Home Security Systems

Security Tips

Under no circumstances let strangers into your home, install a peephole so you can identify visitors before opening the door, chains can be broken. In addition, insist on identification from all service personnel. If you're not expecting them, verify their identity by calling their company, use a directory or phone number you have, not one they give you.

Internal Tips

• Ensure all external doors have adequate locks, ideally British Standard mortice dead locks. Statistics show that 80% of all break-ins are through a door.
• In addition to anti-lifting locks, secure your sliding patio doors with a metal / wooden pole placed in the door track.
• Don't leave keys in their locks - ensure they are put away, even if you are at home.
• Close and lock your external doors and windows, even for short trips.
• Don’t bother locking internal doors.
• Don't leave valuables in sight through windows.
• Ensure that all basement, ground and accessible windows are fitted with locks.
• Use a security marker pen to mark your postcode on your property, this will assist the police to return any recovered stolen property.
• Make an inventory and keep the list in a safe place, take pictures and get written valuations of expensive items.
• Have some lights inside your home on time switches. It is one of the most cost-effective deterrents to burglary as it gives the impression that a home is occupied.
• Invest in an Intruder Alarm System, it is the most effective deterrent.
• Never leave an answering machine message indicating you're not home.

External Tips

• In addition to time controlled internal lighting, invest in motion-detecting outdoor floodlights around your home.
• Maintain your garden to ensure that your front and rear gardens provide visibility to and from your home.
• Lock away garden tools secure ladders to a fixed point to prevent burglars from using them to break into your home.
• Don’t forget your garage door especially if there is a door leading into the house.
• Keep garden gates locked.
• Fit trellis on top of perimeter fences it too weak to climb over and make a lot of noise if broken.
• Never leave door keys hidden in the front or rear gardens.
• if you are going away, cancel milk and papers. If possible leave a car on the drive, if not, ask a neighbour to leave their car in the driveway.