November 24th 2023.
As the festive season approaches, so does the risk of burglary. According to research by Toolstation, burglaries are most common between October and January, and almost half of Brits take measures to deter thieves. But these methods don't always work.
Former burglar and home security expert Michael Fraser, who has featured on BBC's Beat The Burglar, has revealed the most common home security errors we're making, along with tips to ensure your home stays safe.
Michael recommends installing an alarm, but he also highlights the importance of ensuring it actually works. Of the 43% of households that do have a security alarm installed, 18% don't turn it on when they leave the home, either because it doesn't work, they don't know how to use it, they find pets or children setting it off a nuisance, or they only turn it on when they go on holiday.
Michael also suggests purchasing an alarm that can be split between certain parts of the home, such as downstairs, so that households with two floors can set an overnight alarm. He recommends giving the alarm box a wipe down every so often, as leaving it dirty can be a signal to burglars that it isn't being serviced or used.
Additionally, Michael suggests ensuring windows and doors at the rear of the property are obscured and that valuable items are moved away from the line of vision. It's also advised to keep your family calendar away from the eyes of potential burglars, as it may provide burglars with information about days and times the home will be left unattended. To protect against identity theft, households must ensure they shred or cut up all documents they throw away.
When it comes to locks, Michael believes deadlocks are much stronger and more robust than cylinder locks and will make burglars less confident about attempting a break-in. He also advises against putting up 'beware of the dog' signs, as this could provide more reason for burglars to attempt a break in. Finally, Michael advises against leaving a spare key near the front door, as burglars will be aware of common hiding spots.
It's also important to be careful of what burglars can spot outside your home, such as new TV packaging or parcels left outside the front door. Michael suggests investing in smart security tools to keep burglars at bay, such as gadgets that allow you to respond to suspicious activity.
By taking these measures, you can make sure your home is secure during the festive season.
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