As a locksmith company operating in Romford, Dagenham, Wickford and other areas of Essex, we have witnessed a great many properties after they have been broken into. In fact, one of our most popular services is lock replacement after a burglary has taken place. While we appreciate the business, we do not want to see our valued customers subject to broken in property, lost or damaged belongings and everything else that is usually associated with burglary. Thankfully, there are a few simple precautions you can take to make sure that your home is safe and secure, greatly reducing the likelihood of getting burgled ever again. That is why we have come up with this simple and effective guide to securing one’s home.
Check the outside of your property for any vulnerable access points and other weak links. When doing so try to think like a potential burglar and scope out all possible routes. For instance, an outdoor wheelie bin could be used as a means of getting up to a first floor window.
It can be a good idea to ask a qualified locksmith to check all of your windows and doors in order to assess their level of security. Some of your locks may need replacing due to poor quality, age or general ineffectiveness. It is better to spend a bit of money upgrading a few locks than risking the consequences of not doing so.
Ground floor windows are often a burglar’s preferred point of entry so it can be worth investing in reinforced glass or a security grille for every easily accessible window on your property.
In most cases burglars will attempt to break into empty homes, so if you go on holiday or leave your home empty for a prolonged period of time you should try and give the illusion that it is being lived in. You can do this by installing light timers inside your home and sensor lighting in your front and back garden.
Even if you are at home, do not keep expensive items in plain view to people walking outside your home. Subtlety is generally the best approach for a secure home – if you go on holiday do not advertise the fact that you are doing so on social media, by hanging a notice for your neighbours or through any other means.
Keep all spare keys safe and secure. If you must have an emergency key then ask a trustworthy neighbour to store it for you. If you have a lockable electrical box outside your home then you can place your spare keys inside while using a digit code padlock to keep them locked in.
You can check online for recent crime statistics online in order to assess whether it would be a good idea to beef up your home’s security. Visit www.police.uk to view an online, interactive map of crime and burglary statistics in individual areas. For instance, click here for recent statistics in Romford.
