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Upgrading residential security is among the top priorities of UK residents, mostly because of the rising number of break-in cases. To make things worse, according to the most up-to-date numbers, around 95 per cent of burglary cases remain unsolved.
Home Improvements You Need to Invest in to Improve Your Residential Security
Secure your family and prized possessions by following the home security tips listed below:
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Secure All Your Windows
The majority of robbers break glass windows in order to gain access to homes. Adding an extra layer of protection to your windows by replacing traditional glass windows with laminated glass, plexiglass or polycarbonate windows is absolutely crucial for installing criminals and foiling their criminal plans.
If replacing the window panes is too expensive for you, consider installing additional locks and alarm systems. These two options are cheap but effective alternatives you can use until you can install a more durable type of window glass.
Inspect the gaps between the window frame and walls. Fill the gaps and tiny crevices right away to avoid causing a major dent.
Safeguard Your Garden
Gardens provide the best hiding places in your property. Burglars can conceal themselves behind the tool shed or gazebo and wait for the right moment to strike. They may also find expensive items they can readily take with them such as statues or gardening equipment.
Safeguard your special tools, equipment and plants and make sure to minimise the number of possible hiding places by following these home improvement tips:
Say Yes to Thorny Shrubs
There are hundreds of flowering shrubs that have thorns or spikes on their branches. A few notable examples include bougainvillaea, roses, scarlet firethorn, rose cactus and cylindropuntia. You can plant a few of these shrubs or flowers on the perimeter fence to discourage intruders from sneaking into your garden.
Upgrade the Toolshed Security
Installing a CCTV or alarm system near your toolshed is the best way for you to deter burglars from breaking in and stealing valuable gardening tools and outdoor cooking equipment.
Trim the Hedges Short
Burglars often hide behind tall hedges. Don’t give them the opportunity to sneak up on you by keeping your garden hedges at most one metre high.
Scare Away Intruders with an Alarm System
Studies suggest that installing a burglary system allows you to significantly decrease your chances of getting robbed. Installing them in an easy to spot area such as the front porch or back door is recommended.
It may definitely cost you money to set up a professional alarm system, but at least you get total peace of mind knowing that your valuables and family members are safe from harm.
Burglars often abandon their plans of breaking inside a property when they spot an alarm system installed in fear of getting nabbed by close protection specialists and the police.
Heighten Your Door Security
Think robbers won’t go for the most obvious choice? Studies say otherwise. Reports claim that more than 34 per cent of burglars goes through the front door.
To boost your door security, consider doing the following modifications:
- Opt for thicker frames to reinforce the strength and durability of the door
- If your door is comprised of ordinary glass panels, switch to plexiglass or laminated panels.
- Add metal strips around the door’s lock and frame to increase the lifespan of the material.
- Inspect the lock and check if it’s at least Grade 3 level. If you’re looking to have a more secure door, go for Grade 1 level locks.
- If you wish to install new doors, choose the strongest screws available. Avoid using the screws provided by the door manufacturer.
- If you have old doors, consider replacing the lockset plate. To hold the plate in place, you must use screws measuring at least a ¾ inches long.
- Shopping for a new door? Choose one that comes with a solid and sturdy core.
Install Outdoor Lights in the Right Areas
Illuminating vulnerable entry points should be on your priority list. Some of the areas that need outdoor lights include:
- Front porch
- Backyard
- Garden
- Outdoor lounge
- Swimming pool area
- Garage
- Patio
- Deck
Forgetting to install lights in these areas could potentially put your home at risk. You can use post lamps, wall mounted lights, pendant lights or path lights to light up dark areas in your property.
It is a good idea to use motion-sensor lights near your garage or front porch to scare away intruders. Avoid installing motion sensitive lights near shared or public spaces to avoid getting complaints from your neighbours or people walking around the area.
Additional Tips You Can Use Every Day
A lot of homeowners tend to overlook the simplest residential security tips such as locking the doors and keeping the window tight shut at night. Here are other simple yet effective ways you can upgrade your home security:
- Always throw away the packaging of newly-bought products in proper disposal bins. This is important to avoid attracting unnecessary attention from home intruders.
- Double check your garage doors. They should be tightly locked especially when you leave home for a few days. Secure the manual opening lever using a cable tie.
- If you intend to leave for a long vacation, it is best to ask a relative to look after your home and valuables.
- Invest in a professional CCTV system and place them in the right places. Be sure to put a sign to indicate that the area is under surveillance.
- Use timer controlled lights if you will leave for a couple of days. Adjust the settings and make the pattern as random as possible.
- Hide your valuable possessions in a high quality safe and place it in the most unexpected area in the house.
These days, all residential properties are at risk of becoming criminal attacks.
To protect your family, avoid danger and prevent loss or damage of your possessions, you must assess the current condition of your home security and determine what improvements you should invest in. Running through the above residential security tips will give you a solid foundation to start from help you to properly protect your home.
