According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 20% of Australian homes have been broken into and with a rate of one burglary every three minutes – it’s no wonder you’ve found yourself looking for tips to make your home burglar-proof.
While your first thought may be to install an expensive home security system, there are a few things you can do to make a big difference to your home’s security before investing in expensive equipment.
Burglary is a crime of opportunity, and by following these tips, you will successfully beef up your home security and keep would-be thieves away.
Lock your doors and windows
It’s a simple one, but one that so many people forget to do – especially in the hot summer months. If you are leaving the house, make sure all your doors and windows are securely locked. A study commissioned by the Australian Institute of Criminology found that 68% of home intruders gained access to the property through an unlocked door or window.
So, don’t make it easy for them. Lock your doors and your windows and you will drastically reduce your risk of being robbed.
You can also fit key locks to all your windows and double-keyed deadlocks on doors, meaning thieves can only leave the same way they got in. This will make it hard for them to steal big items like TVs.
Keep the lights on
Keeping the lights on may make people think that someone is home. The only problem is that you could quickly run up a large energy bill.
The best solution, if you are out in the evenings or away for an extended time, is to set up a light timer. They are cheap to buy, easy to operate and will allow you to turn your lights on and off when you want.
You can also go one better and install Smart Lights, such as those offered by Phillips. These lights use cutting edge technology and allow you to schedule lights and turn them on and off remotely, all from an app on your smartphone.
Add an extra layer of protection
Having old doors and windows will make you a potential target for burglary. A well-placed kick could allow someone inside in seconds. You should keep an eye on all entry points and replace, repair or reinforce doors and windows that look past their prime.
If you do feel your doors need to be replaced, look to install specially designed security screen doors that will give you ‘kick-in’ protection, like those made by Crimsafe. These have been independently tested in ensure they can stand strong in an attempted break-in. They can suit, hinged, sliding, stacking and bifolding doors and also have 3-point locking which is one of the most secure home locks on the market.
There are also similar products for windows, which will undoubtedly increase the safety and security of your home.
Go hi-tech
We mentioned at the start of this guide that these would be cheaper options for keeping your home secure. But if money is no option, you can choose to go hi-tech! Alongside your smart lights, you could also add smart locks.
These keyless locks can be opened using your phone, keycard or a code entered via a keypad. You can also create temporary ‘keys’ for guests and tradesmen that give them access to your home only when you want. You can even lock and unlock your door from an app on your phone.
It used to be that installing home security cameras were prohibitively expensive, and that’s why you would find so many fake cameras on sale. However, as digital camera technology has become cheaper to install, adding a few cameras around the house is surprisingly easy and affordable.
With a range of cameras designed to be used with smart devices like Google Home and Amazon Alexa, there has never been a better time to get home security cameras.
Think a security screen door could improve your home security?
Have questions or want to learn more about security screens and doors? Get in touch with Clearview Security and get your home secure today!
