Top home security advice and tips by Kevin Carloni, Fort Locks owner

Whether you’re taking your first step on the property ladder or searching for your dream retirement property, the place you call home is the one place where you should always feel safe. By taking some sensible home security measures, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your property is properly protected.

Some of the most effective things we can do to maximise our home security come down to cultivating good habits, rather than forking out on expensive gadgets. Top-of-the-range window locks won’t do any good if you forget to use them! So, let’s start with some of the everyday habits that can make the difference between a safe home and one that’s vulnerable to intruders.

Think like an intruder

• Say you’ve locked yourself out and need to get in – would you be able to clamber up that ladder leaning against the house to squeeze through an open window, or help yourself to a spare key kept under the doormat? These are some of the most obvious ideas that will go through a burglar’s head. Don’t make it easy for them!

• Never leave spare keys out in ‘hidden’ places. These hiding places are surprisingly predictable to experienced intruders, so avoid leaving keys under doormats, plant pots and anywhere else within reach of the front door. If you must, leave a key with a trusted neighbour or family member instead – or invest in a secure key safe.

• Don’t give them a leg-up! Put away ladders after use, and survey your property to identify anything else that could be used to climb on, such as a trees or bins. Upstairs windows should always be closed and locked before you leave the house.

• Always lock your doors, even if you’re just popping out for a few minutes. Someone watching the house might be waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.

• Consider leaving a radio or light on in the property when you go out, so that it’s not immediately obvious that nobody’s home.

• Don’t advertise your valuables! Jewellery, electrical items, cash and other high-value objects left in plain sight near a window might prove too tempting for a burglar, so keep them hidden away.

• All over Hertfordshire, local Neighbourhood Watch groups play an active part in maintaining the safety and security of our communities. Joining forces with your neighbours is a positive way to help prevent crime.

Advanced home security: alarms, cameras and other devices

If you’re concerned that good habits alone aren’t enough to secure your home, don’t worry. There are many things you can do to make your property as safe as possible from intruders.

Some security devices act primarily as deterrents, sending a signal to would-be intruders that your property isn’t worth the trouble of breaking into. Things like burglar alarms and CCTV fall into this category: the last thing most burglars want to do is draw attention to themselves or get caught on camera. Others are practical defences that will physically prevent access: heavy-duty doors, locks, gates and keyless entry systems, for example. The combination of security devices you choose for your home will depend on your own particular security concerns.

• Are you worried about intruders breaking in while you’re at home? Robust doors and windows and high-security locks will be important to you.

• Want to protect your valuables? Invest in a safe to store your high-value belongings.

• Do you want to gather evidence? A CCTV system with high quality images will help you monitor what happens inside and outside your home when you’re not there.

Remember, an intruder will be weighing up the ease of breaking in to your house with the potential benefits of doing so. A property with known valuables inside will be more attractive than one without. A property that’s easy to break into will be a better risk than one that takes time and effort to access.

If you’re unsure which security measures are best for your home, contact us at Fort Locks https://fortlocks.co.uk for expert recommendations. We’ll survey your property, answer your questions and offer advice on how to keep burglars at bay.