Home Security Advice

Protect your home

The front of your home

Keep hedges, trees and shrubs trimmed to a reasonable height to allow your neighbours maximum view of your property. A gate in front of the drive is a good physical and psychological barrier to the burglar and not easy to sneak past. Remember to keep it closed. Outside lighting and alarms are an excellent deterrent and are proven to reduce the risk of burglary. Net curtains prevent a burglar looking into your home and seeing what there is to steal.

The rear of your home

This is the most important security aspect. Low or damaged fencing allows easy access to your property. Gates, fencing, walls or hedges should be at least 1.8 metres high. A wooden trellis fixed to the top is very effective. If climbed, it will break, create noise and attract attention. Gates at the side or back of the house should be locked with a good quality bolt and padlock. Garden sheds should be locked with a padlock or mortise deadlock as they often contain tools suitable for breaking into your home and valuable equipment such as lawn mowers. Do not leave ladders lying around. These provide the burglar with the means to climb upstairs windows. Keep them locked in a garage or shed, or chained to a wall.

Burglar Alarms

There are many types of burglar alarms on the market, ranging from DIY kits to those fitted by recognised alarm companies. Most can be fitted within a day and should not caused damage to interior decorations. When buying a burglar alarm from a recognised company, consider the following:

Before disclosing personal security details, check the address and credentials of the company and ask the representative for proof of identity.
Is the company subject to an independent inspection and, if so, by which organisation? Confirm this.
Is the alarm a requirement of your insurance company and, if so, is the company acceptable to your insurer? At the present time your insurance company may only recognise SSAIB/NACOSS / NSI Silver and Gold approved alarm installers.
Ensure the representative from the alarm company offers you a list of police rules for occupiers with alarms and written confirmation that the alarm and the company are currently acceptable to the local police.
Seek written quotations from at least two alarm installers.
Does the quotation specify the installation will be to BS 4737 or BS 7042 (High security systems) or, if it is a wire free alarm, BS 6799 clause 6? Does it include the terms of maintenance & any monitoring contracts?
Does the company operate a 24-hour call-out service and offer emergency attendance within four hours?

Home Grown Security - How plants protect your home

Bushes and shrubs can be a burglar's dream in providing cover for their activities. However, they can be made into a burglar's nightmare. The planting of a prickly hedge, such as firethorn, climbing rose or hawthorn, against existing fencing will act as a powerful deterrent. Other plants, which provide natural protection are:

Holly
Blackthorn
Pyracantha
Berberis
Rosa
Rugosa

Many garden centres will be able to identify these plants and those most suitable for your garden.

Door Security

Make sure all exterior doors and frames are strong and in good condition. Timber doors should have a solid core, be at least 44mm thick and comply with BS 8220. Doors made of other materials must have passed the British Board of Agreement (BAA) security test for doors.
Laminated glass should be used in all glazed areas. Wooden beading should be glued and fixed with security screws. Front doors should have a viewer and a chain, or door bar.
Doors used as the final point of exit should be fitted with a lock, which conforms to BS 3621 or the new BS EN 12209 security standards.
Back doors should ideally be fitted with a five-lever mortise deadlock and a sash lock (latch), one a third from the top, one a third from the bottom.
Letter boxes should be positioned so that people cannot reach through and release the lock. A restrictor on the inside may be useful.
When fitting security products always remember to use strong bolts and long screws.

Window Security

Windows are the most frequent point of entry used by burglars - How secure are yours?

Window frames; The British Standards Institute (BSI) sets standards for the common materials used in the window frames. The BSI "kitemark" indicates the manufacturer's products have been independently tested for weather tightness and mechanical performance. However, the basic BS number and kitemark are not endorsements of the product's security.

Lighting

Some exterior lights have infra-red sensors which switches the light on for a few minutes when it detects something in its range. Timers to switch on lights and radios inside the home while you are out are a good deterrent. Make the home look and sound occupied even if you are out.