With the rise in property crimes throughout Midlothian and East Lothian, it’s essential to take proactive measures to protect your home, family and pets. Approximately 8,500 residential breakings were reported in Scotland during 2022. That is around 1 housebreaking an hour being reported to the police.
In this post, we’ll explore top security tips every homeowner should know and start to implement today to enhance the safety of their property.
Install High-Quality Locks:
The foundation of home security starts with robust locks on all doors. Ensure that all exterior doors are equipped with high-quality deadbolts. Look for locks that have a sturdy build and are resistant to picking or drilling. Consider upgrading to smart locks that provide additional features such as remote access and activity monitoring.
Contact a professional locksmith to discuss your current locking systems and how it could be upgraded for more security.
Reinforce Doors and Windows:
Burglars often target weak points in the property such as doors and windows. Reinforcing these areas can significantly enhance your home’s security. Install solid core or metal doors, reinforce door frames with metal plates, and consider adding security film to windows to make them shatter-resistant.
Install a Security System:
Investing in a reliable home security system can provide peace of mind. Choose a system that includes:
- motion sensors
- door and window sensors
- surveillance cameras
- and a loud alarm
Display signs or stickers indicating that your property is protected, as this alone can deter criminals.
Outdoor Lighting:
Well-lit exteriors can act as a deterrent to potential burglars as they do not want to be caught in the action. Install motion-sensor lights around your property to illuminate dark areas especially around back doors and garages. This will not only make your home less appealing to potential criminals but also provide better visibility for you using the garden and your neighbours looking over. This can also benefit your surveillance system if it is also outside the property.
Secure Sliding Doors:
Sliding glass doors are often vulnerable entry points. Place a sturdy rod or a metal bar in the track to prevent the door from being forced open. Anti snap locks are also important for patio doors. Pentland Locksmiths have seen a rise in breaking using weak secure patio doors. You can also install a glass-break sensor or a security film to reinforce their resistance to intruders.
Maintain Landscaping:
Moving away from updating your current locking mechanisms into gardening. Overgrown bushes and trees provide cover for intruders to hide and extra time when breaking into your property. Keep your garden maintained especially around windows and property entry points. If you are unable to maintain your garden it may be worth working with a local gardening company to maintain your property.
Get to Know Your Neighbours:
Creating a strong sense of community can significantly contribute to home security. Get to know your neighbours and establish a neighbourhood watch program. A programme may already be available in your area you can find out here. By looking out for one another, you can quickly identify and report suspicious activities. Look to join your local facebook group for your area to also stay connected with what is going on in the surrounding areas.
Secure Garage Entry:
Don’t overlook the security of your car garage, as it can be an easy entry point for intruders. You should keep your garage door locked at all times, install a deadbolt on the door leading into your home, garage defender for the outside and consider a security camera to monitor the outside area.
Thieves often look for prized positions like motorcycles, dirtbikes and bicycles in external sheds that are not attached to the property. Ensure that you are using the best quality deadbolt and look at alternative alarm solutions to ensure even more safety.
Home Automation:
Leverage smart home technology to enhance your security measures. Use programmable lights to give the impression that someone is home even when you’re away. You can buy a timed plug that will ensure a lamp comes on every evening. These can be picked up for cheap online. Connect security cameras to your smartphone via the apps for remote monitoring, and integrate smart locks and doorbell cameras for added convenience and control.
Be Mindful of Social Media:
Avoid sharing your holiday plans or your absence from home on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Broadcasting your absence can alert criminals that your property is unoccupied, increasing the risk of a break-in as they know they face no physical resistance. Share your experiences after returning from your trip to maintain the security of your home.
Now it is time to take action…
By implementing these top security tips, you can significantly improve the safety of your home. Remember, home security is an ongoing process, and staying vigilant is crucial. Invest in robust locks, reinforce entry points, install a security system, and create a strong community network to ensure a secure and peaceful home environment.
Contact Chris today on 07990776519 to discuss your current locking system. We can provide free expert advice on if your property is secured. This will give you and your loved ones peace of mind knowing you have the most up to date locks.
