Whether you’re jetting off for a fortnight or heading out on a day trip, how much thought do you really give your home’s security beyond shutting the windows and locking the front door behind you? We thought so. Summer is a prime time for burglaries as opportunistic thieves suss out empty properties and use sneaky strategies to get inside. So what can you do to prevent a potential break in? Surprisingly a lot actually, and it doesn’t have to cost more than your insurance premium. While smart alarms, cameras and other gadgets provide extra defence, there are plenty of simple tricks and cheap ideas you can exploit to keep your belongings safe and put off potential thieves – and there are no buckets of ice or tarantulas in sight!
Cause for alarm
When we think of home security, an alarm is what first springs to mind. But, what’s it going to cost? Unfortunately, it’s a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question, depending on how sophisticated the product is. For basic protection, a one-room alarm kit will set you back only £19.99 and window shock sensors are just £9.99 each from Argos. Amp up your defences with an Easy Fit Standard Alarm with keypad, which costs £320 from Yale. For big budgets, choose an option that calls nominated phone numbers or alerts the police.