How to Burglar-Proof Your Home this Winter

Are you looking into a home security system from Network Security? As we reach the depths of winter and the days get shorter, it is important to have a secure home and peace of mind.

Every year in Ireland there are around 28,000 reports of home burglaries. During autumn and winter, it feels like a burglary is more likely, as there are longer evenings where it is easier for criminals to remain unseen in the shadows.

Different methods to protect your home in winter

Below are some of the methods that you can utilise to protect your home during winter. There are different ways in which you can approach your home security, including alarm installation from a professional home security service such as ours.

Secure your doors and windows

Before winter comes around, take the time to check all the windows and doors in your property. Any potentially vulnerable points of entry should be semi-regularly checked. If anything needs repairing or replacing it is best to do so before the harsher temperatures and climate of the winter months.

Use lighting well

Security lighting acts as a great deterrent to criminals at any time of year. Motion sensor lighting and other types of home security lighting add another layer of protection to any home. It helps to light up otherwise dark areas that are out of sight and could provide potential protection for criminals from sightlines.

Store your keys appropriately

It’s easy to just throw your keys to the nearest bowl by the side of the front door whenever you come home. Consider more thoughtfully where you store your keys, however. If they are within reach of the letterbox or a window, criminals could potentially reach them, steal them to gain entry or to make a copy for future use.

Be methodical with record keeping

Be sure to keep a list of whatever valuables and sentimental items that you have in the house. Whether notes and/or photos, it will help in the worst-case scenario of a robbery if you have a clear idea of what is missing. It is also advisable to never keep large quantities of cash hidden in your home, as this could become an easy target for criminals.

Install a good home alarm system

Installing a proper home alarm system goes a long way to securing your home and giving you peace of mind this winter. When the mornings and evenings are dark, it helps you to feel comfortable leaving and entering your home if you know that it is protected by a modern, smart home alarm system.

Are burglaries more likely in winter?

When you think about the evenings in winter, your house is in the dark from as early as 4pm. If you go out to work, there is a chance that you won’t be back home until nearly 6pm or even later. You might wake up and leave for work in the dark and come home with it already dark. The only time you see your house in daylight is at the weekend. These extra hours of darkness provide much more opportunities for burglars to work without being seen.

The festive periods of winter also add vulnerabilities to your home security. At Christmas and New Year for example, there are times where you are out with your family, away from the home, or with visible presents wrapped and ready under the Christmas tree. It makes it a tempting target for burglars. During winter when the weather is poor you might also forget to check the doors and keys when you’re in a rush to get away from the cold. You might also have more deliveries during this time, which provides greater opportunities.

Prepare for winter by securing your home

As winter approaches and the days get shorter, you want to ensure that your home is as secure as possible. As you can see, there are a few different ways in which you can protect your home this winter. Think about security lighting, maintaining and upgrading any doors or windows that are weak, and installing a new burglar alarm system for your home. At Network Security we have a wealth of experience in assisting Irish homeowners in boosting their home security. If you would like to get a free security consultation our team is here to help. We’ll run through your existing home security systems and offer advice and guidance on where we can help you improve your security and therefore your peace of mind.