Home Security Tips
Whether it’s a trip overseas or a staycation, you want to leave your home secure.
This guide will offer helpful home security tips, from installing an alarm system and smart lighting to cyber safety. Our 10 home security tips include:
- Installing an alarm system
- Updating your locks
- Securing your windows
- Installing smart lighting
- Increasing gate and fence security
- Locking your garage
- Safely storing spare keys
- Cyber safety
- Hiding valuables
- Keeping tools away
1. Installing an alarm system
Installing an indoor and outdoor alarm system is one of the most effective ways to keep intruders away. Alarms are equipped with sensors that alert you to garden or front porch movements. You’ll need to activate them every time for them to work, so it’s a good habit to do so whenever you leave the house or go to bed.
Some alarm systems let you add CCTV cameras to capture live actions; you can also install home security cameras for added protection.
Read more about security alarms and how they work.
2. Updating your locks
It’s important to change your locks if you lose your keys. Consider installing patlocks – door chains fitted inside the door that can be released in seconds without keys or codes.
All our brand-new homes come with modern locks as standard.
Discover more about why you should buy new in our guide.
3. Securing your windows
An outdoor building can be an easy target, so make sure your windows are secure and resistant. Consider getting extra locks, especially if you have any on the ground floor. Pin locks will prevent anyone from lifting them.
For extra safety, install tempered glass windows, four times stronger than standard glass. If you’re worried some windows may be more at risk than others, you can replace standard glass with plexiglass, which is ten times more resistant and durable.
4. Installing motion-activated lights
Outdoor motion-activated lights can detect any movement around your house, putting off burglars. There are different types of available, including:
- Solar-powered lights
- Smart outlets to put outdoor lights on a timer
- Smart light bulbs
You may also want to invest in automated low-energy lighting to come on at intervals. This way, it will look like you’re at home even when you’re not.
5. Increasing gate and fence security
Don’t settle for old gates and flimsy fences. These easy fixes can make a difference when securing your home from intruders.
We recommend gates be the same height as the adjoining walls and securely connected. Metal gates provide better safety, especially if they have two different locks.
6. Locking your garage
When securing your home, don’t forget about the garage! Check that all doors are locked. If your garage has a sensor or electric opening control, keep it in the house rather than in the car, where it’ll be safer.
Keeping the door between your garage and home locked is a good idea – if someone breaks in, they won’t have access to your property.
7. Safely storing spare keys
8. Cyber safety
Today, more and more homes have smart features, making it possible to control appliances from your phone. You can increase or decrease the heating, make a coffee or check what’s in your fridge!
But the more smart features are linked to your network, the easier it becomes for cyber criminals to access.
There are a few things you can do to prevent cyber intrusions:
- Use secure passwords
- Use a unique password for each device
- Enable two-factor authentication (two ways to verify yourself)
- Install anti-virus software on your laptop
- Update firmware for each device monthly
9. Hiding valuables
Hiding valuables may be an old trick, but it is still one of the most effective. Keep jewellery, electronics and other valuable objects out of sight, as these may attract intruders. We also recommend keeping your car keys concealed.
Consider buying a safe or a lockbox to store valuables for extra security.
10. Keeping tools away
Tools like ladders, single steps, gardening tools and even loose rocks can help intruders break in. Keep anything that can aid access to your home from the outside away.
Our Barratt homes have contemporary features for extra safety, including double-glazed windows, smoke alarms and fire-resistant materials, and new circuit breakers.
Explore our range of brand-new homes and reserve your home today.
Home Security FAQs
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It's not a matter of whether an alarm or CCTV is better for home security, as both have their strengths and weaknesses. An alarm can be a deterrent and alert you to a potential break-in, while CCTV can provide visual evidence and act as a deterrent. The best approach to home security may be to use a combination of both, tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
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Some common mistakes people make with security include not securing all entry points, leaving valuable items visible from the outside, and not having a comprehensive security plan.
