A recent study on Home Security by Populus, which surveyed two thousand adults, has revealed that the average UK home inadvertently provides a shop window for attracting thieves, with an average of £1223 of valuables like televisions, electronic goods, antiques and works of art all clearly put on view for prospective burglars to see through home windows as they passed by.
Roy Rudham, Chairman of UK Neighbourhood Watch Trust, said: ‘People should treat their homes like they treat their cars – don’t leave valuables on show, lock the doors and make sure you are insured!
Top Home Security Tips
Ensuring that expensive electronic games, laptops and other valuables are kept out of sight of windows - maybe invest in blinds if you don't like the idea of net curtains - and that all goods are marked with a security pen and properly recorded and photographed.
Most burglars will try to enter your property from the rear by forcing or, as a last resort, breaking a window so secure these with key operated locks.
Make sure you have movement-sensitive outdoor lights fitted. Using timer switches will help to deter thieves when your home is unattended after dusk, through working hours or holiday. It is never a good idea to advertise your absence with status or photo updates on social networking sites like Facebook.
Many homes do not have intruder alarms and this should be a basic home security device in all homes as the external box will act as a visual deterrent for most thieves.
Home security can be increased by making sure that external doors are strong and secured with a five lever mortice deadlock or extra sliding bolts. French windows and doors should be fitted with a top and bottom mortice on both doors as these are naturally weaker than other types of external door.
Gates should be locked from the inside with a bolt that is out of reach and fences should be sturdy and tall, prickly trailing plants can be trained to make them harder to scale.
Never hide a spare key in a convenient location, which will make life easy for the average burglar. Also don't leave house or car keys within reach of the letter box.
If you have valuable jewellery or large sums of cash in the house, a hidden secure safe is a good idea.
