Home Security Tips

Being burgled is a terrible experience, and though it’s not possible to make your home 100% burglar proof, there’s a lot you can do to make it as secure as possible. Here are some basic security tips to help you protect your home. Some of the tips are necessary conditions for your house insurance cover, and others may help you qualify for discounts on your RIAS Home Insurance.

1. Front and Back Doors
Fit the door that you use to enter and leave your home with either a mortice deadlock with a minimum of five levers, or a three-point multi-locking system. These locks add considerable strength to your doors.

2. Accessible Windows
Window locks will help stop opportunists looking for an easy access. Fit all accessible windows with key-operated window locks, which are always locked when nobody is home. ‘Accessible’ means all windows that can be reached without a ladder, and have an opening of at least 9 by 9 inches.

3. Patio Doors
UPVC doors must be fitted with a three-point multi-locking system, while other patio doors should be fitted with top and bottom key-operated bolts.

4. Other External Doors
All other doors must be fitted with barrel bolts, top and bottom. If a door is partially glazed, you will need to have key-operated locks fitted.

5. Intruder Alarms
Install your alarm in a visible place. With a NACOSS, SSAIB or NSI-approved intruder alarm covered by an annual maintenance contract, you may qualify for extra discounts on your house insurance.

6. Join/Start a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
Neighbourhood Watch and other ‘watch' schemes are an excellent way for communities to fight burglary. You’ll find some home insurance policies give you a discount if you live in a Neighbourhood Watch area.

7. Security Lighting
Security and other good lighting is a great deterrent and helps give the impression that someone is at home even when the house is empty.

8. Keys
Never leave your window or door keys in the lock and keep all keys out of sight. Ask a trusted neighbour, friend or relative to keep a spare set of your keys, and never leave spare keys outside under a flowerpot or in the garage or shed.

9. Curtains
Keep your curtains drawn when it’s dark and make sure that valuable items can’t be easily seen from outside.

10. Garden
Make sure garden tools, ladders or anything else that could be used to break into your home are not left lying around. Garden walls, fencing, trees and shrubs may all help a thief break in without being seen.

Chain-link fencing, trellises and prickly shrubs all help deter burglars.

N.B. Make sure that your security systems do not keep you trapped in case of fire.