Simple ways to secure your home from intruders

It’s much more exciting to put in place safety measures than to decorate a new home. Still, burglaries occur every 30 seconds, highlighting the importance of taking precautions to protect one’s house. Here are ten easy things you can do right away to keep your new place safe so you can go back to the exciting stuff.

 

1. Set up a security system

You should install some sort of security system in your new house, whether it’s a do-it-yourself setup or a more high-tech system with professional monitoring and smart home capabilities. You can choose home security systems that fit your needs and your budget.
Obtaining crime data for your area and assistance doing a home security audit are both things you may achieve by getting in touch with the police.

​And keep these factors in mind as well:

• DIY installation vs. professional installation
• Customer service and brand reputation
• Smart home capabilities
• Up front and monthly costs
• Extras like smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring

2. Secure the doors

Don’t invite a thief in (34 percent of them enter through the front door!). 2 You should check the door frames, the hinges, and the mail slot (if any) on all of your outside doors to ensure that no one can break in.

When moving into a new home, it’s a good idea to change the locks. That way, you can rest assured that your locks are up to par and that no random people outside your home have copies of your keys.
​Here are some quick reinforcements we recommend to help you shore up these vital entryways.

• Install a deadbolt.
• Add a strike plate.
• Upgrade to smart locks.
• Boost security with a video doorbell.
• Secure the mail slot.

Reinforce sliding glass doors

Sliding doors provide easy access for intruders, so be sure to secure them. As a more retro option, you can install a window bar or dowel in the door’s track to prevent it from being pried open. Adding a door sensor or glass break sensor is a technologically advanced option. These will sound an alarm and maybe deter would-be burglars if the glass door is broken.
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3. Lock the windows

Windows are “a typical access point for crooks,” so the previous owners may have closed them but not locked them, says theft expert Dr. Ben Stickle. In addition, the window latches provided by the manufacturer aren’t always reliable and can be extremely fragile.

Replacement window locks or keyed levers are a good alternative to unsightly latches if you want to increase protection without altering the aesthetic of your windows. However, you can go much further if you so choose.

If you want to make your windows more secure against intruders, we have some further suggestions for you.

• Reinforce glass with window security film.
• Install window sensors or glass break sensors.
• Add window bars.
• Plant prickly bushes under first-floor windows (but be sure to keep them trimmed).

4. Light up the landscape

Criminals, including vandals and thieves, don’t appreciate the limelight. Outdoor lighting should be sufficient to discourage them. Put up lights in the front and rear yards, on paths, and in the vicinity of the garage and other outbuildings. Not only will you make potential intruders more wary, but you’ll also reduce the likelihood of tripping on the front stairs.

Follow these guidelines to maximise the effectiveness of your outdoor security lighting:

• Use motion-activated lights.
• Save energy with solar-powered lights.
• Use a smart outlet to put outdoor lights on a timer.
• Set up schedules with smart light bulbs.

5. Don’t forget the garage

Burglars are increasingly likely to use this access point to break into your home. It’s likely that even if they can’t break into your house, you still have lots of valuables stashed away in your garage. Regularly closing and locking the garage’s interior and outside doors is a must.

Your garage door opener is something you should probably keep inside the house. This will prevent it from being stolen from your vehicle. You should never enter your garage access code in front of delivery persons, neighbours, or anybody else.
​Here are some more easy ways to secure the garage.

• Upgrade to a smart garage door opener.
• Cover windows to hide the goodies inside.
• Secure garage doors with extra locks.
• Use home automation—and never leave the garage door open again.
• Install a driveway alarm.

6. Lock down your Wi-Fi network

Your home WiFi network could be a target for hackers seeking access to personal and financial information. There’s also the risk that burglars will target your home if you’ve automated it. If you use Wi-Fi to connect your smart home gadgets and security system, hackers will have an open door to your house.

Nonetheless, there’s no reason to put yourself in harm’s way. Employing our advice can help to ensure that your private network is secure from unwanted visitors.

• Secure your wireless router.
• Enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption.
• Rename and hide your home network.
• Use a firewall.
• Install antivirus and anti-malware protection.
• Create strong passwords.
• Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to secure your internet connection

Protect kids with parental-control software

If you have kids, they probably use the internet for school and play. Use a parental control app, router, or computer programme to protect your children from harmful content and cyberbullying. You may even use these techniques to ensure that family dinners are device-free zones.
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7. Eliminate hiding places

Trees and shrubs enhance the aesthetic value of a property, but they also provide a cover for potential intruders. Get rid of overgrown bushes and trees that are close to your house. Choose more compact shrubs and blooms. Trees near windows should be pruned or the windows should be fortified.

Additionally, you shouldn’t ignore the remainder of your home’s exterior. Apply these recommendations for maximum security.

• Always put away stools and ladders.
• Lock gates, sheds, and other outdoor buildings.
• Don’t tempt thieves by leaving pricey goods on display in the yard.
• Add security signs and stickers—even if you don’t have a security system.

8. Add security cameras

You’ve probably read about how security camera footage has been used to catch burglars and porch pirates. This method of house protection is effective as both a deterrent and a tool for enforcing justice. Security cameras are available both as part of larger home security systems and as standalone devices.

Whatever route you take, it’s a good idea to install a security camera that connects to a mobile app so you can monitor activity in real time and save evidence for use in the event of a police report. Make sure your cameras are secure from intruders as well by taking preventative measures.

Check out our other must-have features:

• Motion detection
• Night vision
• Wi-Fi capability
• Two-way talk
• Local or cloud storage
• Weatherproof casing for outdoor cameras

9. Get a safe

Make sure valuables are secure in case a burglar is able to bypass your other security measures. You may store anything from valuable jewellery to important documents like passports in a home safe. To protect your valuables from fire, water, and potential theft, you need a safe that is not easily portable.

Follow these suggestions to get the most protection from your safe:

• Look for safes with redundant locks (that’s two locks on one safe).
• Select the right size safe for the valuables you want to protect.
• Decide if you want a portable safe or one that’s anchored.

10. Use home automation

Smart home security systems are an attractive option if you’ve been considering upgrading your traditional home to a high-tech one. Lights, door locks, security cameras, smoke alarms, and other safety equipment can all be managed remotely (or on a predetermined schedule) with the help of home automation systems. If you set up real-time notifications, you can rapidly respond to any signs of suspicious behaviour and deter any would-be burglars.

Here are some of our favorite ways to use home automation to increase security:

• Schedule lights (and your TV) to turn on and off when you’re on vacation.
• Scare away porch pirates with two-way talk through a smart doorbell.
• Get an instant video feed whenever someone walks up your driveway.
• Check on a smoke or CO alarm and cancel false alarms from your smartphone.

Recommended products for home security

Yale YES-ALARMKIT Home Security Essential Alarm Kit

Sirocco 2LT LED PIR Black Spotlight

Yale Electronic Value Home Safe – 16.3L

Ring Motion Activated Floodlight Camera

Yale P-M236-CH-63 Bathroom Sashlock – Chrome

About Wickes

Wickes is a home improvement retailer in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1972 and has since grown to become one of the largest home improvement retailers in the country. Wickes offers a wide range of products for both DIY and professional customers, including everything from tools and building supplies to kitchen and bathroom fixtures. The company has over 200 stores across the UK, and its website receives millions of visitors each year. In addition to its retail operations, Wickes also offers a number of services, such as design consultation and installation. Whether you’re looking to renovate your kitchen or build a new extension, Wickes can provide you with everything you need.