What Security Products to Use for your Home

Securing your home and business is a fact of life. If you want to keep your family and property secure, then you need to take the necessary precautions to try and reduce the risk of your home or business being burgled.

Most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves. In two out of ten burglaries they get in through an open door or window, not even requiring the use of force. Fit locks that are certified to British Standard on your doors and windows and make sure you always keep them fully locked.

Your doors are your first line of defence, if these are not secure then neither is your property. Two thirds of burglars gain entry through a door. Consider fitting things like British Standard Sash Locks, Dead Locks and Rim Locks to wooden Doors, also hinge bolts, push bolts and strengthening bars to help reinforce the door. For UPVC doors upgrade to security cylinders and handles as well as adding sash jammers to the inside of the door and consider fitting anti lift devices and bolts on patio doors. A door chain and door viewer are also good measures to take to identify and talk to unknown callers.

Making life difficult for the burglar will hopefully deter them, however, quality locks are only as strong as the doors and frames to which they are attached. Ensure that the door and frame are sound and remember to fit all security devices with good quality strong screws and bolts.

A property has more windows than doors, and because of the large amounts of glass they can be vulnerable. A third of burglars get in through a window. Whether you have wood, metal or UPVC windows they need to be secured with the relevant amount of locks according to the window size. Window locks that can easily be seen from the outside will put some thieves off, remember though that a thief will try and get through even the smallest of windows. Fit window locks with keys and keep them locked. Keep the keys out of site and in a safe place. To secure the glass from easily being smashed look at the possibility of laminated glass, or security film that can be stuck to the inside. Decorative grilles and mesh are also a very good deterrent.

Garages and sheds often contain valuable possessions such as tools, gardening equipment, bikes and of course the car. These tools and your ladders are all items a burglar could use to help them gain entry to your property. Don’t make it easy for them,
secure these and other items. Use strong padlocks and other security devices that are specifically designed for these applications. Due to their design garages and sheds are often one of the weakest points of entry so make it as difficult as possible for them to get in.

Consider looking at other security measures to help keep your belongings secure. A safe is a great way to keep those valuables protected. There are many safes available to suit particular needs and fitting one could help to reduce your insurance premium.

CCTV and burglar alarms are a highly effective and visual deterrent. Burglars like to be discreet so it stands to reason that a lot of noise attracting other people is likely to put them off. Likewise they prefer not to be seen. A CCTV system that can identify them and put them at the scene of the crime will put off most thieves as well as allowing you to monitor and record other visitors around your property.
Small measures like good outside fencing, locking gates/passageways and lighting make it that little bit more difficult for a thief as they are more likely to be seen.

In summary follow these often simple precautions on the following checklist and make life difficult for the thief.

• Fit approved locks to doors and windows and use them. Also consider a door chain and viewer for added security.

• Keep your house, business and car keys away from doors and windows. Put them in a safe convenient place out of sight. Resist the temptation to place your spare key in a hiding place outside your property.

• If you move into a new property change the locks, you don’t know who may still have keys to the property.

• Mark your property with appropriate marking pens/devices on valuable items.

• Keep your garage and shed locked with proper security locks. Secure tools and ladders where possible.

• Use timer switches to give the appearance that you are home, even when you are not.

• Light the exterior with security/courtesy lighting. Lock off gates and secure passageways. Don’t put fences and hedges too high that they provide cover for a burglar to work unseen or help them to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.

Remember the more difficult you make it for a thief the more likely the thief is to go elsewhere.

Alberto Gearhart, home security specialist at C H Wood. For more information on making your home secure and for a range of safes, Window locks and uPVC door locks, please visit http://www.woodsecurity.co.uk/