Moving into a new home can be an exciting and extremely busy time in a person’s life. You have so many things to arrange such as paperwork, removal men, packing as well as possibly a new neighbourhood. In this article we will give you some of the best home security tips when you move to a new home, some are completely free and quick to complete – most of these tips can be completed on the first day.
Changing your locks and alarm codes
Whilst this may seem like a costly and delayable task for some people, you do not know who has lived there previously or has keys to your property. We would always suggest changing your locks, if you are in a rental property most landlords would understand, and as long as they are provided with a set of new keys usually won’t object.
If you are lucky enough to have a garage or shed with locks, these should also be replaced. People often store very high-value items within their garages such as cars, motorbikes, pushbikes, and garden tools – all of which can be stolen. If you have a ladder it may also be a good idea to either chain this securely to the roof of your garage or inside so that it doesn’t benefit any potential burglars.
Similarly to your locks, if there is an alarm fitted to your home it would also be a sensible idea to change the code. Usually, the previous tenant or owner can leave the code with solicitors or estate agents for the new residents.
Visual Checks
A quick and fairly easy way to check the security of your new home is to walk around the property from the outside as if you wanted to break in. Look for any broken or damaged doors, loose locks on gates and if you have large windows do you have high-value items on display? Anything that you find which could be an issue can be repaired or replaced.
If you have a dark pathway or would often be returning home late from work then installing an outdoor light can be helpful as well as deterring potential burglars who may hide in the darkness.
Are you doors upvc or composite?
Lock snapping is a technique that burglars are using to easily break into a property. This method is only successful on properties that don’t have snap safe locks installed. UPVC and composite doors are usually the target as the locks that they come installed with generally are not snap safe locks.
This method of breaking into a property is the most effective and common way of breaking into someone’s home. By applying a bit of force a burglar can snap the cylinder in half, they are then able to expose the locking mechanism by removing the outside of a lock, this then allows the door to be unlocked manually or by using a tool such as a screwdriver. It only takes less than ten seconds for an experienced burglar to get into a home using this method.
In order to protect your home from lock snapping you need to ensure that you have snap safe locks fitted. You can purchase a Diamond grade cylinder lock or a Level 3* TS007 lock from most hardware stores, however, if you doubt your DIY skills, you can call in your local locksmith to come and upgrade your locks and they will be able to supply and fit them for you. If you upgrade your locks it will enhance your home security no end.
