Secure Your Home Against Burglary

Protecting your home and your family is a key concern for most homeowners in Ireland, and taking some simple steps to secure your home against burglary can give you the peace of mind you need. You can make your home safer and reduce the risk of home intrusion when you optimise your security systems and ensure that your home is not an easy target for thieves.

Burglary is not just about the loss of personal belongings and valuables; it can also be devastating to your confidence and sense of safety, and it is common in rural areas as well as in cities and towns. Let’s take a look at how to secure your home against burglary, including the technology you can rely on for protection and the practical changes you can make to your property and your routine to keep your home and your family safer.

Protecting Your Home

There are many ways to protect your home against burglary, and some of these will only cost you a few minutes of your time. We recommend:

Pay attention to your doors and windows. Thieves often gain entry to a home through doors or windows that are damaged or not secured, and it doesn’t take long to check your doors and windows regularly to ensure that you do not have weak points. Ideally, all doors and windows should be UPVC with multi-point locking systems, and you can add additional security such as bolts and chains to doors that do not conform to this. You should always use window locks to prevent entry and ensure that all doors and windows are securely fitted into their frames.

Secure your boundaries. Many burglaries are opportunistic, and this means that the houses that look easiest to breach will be targeted. You should ensure that you have secure gates to your property, particularly at the side and rear access points, and that you do not have fencing, trees or bushes that could make access easier, for instance to first floor windows. Fences and hedges should be maintained in good condition, and any gaps or broken areas should be addressed to maintain a safe boundary to your property.

Secure outbuildings. Outbuildings and sheds can contain valuable items such as bikes and power tools, and these are often an easy target for thieves. It is also common practice for thieves to take tools from sheds in order to break into homes. You will need to ensure that all sheds and outbuildings are protected by CCTV or a security system using sensors, and you may also consider additional protection on doors and windows. It is very important to ensure that you don’t leave tools or equipment such as ladders out or in unlocked sheds, so that these do not make your home an easy target.

Use a security system. Having a home security system with an alarm is an instant deterrent to thieves, and you should ensure that it is obvious from the road that your property is protected. A monitored system is the best way to protect against burglary, as this will raise the alarm as soon as your system is breached, but any security system will reduce the risk of burglary. There are many systems, including CCTV systems, that can be used in conjunction with your smartphone, and you can monitor visitors to your front door using a Ring doorbell in addition to your home security system. It can help to discuss your requirements with an experienced home security adviser, and we will be happy to help you find the right solution for your home.

Use your lighting wisely. It may seem a small thing, but the lighting in and around your home is actually crucial to your home safety. External lights can be off-putting for thieves, especially if they are activated by motion, and having these at the front, side and rear of your property is an excellent deterrent. You can also ensure that your home appears occupied by having your indoor lights on a timer or asking a friend to pop in and switch lights on in the evenings if you are on holiday. You can use a timer that is controlled via your smartphone for more control, and this can help to reduce the risk of your home being targeted.

Plan. If you are away from home, including when you are out at work or on holiday, there are many precautions you can take to secure your home against burglary. You should take extra care to protect your valuables, ensuring that high-value items are hidden from sight and cannot easily be snatched. This includes your car keys, if your car is left near your property. You might consider using a protective pouch that blocks electronic signals, as this can help to prevent vehicle theft. When you are going away, you’ll need to cancel deliveries such as newspapers and milk, as these can be an obvious sign that there is no one home.

Do not publicise your absence. It may sound very simple, but it can increase the risk of your home being targeted if you post photos of your holiday online, as this can advertise the fact that your property is empty. It is a good idea to wait until you have returned home before posting your photos, or you can restrict the settings on your social media accounts to ensure that only trusted friends and relatives can see your updates. You should check with your home insurers to ensure that your cover will not be invalidated if you post on social media to let people know that you are away from home.

Of course, it is very important to ensure that your insurances are in place so that you will be covered for any theft or damage to your property or personal possessions. Check your policy carefully to ensure that you are not leaving your property vacant for longer than the period agreed by your insurers, and inform the insurer of your absence if you are required to do so.

Sentinel Security: Home Security Solutions in Ireland

At Sentinel, we know that a good home security system is the best way to protect your home against burglary, and we can help you to find the best option for you and your property. You can talk to our professional team about the options, and we will help you make the best choices based on your location and property type. You may find that a system that integrates with your smartphone is the best option for you, and we can advise you on both monitored and self-monitoring systems.

We offer the latest bespoke security solutions for homes, businesses and farms, and we have many years of experience in Ireland’s security and access management industry. Our team delivers security solutions for public buildings, events and private properties, and we can tailor our services to suit you and your home or business. We are fully licensed by The Private Security Authority and certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland.