The dos & don’ts of security deterrents
Your home should feel safe, protected and secure at all times, whether you have left for work for the day, for two weeks on holiday or are spending the evening in front of the television. However, there are certain dos and don’ts when it comes to security deterrents for your home that you should abide by…
DO
Install an alarm system and consider one that can be activated for singular rooms throughout the property. If your home is particularly large an intruder could easily access an open back bedroom window, while you are in the front sitting room, and take items. An alarm system that runs throughout the house and that can be activated via each vulnerable room will ensure you are protected even while at home.
DON’T
Install home security products such as alarm systems that feature the name of the company who creates them in clear view, savvier burglars could buy information about how to disarm the system and gain access to your home while you’re out.
DO
Change the locks when you move into a new home. You don’t know who the previous owners were or if they still have keys to access the property.
DON’T
Leave keys in hidden places outside the property – even if they are kept in a product designed for such a thing such as a hollow rock or a can in the garage. A Telegraph article noted that more than 6,000 burglaries in the UK occurred because burglars were able to access a key, as opposed to breaking and entering.
No matter how sneaky you think you are, if a burglar is scoping out your property and watching your routine movements they might see you taking this key out of its hiding place and use it as an easy way of gaining access to your home. If you really have to keep a key outside, you can pick up a Police approved key safe and hide this near the door.
DO
Hang signs that warn potential intruders that your home is fitted with an alarm system.
It might put them off from even considering your property.
DON’T
Lie about having a system installed or a dog on the property. It isn’t hard for burglars to scope your property from the outside and see that there is no alarm system there and if they knock on the door they can quickly tell whether a dog that would guard the property is inside or not.
DO
Install a peephole on your front door, this will allow you to see who is outside and gives you the choice whether you open up or not.
DON’T
Install a glass door if you are serious about security. A peep hole of course only works on doors without glass so if you are having new exterior doors installed consider having complete panel ones to enhance your security
DO
Install motion sensor lights outside your property. Burglars are less likely to approach properties that put them in the spotlight as they approach.
DON’T
Direct these into your neighbour’s bedroom! Disputes over exterior lights are one of the most common issues between neighbours and the council can get involved if they make a complaint.
*This is a collaborative post.
Great tips! I’d have never thought of the name being on the alarm box and I pride myself on being security conscious!
This is a very good post with good points, very important to think about when owning a house especially x
Well I didn’t know that about neighbour disputes and security lights. A few months ago most houses near us were targeted – Only the houses without cctv escaped without their cars being broken into.
I had a friend whose car was stolen and was away to get away with it because her car was not alarmed or even properly insured. She now has alarmed windows in case it happens again.
Oh wow what a nightmare for them! Good to hear she is now more protected. x
My boyfriend’s family car was recently stolen by a thief who entered the house and took the keys. Now they have alarms installed on all the windows which seems like a good system.
Great post with so much detail! It’s so important to keep your home safe. I want a security system for my apartment!
xoxo, Candice
I’m hoping we can get one as well ASAP as its just a little extra peace of mind isn’t it. x
Perfect tips! Changing the keys is my number 1 easiest way to keep the security in the house I just moved in.
Yes that is a must I think and so important. Although always check with your landlord if you are renting as your terms may say they need a set. x
I always thought that I lived in a relatively safe environment, but recently has been a spate of foreing youth hanging around being annoying a, rude and nasty at tiies, I havetaken into account all the tips you have suggested . Thank you 🙂
You can never be too careful these days, which is a great shame 🙁
Oh no that is such a shame 🙁 we are moving into a place where the previous owner was subject to a distraction burglary she was almost (if not already) 90 – I think it’s just awful!
These are such great tips! Reminds me I need to install a new security system x
Great tips, especially for those who have just moved out of their parents home and need that extra psychological security, I know I would! xoxo
Oh gosh yes – it is so hard when you first move out and need that extra net. x
Great tips! We just moved into a new house and need to install a security system
Good luck with finding the right security system for you. x
There’s some great tips here, some like not having the name of alarm in view I hadn’t thought of before. You can’t be too secure these days.
These safety tips are so handy. We need to sort ours out.
These are great tips. We have a large dogs here which is pretty good for deterrent.
Haha I can imagine people find our Sal a bit intimidating sometimes. x
These are such great tips! Always looking for ways to better secure my home! Especially in todays times – so important!
These are great tips! Ive definitely been thinking about adding more security precautions to our home.
Ooooo a lot of great info here! Makes me a limits want to install a system in my house!
Great tips! We’ve got security installed but we don’t use it – we’re top floor and have about four locks on our door so if someone wanted to break in, they’d have to be pretty damn desperate…
The best tip is to lock your doors. It’s amazing how many reports start with “they were inside so the door wasn’t locked”… Our downstairs neighbours got robbed when they were sitting in the living room watching TV because they’d left their doors unlocked & laptops etc. in the first room the burglas would come across!
It really is amazing how many people don’t – I mean great if you can be in an area where you don’t need to, but sadly I don’t think many people live in such places anymore.
These are wonderful tips. We have a security system and we feel very safe using it.
Home security is very important especially if you’re often alone at home or if you’re going away for the summer. These are very helpful pointers! Thanks so much for posting them!
These are honestly things I’ve never considered before. We haven’t set up any security yet, but it’s on our list. Thanks for the great advice.
We need to go the extra mile to keep out families safe today. We are need to do better with this. Living in the country makes you not as diligent, but security still needs to be a priority.
I think it would be better to have a more comprehensive security device that protects all access to the house. It’s also safer to go for more enclosed or covered doors and not glass ones.
Some fantastic tips and it is a shame we have to lock, bolt an alarm everything in today’s society, I remember growing up where no one locked doors, had an alarm and could sleep with windows open x
Great tips, but it’s a shame that some people need them. I do own a house key… somewhere. We live in such a safe area that we rarely ever lock our door. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I did so!
It’s so important to have a plan and know how to secure your home, isn’t it?
Awesome tips, tuank you we have been searching around so this is perfect
This is great info to keep the whole family protected. We recently got a security system and feel much more secure.
There is something about the extra security that makes you feel a little more confident and comfortable in your home. x
It’s so important to make smart decisions when it comes to keeping the house safe and secure. These are great tips on the best practices of keeping the home protected from trespassers.
BRILLIANT tips – we had a few break ins in our street and the one next to us (which was so shocking as it is a very upmarket, wealthy area with mainly retired residents) so alarms have started popping up and I’m sure I’ve seen a few with branding on! Great post lovely x
Oh gosh it is so scary when it starts happening close to home isn’t it. x
These are some lovely tips Sarah, I wish I could change the locks on mine but I need landlord’s permission but I think I can do the rest
Yeah that is a downside having to get permission and I think often landlords want a key as well don’t they? x
We have a security system that we can arm using an app on our cell phone and we can monitor our camera from anywhere we are on the planet as long as we have access to the internet. Peace of mind is priceless!
Our neighbours house got robbed and both of their vehicles stolen while we were gone on vacation and our house wasn’t even touched.
Now that is a great sounding system – I love you can use it via an app! Oh gosh what a nightmare for your neighbours! x
Great tips. I used to keep our key under a “rock” out front until I started hearing about people in our area being robbed by criminals finding their hidden keys. We don’t do that anymore.
It used to be such a common thing didn’t it – strange how times change. x
We just have a large dog, he’s a pretty effective deterrent! 🙂
Haha I bet – we often find people are scared of Sal and she’s only little.
Great advice! It’s important for people to know that displaying the name of the alarm company could actually help thieves to circumvent the security system.
It’s amazing how many people still hide keys under plant pots outside their front door.
Great tips and it’s so important to keep your house safe and you should be able to feel that your house is your sanctuary without any problems x
These are great tips. You can never be too careful when it comes to home security. I didn’t know burglars could buy info on how to disarm a home security system. That’s scary!
It really is scary how cleaver these people really are these days. x
Interesting points – I didn’t even think about not displaying the name of the alarm company on the alarm but you are so right – it is risky doing this!
These are absolutely awesome tips. I would’ve never thought about the whole security system with the name on it. Never thought about how burglars look stuff up and know how to disarm those. Thank you for sharing this!
No problem at all – I hope it helps 🙂