From Burglar Alarms to Outdoor Lighting: Five Tips to Improving Home Security

Whether you’re moving into a new home, updating your current property or simply enjoying a holiday away, protecting your home and what’s inside it is paramount. Here in the UK, a large majority of burglaries and robberies aren’t solved because the nature of the crime makes finding the culprit difficult; burglaries tend to be carried out under the cover of night and unless you have CCTV, the perpetrator’s identity often remains a mystery.

Investing in good home security will keep your household safe, whilst also decreasing the cost of your home insurance and adding value to your property. Perhaps you already have a burglar alarm and robust mechanical locks, however, modern domestic security systems offer an added sense of comfort as they’re often integrated with smart technology, making home security even more efficient and reliable.

Here at Guardian Security, we are experts in both domestic and commercial security systems and can advise customers about which security applications are right for their home or business. When it comes to protecting our homes, a lot is at stake; whilst business assets are worth a lot financially, the sentimental items we keep at home simply cannot be replaced. Therefore, knowing how best to protect them is essential. Below we take a look at five of the best ways to keep your home safe, all of which will do a sterling job individually, but when integrated together, provide a solid line of defence.

Burglar alarm systems
Probably the most popular way to catch an intruder in the act is by installing a burglar alarm system. Burglar alarms are triggered by motion sensors which can be strategically placed around your property at crucial points of entry; whilst some homeowners might just install one alarm on an outside wall, more advanced systems can have motion sensors on windows and doors too.

If you choose to make your burglar alarm system visible to passers-by, this also acts as a way of deterring a burglary before it happens- opportunistic criminals are far less likely to risk it if they think they could be busted by a strident alarm. More professional burglar alarm systems will directly call the emergency services when triggered, however, this is a less popular choice amongst domestic homeowners and is preferred by those who own larger business premises.

All burglar alarm systems have a control panel where users can disable the alarm. By nature, burglar alarms are triggered when anyone enters the house (even if it’s you or a family member) and must be disarmed at the control panel to stop the alarm sounding. However, when you’re coming home late at night and you’re fumbling around trying to turn off, this isn’t particularly efficient. Newer systems have been designed to integrate smart technology and remote control- you can simply disarm the system on a smartphone app rather than rushing around your house in the dark and waking up the neighbours.

If you live on a busy street and you don’t want a noisy alarm, it is possible to install silent intruder alarms. Rather than sounding off when triggered, these alarms remain quiet but alert the emergency services. You won’t disturb your neighbours and the burglar will be unaware- the police will catch the thief red-handed!

Security camera and CCTV systems

For most homes, a good burglar alarm should suffice. However, if you’ve got a higher budget, a large rural property or you own particularly high-value assets like a sports car, mountain bike or expensive power tools, you may want to consider a security camera or CCTV system. A good CCTV set up should have a few hidden cameras along with one or two visible devices to act as a deterrent. Some homeowners opt for the visible cameras to be mock or ‘dummy’- this is a little less pricey than having multiple functioning cameras linked up outdoors.

Integrated with a good burglar alarm, a CCTV system is the best way to catch an intruder in the act and provides the police with hard evidence. Whilst older security cameras can only provide blurry or grainy images which often aren’t clear enough to stand up in court, newer models offer HD video with playback and zoom functions so that the identity of the intruder is clear to see. Burglars are aware of this, so having a visible CCTV system (dummy or otherwise) will massively put them off trying to enter your property or trespass on your land.

If you don’t have a large property or lots of land, an extensive security camera set up may seem over the top. However, there are other options available which are more cost-effective. Video doorbells are becoming increasingly popular for homeowners who want to see if anyone is lingering by their doors and windows or attempting a forced entry whilst they’re out. Video doorbells use IoT technology to connect to your smartphone, enabling you to see who’s at the door throughout the day and even allow you to speak to the caller remotely if they ring the doorbell. This is not only convenient for you- perhaps a courier has come to drop off a parcel and you need to tell them where to leave it- but is also a great way to keep your household safe.

Smart lighting

The best way to deter a burglary before it even happens is to install security lighting in and around your property. When going on holiday, many homeowners now invest in indoor smart lighting that runs on a timer- it comes on at random intervals to make it look as if the house is still occupied. Rather than closing up all of your curtains which will definitely signify that your house is empty, why not place one or two smart lights beneath your street-facing windows to confuse burglars of your whereabouts?

Outdoor security lighting can also protect your home- whether you’re in the house at night or away on holiday. Triggered by motion sensors, installing lights around your garden means that intruders can’t hide in dark corners or sneak up the path without being seen. If a light comes on, they’ll be taken by surprise and most probably run off. If they do attempt to intrude again, their identity will be clearly revealed. Having motion sensor lights around your garden and up the front path is also convenient for you- if you come home late at night the lights will come on, allowing you to see around you, find the keyhole without delay and get inside your home with an added sense of comfort.

Safes

In the very unfortunate circumstance that someone does break into your home, it’s important to hide your most valuable belongings somewhere that an intruder can’t get to. Domestic safes offer an additional layer of security and many homeowners invest in them to store their most treasured possessions like family heirlooms and sentimental jewellery. Safes are also fireproof, protecting the contents from fire and heat damage.

The way you choose to open your safe is up to you; you can opt for a traditional lock and key, code lock or a newer model that uses fingerprint recognition. When it comes to the positioning of your safe, it should be well hidden and locked away or even built into the wall- if someone does break in, they may just grab your safe and attempt to prise it open once they’ve left your property.

Although not a safe, another code or fingerprint lock security device that can offer vital protection for your home is a key lock box. If you’re prone to losing your keys or locking yourself out, having a spare key in a key lock box will give you peace of mind that you can get back inside without having to call the locksmith.

Reliable locksmith services

Whilst all of the above security measures will protect your home in a crisis, it’s vital that you can turn to a reliable locksmith afterwards to pick up the pieces. If you get locked out, you’ll need the emergency number of a local locksmith so that they can come out to your home and get you back inside as soon as possible. Equally, if a lock is broken during an intrusion, you’ll want it fixed swiftly.

Finding a locksmith service that can also provide you with robust security systems will deliver the full package. Whether you need your keys cut, advice on the ideal security system for you or door and window lock upgrades, a locksmith can help.

At Guardian Security, we offer extensive security services to both domestic and commercial customers. From key services and mechanical lock replacement to access control systems and car barriers, our knowledgeable team of experts can provide you with the perfect security system for you. Our comprehensive range of products and services can hugely minimise the threat of theft and vandalism, and most importantly keep you and your family safe. To find out more about what we offer, get in touch with us today.