Security

It’s a sad state of affairs that burglary still threatens our possessions and peace of mind. Rural homes should be no more at risk than other from burglary if certain measures are used to protect your property. The risk can be increased in the case of second homes with longer periods of unoccupancy. This can be tackled through a number of simple but effective ways in which to give the impression that your home is occupied and more importantly secure!

This article is not meant to scare homeowners but to inform them of the risks and offer a quick guide by which to deter any uninvited visitors. Remember that not only will increased security give you peace of mind it will also save you money on your insurance premium so think of any improvements as an investment.

Ways of Protecting Your Home

Common sense is the first rule to home security. As obvious as it sounds be sure to lock up before leaving your property, double check if necessary. One in five of burglaries reported are through unlocked doors or windows. Take that extra minute to look around to ensure all accessible routes are locked before you leave.

Security is equally important if you are leaving your home for an hour or three months; it only takes a few minutes for a burglar to get in!

It is common for insurance companies to insist on the use of five-lever mortise deadlocks on the main external doors. If a door moves even a fraction when pushed a burglar is more likely to persist.

A very common deterrent is the use of trespasser lights around vulnerable areas of a property. These work by surprising the potential intruder and can be very effective. It is very important to remember that their use on a thatched property is restricted. Due to the high temperatures at which these lights can reach it is necessary to mount units a safe distance from the thatch.

It is possible to mark property as a way of discouraging theft. Notices that state that property has been marked are used to act as a further deterrent. Items are typically engraved or etched with some form of identification such as a postcode. Although it may not necessarily prevent their possible theft, marked items are easier to trace and therefore recover in the event of their loss.

A traditional burglar alarm remains a firm favourite in the anti-burglary arsenal. In addition the visual presence of a prominent system can act as prevention rather than cure in deterring a would-be burglar.

From an insurance point of view it is recommended that valuables be photographed in their surroundings. For example a necklace is ideally photographed whilst being worn rather than on a plain background such as on the carpet or table.

It is important to remember that while burglary is more likely when the house is unoccupied this is not always the case. A spy hole allows you to see who is at the door and a chain is recommended for extra safety.

Ways to Make a House Seem Occupied

Be sure to cancel any daily deliveries such as the papers that could otherwise attract the attention of a potential burglar. It becomes very obvious very quickly about which houses are occupied or not. Take care not to attract any unwanted attention.

If possible get a neighbour to visit the property to collect any post and draw the curtains. Other jobs that may need addressing would be having someone use your bin and carry out maintenance on the garden. It is small things like these that can trick even the most observant thief.

It is possible to use timers on lights and electrical systems to further the impression that your home is occupied, music systems and televisions are ideal.

Garden security is also important. Lock away any garden furniture and weigh down pots so as to make their theft less likely. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ is a good way of looking at garden security.

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