How to Reduce the Risk of a Home Burglary

We’ve all seen media reports of home burglaries over the years, and even if you haven’t been a victim in the past it’s easy to understand how upsetting it can be for the homeowner. The loss of possessions, especially the more sentimental ones that can’t be replaced, can be devastating, and for some people the mere fact that a burglar has been in the property can be difficult to overcome.

If a burglar is particularly determined to get into a property, it can be problematic, some would say impossible, to make that home intruder-proof. There are steps you can take, however, that will greatly reduce the possibilities, so it’s important for all homeowners to consider them. Here are some that should be at the top of anyone’s security and safety wish-list.

Install effective CCTV surveillance equipment

If potential vandals or burglars know they are being watched, they will often become increasingly reluctant to carry out a crime. Put simply, the majority of them will prefer to go somewhere else instead. If you have a small home with just two or three entry points, you won’t need a complex bank of cameras and monitors, of course, but as always our team can advise you on the best options for your needs and your budget.

Get a dog

It may seem a bit of a cliché, but if you have a dog in the home many would-be burglars will think twice. And if your four-legged friend makes plenty of noise when someone comes to the door – even if it would only be playful should they come in – the potential intruder will often be significantly deterred. Some home-owners have even been known to play a recording of an aggressive dog as and when necessary.

Lock the doors and windows

This might seem an obvious statement to make, but the truth is that a number of burglaries begin with an intruder simply walking through an unlocked door. Doors and windows represent the most common form of entry for intruders, so take a little time to make sure they are locked when you need them to be. Needless to say, if the locks are particularly strong ones then so much the better.

Invest in intruder alarms

Intruder alarms can and do make a big difference when it comes to home security and personal safety. Here at Webster Security & Fire, we supply, install and maintain a range of intruder alarms designed for commercial, industrial and residential use, and we can advise you on the options that match your needs perfectly. The best approach is to consult the experts before spending your money.

And there’s more…

Finally, there are a number of other ways to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of the burglars. They include general issues such as joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, making sure your Wi-Fi password remains secure and upgrading to smart home appliances such as automatic garage door openers and the latest state of the art doorbell technology. Other more obvious actions include making sure no valuables can be seen from outside, not telling people when you are away on holiday and not revealing too much information on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.