Ahh, the summertime – sure, it might only feel like it lasts a week, but the summer is our most cherished time of year. Most of us use the summertime to get caught up on everything from our fading tans to painting the fence, getting out and playing some sports, or making use of many beer gardens.
Make no mistake, summer is the time of year that we go through all those rainy, soaked months to enjoy. In the enjoyment of the sunshine, though, it can be surprisingly simple for little security essentials to slip your mind. One miscue, though, can be expensive. From failing to lock the door while we chill out in the garden to the sheer fact that criminals are more likely to be out casing properties in the sunshine and late nights than they are in the howling wind, security remains vital.
So, what can you do to make sure that your summer isn’t going to be spoiled by a break-in or similar? Let our expert locksmith Sheffield guide you. Using the vast experience of locksmiths in the security industry, let us help you better appreciate the importance of taking security seriously during the summer. You might put on plenty of sunscreen, but are you taking the security of your home seriously enough? With these tips, you can do both!
Don’t Rely On Sunlight Alone
Yes, we love the fact that you can still be sitting outside at 9PM and the streetlights are barely on. However, natural lighting alone is not enough to deter a potential break-in from taking place. Lights should be something that you invest in, as they can be just the protection you need to make someone think twice about even attempting to break into your house.
Look, most criminals who break into homes are not looking for confrontation. If they see that your home has lights on – internally and/or externally – they are far less likely to attempt a break-in on your home. Set timers that make your lights work on a natural timescale, because criminals will get wise to lights that are just left on all day and all night – and your power bill won’t approve, either!
Start with some porch lights and interior lights around your main points of entry and most visible windows. When set to a timer, these add very little to your energy bill whilst warding off potential break-ins from even being attempted.
Review Your Lock & Seal Quality
Next, why not extend your spring cleaning sessions into the summer with some reviewing of your locks? Locks are easily the most important deterrent you have to stop criminals. You can invest in all of the high-security add-ons you like (see below), but if your locks are not up to standard, then you are at risk regardless. Make sure that you have your locks checked out and reviewed, ideally by a local locksmith. If you notice any strange movements, noises, or faults, call an expert.
If your locks jam or clatter when you lock/unlock your doors, get them reviewed ASAP. Make sure that your locks are British Standards 3621 compliant, as well; you would be shocked just how many locks are not. BS3621 compliance means that your locks have protections built in to stop the most common forms of break-ins taking place, such as easily carried out break-in methods like lock snapping.
Be sure to have your door and window sealant checked out, as well. These can begin to fray away over time, which comes with the risk of your home being less secure. Not only that, but you could find that the lack of energy efficiency means that your home becomes colder in the winter and warmer in the summer, just what we want to avoid. A locksmith can re-seal cracks and faults around your windows and doors, as well as re-seal the window/door itself if their specific seals have worn away. Not only does this boost home security, but it also reduces energy consumption and improves indoor comfort.
Invest In High-Security Systems
Gone are the days when CCTV cameras were designed to catch shoplifters only. Today, we can all buy high-quality, incredible-fidelity CCTV cameras and security systems for our homes. Better yet, despite their advanced security features, a local locksmith can help you select and then install the home security systems that we recommend below.
You can buy individual parts of a more all-in-one package that nets you all of the tools you need to keep criminals at bay. You don’t need to go and get electrified fences and attack dogs, though; you can reinforce your home accordingly with the use of CCTV cameras, home alarm systems, and even tools like video doorbells. These all provide you with extra protection both when you are at home, when you are at work, or when you are chasing the sunrays in warmer climes.
Start with entry sensors, burglar alarms, a video doorbell and a CCTV system, and you should be good to go. Expert locksmiths can provide more specific recommendations for your building, though.
Avoid Summer Plan Advertising
It might sound paranoid, and we understand that, but you would be shocked at how many break-ins start thanks to a social media announcement. Telling everyone you are away on holiday for two weeks to Mallorca might sound like a great idea, so you can get chatting with people on your friend list, but not every viewer of that message is likely to be someone you want to know your holiday plans!
Many criminals browse anonymously and will case local social media profiles for signs of an empty home. You can help to reduce the risk by making your social media accounts private, but you should also be aware of those who create accounts purely for the purpose of viewing your social media activity. Be careful about what you post online; only share holiday snaps and announcements with people whom you can set as “close friends” – one of the best features on Instagram lets you do that.
If possible, try to keep all declarations and announcements like this to a minimum. Post it to your friends on WhatsApp (or whatever messenger) you use instead, or hide holiday photos in private albums so you can decide who has access and who does not.
Hide Your Valuables
Your valuable goods are the most common targets, so we recommend that you avoid keeping any items you own that could be a burglar’s target out of eyesight. While we all want the light pouring in during those summer months, leaving the curtains and blinds open while you are out just means someone can peer into your windows and look for goodies worth stealing!
Make sure that all expensive accessories, such as jewellery, are kept stored away in a safe place. At the same time, keep things like your appliances – PCs, laptops, tablets, phones, TVs, etc. – well-hidden when you are not at home. Why tempt a criminal with visibility of these exceptional valuables?
The same goes for letters and parcels, by the way. Many of us get too comfortable and have letters and parcels lying outside for days; these are ripe for theft. Try to come up with a safe space to have letters and parcels dropped off if you are not going to be home; arranging alternative delivery takes about two minutes per letter/parcel, and could save you from dealing with an expensive replacement.
Protect Your Perimeter, Also!
Also, we cannot recommend enough that you expand your home security focus to the rest of your building. Think about your garden and the surrounding area around your home. Make sure that you have high-quality hedges, for example, ensuring they are thick enough that nobody is going to risk trying to climb over your hedge. Get large, privacy-providing fences around your garden, too. You could even invest in some preventative shrubbery such as firethorns and holly. The less a criminal can see or hear, the better!
Make sure that you invest in high-security locks for your gates, sheds, and other outdoor facilities. A local locksmith, can provide you with valuable insight into the best lock types that you could buy for your building(s).
Join Community Protection Groups
Neighbourhood watches are a great community partnership to be a part of, especially if you intend on living in the same location for the long term. Not only can these community action groups raise awareness about crimes taking place in the area, but you can all work together to take action to protect your homes. If nothing else, you will be on a more positive, social footing with your neighbourhood!
Neighbourhood watch groups are often found on social media now, specifically via Facebook groups. These are easy to join and can give you something to look into to spot if there have been any trends in the area. If someone has noticed an uptick in doors being tried overnight or people hanging around at unsociable hours, you can all take note and respond accordingly. If your neighbourhood does not have one, start one!
Conclusion: Take Your Security Seriously This Summer!
We get that having a good time in summer becomes the #1 focus and priority, and rightly so as well. Given the nature of summer here across the UK, we need to make hay while the sun shines – literally. That being said, ignoring potential red flags about your home security or drawing too much attention to your summertime activities could prove ruinous for you down the line.
If you have any doubt whatsoever about the security credentials of your home, take the above ideas into account. Hire a professional locksmith who can review your property and offer a home security survey; if they find anything that needs to be addressed, they can help you take action. Good luck, have fun, and make sure you stay safe this summer!
