Happy Halloween!
This week marks the fourth and final instalment of this years Yale sponsored National Home security Month #NHSM22.
So as the days get shorter and the nights grow longer now is the opportune moment to consider your home security.
It’s been an honour to be involved in this years campaign alongside some of the biggest names in the industry. Hopefully our loyal readers would have gained some valuable security advice along the way too, sharing good information and raising awareness is what’s it’s all about.
As most of the UK is currently dealing with the cost of living crisis and household utility bills are steadily skyrocketing through the roof, it’s understandable that, for most people, security isn’t a priority at the moment. However, this doesn’t mean you cannot improve your home security on a tight budget!
Not every security improvement requires new locks or upgrades, sometimes it can be just a case of common sense and being aware of any problem areas in and around the home and garden.
In this weeks episode we offer cost effective solutions and top tips to help improve your home security.
Security Lighting
It’s fair to say a large majority of break-ins will be attempted under the cover of darkness. Motion sensor security lighting can be a reasonably cheap and effective deterrent. As soon as any movement is captured the light is triggered, flood lighting an entire driveway or secluded part of your garden warning off any unwanted visitors. Also, with bright lights being activated at unsociable times it may even raise awareness from a neighbour.
Hard wired lighting will be more expensive as you will have to factor in the cost of an electrician to install it unless you are qualified enough to do it yourself. As technology moves forward, there are now very reliable battery operated security lighting systems available on the market that only need to be fixed to wall. Just remember to fit the light much higher than someone can reach or jump up to. Also remember to change the battery yearly or when the low battery indicator lights up.
CCTV
Obviously CCTV systems are a fantastic security option and a great visual deterrent. Most modern CCTV systems record in high definition (HD) and also have night vision. The down side is they can be relatively expensive and not a viable option if on a budget.
However, there are now stand-alone Wi-Fi cameras that can record, even at night for a fraction of the cost. They are usually operated via your smart phone with a dedicated app. Some have options including motion sensing video footage day and night, security lighting, two way voice control to ward off unwelcome visitors, also a live feed directly to your smart phone so you can view remotely. These camera units are either mains plug-in (no wiring necessary) or battery operated and often rechargeable.
Christmas Doorstep Theft
At this time of year being so close to Christmas, we see a surge in “door step” theft.
Lots of parcels casually being left on front door steps as nobody is at home. These are easy picking for unscrupulous thieves so a reasonably cheap deterrent is a smart door bell camera – you can see who approaches your door and keep track of all deliveries by viewing remotely from your smart phone.
It has a motion sensor and when triggered will alert you via a real time notification.
Door step theft has now become such a problem that most retailers now have an option where you can have your parcel delivered to a local hub when you’re not home.
Remember the basic security fundamentals!
When popping out to the corner shop that’s only at the end of the road, lock your front door and close your windows. You would be surprised how many jobs we attend where doors and windows were left unlocked only to let an opportunistic thief snatch a purse or car keys from inside. Only takes a matter of seconds!
Remember, all second floor windows that are situated over a flat roof or high wall can still be effortlessly targeted. Unfortunately an oversight we see regularly by uninformed home owners.
Store all garden equipment and tools in a lockable shed or garage. It adds insult to injury when a thief uses your own implements against you to break in. A ladder is a godsend to a burglar looking breach those hard to reach areas. We’ve also seen shovels and garden forks used in an attempt to prise open doors and windows.
Lock all external garden gates – anything that slows an intruder down is a good thing. The longer it takes to force entry, the more chance you have of a thief moving on and targeting an easier mark.
I know this is an obvious one but people are still guilty of it – don’t leave house keys underneath your welcome mats. This is the first place an intruder would look! If you need to leave a key accessible for a home carer or cleaner, for example, we would suggest a good quality key safe.
On-site Assessments and Servicing
As every installation has different requirements, ProSecure Locksmiths offers a free no obligation quote so we can find the best security solution to meet your personal needs. There are various home security packages to meet with every budget.
To arrange a on-site survey don’t hesitate to give us a call…
How ProSecure Locksmiths Can Help
At ProSecure Locksmiths we offer home security assessments so that you will have a tailor made solution to meet your specific requirements. We also provide home insurance surveys to make sure the criteria of your policy are being met.
At ProSecure Locksmiths we are proud to be an official Yale Smart Security Partner. Working with leading industry brands such as Yale means we can offer the latest in home security products. A recent report found that 47% of all burglaries are “spur of the moment” attacks and having a brand renowned for security could in itself be an effective visual deterrent.