It’s only natural that, as a homeowner, you’ll worry about break-ins. As covid restrictions look set to end entirely, more and more time is spent away from home, and an empty home can invite intruders when not properly secured.

Whilst crime statistics show that burglaries have steadily gone down over the years, a break-in is a traumatic event. There is a lot that can be done around the home to help disrupt and dissuade any potential opportunists.

Check Your Locks

Checking the integrity of your doors, windows and locks is a sensible first step to securing your home as they are the natural entrances to your house. Burglars will scope out houses that have single locks or windows without locks on them at all.

Fitting a front door rather than just swapping the locks is recommended for the best peace of mind – you’ll know you have a structurally sound installation with fewer weak spots. However, if your budget does not stretch to a new door, hire a qualified locksmith to ensure a correctly fitted new locking system and add a chain for extra security.

Make sure spare keys for windows aren’t left lying around in view and keys aren’t carelessly left in locks. By keeping keys safe and hidden and keeping doors and windows latched, you will effectively remove a host of opportunities with minimum effort and no extra cost.

Upgrade Your Doorbell

There are several camera doorbells now on the market that have camera functionality and can be linked directly to your phone so that you can view, record, and communicate with anyone outside your front door, even when you’re not at home.

With both wired and wireless options, there are choices to fit a variety of budgets. Video doorbells are a great deterrent as they are immediately noticeable, and you can be notified in real-time if something unusual is afoot. Police are increasingly using doorbell camera footage from victims’ homes and neighbours’ homes to help identify criminals and aid in investigations.

Install a Visible Burglar Alarm

Burglar alarms, such as Verisure Alarms for house and home, are an excellent deterrent, and there are countless types on the market, from traditional alarms to fully integrated smart systems with cameras and alerts straight to your phone. Security systems can even be tied in with your smart heating system, making your home extra efficient inside and out.

Visibility is key when it comes to a burglar alarm acting as an effective deterrent. Having a burglar alarm fitted can be costly, however, so if you are looking for a cheaper alternative, you can install a dummy alarm box on the outside of your house for very little cost.

Secure Your Garden

Even with the above features visible from the front of your home, intruders might try their luck by attempting to access your home from the back garden.

Firstly, make sure any sheds or outside storage are properly secured with quality padlocks. It can be easy to forget about these areas as they’re technically outside the home, but many people store high-value items such as bikes in outdoor storage, so it’s worth taking simple steps to protect them. Battery-powered alarms are also available for that added peace of mind.

Trim tall hedges back so that any suspicious activity is more visible either to passersby or neighbours. Adding gravel to borders can make any attempts at entry noisy and disruptive. Even the plants in your garden can act as a deterrent – thorny bushes or spiky shrubs can be painful to try and climb through and difficult to hide in.

Other Deterrents

Some of the biggest deterrents are actually the simplest. Studies show that alarm systems are the most effective way of reducing your risk of burglary but having a dog also scored extremely high. I mentioned smart home features give the illusion of being at home even when you are not by scheduling lights to come on at various times and in different rooms with smart bulbs connected to your phone.

When securing your home, there are a range of steps that can be taken to minimise the risk of a break-in. Whatever your budget, you can deter intruders by making alarms and recording devices as visible as possible. Make sure doors and windows are strong and secure, and ensure you don’t advertise any weaknesses such as leaving keys lying around or open windows when leaving the house.

Of course, not every break-in can be prevented, but by taking sensible precautions, you can reduce the risk of intrusion and feel safer in your home.