Ten Top Tips to protect your home and loved ones this winter

1. Burglars don’t tend to target homes that are occupied, so use timers for lights to turn them on at certain times, or consider smart lighting options that are controllable from your phone. Smart lighting can also be integrated with smart security systems and sound systems so you can control everything from your phone. You could also turn the radio or TV on if you are out of the house overnight.

 

2. Make sure valuable items cannot be easily seen from outside when you leave the house and always draw your curtains at night.

 

 

3. Visible burglar alarms and security lighting are great deterrents – just make sure your alarms are switched on when you’re out and your security lights don’t disturb your neighbours.

 

 

4. Get a professional maintenance check and test your security lighting, motion sensors or CCTV cameras on a regular basis. Bad weather can damage outdoor equipment, and you may not notice until it’s too late.

5. Remember, if a burglar does get into your home then handbags, wallets, laptops, and house or car keys are obvious targets. Don’t leave them in a prominent position, such as at the bottom of the stairs, and keep your keys safely out of sight.

 6.Make sure garden tools, ladders or anything else that could be used to break into your home are not left lying around. These are all tools that could be used by a burglar to more easily access your house. It’s best not to provide them with the tools.

7.Create a routine for yourself. Even something as small as remembering to check your doors, windows, and car are secure before you go to bed or leave the house is an easy way to prevent intruders from breaking in. Most burglaries happen during the day when you’re out of the house, so working these quick checks into your routine before you leave the house will help reduce the likelihood of your house being broken into.

8. UPVC doors must be fitted with a three-point multi-locking system, while patio doors should be fitted with top and bottom key-operated bolts.

 

9. Neighbourhood Watch and other ‘watch’ schemes are an excellent way for communities to fight burglary. You’ll also find some home insurance policies give you a discount if you live in a Neighbourhood Watch area.

 10. Unfortunately, elderly people can be vulnerable, so consider getting elderly relatives a personal alarm to keep them safe.