IF you are worried about keeping your home secure while on holiday, TV property expert Phil Spencer has come to the rescue.
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August is the peak month for burglaries – with a 28 per cent rise in break-ins, according to Tesco Insurance.
Here Phil, the founder of property advice website Move iQ, shares some of the simple ways to burglar-proof your home – from wallet-friendly deterrents like a dummy CCTV camera and alarm sticker, to smart doorbells.
FRONT FOCUSED: Most break-ins are unplanned.
Make your property look hard to enter so burglars are more likely to transfer attention elsewhere.
Phil says: “More than a third of break-ins are made through the front door so it’s essential you make it as secure as possible.
“Fit adequate deadlocks and hinges and reinforce frames when necessary.”
A master locksmith is a great source of advice for security additions that will serve as deterrents. See locksmiths.co.uk.
SECURE THE SHED: Easily accessible and usually containing valuables like tools and bikes, our outbuildings and sheds are an easy target.
Protect yours with padlocks tested to a high standard. The police suggest those with BS EN 12320 ratings.
Shed bars and glazing grilles, available from hardware stores, can reinforce entry points and windows.
And blackout window film (£5.99, from amazon.co.uk) can obscure garden goodies from unwelcome gazes.
CHANGE LOCKS: Back doors, windows and patio entry points are often overlooked, but these must also be locked.
Phil advises: “If you have recently moved in, then you should change the locks to all your doors.
“You can’t be sure who still has a set of keys.
“Consider fitting both a Yale and a double-action mortice lock for extra security.
“If you’re renting, check your tenancy agreement to see if changing the locks is allowed.”
Some UPVC-style rear doors are fitted with protruding locks that can be snapped off easily, so it may be worth changing these for safer alternatives.
SMART TECH: While expensive gold-standard alarms provide great property protection, new technological advances mean there are cheaper alternatives.
Smart doorbells with video, home cameras, motion sensors and floodlights can all persuade burglars to move on.
‘COMMON SENSE’
Lightbulbs, curtains and heating can also be set to timers so your home does not look unoccupied.
Many can also be linked to your phone via an app so that you can keep an eye on your property at all times.
For a cheaper option, consider a dummy CCTV camera.
The police suggest this, paired with a fake warning or alarm sticker, can be equally off-putting.
HOME ALONE: Regular deliveries piling up on your doorstep show there is nobody home.
Cancel scheduled orders from supermarkets, food suppliers or online delivery companies.
Or ask a friend to collect them for you.
A trustworthy person to water plants and pick up post can ensure your home does not look empty.
Asking a neighbour to park on your driveway works well too. But use your common sense.
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Phil warns: “Don’t undo all your hard work by leaving a spare key under a plant pot!
“Opportunistic thieves will look in traditional hiding places like this.
“If you need to leave a key for others, keep it in a discreetly hidden lockbox secured to a wall.”
CHECK YOUR INSURANCE: Ensuring your paperwork is in order before shutting your suitcase is a simple way to provide peace of mind.
But it’s also easily overlooked.
‘EASY TO PREVENT’
Double check any insurance policies covering your belongings – building, car and contents – are still applicable while your home is unoccupied and that all details and values are up to date.
HIDE VALUABLES: Consider where you leave snatch-and-go valuables such as jewellery, wallets and laptops.
Make sure belongings are not visible though entry points.
Consider a small home safe, or hide in kitchen containers.
Phil says: “If your door has a traditional letterbox, install a guard on the back to prevent anyone reaching in or trying to hook out nearby items.
“This type of theft is surprisingly common, but easy to prevent.”
DON’T POST PICS: If your social media accounts are not private, your photos will highlight you are not home.
Wait until you get back to share images.
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