Security Tips – maximise your household security

Taking basic precautions to protect your home obviously makes sense in terms of your own security. Additionally, however,  the pointers below might also be necessary conditions of your home insurance policy. And even when they’re not essential, doing the following might help you qualify for discounts on your insurance:

Main entrance/exit door (usually your front door). Depending on the type of door you use to enter and leave your home (your ‘final exit’ door), it should be fitted with either a mortise deadlock with a minimum of five levers, or a three-point multi-locking system

Ground floor and other accessible windows. These should be fitted with key-operated window locks. ‘Accessible’ windows include any that can be reached without using a ladder, and have an opening of at least 9 inches by 9 inches.
 
Other external doors (except patio doors). These must be fitted with barrel bolts top and bottom. If the door is partially glazed you will need to fit key-operated locks.
 
Patio doors. Fit any UPVC doors with a three-point multi-locking system. Other patio doors should be fitted with key-operated bolts, top and bottom.

You might qualify for extra discounts on your home insurance if you have installed a NACOSS, SSAIB or NSI-approved intruder alarm covered by an annual maintenance contract, or if you live in a Neighbourhood Watch area.