When you think of the summer,
we’ll bet that family holidays, beaches, and barbecues all spring to mind.
Are we right?
Whether you’re planning to
make the most of the sunshine in your back garden, you’ve booked a staycation,
or you’re jetting off to somewhere hot (preferably on the green list), it’s
crucial not to forget simple security measures.
As experienced locksmiths in
Newcastle
, we thought we’d recap the basics and share a few tips to help keep
your home safe and secure.
10 summer security tips
1.
Close
and lock all windows and doors
As the temperatures begin to
soar, we’re more likely to open the windows and leave doors ajar to allow a
breeze to enter – and it’s easy to forget about them. However, before you leave
the house or go to bed, you must double-check that you’ve pulled all the
windows in and locked up. Otherwise, a burglar will be able to walk straight in
and help themselves to your possessions whilst you’re out or fast asleep.
2.
Keep
valuables out of sight
It may seem like a no brainer,
but you’d be surprised how many people leave expensive items in plain sight –
attracting unwanted attention from pesky criminals. Any valuables should be
locked inside a security safe or in an inconspicuous hiding spot in the house.
And your car
keys
should never be left by the door as burglars can use a technique called
‘fishing’ to hook the keys out via your letterbox or window.
3.
Get a
home alarm system
If you’ve not already got a
burglar alarm installed at your home, we highly advise you get one. Thieves
like to operate under the cover of darkness to avoid being caught red-handed,
but having a monitored alarm system can be an excellent deterrent.
4.
Install
CCTV cameras
Whether it be indoors or
outdoors, security cameras can give you peace of mind whilst you’re out
enjoying the sunshine. You can even buy video doorbells that send a
notification to your smartphone when someone is at your door – meaning you can
keep an eye on your home no matter where you are.
5.
Invest
in motion sensor lights
Adding motion-activated
lighting around the perimeter of your house is a brilliant idea. Not only will
it alert you if someone is creeping around in your garden or on your driveway,
but it will also put burglars off targeting your property as they won’t want to
risk getting caught.
6.
Don’t
share too much on social media
If you’re going on holiday, try
not to rub it in on social media. A lot of your followers are bound to be
envious but, more importantly, if your profile is public, you could be
informing burglars that there is nobody home – providing them with the perfect
opportunity to break in. It’s also sensible to refrain from ‘checking in’ on
Facebook or tagging locations on your Instagram or Snapchat story.
7.
Make
your home looked lived in
Whether you’re going out for
the day and won’t be back until late or you’re visiting relatives for a few
days, you want to make it seem like you’re in. Consider putting your lights on
a timer and ask someone to move the mail from your post box and to take the
milk inside. If you can afford the luxury of motorised blinds, you could also
control them whilst you’re away, making it look like there is someone home.
8.
Ask a
neighbour to keep an eye on the place
Of course, it depends on how
well you know your neighbour, but asking them to park on your drive while
you’re out is a sure-fire way to make your home look occupied. Failing that,
you could ask a family member or friend to house sit. This way, you can relax
knowing that your home isn’t unattended.
9.
Be
mindful of spare keys
Having a spare key is always
helpful in case you lose yours or if you’re going on vacation – and our Newcastle
locksmiths
specialise in key cutting.
Whilst most people prefer to keep a spare key under a plant pot or doormat,
burglars are well aware of these hiding places. Therefore, you need to keep
duplicated keys somewhere safe. And if you plan on handing a spare to a
neighbour, relative, or friend, make sure you get it back once you’re home.
10.
Always lock your garage and shed
Is your shed strictly for
garden tools, or is it a modern pub shed where you and your mates get together?
What about your garage? Is it simply a place to keep your car, or have you
converted it into a home gym? As a general rule of thumb, you should always
lock your garage and shed before heading into the house. After all, a burglar
could steal your expensive tools and equipment and use ladders to climb into
your home.
Get in touch today
Here at NLS Security, we offer
a comprehensive range of locksmith services
and
cover all areas in Newcastle.
To find out how our locksmiths
in Newcastle
can help you this summer, give us a call on 0191 238 6000
or email info@nlssecurity.co.uk
, and
we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
