Is Your Home Secure Enough? How to Protect Against a Break In
The darker nights in these autumn and winter months afford cover for opportunist burglars, and with events such as Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year’s leaving empty homes vulnerable to theft, it’s even more vital to make sure you have the best solutions in place to secure your home and keep you and your possessions safe. This October saw Home Security Month, which helped to make people nationwide more aware of the risks of not having sufficient security measures in place for their properties. Here we look at some of the more permanent and highly effective ways you can improve your home security to prevent intrusions, without having to install countless locks, chains or complex alarm systems.
Check your locks
Firstly, though this may seem obvious, one of the best things you can do is to make sure your doors and windows are properly locked, and keep them locked overnight. Research has shown that around 20% of us admit to not locking the doors when out at Bonfire Night, which makes for much more convenient break-ins from potential thieves. Make sure that everyone with keys in your house gets into the habit of locking front and back doors after them, and windows if not open. It’s an easy job to forget but so important to reinforce, as burglars may not be deterred even if there is someone home.
Maximise security with a composite door
Sometimes, even having your doors locked is not enough to deter burglars, if they are old, worn or can be easily opened with the right tools or force. As the main entry point to your home, your front door especially needs to ensure safety and give the first impression that your home is highly secure. A composite door uses the most advanced door technology with steel and hardwood materials combined for their strong and durable properties.
If you’re looking for a simple way to maximise the security of your home whilst still keeping an inviting entrance for guests, a composite door is an ideal solution. The combination and compression of its materials and high-density insulating foam allows for a higher thickness for the leaf than wooden or uPVC doors, by up to 30%. Composite doors are not only much stronger and almost impenetrable, but also more energy-efficient due to their insulating properties. Although they have the attractive appearance of a traditional wooden door, your composite door can be installed with multi-point locking systems that are PAS24 and BS6375 approved, ensuring optimal security against intrusion.
Is it time to upgrade your windows?
Your windows may be kept closed in these colder months, however if they are ill-fitted, worn and in need of repair, they may be an easy target for burglars entering your home. If your windows are showing signs of age or are single glazed, it could be time to update them with highly secure, safe and energy-efficient windows that can prevent break-ins and also save you money on your energy bills. Double, or triple glazed uPVC windows are the most popular choice for replacing windows to enhance safety, as they require lower maintenance and come in an extensive range of styles and designs to match the look and feel of your home.
Though a larger investment in home security than extra locks may be, making sure you have high performing, well fitted windows will massively help to protect your home and is a worthwhile consideration to add value and aesthetic appeal to your property overall.
If you’d like to heighten the security of your home in the Solihull, Birmingham area, please contact Waterside Windows today to see how we can make a difference. Call 0121 706 9633 or email sales@waterside-windows.co.uk to request a quote or more information.
