Tips for Securing Your Home

Tips for Securing Your Home: 6 HIGHLY EFFECTIVE SECURITY MEASURES YOU MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED 

In a study of convicted burglars, 62% of those interviewed stated the introduction of good basic security procedures would act as a deterrent. * 

*study by perpetuity research and consultancy international - burglars on burglary 

The thought of a criminal coming into our home invokes feelings of anger, fear, helplessness and a lack of control. We believe security is much more than an alarm system and CCTV. It’s about what you are doing and how you are doing it. 


Often it is everyday behaviours and routines that present a criminal with an opportunity. Poor security habits, predictable patterns and visible vulnerabilities can place a property firmly on a criminal’s radar. Criminals look for easy targets. Clear signs of good security practice send a powerful message: this is a hard target - move on. Below we’ve compiled six practical techniques that reinforce this message. 


Low-cost, easy to implement, and reflect the good security practices we use within our residential security teams.


 1. HIGH VALUE ITEMS ON DISPLAY…this could be under the Chisrtmas tree, near windows, behind a curtain or your instagram stories.

Your home can be visible in two ways: what people see from the street and what they see online. It’s natural to place presents under the Christmas tree during the festive period, but this can make your home more visible to criminals - especially when lit up with a 1000 bulbs on your tree, items can be seen through windows or curtains. Reducing visibility is one of the simplest ways to protect your home - especially during the festive season.


2. LOOK BUSY

The next step is making sure your home looks occupied and well protected. Timers for lights when you’re out, motion triggered external lighting and doorbells are easily implementable deterrents. 

Burglary rates climb during the run up to Christmas, peaking in Oct-Dec (282,219 incidents).  

Burglars are far more likely to target homes that appear empty. A home with no lights, sound or visible movement is easier to identify and assess. Creating the appearance of occupancy increases uncertainty and risk for a burglar - often enough to make them move on. 

Good Practice 

  • Use timers on lights, radios or TVs during the day and early evening 

  • Vary lighting patterns rather than using the same setting every day 

  • Use lamps in lived-in areas, not just hallways 

  • Ask a trusted neighbour to collect post or adjust blinds when you’re away 


3. ACCESS CONTROL

It’s also important to control access to your home, especially when contractors or tradespeople are present. Only allow access to the areas they need to work in and supervise where possible.  

Unrestricted access can provide valuable insight into your routines, working patterns and times when you may be away over the festive period - increasing the risk of targeted crime. 


4. WINDOWS & DOORS LOCKED, ALARMS SET

Burglars are often opportunistic. They look for quick, low-risk access—especially doors and windows that are left open or unlocked, or are easy to force.  

Even strong alarms and CCTV can be undermined by a simple mistake. Basic “lock-up” habits remove opportunity and increase the effort and time a burglar needs - often enough to make them move on. 

  1. Lock all external doors (front, back, side) even when you’re at home. 

  2. Lock windows when you’re not in the room, and always when you leave. 

  3. Double-check doors that look closed but aren’t actually locked (common with multipoint/uPVC doors). 

  4. Keep keys and valuables out of reach and out of sight from letterboxes, windows and cat flaps. 

 

• Burglars look for homes with open or unlocked doors and windows. 

• 63% of burglaries occur at homes without basic security systems.  

• Around 1 burglary every 2 minutes happens in England & Wales. 

 

5. GOING AWAY? TELL A TRUSTED NEIGHBOUR

Burglars actively look for signs that a home is unoccupied for an extended period. Unmoved bins, accumulated post, and unchanged routines can quickly signal that no one is home. 

Police crime-prevention guidance consistently highlights the importance of trusted neighbours in reducing burglary risk when a property is empty. A neighbour collecting bins, opening and closing curtains, or parking on your driveway introduces uncertainty. This uncertainty increases risk for a burglar and often encourages them to move on. 

Winter months often see a noticeable increase in burglaries, attributed to shorter days and more empty homes. 

What Burglars Steal (facts) 

  • 32% involve stolen jewellery and watches 

  • 40% of burglaries involve theft of money, purses or wallets 

  • 23% involve stolen computers and computer equipment 

 

6. DON’T LEAVE KEYS IN OBVIOUS HIDING PLACES

Burglars are familiar with common hiding places for spare keys. Plant pots, sheds, meter boxes and door frames are routinely checked and offer little real security. Leaving a key outside can turn forced entry into quick, silent access, significantly reducing the risk for a burglar. A secure key safe or lock box provides controlled access without leaving keys exposed. When properly installed and used, they reduce the risk associated with spare keys while maintaining convenience for trusted individuals. 

Good Practice 

  • Never leave keys in predictable hiding places 

  • Avoid leaving keys in sheds, garages or meter boxes 

  • If access is required, use a secure, wall-mounted lock box 

  • Share access codes only with trusted individuals 

  • Change codes regularly, especially after contractors or visitors 

 

Burglary prevention does not rely on one measure alone. Homes are more secure when people remain observant, aware of their surroundings, and engaged with what is happening around them. Suspicious behaviour is often noticed before a crime takes place. When concerns are shared and acted upon early, opportunities for burglary are reduced. 

Key Facts 

  • Burglars prefer areas where suspicious behaviour goes unnoticed 

  • Alert residents increase the risk of detection 

  • Early reporting helps prevent repeat and nearby offences 

 

Being security-aware does not mean being suspicious of everyone. It means noticing what is out of place — unfamiliar vehicles, unusual behaviour, or repeated activity, and taking appropriate action. 

  • Stay aware of unusual or out-of-place behaviour 

  • Use local or community message groups where appropriate 

  • Share concerns promptly with neighbours or relevant authorities 

  • Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it usually is 

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