And before we know it, Autumn is here. Dark mornings, dark evenings and the summer is behind us. The change of seasons highlights an increased risk of being targeted by burglars.
Burglars embrace the longer hours of darkness. They can work more covertly using the dark to their advantage.
Home security systems are designed to help deter, detect and defend against burglars, who will be at a much higher risk of being disturbed or caught if breaking-in to a home fitted with this kind of measure. Surprisingly, the Office for National Statistics reports that 63%* of homes burgled in England and Wales have no, or less than basic home security measures in place.
Burglar alarms are designed to trigger an alarm if an intruder attempts to break in to a property. They can also be monitored to ensure the owner is always the first to know if the alarm goes off, even when they are away from home.
A typical alarm installation will include a control panel, keypad, movement detectors, door contacts and external sounders. Clients can choose between a hard-wired or wireless system, depending on their preference. Wireless systems are more flexible and tend to be cheaper to install, but it’s worth noting that the detection devices will require battery replacements over time and that can become tiresome and may lead to forgetting that batteries need replacing.
With smart technology becoming more accessible, many systems now include the option of being linked to a Mobile App, allowing the occupant to manage and monitor the alarm’s activity remotely.
Dark areas around the home can be illuminated with a reliable security lighting system. New LED-based security lights are environmentally-friendly and built-to-last. They can be triggered by motion or operated manually. As well as giving potential burglars nowhere to hide, lighting will help clients feel safer and more confident when leaving and arriving home after dark.
Additionally, following a daily security routine and just doing the simple things can make a huge difference to the overall level of home security.
- Leave lights on when going out – this will give the illusion someone is home.
- Purchase timer switches that operate the lights to come on at certain times of the day automatically.
- Smart Plugs – this allows lights and appliances to be controlled from your mobile device.
If you’re away on holiday, try not to plaster this all over social media until you are back home. Burglars are known to research their victims sometimes to gain greater understanding of when the property might be vacant and target it when you are away. For example top premier footballers have been targeted when it is known that they are away at a high profile match.
Burglary is an unpleasant experience that no homeowner should have to go through. The risk of this happening to a client can be greatly reduced through a combination of increased vigilance, deterrence, proactivity and sticking to a consistent home security routine.