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The pandemic has made people a lot more willing to invest in their homes. That means the contents of the average home has probably increased since early 2020. With the pandemic receding, however, people are going to be spending more time out of their homes. Don’t leave your home an easy target for criminals. Here are some tips to improve your home’s security.
Secure your internet
Digital security and physical security have long gone hand in hand. Now, the connection is often tighter than ever. This is because many entry-level security devices (like intruder alarms) depend on WiFi.
On the one hand, this is great because it’s made effective security affordable enough for homes and small businesses. On the other hand, it means that you need to be really careful to protect your internet.
In addition to making sure that your digital security is up to standard, you also need to protect your internet infrastructure from physical tampering, especially from outside your property. If possible, put your cabling into some kind of protective covering.
Block off your parking space
If you have any sort of outdoor parking space, then you need to make sure that nobody can use it when it’s empty. For clarity, this includes informal/unofficial parking spaces like your driveway. If you own them, then you need to protect them. You don’t want to make life easy for burglars by allowing them just to walk out your door and straight into their vehicle.
Fortunately, you can now get “smart bollards” priced for the domestic/small-business market. Basically, these are smaller versions of the rise-and-fall bollards you sometimes see outside commercial premises. They’re discrete enough that they’ll fit in with any garden and they’re zero-hassle to use.
Park your car carefully
If you have to park your car in the open, always use immobilizers. At a minimum, put them on the wheel and the gearstick (if you have a manual car). You can do this from inside, so it doesn’t matter what the weather’s like. It’s even better if you can put a wheel clamp on as well. Even if you keep your car in a garage, it’s still worth using immobilizers for extra security.
This may seem excessive but the more security you pile on, the less likely it is that criminals will think you’re worth the effort. It’s also worth noting that there are a lot of security concerns about keyless locks. If you have a car that uses them, then you definitely want to max out on your other security.
Secure your doors
Solid entry doors are much more secure than glass ones. If you do have glass in an entry door, particularly a front door, put some kind of covering over it. Your best option is likely to be privacy film as this literally sticks in place.
No matter what type of front door you have, put a viewing glass in it and back it up with a chain. Don’t rely on glass panes or smart doorbells. The reason you want a chain, as well as a viewing glass, is that it allows you to open your door a short distance without the risk of someone pushing it open or seeing too much. This is useful when you need to sign for deliveries.
Even though it’s risky to rely on smart doorbells, they certainly have their uses. Remember, however, that cameras only work effectively as long as there is plenty of light. Generally, a motion-sensitive light is your best option. These not only save on electricity but also act as a kind of alarm.
Ideally, have lights all the way from the public pavement to your door. If you use motion-sensitive solar-powered ones you won’t need to worry about cabling or electricity bills. These are convenient for legitimate visitors but very inconvenient for criminals.
Have a parcel drop-off point
While the rise of independent delivery companies has been great for e-commerce, it has created a security problem. Basically, anyone can present themselves as an independent courier. This means that somebody claiming to have a parcel to deliver is probably legitimate but if they’re not and you open your door to them, you could be in a lot of trouble.
The solution is just to have a place where a courier can put a parcel. Then you can wait until they’re well on their way until you collect it. If you really can’t organize a drop-off point, then just have them leave it outside your door.
Use alarms wherever you can
At a minimum, put intruder alarms on your front door and downstairs windows. Ideally, put one on your back door as well and on any outbuildings. For clarity, you still need to keep your doors and windows locked as much as you can. Again, it’s about layering on security to make yourself more hassle than you’re worth to attack.
Sarah x
