How to secure your home

SBD windows

Install Secured by Design accredited windows, especially on the ground floor (see below).

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SBD door

Install Secured by Design accredited doors (see below).

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Fake burglar alarm wall-mounted box

Installing a fake alarm box is almost indiscernible to a full security system so can be highly effective to deter a burglar from scoping your property.

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A spyhole and door chain

Should be standard practice for any front door, especially for elderly or vulnerable people. And, don’t forget to always use the chain.

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Gravel around the house

Noise is a great deterrent for a burglar. Gravel makes plenty of crunches and can alert someone inside to anyone snooping around their property, especially at night. Turning on your lights might be enough to chase an intruder away.

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Internal lights on timers

An empty house can be a target for a break in so if you are away, a simple light timer can give the illusion that someone is home. Also, asking a neighbour to park their car on your drive can be a simple deterrent.

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Motion-sensor lighting

The majority of burglaries happen in the dark. Shine a light on anyone who is lurking around your home and it makes it far more difficult for them to attempt a break in.

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Prickly bushes under the windows

Making life as difficult for a break in as possible can be enough to make sure your home is passed over by an intruder. Restricting access to your windows with prickly bushes that make it very difficult to get access to the window can be a huge deterrent.

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Trim hedges

Burglars love secluded areas for privacy to work. Make sure that any hedges or fences are not too high and that the front of your home can be seen from the road or by a neighbour.

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Lock gates

It might seem obvious, but it’s often the small things we overlook. Putting locks on side or back gates is another level of restriction.

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Lock up your tools and ladders

Most burglars don’t carry tools to avoid looking suspicious or in case they are stopped by the police. Instead, they will break into garages and sheds to use whatever they can find lying around. Crowbars and tools, ladders and steps should all be locked away and not left lying around.

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Secure the garage and sheds

Make sure your garages and sheds have the same level of security that the house does. As we mentioned above, burglars target sheds to find tools or ladders they can use to get into the house.

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SBD accredited window

To reduce crime, new build homes must be fitted with windows that achieve PAS 24: 2022 to be Document Q compliant with Building Regulations.

Some windows also offer Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation, a crime-reducing initiative backed by the UK Police. SBD will ensure you have the best window security without going to extreme measures (such as window grills).

Lockable handles

uPVC windows usually offer lockable handles as a standard along with multi-point locking systems, making them a secure choice. All windows can be fitted with handles that lock, so they can’t be easily opened.

Window with a night latch for ventilation

Most windows usually have options to allow the window to be left open on a small ventilation gap, make sure the catch is secure enough that it can’t be prised open.

Hinge protectors

Look for windows that have a protective strip or security brackets along the hinge side of the window that stop an attack on the window hinges.

Internally beaded glazing

A window pane can be removed if the glazing is on the exterior of the frame. Your windows should have internal glazing beads.

Laminated glass

For an extra level of security on glazed doors or sidelights, laminated glass has an internal PVB layer that makes it more difficult to break.

SBD accredited door

To reduce crime, new build homes must be fitted with doors that achieve PAS 24: 2022 to be Document Q compliant with Building Regulations. Some doors and locks also offer Secured by Design accreditation.

Anti-snap locks on uPVC doors

Older uPVC doors featured euro cylinder locks that had a vulnerability to lock-snapping, make sure to check that your cylinder locks have a cylinder guard fitted, have the TS007 3 Star Kitemark or the Sold Secure Diamond Standard (SS312).

Deadbolt locks

Most uPVC doors and composite doors have multi-point locking systems that incorporate a deadlock. For other types of door, especially timber, make sure that you have a deadlock as a secondary lock with a BSI kitemark of BS 3621.

Sash jammers

All doors can benefit from a sash jammer that acts as a bolt at the back of the door making it far more difficult to kick a door open. Some sash jammers are key operated which allows you to lock them when you leave the house.

Door alarm

An alarm on the door will make an audible sound to alert you that the door has been opened.

Letterbox fishing guard

Using an extendable rod to hook keys left on a table near the door is a common method of burglars. A Secured by Design accredited fishing guard will protect your letterbox. As a precaution, never leave keys on a hallway table, a wall-mounted key rack or on display.