Unfortunately, burglaries are on the rise. According to recent data, in 2022 alone there was a property break in every 118 seconds around the UK. The average cost of a domestic burglary to the victim is around £4,120*, including the cost of items stolen and future insurance premiums.
If you are planning a trip, or know you are going to be out of your home for a long period, it is important to know it is safe and secure. To help we’ve put together our top five essential tips that can help make your home appear occupied:
Lighting and timers
One of the best deterrents for burglars is security lights due to how it startles them as they become easily spotted by anyone looking in their direction. Thieves prefer to conduct their activity in darkness, so ensuring entry points and shaded areas are illuminated will put them off. It’s also important to have lights on inside a property. A dark house appeals to a burglar as it looks vacant or like the occupant is asleep. If on holiday or out for the night, timers should be used so that it looks like someone is home, remember, an intruder doesn’t want to risk a confrontation so they will avoid targeting your property.
Cancel all deliveries
Despite taking other precautions, nothing says ‘nobody is home’ more than a parcel that is left on the doorstep, so if you’re away for more than just a day, make sure no deliveries will arrive. Even milk that is left outside is a big enough sign for an opportunistic burglar to strike, so make sure you’ve covered all bases and cancelled subscriptions. If you’re on holiday, it can be tempting to make impulse buys, but wait for any purchases until you return home.
Speak to neighbours
For anyone that is away for an extended period of time, it’s best to talk to neighbours so that they can keep your house secure. Asking them to do simple tasks like putting the bins out and removing post from the doorstep or inside the front door will make it look like the property is occupied as normal. Purchase a key safe that neighbours or family members you trust have access to and they can turn lights on, close curtains, and even move small bits around the house so that a burglar inspecting the area won’t suspect the property is empty.
Video doorbells are your friend
Research has shown that video doorbells are a massive deterrent for burglars, with the CCTV aspect that alerts people when someone is nearby proving off-putting. It provides the added protection of keeping tabs on the house and if anyone knocks on the door, the two way talk system allows you to check they are legitimate and raise alarms to family members or neighbours if needed. There is also the opportunity to appear busy within the house by stating you’re unable to answer at that moment in time.
Avoid social media posts
Posting on social media is a basic sign that a house is empty. Whether it’s an evening out with friends or a week long family holiday, check-ins to places or pictures away from home advertise to everyone online and provide burglars with glee. Even with other deterrents in place, this will make a thief more confident that they can break in and geo tagging lets them know there is opportune time to take what they want. Instead, save the posts and pictures until the event is finished, that way you still have the memories but have kept your whereabouts hidden.
We know that one of the biggest fears as a homeowner is that returning to your property after an evening away or family holiday to find it burgled. In taking these steps it should help to ensure your property is protected.
Sources
*https://www.statista.com/statistics/956906/burglaries-in-england-and-wales/
