As the old adage goes, a man’s home is his castle. Whilst this may be an outdated expression, it is true that most of us consider our homes to be a safe haven. It’s the place where we sleep, eat and share with our loved ones. We also keep most of our possessions here in the knowledge that they are protected from the outside world. However criminals don’t agree with this ideology and will try everything to gain unlawful access into our properties in order to steal the things we have worked so hard for. The recession has made these deviants even more desperate. Having a home burgled brings a tremendous amount of stress as the occupants will feel abused and degraded. Criminals don’t care what they steal or damage and sentimental belongings are regularly taken never to be seen again. This of course has led to homeowners taking a stand where burglars have wound up dead as a result of their actions. With this in mind we take a look at six ways of increasing security in an attempt to minimize the chance of a break in.
Burglar Alarm
This is one of the best ways of visually informing a potential burglar that your home is protected. Most alarms are relatively inexpensive and are a formidable deterrent 24/7. Try opting for a model which can be linked up to the local police station in case of intrusion.
Windows
Sounds obvious but if you leave any window open; you are making it extremely easy for a criminal to access your home. Burglars have been known to sneak through the narrowest of gaps and can be in and out in a matter of minutes. Keep all windows shut and locked when you are away from your property and at night where possible.
Lighting
Burglars hate light. The last thing they want to do is to be seen. The cloak of darkness is their friend so if a place is well lit up, and then your property will not be an attractive proposition. Make sure you have lights in the front and rear of the house. It’s a great idea if your lights are equipped with motion sensors as well.
Investing in timers for the internal lights will add to your total protection.
Tools
If you leave these outside then not only will they get stolen but a thief will most likely use them to assist in the break in of your home. If you happen to have a ladder propped up outside then you may as well invite the burglar in yourself. Keep them locked away and out of sight.
Neighbourhood Watch
Put nosey neighbours to good use. Efficient community observation will help to dissuade opportunistic thieves. A neighbourhood watch system with visible signs placed along the street, shows that householders are on the alert to any would be burglars.
CCTV
Home security cameras are excellent in deterring trespassers to your property. In many instances they will stop an intruder right in their tracks as video evidence is generally indisputable. Make sure the cameras are clearly visible and have a notice informing the criminals of their presence.
Of course none of these measures are completely fool proof so every home owner needs to be vigilant at all times. Prevention is better than cure but it makes sense never to be too complacent!
Author: This article was written the team at www.distinctivedoors.co.uk, who produce mahogany hardwood doors, internal oak doors, fittings, and furnishings.
