Target Harden Your Home This Winter
The key to protecting your home from being broken into this winter is to make it as undesirable to a burglar as you can. In this article we look at how you can create natural barriers to entry, pick the right security cameras to how the cold weather can affect your locks.
Winter with it's longer, darker nights can make it more enticing for thieves. Burglaries are estimated to rise by up 1.14 times throughout the winter compared with Summer.
Even while the risk of a break-in varies depending on the type of property and the level of security measures in place, it is still important to take the necessary precautions to successfully secure yourself and your house.
Don't leave your windows or doors unlocked even if you are in
Make certain that all of the doors are always properly locked. Winter days are typically the darkest of the year, so to protect yourself from anyone who could take advantage of the darkness, make sure your doors and windows are always closed securely.
Make it hard to distinguish if someone is in or not
We all know the trick of leaving a light on when we are leaving the house, but timed lighting, which you can control to turn various lights on and off, can create the appearance that someone is home. You should absolutely take into account smart home security since it is growing in popularity around the UK to assist secure your house throughout the winter.
Use movement activated external lighting
Winter's gloom makes it easy for burglars to approach houses covertly and break in. Therefore, adding motion-sensor security lights outside your home or your front door will significantly deter any possible thief, lessen the appeal of your home as a target, and add another layer of security.
Keep your garage and shed under lock and key
Although garages and sheds are excellent outdoor storage places, they can also be high-risk targets. There is much to entice a thief to try to break in because it usually houses goods like vehicles and bikes as well as stuff like power tools and ladders.
Naturally, you wouldn't want anyone to steal your bike, but the bigger danger is that if you have any equipment kept, someone might use them to break into your house. We advise you to check the security of your garage and make sure you have protections in place.
Install fencing around the perimeter of your property
In addition to being the first line of defence in securing your property, the perimeter of your home should be inspected for weak points before winter arrives. Learn more about how to secure your garden fence.
Mark and register your valuables
Any valuables should be marked with a UV pen and registered on Immobilise so that you might potentially recover them if they are stolen. Any valuables should be marked with your name and address so that they may be identified as belonging to you when scrutinised under a blacklight.
Don't let people peak in
Although it goes without saying that valuables should be kept out of sight, it's also a good practise to develop to keep your home hidden at night by drawing the curtains or blinds. Closing the curtains helps avoid this because a potential burglar might try to look through your windows to see if there is anything to attract them.
Going away on vacation to visit relatives is quite typical because so many holidays fall during the colder winter months. Protect your home while you're away by holding off on discussing anything until you get home.
Ask someone to look after the "cat"
Leave a spare key with a dependable neighbour or family member if you're going on a winter vacation so they can watch over your house while you're gone.
Have a burglar alarm
Install a burglar alarm, one of the best ways to prevent burglaries is to install a burglar alarm. Criminals have even admitted that they would avoid a house if it had one installed.
Keep your home security operational in winter weather
One of the best methods to safeguard your property and avoid burglaries is using outdoor security cameras. Low temperatures, ice, and rain, like with any technology, can ruin them. There are a few things to consider if you want to install outdoor security cameras so that they function well in the winter.
Choose security equipment that is weather resistant
An IP rating, which effectively measures a product's capacity to handle various weather conditions, will be present on anything designed for outside use. We advise choosing an outdoor security system with at least an IP66 rating because it will be protected from the typical British rain as well as harsh weather conditions like snow and sleet.
You want to make sure that your camera can function regardless of the illumination during the winter because there is less sunlight and it might get dark rather early into the evening. By selecting an outdoor security camera with night vision, you can be confident that it is constantly guarding your property.
Despite the fact that the camera itself will have some weatherproofing, it's crucial to remember all of the additional parts that come with a camera. The likelihood that cables and connectors have deteriorated and may interfere with the operation of the camera is decreased by routinely inspecting them over the winter.
Door locks can be affected by most weather conditions, but in the winter, colder temperatures, frost, ice, and snow can all contribute to your doors not functioning. Common problems like the lock seizing, an inability to lock the door securely, or a difficult time lifting the door handle can all have an impact on how your locks function and how securely they protect your property. If you can't lock your doors, your house insurance may be void and you may not be able to file a claim if the worst happens.
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