Making sure your home is secure can help protect your possessions, but it could also help lower your home insurance premium into the bargain. Burglar alarms, good quality locks and automatic security lights can all help reduce the risk of a break-in. If your insurance provider deems you as a low risk, you may be able to benefit from lower premiums.
Here are a few other simple tips to help you keep your home secure:
- Even if you're only popping out for a few minutes, make sure you lock all windows and doors.
- Check you have sufficient locks on external doors. Ideally there should be 3 locking points.
- Mortice locks will add strength to your door - they are available at most DIY stores.
- Don't leave keys in your locks.
- Keep keys and expensive possessions out of sight.
- Visible burglar alarms can act as a deterrent.
- Consider getting a safe for valuable items and documents.
- When away on holiday, hide valuables in various locations around your home (don't forget where you put them though!).
- Timers fitted to your lights can give the impression you're at home.
- Mark high value items with an identification marker.
- Join your local neighbourhood watch scheme.
- Make sure you have sufficient, up-to-date, contents insurance.
- Perhaps ask a neighbour to house-sit or check on your property while you're away.
- Be careful not to let slip on a social networking site that your address is empty.
- Heavy duty items like ladders and garden tools could be used to force entry. Make sure they are locked out of sight in a shed or garage.