What Do I Need to Do for Home Security?
Home is where the heart is
Home is where our heart is, it’s also where we live our lives, raise our families, and find rest. That’s why protecting our home is about more than just locks and alarms, it’s about safeguarding our wellbeing and peace of mind.
A secure home not only helps prevent crime but also gives us the confidence and calm to go about our daily lives, knowing our loved ones are protected.
In this article, we’ll explore practical ways to improve your home security and help keep your household safe...
Understand the Risks
Everything in life carries some level of risk, and while we can never guarantee that a break in will never happen, we can make it much harder for someone to target our home. The good news is that very few home burglaries are premeditated, only around 20% are believed to be planned in advance. This means that most break ins are opportunistic, where burglars take advantage of an easy target.
By understanding this risk and taking simple steps like always locking doors and securing windows you can significantly reduce the chances of your home being targeted.
Step 1: Secure Entry Points
The first and most effective line of defence is also the simplest: make sure all doors, windows, and entry points are locked and secure.
Use strong locks on all external doors, preferably deadbolts, and install letterbox guards to prevent tampering. Windows should be fitted with locks or restrictors, and don’t overlook less obvious entry points like garden gates, sheds, or garages.
If you can get these basics right, you’ll deter the vast majority of burglars and dramatically reduce your chances of a break-in.
Step 2: Make Your Home Look Occupied
If you're going to be away from home for an extended period, try to make it look like someone is still there. Use timers to switch lights or radios on and off at intervals, avoid posting about your holiday on social media until you return, and ask a trusted neighbour to check in, move your bins, or collect post.
Step 3: Improve Visibility and Lighting
Remember, burglars don’t want to be seen, so the more visible your home is to neighbours and passers by, the less appealing it becomes as a target.
Simple changes can make a big difference: install motion activated outdoor lighting, keep the front of your house clear of overgrown hedges or obstructions, and consider using gravel on paths or driveways to make a quiet approach more difficult.
Step 4: Use Technology to Your Advantage
Consider installing smart doorbells, CCTV, or alarm systems to add an extra layer of protection. Even visible signs or dummy alarm boxes can act as a strong deterrent to potential intruders.
If your budget allows, you might also invest in smart plugs to control lights remotely, motion sensors, or a monitored home security service, all of which can help give the impression that someone is home and alert to activity.
Step 5: Build Community Awareness
Building awareness within your local community can be a powerful tool for home security. Getting to know your neighbours and having people you can check in with creates a shared sense of responsibility and vigilance.
Joining or starting a Neighbourhood Watch group not only helps you and your neighbours look out for each other, but also increases the chances of spotting suspicious activity that you might otherwise miss on your own.
No step is too small
When it comes to home security, simple steps can make a big difference. From locking doors and improving visibility to using technology and building local connections, each action you take adds another layer of protection.
Small, consistent changes not only reduce the risk of burglary they also help build your confidence and peace of mind.
If you’d like more practical advice on protecting yourself and your home, come along to one of our classes or workshops. We're here to help you feel safer, stronger, and more prepared.
Join us at Brixton Self Defence where you can learn real world practical self defence!
.