Are your doors and windows secure? Weak spots that leave you open to a break-in
National Home Security Month (NHSM), taking place in October aims to raise awareness around the importance of home security. With the demands of daily life often taking over, home security is easily overlooked, but to safeguard your home, family and belongings it’s increasingly important to seriously consider home security.
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Customer claims figures[1] show a 34% average in burglary increases when the clocks go back in October.
In time for the clocks going back, it’s an important reminder to make sure that your home is as secure as possible. If your windows and doors have suffered wear and tear, it is important to replace them to deter criminals from attempting burglary.
Contrary to popular belief, burglars are less likely to strike at night when people are sleeping and will often target a home when people are likely to be at work, with new research[2] finding over half of burglaries occurred when someone was at home.
Windows and doors specialist Quickslide has identified common weak spots in home security to help improve your safety at home:
Faulty or broken locks are important weak spots to check
Tom Swallow, Sales and Marketing Director at Quickslide says, “homeowners looking to upgrade the security of their home through the means of windows and doors should look for Secured by Design accredited products offering designs that have been vigorously tested to reduce the risk of a break through.”
It’s important to replace windows with broken locks or doors that aren’t as strong as they used to be, as this creates another deterrent for a burglar. Many burglars find easy access through unlocked doors and windows, so be sure to replace yours if they’re not in good shape. Quickslide windows and doors are made with PVCu and aluminium and are a great option if you’re looking for quality replacements.
Is your house alarm working?
A working alarm is a must for every property, it not only scares trespassers, but will alert the connected control unit to a danger in your home. Make sure to routinely test yours every three months and remember to set it each time you leave to give you piece of mind as well as extra security.
A lack of outdoor security
If you’re concerned about your security, invest in an outdoor camera for your driveway with aim on your main entrance door, correct placement is critical, so place them high up so that they cannot be destroyed. Or, if you don’t have the cash, buy a fake camera for the front of your home so it’s in plain view of passers-by.
Nigel Fisher, MD at leading security provider Yale shares his advice on how to identify and strengthen the weak spots in your home; “To identify any weak spots in your home, you should consider all access points and what existing security measures you currently have in place.
“Start from the parameters of your property and work inwards. For example, is your garden fencing in good condition? You may also consider installing gravel paths, which are low cost and make it impossible for intruders to make a quiet journey to your door.
“Although it’s tempting to leave keys outside in case friends or family need access to your house, thieves are on the lookout for this. Instead, install a keyless lock and share access via virtual keys from your smartphone that can be revoked at the touch of a button.”
Online security are also weak spots
Your social media presence can be a big giveaway for burglars to know when they will have access to your home. Be careful when updating status’, uploading pictures or letting your friends know when you’re going to be on holiday; if your profile is not private anyone can access your day to day life when you publish it online.
[1] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-daylight-saving-burglary-time-clocks-go-back-co-op-insurance-a8594936.html [2] https://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/uncategorized/over-half-of-house-burglaries-in-uk-happen-when-someone-is-at-home/
