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 earlier 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 are experiencing the unfortunate event of having their properties being broken into.
To prevent this from happening, homeowners can implement some simple security tips that increase the protection of their home during the winter, preventing 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!
Ways to Protect Your Home
Here are some of the easy ways that you can improve your property's security during the winter:
- Locking doors and windows - It may seem a little crazy to suggest locking your doors and windows during the winter but you'll be surprised at how many people still forget to do this basic security measure. Whether you're just popping to the local store or visiting the 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 would like to take your measures even further, particularly in the case of windows, you can add temporary security bars which 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 and spacious, you 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 home. It is better to leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour than hidden underneath a 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 it 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 would like the peace of mind that your home is as protected as it could be, installing an effective and comprehensive security system is another option that you can implement. The security systems of today provide all of the features that home invaders hate; video, noise and light. Systems 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 turning on lights which are activated through motion sensors. All of these effective measures are possible through the installation of a complete and robust security system.
How IDS can help
If you're concerned with the safety of your property during the winter, the above security tips will go along 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, be sure to click the button below where you can learn more about how we can help you!
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