Did you know only 15% of burglary victims have enhanced home security? In this blog, Anthony Neary, managing director of our security retailer has spoken to former offenders to reveal five signs they look out for. He also provides advice on how to deter burglars.
1. Limit social media sharing
Posting on social media can have consequences. One ex-burglar explained, “I used Facebook to see when people would be away – you won’t believe how many post on social media about visiting family for a few days.” When on holiday or out and about, don’t advertise that your house is unoccupied. Wait until you have returned home to post pictures, or a burglar will have ample time to plan their theft. This includes geotagging stories, as a thief can work out how far away you are from home.
2. Ensure you lock your doors
Locking up your house might be part of your routine, but habits can be broken. Most burglars are opportunists who will try doors, hoping one has been left open. One stated, “Lock your doors. Seems simple, but lots of people don’t, especially when busy or stressed around Christmas.” Ensure that all windows and exterior doors are shut and locked at night or when you are away. Fitting Mortice Locks to doors and gates can also improve security as they are more difficult to tamper with. If your door has a letterbox, be mindful of where you keep your keys, as cunning thieves have methods to take keys from the inside of the door, granting them full access to your home. Browse our range of door locks today: Door Locks
3. Be careful what you keep outside
By keeping certain items outside your home, you can make it easier for burglars to break in. Some burglars even report using wheelie bins to help them gain access to a home, and one warned, “Don’t leave anything around for a burglar to climb on or move that helps them enter your house.” Burglars can use items like wheelie bins to scale fences or walls, allowing them access to your back garden. This can not only lead them to gain access to your back door but allow them to steal property from sheds and garden boxes which people may not think to secure. Thieves can also use your tools to help them break into your house. Keep your bins behind a locked gate and using weatherproof padlocks like our Yale Protector Weatherproof Padlock to secure outdoor storage. Shop the padlock today: Yale Protector Weatherproof Padlock
4. Safely dispose of empty packaging
Your bin isn’t always the safest place for product packaging. Throwing this away can actually encourage burglars – a former burglar said, “Leaving empty boxes from high end electronics outside your house allows any burglar casing your estate to see that you have a lot of valuable items ready to be taken.” The disposal of packaging is an advert for what new tech and appliances you have. Even boxes from less expensive items left outside or in your bin can be used to their advantage. We recommend breaking down empty boxes or taking them straight to the recycling centre.
5. Invest in exterior lights
A dark house can be an easy target. One ex-burglar stated that what commonly puts them off is exterior lights, “Having lights that illuminate the drive and garden, not just the house, gets rid of blind spots where people can hide.” A house in the dark could appeal to a burglar as it looks vacant. This makes it obvious that the owner is asleep or not at home. To deter or startle burglars, security lights are an essential purchase for long nights and will alert you to any activity. It is also always a good idea to have added security in place such as CCTV and Burglar Alarms.
Now you know how to deter burglars, put your learnings to use. We supply a selection of security products to choose from, stocking big name brands like Yale, Chubb and Phoenix. Browse our range today: Safe
