Even though there are ways to prevent unwanted entry to your home, a determined burglar will always find a way to get in. Breaking and entering is his job, and most burglars are extremely good at it. Statistics show that burglaries occur every 15 seconds. What that means, is that every 15 seconds there is someone out there getting robbed. Your challenge is to make your home very unattractive to a burglar so that they create a problem elsewhere.

Over the years, home burglaries have received a lot of attention, some of which have even been on the news. Although some burglars eventually get caught and arrested, many seem to disappear without a trace. To protect yourself and your home, there are tactics such as security alarms, burglar alarms, and even security cameras that you can use.

Property Marking

Property marking is a great way to protect yourself as well. Property marking involves marking everything that you own with a signature or mark that you can easily identify once the property has been recovered. You can use micro dots, UV pens, or even laser pens. The idea here is to mark your property so it won’t be easy to sell on the black market. Even though it may sound weird, most burglars do study their targets quite a bit before they decide to rob them. Marked property can be traced and the burglar will not want to be connected with your home.

Home Security Systems

One of the most effective forms of home security is the home security system. If a burglar tries to rob your home and notices that you have a security system set up, he will normally start to get second thoughts and eventually change his plans. On the other hand, if the burglar decides to go ahead and rob a home with a surveillance system anyway, the system will normally catch him on video, making it easy for the police to identify who he is. Home surveillance and security cameras are great to have, and can either be wireless or wired, dummy or real, outdoor or indoor, or even a combination of several.

Burglar Alarms

Alarms are also a great way to prevent burglary. The police will tell you that home burglar alarms prevent over 50% of attempted burglaries in the home. There are several types of burglar alarms, from those that aren’t expensive to those that are monitored around the clock. Alarms will let burglars know that robbing your home isn’t going to be easy, and that they should really give it a second thought. Tried and true over the years, alarms have be proven to be very effective and above all else – they work.

No matter what direction you decide to take, there are indeed ways that you can protect your home from burglary. In the UK, home security systems are becoming more and more popular. Many home owners throughout the U.K. are investing in security and surveillance systems, knowing that the day will come when they will come in very handy. Even though you may never be robbed, there is always a chance.

Burglaries can happen at any time, which is why you should always be protected. If you think ahead and invest in a security system, you’ll be prepared for anything that happens. You have to think in terms of self defense – and ensure that your home is protected for anyone who decides to make you a target.

Windows

Believe it or not, the windows are actually the key to home security. Homes that have poor constructed windows tend to get broken into a lot more than homes with secure and sturdy windows. When you are dealing with your windows, you should make sure that you have tough glass and locks that fit to the windows. When you are away from home, you should always make sure that your windows are locked. Even though some windows may be hard to reach, you should always lock them. Burglars make a living out of stealing and they will normally find a way in if they see the opening. If you are in the front garden make sure that the rear windows are closed.

Doors

Along with the windows, doors are also known to be a weakness of security around the home. Doors should always be strong and sturdy, complete with tough locks that aren’t easy to force open. If you have a spare key, you should be careful where you leave it. Losing your keys can also make you a target, especially if you have anything on your key ring that reveals your home address.

Surveillance systems

To better protect their homes, most people choose to invest in a home surveillance system. These systems are great for monitoring the home, as they can record video and keep it stored for you to view later. If you travel a lot, a home surveillance system can be an ideal way to keep a check on your home while you’re away.

Guard Dogs

Guard dogs are also common with home security as well. A guard dog can protect your home from burglars, thieves, and other types of trouble. Guard dogs can be very handy to have around, as most dogs are more than capable of scaring away trouble with their bark. The only downside to guard dogs is the fact that you’ll need to train them and ensure that they always have food and water. Also consider your neighbours and the noise that badly trained dogs can make.

Burglar Alarms

Last, but certainly not least are burglar alarms. Burglar alarms can be effective to an extent, although they are primarily good for scaring thieves away. If you put an alarm in a visible location from the outside of the home, most burglars won’t even attempt to enter your home. Even though burglar alarms are great for scaring off thieves you’ll still need to have other areas of your home safe and secure as well to get the most of your home security.

Door Lighting

The external lighting that is around the doors of your home is very important, as most burglars like to focus on entry doors before anything else. When it comes to the doors of your home, any lighting at all is better than no lighting. If a burglar sees lights around your home, chances are he’ll move on. If the lights are off however, the burglar will more than likely proceed as planned.

Garage Lights

If you own a garage, you should always use an automatic garage opener. Once they have been activated, most will automatically turn on the lights. Your carport is also important to safety. If you are going to be away from home, you should always make sure that the leave the light on your carport on. You can also use motion detected lights as well. When these lights detect any type of movement, they will automatically turn on which could easily startle a burglar.

Rear Gardens

For the exterior of your home, motion detected lights are a good investment. If you have a large rear garden, you should always make sure that you use motion detected lights. To be on the safe side, you can always connect an alarm to the lights. This way if someone was to move through your garden, the lights would sound the alarm. Burglars don’t like alarms and they will normally flee the instant they hear an alarm sound.

Front Garden

If you are planning to use motion sensors in your front garden, you should make sure that you have planned the locations carefully. People walking by the sensor or kids playing nearby can easily trigger it. When you set the motion sensors up you should always make sure that you hook lights up to them as well. This way, those in your family will know where the motion detectors are and they can easily avoid them.

Burglars dislike lights

Having the right amount of lighting around your home will go a long way in keeping your family safe. Burglars don’t like to be around light, which is why it is so very important. If you don’t have a lot of lights around your home, you should do something about it. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy all you need is enough lighting to make sure that a burglar thinks twice about breaking into your home.

House Sitters

One way to fend off burglars is by hiring a house sitter. A house sitter is one of the best ways to get rid of any type of trouble as well. All you need to do is find someone who will swing by your house a few times a day, check on things, and turn the lights on at night. If you have animals at your house, you may want to hire a house sitter to care for your animals as well as your home. In most cases, peace of mind is worth any price. If you decide to hire a house sitter, you should always make sure that you choose someone reliable who you can trust while you are away.

In the event that you are unable to get a house sitter, you should strive to make it appear as if someone is living in your home. To be on the safe side, you can have a neighbour whom you trust keep an eye on your home. Whoever you choose to watch your property should have a number to contact you with in case something goes wrong.

Timers

You can buy various timers and such that will make it appear as if people are in your home. Radio timers and light timers can go a long way in making criminals believe someone is at your house. You’ll also want to consider your lawn before you leave as well. If the grass is too high, people will wonder if anyone is home. You should always cut it before you leave, and have someone else cut it for you if you are going to be gone for more than a week.

Mail and Newspapers

You’ll also want someone to pick up your mail as well. If the mail or newspapers starts to pile up in your box, criminals will know that you aren’t home. Even though you may not be on vacation for long, you should always make sure that your door is locked and that you leave the spare key with someone whom you trust who can keep an eye on things for you.

Check Regularly

When that individual comes by your home to check on things, they should be sure to turn the lights and television on in the evening. You should also make sure that your trusted person knows to check on the interior of your home, and look for anything out of the ordinary. If something is wrong, that person shouldn’t hesitate to contact the police. A broken widow, door, or furniture out of place is the first sign that something is wrong.

Take a Holiday and Relax

Holidays are something we all need to take. Holidays are supposed to be fun and relaxing, with no worries about anything else. If you take the necessary steps before you leave, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Whether it’s a friend or family member stopping by to check on things or a house sitter that you’ve hired peace of mind goes a long way in helping you make the most of your very important vacation.

For this reason, installing a burglar alarm system in your home can help in securing the safety of your family and your properties. A visible, external, alarm helps in discouraging the intruders and deters break-ins.

Alarm Features

The detection features of a burglar alarm can comprise devices that perceive motion, changes in room temperature and vibration. The main features of a system are: -

• Control panel: the power source of the home burglar alarm located in the garage or at the rear of a cabinet.
• Security keypad: situated at a home’s entrance, you can arm or disarm the system and you can enter a pass-code for security.
• Motion detectors: These are set up in the indoor walls, windows, air-ducts, and doors. They can detect the intruder that’s breaking-in before they enter the property.
• Contacts: This is a magnetic switch situated on the window frame and door jams which triggers when opened by an intruder.
• Glass-break-sensors: this triggers the system when shock waves created by the breaking glass are detected and is transformed to electrical signals.
• Backup system: Here, the alarm works when the power fails.
• Two-way monitoring: Through this the authorities may able to speak with the home’s occupant through a security keypad.
• Fire protection: This determines for possible fire occurrence through the level of smoke and heat detected inside the room. There may be a connection to the fire brigade they can immediately respond just before the fire spreads.

Monitored Alarms

When a monitored alarm system detects illegal entry it will immediately send a warning sign to the central monitoring location. These monitoring centers are nationwide and provide continuous service. And the moment they receive the alarm they will alert the local police to send the authorities to your home.

Protecting you home and family

Installing a home burglar alarm can be very helpful in protecting your family and then your possessions. However most people decide to install a home security after they encounter a burglary rather than acting in advance and protecting their family.

If burglars roam around your village and discover that in five houses three have burglar alarms, and the other two don’t have them, where do you think they will go?

The common reason for putting off installing an alarm is the perceived expensive costs which is not the reality. Remember even the burglar alarm warning sign is a frequent deterrence to compel the burglar to the next house.

So, it is preferable to install a burglar alarm especially if you are living in an isolated place, or in the areas where there are frequent crimes.

In fact many people make it very easy for a burglar. 20% of all home burglaries are allowed to happen because a window or a door was not properly secured.

Securing Windows

Ground floor windows are particularly vulnerable to break in. Many householders leave windows open when they are out of the house, an open window is a welcome entry point for a would be thief.

Professional burglars practice opening insecure windows by cutting glass to open a window catch. Another method is to use a thin blade to operate and open the window catch from the outside.

To protect your home you should have key operated window locks on any windows which can be accessed from the outside and particularly those on the ground floor or above a flat roof.

Window locks are not expensive being available in the DIY stores. You just need to select the type for your window frame – UPVC, wood or aluminium being the common types.

Securing front entry doors

All entry doors to your home should have a solid lock which conforms to BS 3621. If you want to make life difficult for a thief get a mortise lock.

Do not waste your money on spring locks, they will not act as a barrier to any determined burglar.

As with any door you need to make certain that the door is of solid construction. The most secure locks on a flimsy door are no protection at all.

Security chains and door viewers

Security chains and door viewers can help you to identify people who call at your home without opening the door and letting them gain entry.

Sliding Patio Doors

Sliding patio doors can be a weakness if not properly secured. Remember that an entry point is also the way out for the burglar and a large, wide patio door enable a thief to easily make way with your larger items such as a television.

Whilst your manufacturer may have specific instructions in general patio doors are best secured with locking bolts. These should be installed at the top and bottom of the doors and at opposite corners. The door mechanism should also have an anti lifting component to prevent the door being lifted off its tracks and levered out.

Rear entry doors

Rear entry doors are favoured by thieves as they are often out of site allowing a thief to work on the door for a while without being discovered.

Make certain that the door is of sound construction. This also apples to the surrounding frame. Many burglaries occur when the frame has been levered out of the wall whilst the door is still locked into the frame.

In addition to a good mortise lock it is also advisable to fit solid bolts or key operated dead bolts to the rear door.

Security Survey

You can complete a review of your home using the list above as a guide. If you want professional advice you can call on the services of alarm and security companies who often offer free surveys. These reviews can also give you confidence that your home security arrangements comply with the requirements of your home insurance policy.