How to Safeguard your Home from Intruders

by: David Lakins

Everybody has the right to feel safe in their own home. But with crime on the rise as a result of the recession and more and more houses are being targeted by thieves, we now feel more vulnerable than ever in our homes.

The saying goes that an Englishman’s home is his castle, and of course the first purpose of a castle is to be strong and secure enough to resist would-be intruders, and prevent them from getting inside. The following are some tips on securing your doors, windows, and patio doors in order to make your home and valuables as safe as possible.

Doors

Doors are a burglar’s preferred method of entry. A British Standard fiver-lever mortice lock will provide a good degree of security for your front door, and you may also want to fit hinge bolts, as they will prevent the door being ripped off its hinges. As an added precaution, you can get a chain or a spy hole fitted to your front door, which should offer some further peace of mind.

Letterboxes should be no closer than 400mm from the door lock, to prevent burglars reaching through and unlocking the door from the inside. If you are worried about mail theft, fit an internal cover plate or letter basket (with the bottom removed).

Windows

Windows can be vulnerable to burglars, so it is advisable to have locking devices fitted, particularly for ground floor windows or ones which lead on to balconies. Poorly secured patio doors or French doors can be an open invitation for burglars to break into your home, so it is vital to ensure they have reliable locks. Remember to close all the windows whenever you leave the house, however briefly you go out for.
Additional Security

Motion or heat sensitive lighting is a good way to deter potential intruders, and such devices are now affordable and widely available. This is a great form of preventative security, as it means that burglars will be less likely to want to try breaking into your home in the first place.

Another easy preventative measure is to make your home appear occupied. Leave the lights on when you go out for an evening, or consider using time switches if you are going to be away for a longer period.

You can also make things harder for burglars by keeping your garden open and trimming back bushes, meaning that they have nowhere to hide. Also, remember to put away any tools or ladders that might be outside, as it is important not to leave anything lying around that may actually help the burglar break in.

Finally, don’t be tempted to leave a spare set of keys under a plant pot or doormat, or hanging inside the letter box – burglars know all these tricks, and these are the first places they will check. Once they have your keys, a burglar will have an easy way to visit and re-visit your house at will until you have the locks replaced.