8 Expert Tips to Help Secure Your Home This Summer

Summertime is just around the corner! The perfect season to enjoy the warm weather and longer evenings outside.

However, it’s also the time when burglars are on the lookout for unguarded homes.

Shockingly, the police report that over 500 burglaries occur every day in the UK! So, let’s take a moment to think about your summer home security and take the necessary measures to protect your property.

Here are our top expert tips to help keep your home secure this summer:

1. Always lock your doors and windows, even when you’re at home or in the garden.

As we enter the summer months, doors and windows are opened to let in fresh air whilst homeowners are outside enjoying barbecues, in their gardens or even in bed, and potentially letting down their guard when it comes to home security. Unfortunately, this can provide an opportunity for burglars to sneak in and steal our valuables.

It only takes a minute for a burglar to sneak in. In fact, over half of the incidents of domestic burglaries happen when someone was at home.

2. Be cautious about leaving windows open on a warm night. 

If you do want to leave windows open, then consider getting window restrictors professionally installed so that they can’t be fully opened to allow somebody to climb in.

3. Keep valuables out of sight and reach. 

Don’t leave valuable items, like car keys, wallets, and mobile phones, in reach of an open window, door or even a cat flap if you have one.

4. Install additional security measures. 

Install a home alarm, CCTV camera or video doorbell and make sure to use it even if you’re only going to be out of the home for a short period of time. As well as alerting you to issues, alarms can also act as a good visual deterrent.

5. Keep your garden well-maintained and clear of any potential hiding spots for burglars.

Trim back any overgrown bushes or trees and ensure that your lawn is mowed regularly. This will make it more difficult for burglars to approach your home undetected.

6. Lock away tools in your shed or garage.

After a day in the garden, remember to put tools, ladders, barbeque, and other equipment in a well-secured shed or garage out of sight, as expensive outdoor equipment can attract opportunistic thieves and be used to break into your house.

7. Make it look like you’re at home, even when you’re not.

If you’re leaving your home empty, avoid advertising your absence by making it appear as though someone is home.

Use timer lighting or consider a fake TV that mimics the appearance of a real television. Timed lighting and a Fake TV are energy-efficient and cost-effective.

However, ensure that the fake TV is placed in a room where the device itself is not visible through a window (so its not obvious its fake), such as an upstairs room.

8. Beware of accepting new friends or connections on social media if you don’t know them personally.

Burglars can pose as ‘friends’ to find out more about you and your home.

And avoid posting snaps of your days or outdoor activities on social media at the time. Enjoy your summer, but don’t tell the world that your home is empty. Instead post your photos whilst relaxing and enjoying a nice cup of tea when you get back home!

Know you’re in safe hands.

If in doubt, seek advice from a trusted and experienced professional. MLA locksmiths are independently vetted and inspected, and many will be able to perform a complete security assessment of your home free of charge.

We would always recommend it as being best to hire a professional locksmith to ensure that the job is done correctly.

References

[1] Home Security Month, 2017 (Yale)