Making sure your doors and windows are locked seems like a really basic security tip, but it’s surprising how many of us forget to make sure they’re fully secured.
Getting into good habits doesn’t need to be hard work, it’s as simple as locking your front door the moment you get home, and making sure open windows aren’t left unattended. Both common-sense steps will help keep your property safe, but there are extra measures you can take to protect it further.
Snap to it
It can take just seconds for a burglar to gain entry to your home by snapping the lock on your door. ‘Lock-snapping’ is a common entry method and requires no specialist tools or knowledge. It involves breaking the cylinder to manipulate the lock to open, and even if your door has multi-locking points, they’re usually operated by the cylinder – the weakest point, which if compromised, makes them ineffective.
To help protect your property, take a look at your door. If the cylinder sticks out more than the depth of a pound coin, or your door handle feels ‘floppy’, your cylinder may be vulnerable and it’s a good idea to replace it as soon as possible. When replacing your cylinder, look for a euro cylinder lock, tested and approved to SS312 Diamond Standard or with a 3 star Kitemark logo, which should protect you against lock-snapping.
As clear as day
Like doors, windows are another common entry points for burglars, so make sure each one is fitted with a lock. For extra security, consider window restrictors which prevent them from being fully opened. Not only is this useful for keeping people in (i.e. the kids!), but it also prevents anybody gaining entry from the outside, even if the window is open.
If you have a commercial property, window bars could be a good option. They might not look pretty, but they will do a good job at protecting your premises. A visible deterrent to burglars, they’ll stop them from gaining entry, even if they do manage to open the window.
Call in the professionals
For extra peace of mind, enlist the help of a professional security services provider to help keep your home or business safe. For your domestic needs, we offer Home Response and for your business needs we offer a comprehensive range of services from Key Holding to Alarm Response and Mobile Patrols.
To find out more about our services, and for a free no-obligation quote, call us on 0800 783 1025.