The Ultimate Home Security Checklist for Irish Homeowners
As a homeowner, you’ll probably have considered the safety of your property, but is it as secure as you think?
Most residential break-ins are opportunistic in Ireland, and we know that thieves tend to go for the easiest target. This means that it’s easy to put thieves off by showing them that your property presents a challenge. There are many steps you can take to protect your home, and we’ll take a quick look at what you could be doing differently to give yourself and your family peace of mind.
Here’s a checklist to ensure you are doing all you can to protect your home in Ireland.
Have you protected your boundaries?
To protect your home against intruders, take a look at the boundaries of your property and consider whether these are functioning to stop break-ins. Look at your:
• Walls, hedges or fences. If your property has any of these, you should take a good look at them and check that they are in good condition, and that there are no easy routes into your property via gaps or sections that can be climbed over.
• Side gates. A tall, solid side gate can be very off-putting to thieves, especially if it is locked with a substantial lock rather than simply closed on a latch. If you do not have a side gate, consider whether installing one might make your property immediately look and feel more secure.
• Rear entry points. Where could thieves enter your home? Most intruders tend to come in through the back of your property since this is usually less visible to neighbours or passersby, so it is vital to check that rear entry points are secure.
• Useful obstacles. You might be surprised to find that many break-ins occur when thieves climb on objects such as garden furniture or bins to reach upper windows or climb walls. It is a good idea to check your boundaries and remove anything that could be used in this way.
• Outbuildings. It is very important to securely lock sheds and outbuildings with tools and ladders inside, as these can be used to gain access to your property.
Do you have an Alarm System and/or CCTV?
A home security alarm system is a very important way to protect your property, and modern alarms are designed to be visible to intruders as a deterrent when they are looking for easy access. A good security alarm will protect your home by alerting you or a monitoring service if your boundaries are breached, and will use motion sensors and contact sensors to detect intruders as they enter or move around your home.
Ensure that any alarm system you use is professionally certified and installed, and book regular maintenance and service checks to ensure it works correctly. A monitored alarm can give you additional peace of mind, especially if you are often away from home, and you can talk to us about the best options for your home and your budget.
CCTV (closed-circuit television) systems can be very useful as a deterrent, as thieves are unlikely to target a property where there is a high chance of them being identified. If you are installing CCTV, we recommend covering all entrances to your property, as well as your rear garden, and ensuring that you have night vision capacity. Many CCTV systems can be monitored using a smartphone, and high-definition cameras offer good identification for intruders and their vehicles. It is important to be aware that you are not usually allowed to use a camera that captures images beyond the boundaries of your property in Ireland, so you should check local regulations when you are setting up your system.
A Smart Doorbell is a popular option for homeowners who are frequently away from home, and this can be managed through your mobile phone. Footage is often recorded so that anyone approaching your home can be identified, and you will be alerted straight away if someone is at your door.
Have you checked your doors and windows?
Most intruders in Ireland enter properties via doors or windows on the ground floor, so checking that these are solid and use multi-point locking systems is a good way to protect your home. All doors and windows should be inspected to check that they comply with the latest standards, and you should reinforce any areas of weakness.
Doors and windows should always be locked when you leave the house, even if you are just popping out, and you should never hide your spare key under the doormat!
Do you have Security Lights?
Good security lighting can put off an intruder fast, and this is an easy step to take in your home. Installing motion-activated lights at entry points can be very helpful, and you should regularly check that these are working. You can set these lights, and your indoor lights, on a timer so that it looks like the house is occupied if you are out or away.
Pay particular attention to dark corners, alleyways and garages, as these can be easy access points to your home due to reduced visibility.
Are you involved in your local community?
Being involved in your local community can significantly reduce the chances of your home being broken into, and there are many organisations like Neighbourhood Watch that make your area safer. Let your neighbours know when you are going on holiday, and show them how your security system works. If you have people popping into your home to switch on lights and water plants while you are away, this will prevent your home from looking like an easy target. Make sure that you don’t announce your holiday plans on social media, as this is a clear signal to thieves that your home is unoccupied!
Reliable Home Security
A reliable home security alarm is an easy and safe way to protect your home, and we can help you to find a system that suits your property and your needs. Whether you want to cover multi-entry points with sensors connected to your mobile phone or you want a comprehensive wired system that is managed externally, we can carry out a survey to assess your current security precautions and suggest improvements. We have many years of experience protecting residential and commercial properties, and we will be happy to help you find the best solutions.
Sentinel Security: Home Security Solutions in Ireland
At Sentinel Security, our mission is to protect your family and your property, and we have a range of security systems that can keep your home safe. A good alarm system will deter thieves and give you the peace of mind you need, and we have options to suit all locations and property types. Our experienced team can explore the options with you, from monitoring to smart integration, and we can help you to find the right system for your property.
Our professional team leads the way in Ireland’s security and access management industry, and we offer bespoke security solutions for homes, businesses and farms, as well as providing security gates, bollards and turnstiles. We can deliver effective security solutions for public buildings, events and private properties, and we will be happy to tailor our services to suit you. We are fully licensed by the Private Security Authority and certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland.