Homes with no security measures are five times more likely to be burgled than those where owners have taken simple security precautions, according to police figures. Furthermore, there’s a burglary approximately every 40 seconds in the UK, so making sure your home is as protected as possible really is key.

Our home security tips could help you keep your home and garden secure. We spoke to security experts to get their expertise on the best ways to beef up your home security.

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Home security – tips for beefing up security

“Burglars are often opportunistic thieves, who seek any opening they can take advantage of, specifically doors and windows left open or unlocked, or that are easy to force. But it really doesn’t take much to deter these thieves – just smart thinking,” says Kenny McHugh, senior development officer for the national police crime prevention initiative, Secured by Design (SBD).

“Physical and visible deterrents give the criminal the first indication that the owner of a property has an awareness around security, and the criminal will often move on elsewhere to look for somewhere quicker and easier to break in to,” he adds.

To make the necessary home security measures clearer, West Midlands Police have worked with a reformed burglar to set up the online virtual reality crime-fighting challenge, called 27 Station Road. The idea is that site visitors play the role of a detective investigating a burglary at the interactive house, gathering clues about how the burglar broke in, and what the householder could have done to help prevent it happening.

Recommended: Christmas home security tips – 12 ways to deter burglars this festive season.

Home security tips to keep your home and garden secure

Meanwhile, here are some home-security tips from Crimestoppers, SBD and Anthony Neary, managing director of home security retailer Safe.co.uk.

1. Make your house look occupied

Crimestoppers recommends switching lights and/or a radio on when you go out – you can buy timer devices to do this automatically. If you’re going away on holiday, use timers for the lights, and ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your house, take in any milk and newspaper deliveries, and maybe even park on your drive.

“Keeping your home looking well-loved and maintained is a good first step to deterring thieves,” notes Neary, “they’re less likely to strike if it looks like there are people around on a regular basis.”

Tidy away any tools, bins and ladders, as these can all give burglars a helping hand if they’re looking to gain quick entry, and get yourself an alarm. The Ring Alarm system gives you complete control via your smartphone.

 

 

 

Buy the Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit home security system with optional assisted monitoring. With no long-term commitments, it works with Alexa.

2. Hide keys from sight

Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and well away from the letterbox, as a device could be used to hook keys through it.

3. Install a burglar alarm

Consider a good intruder alarm system installed by a reputable alarm company – there’s guidance on NSI and SSIAB accreditation for alarms on the Secured by Design website. Crimestoppers advises fitting burglar alarms with flashing lights and sound at the front and back of your property. However, the police warn that an alarm should be installed as part of a series of crime prevention measures, as on its own it won’t prevent entry to your home.

 

 

 

Buy the Yale IA-320 Sync Smart Home Alarm, which works with Alexa, Google & Philips Hue. This 6-piece kit, self-monitored alarm includes geofencing, a huge 200m range and integrates with Yale Smart Locks.

4. Lower fencing

Lower fences can help deter intruders (iStock/PA)
Lower fences can help deter intruders (iStock/PA)

One of the less known home security tips is about fencing. While you might think higher fences keep your home protected, the reality is that the lower the fence, the easier it is for intruders to be spotted. “Burglars don’t want to be seen, so lower fences at the front of a property are better than high fences as they allow for natural vision over and don’t provide cover for someone hiding,” explains McHugh. “Likewise with hedges at the front of your property – keep them at a height where passers-by can maximise the natural vision.”

5. Always lock windows and doors

Burglars often look for homes with windows or doors left open, or with vulnerable features they can exploit. Crimestoppers warns householders to check all doors and windows are properly closed and locked before going out, even if it’s only for a few minutes or you’re just out in the garden. And when you’re at home, try not to leave accessible windows open at night. If you need new windows or doors, SBD recommends fitting ones with Police Preferred Specification, which have been tested to ensure they’re robust enough to resist physical attack by burglars.

“Burglars will often scout a location before attempting a burglary, so ensure you keep valuable items (including car keys) away from windows, and make sure your front and back doors are fitted with high-quality locks that meet British Standard BS3621. Burglars will check the quality of locks on windows and whether there are two locks on the front door. Most houses have a single lock, making it easier to break in,” he says. “Police figures show that an unlocked door is one of the top ways that burglars gain entry to a property, so always ensure your doors and windows are locked – even when you’re at home.”

Recommended: Which smart doorbell – 7 best smart doorbell cameras to keep your home secure.

6. Fit outdoor sensor lighting

Outdoor lights operated by sensors will make intruders feel vulnerable and observed, so consider dusk-to-dawn lighting which illuminates areas such as the front, side and rear of your home. Crimestoppers advises householders to make sure the lights are tamper-proof.

CCTV and smart doorbells, which can have live video streaming, motion sensors and two-way audio, can alert you to someone inside the boundary of your property if they’re monitored, for example by being linked to a smart-phone.

“Security lights are a huge deterrent, as are prominent CCTV cameras. Quality CCTV cameras and alarm kits are much more accessible these days and don’t have to cost the earth – but you could even fit a dummy camera for a quick fix, while you get your security sorted,” Neary suggests. Try the Swann 8 Channel 4 Camera HD CCTV Security System which detects heat and motion, records the footage onto its own hard drive, and can be watched back on a smartphone.

 

 

 

Buy the Swann 8 Channel 4 camera HD CCTV security system. This 5 MP Super HD DVR-4980 has 4 x 5 MP thermal sensing security cameras and works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

7. Check outside before you head inside

Crimestoppers advises homeowners not to leave garden tools outside, and keep ladders out of sight, as they could be used to break into your home. Make sure sheds, garages, outbuildings and exterior gates are locked.

8. Mark property from recovery

Make valuables less attractive to thieves by using a police accredited forensic marking solution to mark valuables with your postcode and house number. “Property marking is a great deterrent and makes it easier for the police to trace and recover stolen articles,” says McHugh. Also, register valued possessions with the free Immobilise property registration service.

9. Opt for gravel to foil the silent approach

Gravel driveways and paths are one of the quick win home security tips, and are ideal at preventing a silent approach.

10. Join Neighbourhood Watch

Crime prevention experts recommend joining your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme, and McHugh says: “These help to cut crime and the opportunities for crime, and encourage neighbourliness and closer communities.”

11. Get a dog

The police say getting a dog is a personal preference and isn’t usually a specific crime prevention measure, as some will bark at the sound of anyone approaching the house and others may not. However, there’s no doubt that if you’ve got a dog that does bark when it hears an unexpected noise, it will help deter burglars – particularly if the dog is large!

12. Fit a safe

“Recent research we conducted found that less than one in 10 of us keep spare keys in a safe, instead opting for doormats and plant pots,” Neary continues. “Safes are a cost-effective way of keeping spare keys and other small items locked away from prying eyes.

“Should the unthinkable happen and a burglar manages to gain entry into your home, the first thing they’ll tend to do is head upstairs and ransack the bedroom, as many people will keep valuables under the bed, in the belief this is a secure place. The best thing to do would be to keep any jewellery, passports, spare cash or sentimental items in a safe that’s in a wardrobe or – even better – secured to the floor or wall. Traditional key lock, keypad and fingerprint safes all offer extra security for smaller valuables.”

 

 

 

Buy the highly-rated AmazonBasics Security Safe 14 L, available in black, as an easy home security solution.

13. File documents away securely

Important documents are often kept in the kitchen, but Neary advises making sure these are filed away and not in plain sight. Identity fraud is something a burglar might be looking to capitalise on, so keep any letters and bank statements tidied away.

14. Put your lights on a timer

“Our research also found that over a third of us admit to leaving for a holiday without any home security measures in place, putting property at risk,” says Neary. “A cheap and easy way to deter burglars while your home is empty is to set light timers. Make your home look occupied and have a trusted friend or family member check-in, ensuring that post doesn’t pile up – burglars will look for signs of an empty house.”

 

 

 

Buy the Digital Daily Programmable Timer Plug Socket. It includes a countdown and is a periodic on-off cycling timer for lights and home appliances.

15. Be social media savvy

“Playing into the hands of tech-savvy burglars is something increasing numbers of us are falling victim to,” Neary adds. “One in five of us post photos on social media while on holiday, and if we don’t have our profiles set to private, this information is easily located by burglars. For added peace of mind, consider investing in some form of smart CCTV system that allows you to monitor the cameras remotely via an app on your phone. This way, you’ll be able to check in while you’re at work or away for longer periods, and your app will alert you when alarms are triggered.”

16. Don’t forget about bicycles and outdoor security

It’d be lovely to think of our gardens as crime-free safe havens, but thieves have been known to target gardens and garden sheds during summertime – when we might be more likely to leave tools, toys and bikes lying around on the grass, or within easy access in a shed with a flimsy lock. Make sure anything of value is packed away when not in use, and especially overnight, and that all your locks are up to the task. If you’re going away on holiday, it might be a good idea to take high-value items out of the shed and keep them more securely locked up in your house.

Wise Living has teamed up with PedalSure to offer readers a 15% discount on a new bicycle insurance policy. Find out more on our PedalSure reader offer page or go directly to PedalSure cycle insurance.



17. Make sure your home insurance is up to scratch

Should the worst happen and you do suffer a break-in or any thefts or damage to your property, the most important thing is to that you’re properly insured. This means making sure your home and home contents insurance actually covers all the things you’d hope it does, and that you’re clear on any specific details or criteria which could hinder any claims you might need to make – such as information and requirements for locks on windows and doors. If in doubt, have a good chat with one of the advisors and make sure you read all the small print.

Recommended: Over 50s home insurance – get the best insurance.

Wifi security camera: best home security camera

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