Locksmith Glen Ellyn: August 2017

Summer is on the way, and with it comes a rise in open windows, houses left empty for a week and plenty of other signals to attract would-be burglars.

Making your home safer and deterring unwanted guests, especially when you are likely to spending some time away on holiday, need not be a troublesome thing to do as long as you take note of some simple steps.

Is burglary prevention working?

The good news is that most of us are not at immediate risk. The Crime Survey of England and Wales found that in 2016 domestic burglary was at a rate of 27 per 1000 households, down 7% on 2015’s figures, with a total of 664,000 incidents. However, there was a 4% increase from 2015 (to 200,659) in the number of actual theft offences recorded by the police through domestic burglary.

Tips to protect your home from burglars

Fit your front and back doors with five-lever mortice deadlocks with kitemark BS3621, and an automatic rim latch lock (a nightlatch). You can find locksmiths here
Use window locks for those downstairs - keep the keys safe but close by in case you have to make an emergency exit. Lock doors and windows when you go out, even if it is just for a few minutes
A British Standard approved alarm system can cost up to and above £1000 to install but can not only make your home safer but also help reduce the cost of your home insurance.
The back of a wardrobe, or in a drawer in a children’s room is conversely likely to be one of the first places a burglar will look for valuables, so try to think again. Don’t leave keys close to where they could be ‘fished’ out of the letterbox or reached from a slightly open window
Ladders and garden tools are especially useful for burglars, so try to keep them well out of sight and locked away
Take photos of valuables and serial numbers so you have evidence of your possessions if necessary, and use invisible markers to help identify stolen items - the police have started using Smart Water in many areas

How can I protect against the risk of identity theft?

While burglars often want only small items they can carry, like jewellery, they can also be after paperwork, documents, cards and files they can sell on. With just your name, address and date of birth cyber criminals can steal your identity and accounts or even passports could be opened in your name.

Try not to write down or list PINs or passwords in a place burglars may find
Keep an eye on post you’re expecting in case it goes missing
Using web-only bills & statements can mean you’re less likely to have the documents on show
If you can, back up important documents, files and photos on the Cloud so that if a laptop or a hard drive were to be taken, you still have them to hand and could change passwords quickly.
Keep a record handy of quick contact details you would need for swiftly cancelling and replacing bank cards, credit cards and other important documentation

How to keep my home safe while I’m on holiday

Ask a neighbour to keep your letterbox free from clutter and overspill, or to use your driveway if possible to make it look occupied while you are away
Some people use timer switches for lights to give the impression you are at home, or you could have a system that operates it remotely
Try to avoid ‘broadcasting’ your absence on social media (“I’m at the airport and I’m off for two weeks, yay!”), and protect against unwanted people monitoring you online by ensuring your social media settings are private
Smart cameras (or CCTV) that connect to Wi-fi, and can be viewed by remote from anywhere in the world, can be found in major high street retailers now and could help you improve home security and keep an eye on your home while you are away

Improving home security can bring down home insurance costs

Insurers may give you better home insurance quotes if you have a quality burglar alarm installed, secure locks on doors and windows, and lock jewellery and other valuables away in a safe. Joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme can often get you discounts too. It’s important to be transparent and up to date, as if your home were burgled and your security was not what was listed on your policy, some or all of your claim could be invalidated.

Without proper home insurance, a break-in at home could mean not only damage and lost sentimental possessions, but also mean the high cost of replacing them. Your home is probably your most valuable financial asset so it is vital to have the right cover in place should the worst happen.

Get peace of mind and easily compare cover with quality Telegraph Home Insurance

Article Source: Keep your home safe and secure - and reduce insurance costs

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