HOME SECURITY - AROUND THE HOUSE

Some other areas to focus on to increase your home security are:

Adequate lighting can be a good deterrent to thieves. Outside lights with infra-red sensors will switch on automatically when movement is detected within its range and help to make the area around your house more visible. Time switches on lights can also help you make your house look occupied even when you are out.
Keep valuable items out of sight so as not to encourage prospective thieves.

Try to make your house look occupied when out, or on holidays, as most burglars will not attempt to break in while there are occupants present.

Installing burglar alarms that are visible can also make a difference your chance of being burgled. There are many types of systems available, both those that can be installed your self and specialist systems.

Never leave a spare key in an obvious place such as under the doormat or in a flower pot, as any thief worth his salt will check in such places as a matter of course, and if you move into a house which has had previous occupants it may be worth changing the locks to prevent others who may still have keys entering.

Make sure to adequately secure garages and sheds; not only to prevent theft of valuable items from within but to stop thieves using tools stored there to effect and entry into the main house.

Ensure gates and fences do not have potential weak spots where a thief could enter, such as poor quality locks on gates or low or broken fences.