Darker nights lead to more burglaries so as the nights draw in, we’re urging people to be extra vigilant when it comes to their personal safety, as well as the safety of their home. Nobody should have to go through the trauma of having their property broken into. Whilst in a lot of cases it is simply bad luck, there are things that homeowners can do to deter thieves such as installing CCTV, or an Intruder Alarm fitted by an accredited company.
What a Thief looks for?
Most thieves target properties that look easy to break into. They often pick a house by watching when people come and go. They also look for properties that are rural or isolated, and houses that are well maintained or have a fancy car parked on the driveway.
When is a Thief most likely to strike?
Thieves want to make it as easy as possible, so if they know you leave around 9am and don’t return until 6pm, they are most likely to strike while you are gone. Summer months tend to peak due to many people going on holidays making their homes prime targets for theft. Thieves pay attention to what you are posting on your social media accounts. Everyone loves to share a selfie while enjoying a cocktail around the pool or a picnic on the beach.
How Thieves break in?
If you leave a door or window unlocked, it’s easy for them to walk straight into your home. During the summer we all like to let in the fresh air and tend to leave our windows open while we are out making it easy to gain entry. A glass front door may look nice, but thieves can smash it easily, then reach in to unlock the door to get into your house. Thieves may carry tools such as a Crowbar, Screwdriver or a credit card.
How to protect your property?
You are likely to have precious valuables, family heirlooms, and other priceless items you would like to keep for many years to come, so how do you prevent your home from being broken into?The best way to deter thieves is to install an Intruder alarm system. If an alarm goes off when your door or windows opens, chances are minimal that a criminal will continue to break into your home.
- Put your valuables in a safe and never leave it in view near a window
- Keep garage doors lock
- Double check all windows and doors are secure
- Don’t give thieves somewhere to hide keep tall trees and shrubs cut back
- Never leave a spare key in an obvious place
- Change your locks immediately when you move into a new property
If you are going on holiday, Take extra precautions –
- Set up timers for the lights in your house
- Ask a friend or family member to check on your house regularly
- Don’t post any holiday photos on social media until you get back
- Make sure all windows and doors are fully closed and locked
- Hide all valuables or even leave them with a friend or family member
The thought of someone breaking into your property is scary, but the more protected your house is, the less likely a thief is going to be interested in it. Whether it’s triple checking your windows and doors or even just being a little quieter about holidays you may have planned, taking those extra precautions can go a long way to keeping your home and valuables safe.
