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Tips to Keeping your Home Secure

A report from the Office for National Statistics put the number of burglaries recorded in England between July 2015 and June 2016 at 398,401. You definitely do not want your home to be part of these statistics. Unfortunately, burglaries are all too common in the UK.

The security of your home is important not just for your peace of mind but also when selling your home. I mean, who would want to buy a home that has had a history of burglary?

Besides, no matter how spectacular your landscaping is, you cannot enjoy the serenity of your home when you are well aware of the lurking insecurity. Thus, you need to ensure that you do not leave room for thieves and burglars to break into your home.

The thought of a stranger coming to rummage through your belongings can be unnerving. Therefore, here are top tips to tap into the mentality of burglars and keep you home safe from potential intrusions:

  • Secure your privacy setting online – Crazy as it may sound, burglars like to take advantage of your online presence to target your property. That is, they are able to target properties through social media accounts.

They particularly find it easy where you do not have strong privacy settings as they can simply find out where you live and even when you will be away on holiday. The lack of strong privacy settings makes it more likely for opportunistic thieves to know your whereabouts.

Thus, you will to restrict your social media to friends and avoid oversharing your move because burglars look online.

  • Keep your keeps safe – If you love to hide your keys in specific places in the home such as under the door mat or in the plant pot, you are making things easier for the burglar.

Do not be deceived; burglars will look for your front door keys in those places that are seen as being too common.

Therefore, the general rule is that avoid keeping your keys close to your property especially when you are away. Additionally, ensure that you lock the dead bolt because those doors that do not have them are easy to break into. Make sure all windows are secure, and opt for a premium double glazing where possible.

  • Opt for a Keepsafe Service for your mails – Whether you have security lighting or a functional CCTV system installed, your mailbox and doormat will give burglars an excellent guess about your availability.

That is, if your mailbox is full of mail, than chances are you are away which gives the burglars more confidence to break into your home. Therefore, if you are going to stay away, talk to a neighbour or fried to collect your mail and keep it safe for you. Alternatively, you can sign up for the Keepsafe Service at a fee so that they hold your mail for the period you will be away.

  • Insist on proper identification for people that are unfamiliar to you – Professional burglars will often pose as other people like the delivery person, utility employee or even police officers.

Therefore, be sure to ask anyone knocking at your door to identify themselves with a valid ID before letting them into the home. Where you are in doubt, you can contact the company mentioned to confirm that they indeed sent someone to your house.

Be sure to get a central number online in instances where you want to get a confirmation as opposed to using the number provided by the person at the door as they may be operating through a serious network.

  • Check the general status of security in the area – This is one things most prospective home buyers will look for before committing to buy. Generally, not every location is a hotspot for burglars.

Some areas are targeted more than others are. You can use the Crime Statistics postcode finder when you are selling your home. This way you can determine how the level of security. This way, you will be able to put up a strong case when developing the marketing and advertising strategy for your house.

  • Be prepared – It is important that you have a home insurance policy that is robust so that you are adequately covered in the event that burglars target your property.

Generally, it is important to ensure that you secure your home from potential attacks by burglars by making it difficult for any break-ins to take place with the sure-fire tips discussed above. Remember, a good security system is a great selling point hence you can be sure to sell your house fast.