Autumn means pumpkins, jumpers and kicking through fallen leaves, but it also means more worries for householders about home security as longer nights present more opportunities for burglars.
If you’re worried about your security at home as the nights draw in, here are five things you can do to feel safer after you’ve drawn the curtains and settled down in front of a fire and a film.
Install a monitored alarm
An easily-visible alarm system deters many burglars and a monitored system is a strong deterrent as it’ll alert you, other keyholders and the police in the event of an attempted break in.
Turn the lights up
A well-lit exterior will also make your home too risky for any would-be intruders. Motion-activted lights at entry points, in gardens and under porches will discourage burglars and also alert you, passers by and neighbours to any movement around your house.
Keep your garden tidy
Thick, overgrown hedges and shrubs can provide intruders with places to hide in and escape under, especially in the dark. If your garden has a lot of high, overgrown plants and hedges, it can attract burglars, so trim down shrubs and hedges to offer a clean line of sight.
You should also make sure that tools and ladders are locked away in secure sheds as burglars will use any implements they find, like a spade, to break into a house.
Use smart lights
Smart plugs and devices can help you to give the impression that you’re in when you’re not. You can set lights on timers so they switch on and off at regular times, as well as radios or even TVs, strengthening this illusion.
Install a smart doorbell or an outdoor camera
Smart doorbells are very effective in detering burglars and even package thieves as they don’t want their faces and activities stored on camera.
Your smart doorbell can also let you know if someone’s at your door, even if you’re out, so you can call the police or a neighbour.
If you’re in, your smart doorbell can help you as well, because it’ll record video of dodgy door-steppers and let you see who’s at your door before you decide to open it or not.
