New research from The Co-Op Insurance shows that home theft claims increase by over a third during the dark winter months, with Friday being the most likely day a theft will occur.
With the clocks now having gone back at the weekend, and the autumn equinox now well behind us, there will be more hours of darkness providing criminals with more opportunities to carry out break-ins, burglaries and thefts under the cover of darkness.
Here are some simple steps you can take to keep your home safe from potential burglars.
Outside the home
1 – Keep all hedges and shrubberies trimmed so that they don’t provide cover for thieves trying to sneak around your garden. You could consider planting thorny bushes such as holly, juniper, or blackthorn under or near windows to make it difficult – and painful – to break in.
2 – Install motion sensor lights around your home, particularly near entrances or weak spots in the perimeter of your boundary hedging or fencing.
3 – Don’t leave expensive items in the garden overnight; bicycles, motorcycles, barbeques, garden furniture, children’s playthings, and tools are all magnets for thieves and provide them with easy pickings. Never leave a ladder in your garden as this could present a thief with the opportunity to access first-floor windows.
4 – Make sure your perimeter fencing is in good condition. If you don’t have a fence and there is an open approach to your house from the street, it is worthwhile considering installing a fence – an open link chain fence clearly marks the boundary, while a solid fence is easy to scale and provides thieves with a place to hide.
5 – Make sure all garden gates are well secured, preferably with locks that can only be opened from the inside of the gate. Lock all sheds, garages and outbuildings with a good quality padlock, and keep them locked, even when you are at home.
6 – Get to know your neighbours; close-knit communities tend to look out for one another and are more likely to spot strangers or be aware of any irregular comings and goings. It’s also a good idea to join your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. If there isn’t one in your area, the local Police can advise you on how to set one up. Independent Research has shown that membership of a Neighbourhood Watch can reduce the chance of a break-in by around 25%.
7 – Don’t hide a spare key under a plant pot, the doormat, etc. Thieves are likely to know these common hiding places and will search for a key. If you can’t leave a spare key with a neighbour, then install a small strong box with a combination lock in a discreet place in your garden.
8 – Put gravel on your drive or front path; walking on gravel makes a noise and this will deter intruders.
Inside the Home
1 – Make sure your door and window locks are in good order and provide enough protection. Fit deadlocks to the inside of all doors leading to the outside. Always remember to lock up every time you leave the house – even if you are just popping to the local shop. Get into a routine at night of checking all the doors and windows are secured. Fit a peephole in the front door and a chain on all doors leading to the outside.
2 – If you are away from the house for long periods, or are home after it gets dark, use timer switches for lights and a radio so that they come on before you get home; to the outside world, it appears as if the house is occupied. Try to vary the timings so that it’s not obvious that the lights are on a timer.
3 – Keep all personal documentation safe – a thief is likely to take personal documents and sell them on to identity fraudsters. Consider buying a safe for important documents and valuable items such as jewellery.
4 – Fit wooden shutters, net curtains or voile panels to your windows to block the view of the inside of your home from anyone looking through the windows.
5 – Never leave keys or valuables in places that can be seen through a window, and likewise ensure your calendar planner isn’t in plain sight – a thief would be able to see when you are out and could return knowing the house will be empty. Never post holiday plans or that you are going out on social media either, as crooks often scan social media accounts looking for such details so they can target a house knowing the occupants are away.
6 – Install an alarm system and/or CCTV. While these may be expensive, they will actively discourage burglars from approaching your property for fear of being captured on CCTV or setting off an alarm.
7 – Never have large sums of cash in your home and keep your bankcards and chequebooks secure and out of sight when you are not using them. Never write down your PIN or other personal security information.
8 – Never give out personal details to strangers calling you on the telephone, even if they purport to be from your bank or other trusted institution. If you do receive such a call, end the call, and call the alleged institution from another telephone to check the caller is genuine. If they are, they won’t mind you checking.
9 – Never allow anyone you don’t know entry into your home. Always ask for identification, even if they are in a recognised uniform. If you want to check they are genuine, you can take the ID card and call the relevant organisation or authority.
Your local police will have information about improving your home security, and some forces are happy to do home security checks. If you, or someone you know, are vulnerable, live alone, or are elderly or frail, the local police may be able to provide a home security check and advise on what additional security would be beneficial.
