What makes your home an easy target for burglars?

Share this content

If there’s one statistic that will make you feel uncomfortable it’s this – in the UK a home is broken into every 32 seconds – that’s 2,880 per day. If that’s not enough to make you lock your doors and shut your windows, we don’t know what is.

There are many things that can make your home an easy target for burglars and many of them are within your control. Here’s our top ten list:

1. Hedges to hide behind

While you might love the privacy that hedges and bushes provide, so do burglars! Try and strike a balance between privacy and not creating a hiding place for thieves.

2. Bins

Bins can offer the perfect platform to stand on, whether they provide a hop over to your back garden or the ability to reach your landing window. Try not to store your bins in a way that allows a thief to get into your home.

3. No security systems

Not having any security measures in place can be all it takes to encourage a burglar, so think about installing systems such as an alarm or video camera, which can be all you need to keep burglars at bay.

4. Piled up newspapers

Burglars love an empty house and will often prey on the properties that look empty. When you go on holiday, nothing gives the game away more than newspapers and mail piling up at the front door. Give a key to a trusted neighbour or family member and ask them to clear away any mail.

5. Unlocked doors and windows

It sounds obvious, but every year thousands of people get burgled by leaving doors and windows open. When you’re not in a room or when you go out, remember to shut and lock all windows – it only takes a few seconds to do and could be the thing that stops you from being a target.

6. Easy rear access

How accessible is the back of your property? If a thief had a choice between breaking into the front of a house or the back, it’s a no brainer where he or she will choose. Try and limit the accessibility to the back of your house with fencing or walls, and don’t leave anything out that could offer a ‘hop over’.

7. Leaving valuables on display

Most of have good intentions when it comes to not leaving expensive items out on display, but it’s easily done. The best thing to do is to put such things away and out of sight as soon as you’ve finished using them and to shut the blinds or curtains where appropriate. Nothing screams ‘break in now!’ more than expensive computers, cameras and electronics being out for the world to see.

8. Leaving car keys in view

If you own an expensive or desirable car, you are instantly a target for thieves. Try not to leave your car keys in sight, because it can be all the encouragement a robber needs to try and get into your home.

9. Leaving tools in the garden

Thieves don’t always carry around an arsenal of tools to break into properties. A large proportion of the time they use items that they find lying around. Garden tools that are left out can provide the perfect break in instrument, so make sure you put anything like this away and out of sight.

10. Don’t skimp on your locks

One of the weakest points in your home security could be your locks. While you might think your locks are up to scratch, many thieves can gain entry to your home through lock snapping. The good news is that with our help, you can help beat the thieves by installing anti-snap locks that make this method of breaking in impossible.

Are you ready to say no to thieves and increase your home security? If so, call us today on: 0121 353 3644.  We work with people all over Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and the West Midlands to help make their homes and families safer.