The main focus for National Home Security Month Week 4 is outdoor security. Statistics show that burglaries increase by 20% at this time of the year with thieves taking advantage of the darker nights. There has been a 17% increase in garden theft over the last five years with a reported 1 in 5 home owners being a victim of garden theft or vandalism. There are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of theft such as fitting a lock to your gate. A reported 37% of people don’t have any lock to secure their garden.
You can increase your outdoor security by following the advice below…
- Don’t leave valuables in a shed unless they are secure. Use a padlock with a hardened hasp & add shades to windows.
- Always shred important documents before putting in the rubbish.
- Always lock bikes away in your house or shed, these are easy targets – How to secure your bike.
- Overgrown gardens, bushes, trees & alleyways offer the perfect hiding location for a burglar.
- Close garden gates, they are a psychological barrier that can deter burglars.
- Close and lock windows when out of the house.
- Don’t leave tools around the house, such as ladders, as they can be used by burglars to break in.