Top tips to prevent your home being burgled this summer
With millions of Brits enjoying the summer season, many are preparing for their breaks away from home. But, with home burglaries peaking during the hotter months, homeowners are advised to make sure their homes are extra-secure.
To deter any unwanted visitors this summer, MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, is listing essential top tips to ensure your property is protected. From installing high-tech alarm systems, to checking the quality of your doors, there are several tweaks Brits can make to prevent a break-in while they’re on holiday.
According to previous research, burglaries in the UK increase by up to 26 per cent during the summer months. This is largely down to summer being prime time for holidays, meaning that many properties will be empty. This poses obvious security risks - burglars do their homework and may be able to spot signs that no one is at home, such as a pile-up of deliveries.
Thankfully, there are a number of straightforward ways to protect your home, insurance cover and peace of mind.
“Many of us will be getting ready to go on holiday at some point over the next couple of months, so it’s crucial that our homes are locked up properly before our summer getaways.” says Andy Simms from MyBuilder.com.
“This time of the year isn’t just exciting for us, it’s exciting for burglars, too. And there will be plenty of robbers who are looking to take advantage of empty and vulnerable homes.
“Luckily, there are multiple ways you can make your home more secure - and many are quite easy to do. It’s not just security systems which can protect your property, lights, locks, and even a sturdy fence can all help prevent an invasion. I’d also recommend letting your neighbours know when you’re away. Even with these measures in place, a trusted neighbour can be the most effective form of security
“By getting your house in order now, you can spend your summer holiday relaxing, rather than fretting over a potential break-in.”
Here’s MyBuilder.com’s guide to keeping your home safe and secure this summer:
Install a security system
A security system is one of the most obvious ways to make your home more secure, and there are various options depending on what you need or how much you want to spend. This can range from a security doorbell, to a wireless floodlight camera, to a full-blown smart burglar alarm. Many of these can be controlled by apps on your phone, and will send you notifications if there is activity at your property. There is also the added benefit that having a security system installed could reduce your home insurance premium. Installation of a security system can cost from £500, a guide can be found here.
Lighten up
Burlgars prefer houses that appear unused and empty, so brightening its appearance is a great way to deter potential thieves. Low-energy fluorescent lighting is available, which is effective at illuminating the surroundings of your home without being a nuisance to neighbours. Many come combined with cameras, with an option to link security footage to your phone. If installing one seems too complicated though, even leaving indoor lights on can help create the impression that you’re still at home.
Install locks on garden gates
Around 26 per cent of burglars enter through a back door, so be sure to make access to your garden as difficult as possible. Secure your garden with a lock on the gate, to make any entrance or exit more difficult for them. Locks start at just £20 for a substantial deadbolt, and can be quickly installed by a tradesperson.
Check your fencing
Garden fencing is another area that can give easy access to thieves. Whether you are on holiday or not, make sure that your fencing is secure, with no big gaps or fallen panels. Replace any broken or loose panels, and consider raising any low fences if it’s practical. Simple repair jobs can be easily completed by a tradesperson, and take as little as 1 to 2 hours.
Upgrade your entrance door
Are your doors up to standard? Old doors often don’t have 3-5 way lock systems, which are the best type to secure your home. Consider replacing your door with a modern one that is most effective at deterring burglars. If you don’t want to replace your door, you can look at upgrading your locks. Changing standard uPVC locks will take roughly 20 minutes and cost between £60-£150.
Ensure access to spare keys
While keys are an obvious way to ensure you can access your own home safely, 15 per cent of people have no spare house keys, and would have trouble getting back into their properties if they lost their keys on holiday. Leaving a spare key with a local friend or installing a key box can help prevent an emergency locksmith callout if you return from holiday without your keys.
Avoid social media posts
While posting about our travels is always tempting, this could reveal crucial information to potential thieves. Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of burglaries are carried out by someone the victim knows well, and if they find out you’re away, your property could be at risk if they know where it is.
Pause all deliveries
Burglars do their homework, and can often inspect a street for weeks before deciding to enter a home. If your property piles up with overflowing mail and parcels, this could be the biggest giveaway that your home is empty.
Let your neighbours know
If you are going away for a lengthy period of time it’s always advisable to let your closest neighbours know. They can keep an eye out for you and may even be able to help out with watering the plants or putting the bins out.
