Top tips on how to protect your home against bank holiday burglary

Last year, an estimated six million Brits were planning a trip with an overnight stay during the Easter period, and with 953k passengers travelling from London airports to far flung destinations, Easter is the prime time for burglars to strike.

Related topics:  At Home
Warren Lewis
7th April 2017
home security
"Your key is never hidden as well as you think it is and experienced burglars will know all the common hiding places"

To ensure the UK’s homes and neighbourhoods are kept safe this Easter, Ring.com, the outdoor home security company, has compiled its top tips for protecting neighbourhoods through technology.  With Ilford, London, Leeds, Manchester and Cambridge being the most vulnerable, homeowners across the UK can spend more time enjoying an Easter bank holiday to remember, rather than worrying about the safety of their most prized possessions.

Lock all doors and windows

It sounds basic, but a surprising number of burglaries take place because people have forgotten to lock all the doors and windows. Some people even leave a few windows open for air flow whilst they’re away. Leaving your doors and windows unlocked is an open invitation to burglars, so always double-check them before you leave and to be extra safe install a double lock on your front door.

Avoid hiding spare keys

Many homeowners still keep a spare set of keys somewhere in front of their house. This is a bad habit and a major security risk. Your key is never hidden as well as you think it is and experienced burglars will know all the common hiding places. If you have arranged for a neighbour or friend to check your post whilst you’re away, lending them a spare key is a far safer alternative.

Make it look like you are at home

Very few burglars have been known to strike when they think someone is at home. Many thieves are opportunists and if it looks like you’re on holiday they will be more inclined to try their luck. Making it look like you’re at home, is a simple and effective security measure you should take. Keep up appearances by opening your curtains, mowing the lawn before you leave and installing an outdoor light which automatically turns on for a couple of hours each evening. Better still, invest in an outdoor light with motion detectors, so that anyone who walks past triggers the light to come on.

Visible Security

Burglars will not try to break-in if they fear they will get caught. Savvy burglars will know of all the latest security devices, and they’ll avoid homes if they know that there are effective security solutions in place. Sometimes, even just a security sign can deter a burglar from breaking in, so get your devices set up, and make sure burglars know that your home is protected.

Smart Technology

Whilst traditional security systems are important, they cannot be relied upon to prevent crime from taking place. Unfortunately, most traditional security systems, such as alarms, are reactive solutions that will let you know when a burglary has occurred, but there is little you can do thereafter to stop it. Smartphone connected security devices, equipped with cameras and motion detectors, can send live video footage straight to you or your neighbours’ fingertips, meaning you can respond to and prevent suspicious activity before it happens.

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