Time to think about winter home safety
Autumn is just around the corner, it’s that time of year when we’re settling into the new school year and contemplating when to put the heating back on. Not only is it a perfect time to prepare your home for the cooler weather, but also to make sure it is as safe and secure as it can possibly be.
According to the Office for National Statistics Crime Survey now is the time of year to consider the security of your home especially when you’re back at work after the summer holidays, particularly as burglaries are more likely to take place during the day, between 11am and 5pm.
Although many people have contents insurance cover, nothing can compensate for the stress it causes, or replace the personal items and gifts you may lose as a result of a burglary.
Here are out top tips to improve the security potential of your doors: It is important to have robust locks on both the front and back doors. Ensure entrance doors to your home are fitted with securely fixed locks or a multi- point locking system with at least 1000 differs ( the number of possible keys for a given lock). Also ensure that you have a latch and deadlocking system.
Do you have sliding back doors? These should be secured by way of a multi- point locking system and have an anti- lift device fitted so that doors cannot be lifted from their frame from the outside.
Check your window locking systems Ground floor windows and any others that are easily reached by climbing are recommended to be fitted with lockable devices/ handles which cannot be released without a key. If you own a home built in the last ten years, this may already have modern security locks
Be secure, but also safe Some doors can be locked from the inside. If that’s the case with yours, and it’s locked using a key, make sure you have a spare key in a convenient place nearby, so that you can get out quickly in an emergency. Newer houses are fitted with locks on the front door which have a thumb turn on the inside to provide a quick escape without the use of a key.
View outside Ensure that you have a wide angle view of the area immediately outside the main entrance door to check on callers. Newer properties may already have a through- door viewer or clear glazing either to part of the door or a convenient window which provides a view of the main entrance. You may also want to replace your front door if it looks tatty, it’s the kind of thing that will attract a burglar’s eye.
Consider a light sensor… Crime can be prevented by external detection security lighting that switches on after dark when someone is nearby, illuminating the general area. It’s highly effective in deterring potential intruders and therefore definitely worth considering if your home.
Nothing can compensate for the stress