Keeping your home secure is an investment for you and your family. Making your house safer not only helps you to relax and enjoy true peace of mind at home, but it also makes your property less of a target to criminals. Lowering the risk of burglary also makes your neighbourhood safer, helping to foster a sense of community and responsibility. All of these factors combined can help you to feel truly happy in your home and aid your overall wellbeing.

To give you the best below, we’ve listed some of the most essential security tips for modern homes.

*Invest in a comprehensive security system.*

Install a reliable security system

If you live near a public right of way, including a road, it’s worth investing in a comprehensive security system. This should include alarms with door and window sensors, motion detectors, and monitoring services.

Compare the best home security cameras and choose the most suitable models to mount on your perimeter walls, especially those facing key entryways into the property. These should be visible yet impossible to reach, helping to deter potential thieves.

Once you’ve got a system installed, make sure to test it thoroughly to make sure it functions as it should.

Practice good security habits

Finally, the simple habits pay off when they become part of your daily routine. These things will also leave you in a better position to claim compensation from a robust home insurance policy.

You can keep your property safe when you leave it by:

Locking all windows and doors
Checking that sheds and garages are locked
Removing any tools, keys, and gadgets from view
Making your home look occupied with timers, radios, or screens
Inviting a neighbour to park on your driveway
Asking a trusted friend to look after the house

Don’t make things easy for thieves. Avoid sharing your holiday plans, especially on social media, and make sure you and your neighbours look out for each other.

Secure all entry points

Keeping your gates and doors secure is integral to keeping your property safe. Start by reinforcing all the doors with strong deadbolts and strike plates, potentially installing security bars on sliding doors.

High-quality locks should be added to all windows, and if you’d like to extend your security monitoring, you could consider installing window sensors too.

Garages are a common point of entry for thieves. It’s estimated that one in four garage owners in the UK have been burgled. Keep your garage door locked and secure, upgrading to a tougher door material wherever necessary.

On the front door, you could install peepholes or smart doorbells to make sure you know who’s calling!

*Illuminate your property and it's outdoor areas including around driveways, entryways, and pathways.*

Maintain outdoor visibility

Criminals thrive in dark spaces, so simply illuminating your property and its outdoor areas could help to protect you.

Install outdoor lighting around driveways, entryways, and pathways. Motion-sensors could play an important role in illuminating only when someone approaches, making sneak attacks in the dark impossible.

Be sensible with the foliage in your garden, too. Keep trees, bushes and thick hedgerows trimmed back to remove the possibility of hiding spots near your doors or windows. When you’re away from home, consider using a timer on your lights.