Security Tips and Advice: Safeguarding Your Home Against Burglars

Safeguarding your Lancaster home or business from criminals is vital for maintaining peace of mind and guaranteeing the safety of your family and workforce. Though no technique is infallible, there are several real-world steps you can take to vastly decrease the risk of a break-in. Here are LT Locksmiths we have helped 100's of Lancaster based residents and businesses by giving the best tips for securing your home Lancaster against burglars and criminals

1. Strengthen Your Locks

Upgrade to Deadbolts: It’s worth making sure all your exterior doors have solid deadbolts. They’re much harder to force open than the regular spring locks.

Reinforce Your Door Frames: Adding strike plates and longer screws to your door frames can give you extra protection from attempts to kick or pry them open.

Secure Sliding Doors and Windows: A simple but effective step is installing locks or bars on your sliding doors and windows to keep them from being easily forced open.

2. Invest in a Smart Security System

Install an Alarm System: A professionally monitored alarm system that’s visible to others can actually scare off burglars before they even try breaking in.

Set Up Security Cameras: Place cameras near entry points like doors, windows, or your garage. Even just having them visible can discourage would-be intruders.

Use Smart Locks and Doorbells: Smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your doors remotely, while smart doorbells with cameras let you see and talk to whoever’s at your door—even if you're not home.

3. Keep Your Home Bright and Well-Lit

Outdoor Lighting: Consider installing motion-activated floodlights around the outside of your home, particularly near entrances. Burglars tend to avoid well-lit areas where they could easily be seen.

Timers for Indoor Lights: If you’re out, set up timers for your indoor lights to make it look like someone’s home.

4. Secure Your Windows and Glass

Window Locks: Make sure all your windows, especially on the ground floor or those accessible via a roof or balcony, have sturdy locks.

Reinforce the Glass: You can install security film or tempered glass on your windows to make them harder to break into.

Plant Thorny Shrubs: Try planting some thorny bushes under ground-floor windows as a natural deterrent.

5. Be Careful When You’re Away

Social Media Caution: It’s tempting to post vacation photos while you’re away, but waiting until you’re back home can reduce the risk of your house becoming a target.

Hold Post and Deliveries: If you’ll be gone for a while, arrange for the post office to hold your mail, or ask a trusted neighbour to collect it so it doesn’t pile up, signalling your absence.

Car in the Driveway: If possible, leave a car in the driveway or have a neighbour park there, so it looks like someone’s home.

6. Reinforce Your Entry Points

Front and Back Doors: Make sure all of your doors, including the garage, are solid wood or metal. This makes them much harder to break through.

Peepholes and Door Chains: Adding peepholes and door chains to your doors allows you to safely see who’s outside without fully opening the door.

7. Build Strong Relationships with Your Neighbours

Join a Neighbourhood Watch: Being part of a neighbourhood watch program helps build a community that looks out for one another, reducing the chance of crime.

Trust Your Neighbours: It’s always helpful to have a neighbour you trust to keep an eye on your house when you’re away, pick up your mail, or even park in your driveway to make it look occupied.

8. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

Protect Your Smart Devices: With the growing number of smart home devices, it’s important to secure your Wi-Fi network with a strong password and encryption to prevent hackers from accessing your cameras or locks.

Use Two-Factor Authentication: Enabling two-factor authentication on your smart devices adds an extra layer of security.

9. Be Careful with Spare Keys

Avoid Hiding Keys Outside: Burglars know all the usual hiding spots like under doormats or in flowerpots. Instead, leave a spare key with someone you trust.

Smart Locks: Switching to smart locks can allow you to create temporary access codes for guests, eliminating the need for a physical key.

10. Make Your Home Look Lived In

Automate Lights and Electronics: Use smart plugs or timers to turn lights, TVs, or radios on and off to make it look like someone is home.

Randomize the Schedule: Changing the timers so they don’t follow the same pattern every day makes your home appear more lived-in and less predictable.

Conclusion

By taking these proactive steps, you can greatly enhance the security of your home. Strong locks, smart technology, and a few smart habits can make your home a much less appealing target for burglars.

In the end, it’s about more than just protecting your stuff—it’s about giving yourself the peace of mind that your home is safe.

Need a local Lancaster Locksmith? Call 07969 288 538 anytime 24/7