The days are shorter and the nights are longer. The darkness is a burglar’s best friend and the cold weather means that fewer people are about. The dark nights provide an ideal cover for the opportunist thief, which is why it is more important than ever to ensure your family, home and personal belongings are well protected over the winter months.
With valuable presents under the tree, and the likelihood that you will be out and about visiting friends and family, this is prime time for burglars to target your home.
However, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of theft and break in. As professional bodyguards, Diony Security understands how to best keep safe, we’ve put together a list of actions that can be put in place to ensure you and your home are protected from burglars.
So if potential burglars are a fan of the dark, then illuminating the premises could be the best measure of prevention. Install exterior lighting around the property and keep them on throughout the winter months.
Timer switch or motion sensor lights are inexpensive and give the impression that you are at home when you may not be – external light also light your house up so neighbours can see what’s going on while you are away.
Make sure any windows and doors are securely locked – even when you are home. Many burglaries take place as a result of insecure windows and doors, so be sure to keep them locked.
Furthermore, keep all door and car keys (including spare keys) in a safe location – do not leave them close to the front door or hidden outside. In addition, don’t forget to lock the shed and garage (an opportunist burglar could use your tools to break into your own home).
Installing a security camera and burglar alarm are effective measures against burglary. Together, these pieces of equipment can go a long way in preventing crime and assisting the police in catching thieves in the act.
If you already have CCTV and an alarm for your home, be sure to check that they work frequently – similarly to how you would check your smoke alarms.
There are plenty of dark hiding spots in your gardens – and often these places are missed out when adding security features to your home. It is important to ensure all bases are covered. Fitting a sensor light will give your property added protection during the winter months.
A sensor light will alert you if anyone has trespassed onto your property, and again, warn neighbours of suspicious activity if you are away.
Lock all vehicles when not in use – don’t leave any doors unlocked, or a window/sunroof open when you are not around. Keep your car in a garage if possible, or in a well-lit public place.
During this time of year, many of us will be tempted to turn on the engine to warm up the car while we wait in the warm. However, this makes it easy for a thief to steal. In addition, keep all vehicle documents out of the car – they could help a thief to sell your car.
During the festive period, it is likely that many valuable items will be left on show in houses. Try not to leave curtains and windows wide open with mountains of gifts stacked up for all the word to see.
In addition, many of us will be away from our homes. Do not advertise on social media that you are planning to spend two weeks in the Bahamas. You wouldn’t want you to return to find all your worldly possessions missing. Don’t broadcast your plans to be away from the property for extensive periods of time.
If you do find that you have fallen victim to theft, you can take action to reduce the negative implications this causes by signing up and registering your belongings to www.immobilise.com.
With the immobilise database, you can register almost any item – phones, computers, bikes, jewellery, and many other valuables. The database connects you to the police, insurance companies and secondhand traders who can help to recover and report your lost/stolen property.
Get in touch with the security experts to find out if your home is protected against potentialbreak-inn and theft. Many security experts will be willing to conduct a free survey of your property. This will help you to get a better idea of the security measure you should take, and where you should take most care.
For a range of security services, advice or information, contact Diony Security today and speak to a member of your professional, friendly team.
