Living in fear that your house will be burgled can cause a lot of underlying stress. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to make your home less attractive to burglars that will hopefully provide some piece of mind when you're out of the house. 

1. Secure your spare key
2. Check windows
3. Landscaping
4. Improve home security

Here at IDS Security, we specialise in putting home & business owners' minds at ease by improving the security of their premises. Today we're going to walk you through some easy steps you can take to make your home less appealing to burglars, let's dive right in!

Secure your spare key

How many times have you left a spare key under the doormat, or a plant pot, or in the shed? The chances are, you've probably risked this more than once, but guess what? Burglars know that we put our keys in these places! The chances are, if someone wants to break into your house, these are the first places they'll look before they try to gain access. Why would they go to the trouble of breaking glass & creating a lot of noise, when a spare key will make it possible for them to walk straight in through the front door?

Make you home less attractive to burglars by keeping your spare key in a secure place. If a neighbour or relative needs the key to gain access to your home, try to give it to them in person ahead of time, rather than leaving it in a vulnerable position that's top of a burglar's checklist!

Check windows are closed

One thing that's very attractive to burglars is open windows. Much like a spare key, an open window can provide easy access to a house without the use of force. If you want to make your home less attractive to intruders, ensure that all windows are closed and locked before you leave the property. Ground floor windows are particularly vulnerable, but burglars will target second or third storey windows if they offer easy access too!

Landscaping

A wild, overgrown garden can make your home more attractive to trespassers because it provides ample cover & places for them to hide. Bushes, long grass and leafy trees are surprisingly good places to hide if you're trying to find an access point to break into someone's home. You can help make your home less attractive to burglars by keeping your garden & outdoor area tidy. 

Freshly cut grass & trimmed, neat hedges will provide much less cover than an unruly garden! Remember, the last thing burglars want is to be caught in the act, so anything you can do to make your house a more difficult target will pay off in the long run.

Improve home security

With burglars becoming more sophisticated and capable of finding inventive ways to break in, it's vital that you use home security systems to provide protection for your home. Home security systems do two things. Firstly, they act as a deterrent, making your home less attractive to burglars who can see that you've got a security system in place. Secondly, they provide you with the confidence and knowledge that your home will be protected in the event that a burglary attempt actually occurs.

CCTV cameras, intruder alarms and door entry systems can all be used to make your protect your home from burglars. CCTV cameras, in particular, are easily seen from outside your home & let criminals know that they're being watched. Having a CCTV camera system in place is one of the most effective ways to deter burglars, so if you've not got one already - we'd highly recommend it!

Home Security Systems >

If you want to protect your home with a bespoke home security system, we can help. Contact us today to discuss your concerns and we can help you start your journey towards a well-protected home today!

Read More: What Do Burglars Look For? Tips to Protect Your Belongings

When you're relying on a home security system to keep your property and posessions safe, you need to know it's reliable. If a problem occurs with your home security system while you're out of town, your belongings could be left vulnerable to burglars or fires. For that reason, it's vital that you understand the common problems with home security systems & how to avoid them. 

False Alarms

False alarms are one of the most common problems people encounter with their home security systems. I'm sure you've all heard of the story of the boy who cried wolf? Well, if your home security system is triggered when there's no threat multiple times, then eventually people might stop responding. Some security companies might even fine you if false alarms are triggered on a regular basis.

How to prevent false alarms

One of the easiest ways to prevent false alarms is to make sure that everyone in your household knows how to operate the alarm system. That way, if a false alarm is triggered, they should be able to disable it before it becomes an issue. In addition, you should choose an appropriate security system for your home. There's no point installing a motion sensor alarm to protect the house if you've got a dog running around while you're out! We can advise you on the best home security system for your property if you're unsure, get in touch.

Blind Spots

Another common issue with home security systems is blind spots. These are areas of the home that aren't protected by your chosen security system, usually because the system has been installed incorrectly or because the chosen equipment is not suitable. For example, if you install motion sensors with a limited range, you might find that the primeter of your house is protected but the central areas are not. The same issue can arise with CCTV cameras, if an assessment of the property isn't done prior to installation, it's likely you'll end up with blond spots that are vulnerable to attackers. 

How to prevent blind spots

Before installing your home security system, make sure you've considered all vulnerable areas thoroughly. Doors and windows are obvious entry points, but are there others that you've not considered, for example, balconies, garages or conservatories? Make a proper plan and do your research to find the most appropriate equipment to cover the areas you need. You might find you get the best protection by combining security systems like CCTV cameras and motion sensors. We offer bespoke home security systems, so we can make sure that your home is provided with the highest level of security by creating a home security system based on your home's layout. Request a quote.

Power Supply

When the power supply to your home security system fails, your house is no longer protected - which is a huge problem. Any system that's not plugged directly into the mains is usually operated by batteries, this includes some fire alarms & most wireless systems. Systems that are plugged into the mains will also fail if your home experiences a power shortage while you're away. Knowing how to keep your systems running in all scenarios is paramount if you want your home to remain protected!

How to prevent power supply problems

When it comes to battery operated systems, you really need to test and service your alarms on a regular basis. Changing batteries and fuses periodically will help ensure that your systems are running as they should be at all times. For home security systems that are connected to your mains supply, we would recommend investing in a backup power supply to ensure that your home is protected in the event of a power outage. 

If you're experiencing any of these problems with your home security system, we can help. Here at IDS Security, we have years of experience designing, installing and monitoring bespoke home security systems. We'll help you avoid common problems & keep your home protected around the clock.

Home Security Systems >

Read More: What to Look for in a Home Security System

Smart devices have become increasingly popular over the past few years, and companies like Google, Amazon and Nest are really pushing the boundaries of smart technology.

Nowadays, you can change the colour and intensity of light in a room using a simple voice command, you can change your home's temperature from your smartwatch, and you can even ask Google to tell you a joke! But can smart devices reliably protect your home in the event of a burglary or fire?

Today we're going to take at some of the potential problems people overlook when they purchase a smart security system. More...

If you're considering installing a home security system on your property, the chances are that you've already been researching online about the system that is right for you and your security needs. Whilst looking around for the best home security system, however, you may have wondered at one point or another who invented the first home security system and where it came from?

Well, in this blog, we try to answer this question by taking a brief look at the history of home security to find out where home security first started and the origins of the home security systems of today!

More...

When it comes to home security, you want to make sure you are getting a security system that ensures your home and your valuables are kept safe. 

So, before going out and investing in a comprehensive security system, there are a few things that you should be looking out for that indicates whether or not the system is good enough or not. 

Not sure what these things are? Don't panic, that's what this blog is here for. Here, we will run through the several components that you should seek when looking to install a quality home security system.

More...