How to secure your home in 2021

Since lockdown, we’ve never spent so much time at home. But as the temperature is rising and restrictions are beginning to ease, we’re all looking forward to being able to meet up with loved ones – albeit outside and at a social distance.

Whilst it’s the news many of us have been longing for, we mustn’t forget the most basic security measures. After all, burglars have been breaking into homes for as long as we can remember. And though there isn’t much we can do to stop them from targeting our homes – there are a number of things we can do to deter them.

Here we look at just a few simple yet effective measures to implement at your home if you haven’t already.

Top tips for securing your property against intruders

1. Secure the windows and doors

The windows and doors are common entry points for savvy burglars. If they don’t have to physically break-in, they won’t.

Most opportunists will check to see whether any windows or doors have been left open or unlocked. If they have, they’ll simply climb in or walk through the door.

So, although it might seem like the most obvious thing to do, always make sure that you are locking your windows and doors – both when you’re leaving the house and when you’re at home.

Oh, and if you can’t remember the last time you upgraded your door locks, you’ve lost your key, or you’ve moved to a new house, it’s worth invest in new ones. You’ll find an extensive range of door locks from leading security brands on our sister site, LockShop Direct.

• Keep areas well-lit

Thieves like to operate under a blanket of darkness. They hate to be in the spotlight as it draws attention to them and increases their chances of being caught red-handed.

Installing outdoor security lighting (i.e. floodlights or motion sensors) at the front and back of your property will not only deter burglars from targeting your property but will also eliminate any potential hiding places and blinds spots.

It’s also a good idea to use light timers inside the house so, even if you’re not in, it gives the illusion that there is someone home – reducing the likelihood of it being targeted and broken into.

• Conceal valuables

Do you drive a flash car? Ideally, you want to park it safely in your garage – if you have one – and never leave the keys lying around.

Recently purchased an expensive gadget? Don’t leave the empty box on the street or brag about it on social media as that’ll attract unwanted attention. And if you’ve got any delicate pieces of jewellery or a large amount of cash, make sure that it’s stored securely inside a safe.

Safes are great for concealing items – ensuring that they are kept out of sight of prying eyes. We supply them in an assortment of shapes, sizes and styles and they have a key or electronic lock fitted as standard.

• Fit CCTV cameras

CCTV cameras are one of the most effective security systems on the market today. In most cases, the fear of being caught on camera and being identified is what puts intruders off targeting homes under CCTV surveillance.

Aside from acting as a deterrent, the footage from these cameras can help with getting justice if you have been the victim of a break-in.

The placement of cameras is key. If possible, you want to be able to keep an eye on the front and back doors, as well as the side of the house, the garage, garden and shed. Of course, you don’t want to infringe on anyone’s privacy, so it’s a good idea to always check the CCTV laws and legal requirements before you go ahead and install a camera.

• Get a dog

If you’re an animal lover, we sure you won’t need much convincing – but dogs are one of the oldest (and cutest) burglary deterrents out there.

Let’s face it, a burglar will want to get in and out of your home as quickly as possible without being heard or seen. However, a barking dog is a sure-fire way to alert you to the presence of an intruder or something unusual going on outside of your house.

Dogs are loyal companions and will do everything they can to protect you (their loving owner). And their strong territorial instincts are enough to scare people off when trying to break into your home.

Want to know more?

Although we have a comprehensive range of safes available to choose from – here at eSafes – we are security specialists and will be more than happy to share our expertise.

Whether you have a question about the safes we stock, need assistance choosing a home safe or would like some more tips on how to protect your home in 2021, get in touch. Just give us a call on 0800 7832 328 or email info@esafes.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you.