows). Also, bear in mind that your home insurance may not cover poor do-it-yourself work, increasing the danger to your home and its contents.
10 – Check your safety precautions on a regular basis
Keep an eye out for flaws in your security procedures. Keep an eye on your home’s security system and other smart lighting systems to ensure they are functioning properly. Make an annual assessment of your security measures to ensure they are up to date (this is a good time to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors too). You can benefit from conducting your own evaluation, but a professional can provide a more accurate assessment.
In addition to using the aforementioned tips and strategies, make sure your house is insured. Consider both building and contents insurance when it comes to securing your property.
If you’ve just purchased a large item or made other significant renovations to your home, it’s critical to examine your home insurance policy on a regular basis.
After reading our tips on home security, if you still feel insecure or want a better price, obtain quotes from reputable firms on locksmithsinblackpool.co.uk.