Unfortunately, home burglaries can happen at any time of the year, to any home but as its currently winter, we will start there. Here Budget Insurance has pulled together some top tips for tightening security and keeping your home safer this winter.
Installing a Burglar Alarm
Getting a burglar alarm could be a really effective way to reduce the risk of burglary. Firstly, just having a visible alarm installed could deter potential intruders. There are also lots of different types of functions of the alarm, depending on the model and type you buy. For example, you can configure the alarm to dial your phone number to alert you. You could get it to ring a security company or even just to create lots of noise to put off burglars.
Be Savvy on Social Media
Remember that if you’re social media isn’t set to private, you can’t control who views what you’re posting. This means that any potential burglars could see exactly what you’re posting and when. So, before you post about how excited you are for your next holiday, remember that you could be advertising that your house is going to be empty to burglars!
Check Your Security
Make sure you’re not making it easy for any burglars by checking that your home is properly secured. Regularly check your locks on windows and doors to make sure that they are fully functioning and secured and be vigilant with locking up when you go out.
Keep Valuables Out of Sight
Don’t give thieves any motivation to burgle your home. Make sure you keep all valuables out of sight of windows and doors. This also prevents the risk of so-called ‘hook and crook’ theft, where thieves can obtain your keys by ‘hooking’ them through the letterbox.
Don’t Hide Your Keys
As convenient as it is when you’ve misplaced them, don’t hide your keys for burglars to find them. Sticking them under the doormat is the first place a thief will look and so you’re just giving a burglar direct access to your home. To be safe, don’t hide your keys on your property.
In addition to taking measures to avoid burglary in your home, having the correct level of home & content insurance is vital for the safekeeping of your personal belongings. Visit our building insurance & content insurance pages to find out more about our insurance and cover levels.