Did you know that more burglaries are committed during the winter months than during the summer? Insurance companies experience peak claims every year during the winter as burglars take advantage of the darker nights and homeowners going away on holiday to warmer climates. Despite this fact, many homeowners still neglect their home's security measures during the latter parts of the year and consequently experience break-ins.
To prevent this from happening, homeowners can implement some simple winter home security tips to increase the protection of their home and prevent intruders from targeting their property. If you are concerned about your home being broken into and would like to find out how you can implement additional safety measures, read on to see how IDS Security Systems can help!
Our Best Winter Security Tips
Here are some of the easy ways that you can improve your property's security during the winter.
Lock doors and windows
It may seem like an obvious safety measure, but you would be surprised at just how many people still forget to lock their windows and doors when they leave the house. Whether you're just popping to the local shop or visiting a house across the street, you should always make sure that your property's windows and doors are securely shut and locked when nobody is in, especially windows that are at ground level. If you want to take your measures even further, you can add temporary security bars to your windows that prevent intruders from accessing your property.
Keep your gardens tidy
Intruders love messy and unkept gardens as these present an opportunity to stay well hidden when attempting to break into a property. By trimming your hedges, putting away outdoor furniture and equipment when it's not being used and keeping your outdoor space relatively tidy, you can remove the ability for burglars to remain stealthy, especially during the evenings.
Avoid hiding your keys
It's not uncommon for people to hide a key somewhere on their property, either for themselves or for others that they live with. This, of course, presents a host of potential dangers that can lead to your home being broken into. For instance, if we assume that your home is targeted by burglars, the chances are that they are or have been watching and keeping a close eye on your movements. If you decide to hide a key somewhere on your property, the burglars are more than likely going to see this and gladly take the opportunity to gain unforced entry to your property when you aren't home. It is better to leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour than hidden underneath a shoe mat or rock.
Put lights on a timer
If you do decide to leave your home for a prolonged period of time, whether that is for work purposes or to enjoy a winter holiday, investing in time-switch lights could be a lifesaver. These work particularly well for those of you who work late and get home well after it has gotten dark. Many intruders will avoid attempting to break into a property that has lights on because they, of course, think that people are inside. Something as simple as a switched-on light at a particular time of the day can be the difference between a home being broken into and not.
Installing a security system
If you have followed all of the winter security tips above but would like some extra peace of mind, installing an effective and comprehensive security system is the most fool proof idea. The security systems of today are able to provide instant video feedback to remote devices such as mobile phones and tablets, trigger alarms that let you, your neighbours and the authorities know that someone has gained uninvited access to your property and turn on lights that are activated through motion sensors. All of these are effective measures for deterring burglars and are possible through the installation of a complete and robust security system.
How IDS can help
If you're concerned about the safety of your property during the winter, the winter home security tips above will go a long way in improving it. Here at IDS, we provide homeowners with effective security systems that allow full control over their property, offering the peace of mind that their home is safe and protected whilst it is unoccupied. From CCTV cameras and intruder alarms to motion sensors and entry systems, we are able to offer a range of measures that enhance your home's security during the winter.
To find out more about our home security systems, click the button below and learn more about how we can help you!
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