As the winter months roll in, do you find yourself worrying more about your home's safety? It stands to reason that one would be anxious in regards to the security of their abode as winter approaches. The moment we turn our clocks back and autumn truly takes hold, burglary rates tend to spike across the UK.
Burglars love the longer nights and shorter days; they provide ample cover for their activities. However, we can take steps to protect our homes from these criminals. Your home can stand tall as an uninviting fortress against these opportunistic thieves with some smart security measures.
In this post, we'll shed light on essential outdoor and indoor winter home security tips. From making sure all doors are locked securely to using today’s security alarms effectively – every detail matters when it comes to keeping burglars at bay!
We'll even take a deep dive into areas that are often overlooked, such as garage security. We do this because we understand the importance of trust in every aspect.
Autumn's arrival rings a bell for burglars.
Burglary rates climb as the dark sets in early, making homes an easy target. A survey by Yale reveals that 62% of Brits are no more worried about home security during winter months than summer.
A change in season sparks changes in burglary trends too.
You might assume burglars prefer warmer climates. Wrong.
Colder seasons present opportunities they can't resist.
Nightfall arrives earlier during autumn and winter. The cover of darkness gives potential intruders extra confidence to operate undetected - especially when homeowners return from work after sunset or leave before sunrise.
Families tend to stay indoors, cosy up with hot drinks while watching their favourite series or spend time away on holiday breaks. This creates an illusion that the house is unoccupied which could make it seem like an attractive prospect for opportunistic thieves looking for easy targets without getting caught red-handed.
We all love holidays. But guess who else does? Yes, you guessed it right: burglars.
Here’s why:
While we’re unwrapping presents and enjoying festive food, burglars might be doing the same with our unguarded homes.
The autumn/winter period is synonymous with spending on new gadgets, expensive clothes and jewellery. All these items increase the value of potential hauls for thieves making your home an even more attractive target.
There's no cause for concern. We've got your back.
Winter brings early darkness and often, unoccupied homes - a perfect combination for burglars. However, by understanding these seasonal trends, you can take steps to make your home less attractive to opportunistic thieves. From keeping signs of life evident when you're away on holiday breaks to mindful storage of new expensive purchases, let's outsmart the burglars this winter.
Your home is your castle, right?
But what's a castle without some solid defences?
No burglar likes the spotlight.
Lights can make them feel like they're on stage, performing for an audience they'd rather avoid.
Flood lights are one way to give your outdoor spaces that broadway-style illumination.
Adding flood lights activated by motion sensors, turns your garden into a no-go zone for prospective burglars.
A timer switch can also be handy - you know those time-switch lights, right? They turn lights on and off at random intervals, making it seem like someone’s home even when you’re out.
This lighting trick fools burglars but guess what?
"Only 38% of Brits claim to use security lighting.".
Burglars hate hurdles.
High fences and secure gates are terrific ways to increase the difficulty level for any would-be intruder.
Add extra security bars too.
You wouldn't believe how many people forget this simple measure... until it's too late....
In fact, "only 40% of Brits revealed that they utilize high fences". - so let's bump up those numbers.
Whether wooden or metal, security fences can do wonders in making your home's perimeter a tough nut to crack.
And remember, adding security measures is not just about stopping burglars.
It's also about showing them that they'd have an easier time elsewhere.
A safe home means peace of mind - and you deserve nothing less.
Bet you didn't see this one coming...
Did you know certain plants can actually discourage entry?
This phrase may seem a bit baffling, no? Let's try to figure out what 'Certain prick' could mean in context.
Remember, your home's security starts outdoors. Proper lighting can deter burglars by putting them in the spotlight - use floodlights and time-switch lights to make it look like someone's always at home. High fences, secure gates and even certain plants add layers of protection too. So let's increase those low stats: these measures do more than just stop intruders, they create a safer environment that makes your home less appealing to potential criminals.
So, let's fortify it.
Burglars hate effort and time. They're lazy creatures by nature.
You need strong locks on doors and windows to keep them out.
Sliding glass doors are an easy target if not secured properly.
Here’s how you can secure sliding glass doors effectively.
A basic security measure, yes, but one that often gets overlooked in the quest for fancy tech solutions.
Check out our essential home security guidelines here.
Garage security? Yep, you heard it right. It's a thing.
Burglars see garages as gold mines of opportunity and they're often overlooked in our home safety checklists. But not today.
Your garage door is like the front line of defence against prospective burglars. It needs to be sturdy, secure and locked tight when not in use.
A flimsy lock or easily tampered mechanism might just roll out the red carpet for thieves. So, invest in quality locks for your garage doors - this isn't an area to skimp on.
If a burglar does manage to breach your garage, don't make their job any easier by leaving the internal door unlocked. That'd be like giving them an all-access pass into your home.
We at keys4ulocksmith can help fix that up for you if needed.
No one likes being caught under a spotlight unannounced – especially not burglars who prefer operating under cover of darkness. Installing motion sensor lights around your property helps deter these unwelcome guests from lurking too close to ground windows and glass doors leading into the house.
You can find some great options here.
We've all done it – hidden spare keys in 'secret' spots that are anything but secret to seasoned burglars. Try a safe deposit box instead, it's a more sound policy for keeping spare keys secure.
A recording camera can be a real brick wall against burglary attempts. They not only record the miscreants but also transmit images instantly to your mobile phone or security company.
Don't neglect garage security: Garages are often overlooked, but they're prime targets for burglars. Make sure your external and internal locks are sturdy and secure to deter potential thieves.
Lights and cameras can also play a part: The use of motion sensor lights can spook any unwelcome visitors, adding an extra layer of safety. Meanwhile, security cameras serve as another crucial tool in our defence strategy.
Protecting your house in the wintertime doesn't have to be a difficult challenge. From understanding why burglars prefer the darker, colder seasons, to learning about outdoor and indoor security measures - you're now equipped with vital winter home security tips.
You've learnt how proper lighting can deter prospective thieves and how fences play a key role in enhancing safety levels around your property's perimeter.
Remembering the importance of secure locks on doors and windows is crucial. Equally significant are today's cutting-edge security alarms that not only ward off intruders but provide valuable evidence if needed.
Above all else, don't overlook garage security – it’s an area often neglected but highly targeted by opportunistic criminals. Remember these lessons; they'll serve as pillars for securing your property this winter!
Call Our Emergency Locksmith London team now for a free quote, consultation and advice
