Do you want to keep your house safe? Experts say that huge investments are not necessary to deter thieves, but rather a few simple and inspired gestures.
From motion sensor lights and modern alarms to well-maintained fences, vigilant neighbors, or even a sign saying „Beware of the bad dog,” there are solutions available to everyone to make the home a harder target to reach.
Be Safer Than Your Neighbor
"Thieves are usually opportunists," says Anthony Neary, CEO of a company that produces home security systems. "If they are on a street looking at several houses, the least secure one will be the target. If you have exterior lights and someone else doesn't, they will go to the one without lights."
Install a Motion Sensor Light
"Evening is a classic time for break-ins," Neary explained to journalists at The Guardian. "In September-October, when it gets dark early, you are more exposed because thieves can hide more easily." Motion sensor lights are a cheap means of deterrence: "A thief doesn't want to show that they are trying to enter a house."
"One of our best-selling smart products is a camera-equipped floodlight. If you have one in the front and one in the back of the house, it's one of the most powerful deterrent methods," adds Ellie Morrison, manager at Toolstation.
Don't Leave Tools Within Reach
"Make sure that tools or equipment that could help someone break into the house are not easily accessible," says Neary. Sheds full of tools like screwdrivers, pliers, saws, or even axes are often overlooked: "Thieves are not looking to steal lawnmowers, but tools to break into the house."
Check the Locks
"Locks are probably the easiest thing to replace," says DIY projects expert Wayne Perrey. If you've moved into a new house or lost your keys, it's easy to change the lock. "Make sure, however, that the lock meets safety standards: the best is a five-point lock."
Trim the Hedges
Tall fences can become perfect hiding spots for thieves. "People like them because they provide privacy, but they also become dangerous," warns Neary. Perrey also recommends hedges made of plants with thorns: "Hawthorn and other thorny plants discourage access."
Adopt Smart Solutions
Install an Alarm
An alarm that goes off when the gate is opened can prove very useful. "In the last 10 years, such alarms have become very easy to install by anyone. They no longer have wires, they work on batteries," explains Neary.
Make Friends Among Neighbors
When you leave home, it doesn't hurt to let your neighbors know to occasionally keep an eye on your property. They can easily notice if something seems off and alert you.
Create the Impression You're Home
For example, you can take out the trash bin. Avoid accumulating a lot of bills and flyers in your mailbox and use smart lights. "I use timers that turn the lights on and off at various times, so it seems like someone is home," says Morrison.
Don't Post Vacation Pictures on Social Media
Get a Dog or at Least a Warning Sign
Use Key Safes Carefully
Perrey recommends key safes, but placed in a hidden location known only to family members. "Choose approved versions, as some can be opened very easily," emphasizes Neary.
Check the Windows
When you leave home, especially if you have a house with a yard or live on the ground floor of an apartment building, try to secure the double-glazed windows as efficiently as possible so that they cannot be opened from the outside or even dismantled.
Don't Forget to Lock Up
Even though it may seem like a silly piece of advice, police data shows that many people forget to lock the door or gate or leave windows open even at night. "Thieves take advantage of that. It's better to prevent than to face an intruder. If you are a victim of a break-in, do not confront the thief - immediately call the police," Neary adds.
G.P.