The gradual easing of lockdown brings longed-for opportunities to restore a sense of normalcy. But, after months of working from home, you’re bound to feel anxious about leaving your house for prolonged periods.
So, to put your mind at ease and to make sure that all the basic security measures are in place before it’s time to return to the office, we thought we’d shed some light on how to enhance security at your home – outlining which areas you need to focus on.
The perimeter
The perimeter of your home is the first line of defence and, there are several ways you can deter someone from burgling your property…
Take CCTV cameras, for instance. Carefully positioned, these can act as a deterrent but they can also be installed in a concealed spot – helping you to catch your burglar.
While tall hedges and fences will provide you with more privacy, they can disguise potential intruders. It’s a well-known fact that they like to hide under a blanket of darkness, so you should opt for an open garden or low fences as these will make them easier to spot. Motion sensors are also a fantastic investment as they will alert you if someone is lurking on your premises.
The front door
Burglars are savvy. If they don’t have to break a window or pick your locks, they won’t. And, as much as we hate to admit it, we’re all guilty of leaving the front door unlocked at some point or another.
But why make their job easier? Having a high-security door (and remembering to lock it!) will help to prevent opportunists from letting themselves in. As will video doorbells. These are installed beside your door and record anyone who approaches your property. Connected to an app on your smartphone, you will instantly be notified when someone is at your door (or within range) – even whilst you’re out!
If you’ve lost your key or you think someone might have stolen it from your bag, it’s a good idea to invest in new door locks. The same applies if you’ve moved to a new house because let’s face it, you can never be too sure who has a copy of your key. Simply call a local locksmith and ask them to come and fit new locks at your property.
Indoor security
In the unfortunate event of a burglar getting into your home, you might think that it’s too late and there’s nothing else you can do. But that’s where you’re wrong. There are several things you can do to stop thieves taking any valuables or damaging your property.
One of the most common being to install a burglar alarm. You set these before you leave the house and go to bed and there is an alarm box usually fitted on the side of your house. If burglars fail to see this or ignore it, the siren then activates and will alert you and your neighbours to the presence of an intruder.
Aside from this, it’s worth investing in a security safe to protect any valuable items (i.e. cash, jewellery, tech, important documents etc.). This way you can relax knowing that your cherished possessions are kept out of harm’s way. For any larger items that won’t fit in the safe, you could use padlocks and chains to fasten them up?
But by far the best way to keep a close eye on things inside your home is to install an indoor security camera. Though you can dot them anywhere around the house – we recommend using them to monitor external doors or vulnerable windows that pesky thieves will likely target.
Outdoor areas
Although it’s crucial that you protect your house, the garden is not to be overlooked. Many people opt for security lighting as it draws attention to their garden and can put potential burglars off. And, thanks to modern-day technology, you can even get your hands on smart security lighting which sends an alert to your phone when motion is detected.
The garden shed is another high-risk area. These are often filled with expensive gardening tools and equipment which – in the wrong hands – can be dangerous. So, to protect your garden shed and tools against theft, make sure that your equipment is put away after use and always secure the shed door with a padlock. LockShop Direct provide a wide range of padlocks online, including closed shackle padlocks, combination padlocks, discus padlocks, and more – all from leading security brands and priced competitively.
