Your house probably contains your most valuable possessions, so it makes sense to keep it – and them – properly protected. While many people believe securing a home to be an expensive process, there are a number of simple, inexpensive measures you can put into action to beat the thieves.

Adding security devices to your home can not only help reduce the chances of you ever having to make a claim, but also give you and your family peace of mind. Follow the tips below and everybody will be happy – except the burglars.

Secure your windows

It’s absolutely crucial that your home’s front and back doors are secure. Both the doors and their frames must be sturdy and in good condition – any that are old, decaying or weak need replacing.

If they are not already fitted, fit the doors with bolts and deadlocks. Make sure they are put to good use – far too many households do not use all the locks on their doors, believing a turn of the key to be sufficient. Fastening all the locks and bolts makes a door a lot harder to force open.

Patio doors can sometimes be a security weak point as they are not always fitted with a key operated locking device. Multi-locking point systems designed specifically for patio doors (with at least 3 locking points) are recommended.

When choosing and fitting new locks to your house, it is highly recommended that you approach an official member of the Master Locksmith’s Association (www.locksmiths.co.uk) for assistance.

To find out more about locksmiths, and the different kinds of lock available to you, read our security locks page.

Extra deterrents

• Outdoor lighting, with or without motion sensors, are ideal burglar deterrents. Unlit properties provide the perfect hunting ground for burglars, allowing them to sneak in and out unnoticed.
• A burglar alarm visible from the street will also help put potential thieves off.
• Remove any valuables from your window ledges. It is not advisable to tempt the thief into performing a smash and grab raid.
• Timer switches are relatively inexpensive, easy to use and yet a very useful tool against burglars. Using timer switches, lights and lamps can be set to automatically come on at a certain time, giving the impression that there is someone home even when the house is empty.
• The easiest way for a thief to gain access to your home is by walking through the front door. It may sound unlikely, but if you currently leave a spare key under a doormat or plant pot, then you are running a serious risk of being burgled. They are the first places a thief will look. Likewise, hanging a key on a piece of string through your letterbox is giving the burglar a very easy task.
• Moving to a new house? Change all the locks as soon as you move in. Also try to keep track of who owns a key to your home.