Summer’s over, the little ones are back to school and normal routine resumes. This could mean a change in your daily pattern and predictable empty house times. Here are a few ways to keep your home safe.

10am to 3pm is crunch-time for most burglaries*

We secure our homes during hours of darkness yet daytime has the highest incidences. Families being at work, school or college, means fewer people are around to interrupt an unwanted visitor. Outdoor and indoor motion sensors are a great way to combat prowlers and when they’re connected to your smart phone, you always have an eye on what’s happening at home.

Use a good visual deterrent

Research shows that a burglar alarm will instantly put off any opportunist. In fact, according to UK government statistics, 75% of surveyed households that hadn’t been burgled were fitted with an alarm. The homes had encountered intruders had no security features**. A highly visible alarm box lets them know you mean business thanks to the added protection of a monitored alarm securing your home whether you’re on the school run or heading to work.

Security cameras

Indoor and outdoor high definition cameras also make unwanted visitors think twice. They have the added bonus of helping you check that teenagers coming home from school alone have arrived safe and sound.

It only takes ten minutes

Opportunists are experts and it doesn’t take long for them to be in and out without being seen. Beat them at their own game with a high-quality front door and keep shrubbery cut back so your neighbours can see who’s around. Don’t forget to lock windows before popping out. Nearly 30% of intruders enter through an unlocked door or window*.

Over one third of burglars use the front door*

It’s a staggering fact but it’s true. When you’re rushing kids into the car with school bags, PE kits and forgotten homework, it’s easy to be caught out. Slow down and pause. It only takes a couple of seconds to double check the front door’s locked for all-day peace of mind. If you have a smart system even better. You can check your alarm is set from anywhere at any time using your smart phone or iPad offering extra reassurance.

Vary your daily routine

It’s easy to build a picture of your family’s comings and goings with many intruders living just two miles away. This makes predicting when a home’s empty a doddle. Changing your routine is an excellent deterrent. Fitting lights on timers which can also be connected and adjusted via your smart phone is another great way to outfox unwanted visitors. When it’s put together with all these other tips you can really help to keep your home safe and secure while you’re all at work and school.

*https://www.safewise.com/blog/8-surprising-home-burglary-statistics

**https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/nature-of-burglary