Practical ways to improve your home security today

Are you concerned about burglaries in your area? Follow these four practical ways to improve your home security and get peace of mind today.

Upgrade your entry points

Start at the beginning: making it more difficult for intruders to penetrate your property. Even if your deterrents fail, these measures will help to ensure they cannot gain access. 

Check door hinges for signs of wear and tear, and ensure they are securely attached to the door frame. Consider reinforcing any glass panes with stronger glazing or replacing your door with a windowless design. Upgrade your locks to British Standard-certified options from trusted companies like Yale. Windows should be minimum double-glazed and locked whenever you leave the house.

Implement smart technology

One of the most recent interior design crazes is the introduction of video doorbell cameras which provide constant footage of the external area around your doorways. Trackable via smartphone apps, you can receive alerts whenever someone comes close to your property and view the footage to check that it’s someone known to you or the postman rather than an intruder. 

You can complement a video doorbell camera with other smart technology for the home including remote access alarms which can be armed and disarmed via your phone and similarly controlled speakers for audio defence.  

Employ simple lifestyle habits

The easiest habit to get into is having an insurance policy in place. Should your home be broken into, home insurance provides an extra safeguard for your property by helping to cover the cost of incurred damage and stolen goods. Ensure your policy includes contents insurance and check the theft coverage.

Other daily habits can support your home’s security. Always check the locks before you leave and make it a habit to set your burglar alarm. If you keep a spare key outside the property, ensure this is in a secure place such as a lock box rather than just under a doormat. 

Use lighting as a deterrent

As recommended by the police, one of the best ways to keep burglars out of your property is ensuring your home is visible at nighttime. If you work away from home, consider installing smart lights that can be remotely controlled or setting your lights on a timer, so your interiors are never in darkness. Simply having a lamp on in one or two rooms gives the impression that you’re at home.

You should also fit outdoor security lights with motion sensors which automatically come on when movement is detected. These can be positioned at the front of your driveway, atop walls or on the exterior wall of your house. Thanks to new solar technology, you won’t have to worry about wiring or plugs.