6 simple ways to secure your new home

From a young age, millions of us dream about becoming homeowners, so when this turns into a reality, you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure your property is safe and secure for you and your loved ones. Regardless of where you live in the UK, there will always be the risk of theft, so whether you’re moving into a detached home or a high-rise flat, here are some of the best ways to protect your property.

Secure Your Doors

You may be surprised to learn that some burglars gain access to a property via the front door. If your door frames aren’t strong and your hinges aren’t protected, this is like music to a thief’s ears. This means you must examine all your exterior doors to check they’re robust and secure.

If you are moving into a home that was previously owned by another, you must change your door locks. You can never be 100% certain whether previous owners have a key to your property, so changing the locks will put your mind at ease. 

Add Security Cameras

Although once regarded as a drastic measure, more and more homeowners are seeing the advantages of security cameras on their property. Thanks to technology, you can purchase cameras that provide crystal-clear footage, meaning should a burglar strike, you will have sufficient evidence that can be handed over to the police.

What’s more, when a criminal spots a security camera, they’re more likely to abort their burglary attempt. Whatever you do, you mustn’t rely on a dummy camera as thieves can spot them a mile off. Should you fall victim to a burglary and have possessions stolen, your security camera footage may be the answer in capturing the individual responsible. 

Light Up the Garden

Understandably, no burglar wants to be seen in the spotlight when carrying out a robbery. To add more protection to your new home, it’s wise to invest in outdoor lighting. Installing lights around your front and back garden will create more visibility when night falls, helping to reduce the risk of burglaries. 

To make your outdoor lights more effective, you should consider purchasing motion-activated lights. Many of us associate illumination with safety, so the more lighting you have, the better. 

Take Out Home Insurance

Whether you’re moving into your first property, or you’ve been a homeowner for many years, you can’t deny the benefits that a home insurance policy brings. While it isn’t mandatory, having home insurance in place will cover you in the event of theft. No one wants to return home to find their prized possessions have been stolen, and for those who haven’t taken out home insurance, there is no chance of being financially compensated for the trouble. Home insurance can also protect your property from severe weather.

When looking into home insurance policies, this comparison website has helped millions of homeowners over the years, which can make the decision process easier. Home insurance comparison sites can give you a better idea of what policy will work best for you. Answer some questions and the site will show you the best quotes from leaving insurance providers.

Safeguard Your Wi-Fi

You may not realise it, but your home’s wireless network is a pathway to your financial and personal data. Many homeowners invest in top-of-the-range gadgets for their abode. However, should your Wi-Fi network be connected, this can give burglars direct access to your home. 

Instead of leaving yourself vulnerable and being an open target to thieves, there are things you can do, such as safeguarding your Wi-Fi. This can be achieved by securing your wireless router, hiding and renaming your home network, as well as using a firewall. You can go one step further and purchase anti-malware and antivirus protection too. Criminals are using all kinds of tactics to gain entry to homes, so you need to monitor who has access to your Wi-Fi network. 

Eliminate Hiding Places

While shrubs and trees may boost your home’s kerb appeal, they also act as the perfect place for burglars to hide. Even if you invest in outdoor lighting, there are still plenty of hiding places thieves can be in out of sight from the camera. 

Make sure you trim your plants and trees close to your property, and if you have a shed, it should be locked before you go to sleep. This is because any ladders, stools, or furniture housed in it could be used by a burglar to gain entry to your property.

If you think you need to spend a wad of cash to keep burglars out, think again. While thieves are unpredictable in how they operate, there are lots of measures you can put in place to protect your property. Your home should be the one place on earth where you feel most safe, so referring to the guide above and putting the tips into action will add an extra layer of security to your new property.