Home Security Month is upon us, and there’s a good reason it’s in October. Halloween is a peak night for crime of all types, but especially for property and violent crimes. There are various statistics online claiming rises between 17% and a whopping 60% in crime rates on October 31st, but even the lower rate is cause for concern. On a night where wearing a mask, disguising who you are and running amok are all encouraged, it is no surprise that vandalism and burglaries increase. If you’re going to the door frequently for ‘trick or treat’ or getting distracted by bonfires and fireworks, it’s the perfect time for burglars to gain entry to your home.
This peak crime night aside, October is a great month for raising awareness around home security measures as it’s also the time to winter-proof your home – many of these measures work for both purposes. Here’s our Home Security Month checklist:
- Has your intruder alarm or CCTV system been serviced in the past 12 months? If not, book your service with us now. Even if we didn’t install it, we can still maintain it and provide proof (for your insurance company) that the system has been properly looked after.
- Check the batteries in smoke alarms, wireless doorbells, video doorbells and the back-up batteries in intruder alarms. If you have battery powered outdoor lighting, check these batteries and check all lighting systems work before the clocks change and the nights get darker quicker.
- Check your perimeter – fences, gates, hedges and even the security of your neighbours. Any weaknesses or damage should be addressed as soon as possible. Broken fence panels, un-lockable gates or sheds and any other possible routes of ingress (like attached garages) should be mended or secured.
- Check your letterbox too – consider fitting a letter plate restrictor, or using a separate lockable letterbox that doesn’t serve as a way of seeing or reaching into your home.
- Check window locks are working, and in rooms where ventilation is not required consider locking these over winter. Ventilation is important to prevent mould growth but windows can be unlocked for airing and re-locked later.
- Ensure car keys are kept out of view or reach of the front door (another reason to secure your letterbox) and that remote start keys are kept in a signal jamming box, or otherwise out of range of the vehicle to prevent thefts.
- Upgrade your door locks if you haven’t installed new ones in over a decade, or you never changed the locks when you moved into the property. Newer locks are more robust than old, and if you moved in without changing the locks it’s possible that the previous occupants (or their friends and relatives) still have keys to your home. Locks should be sturdy, not feel loose or prone to sticking, and be in line with the requirements of your home contents insurance policy.
These are our main tips to address for autumn and winter security, and we can advise on more when we conduct a property visit to design your bespoke home security system. Let’s all get through Home Security Month (and beyond) safely.