‘Secured by Design’ (the official UK police initiative) states
that burglars are opportunistic thieves, striking when a house looks empty, has
little or no security, and where they won’t be seen.
But while you’re saving up for your state of the art CCTV
system, here are some more budget friendly ways to keep you home safe and secure...
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| Image by Images Money |
1) Burglar proof your Garden (£17 / $27)
There are several ways to make your garden unappealing to unwanted
visitors. Burglars like places where they can hide, and large shrubs near the
house are ideal. So buy a pair of shears for around £17 and trim down your hedges!
If you want to go a step further and redesign your garden
with home security in mind, then
consider placing prickly bushes near your windows. Thieves won’t want to climb
through them for risk of injury, and they’ll also be worried about leaving
evidence behind.
Noisy gravel driveways are another great deterrent!
2) Install Exterior Lighting (£15 / $24)
Consider installing a security light to make a burglar feel
exposed!
3) Buy a UV Pen (£1 / $1./60)
By marking your property with a UV pen, you increase both the
chance of a thief leaving your property behind, and of a stolen item being
traced back to you. UV pens are inexpensive and you can mark objects with your
name and postcode. Put stickers on items to show that you have marked them;
thieves will know they’ll be harder to sell on!
Also consider registering your items on immobilise.com, which stores an online
portfolio of your personal property. This simplifies police reports and
insurance claims in the event of a theft.
4) Use Camouflage (£12 / $19)
If you can’t afford the real deal, it’s a good idea to give
the impression you can. You can purchase dummy security cameras for around £12, and
dummy bell boxes for slightly less; many even come with realistic flashing
lights!
5) Fit Window Locks (£4 / $6)
1/3 of break-ins occur through a window, and unsecured
ground floor windows are the easiest way in.
But by fitting window locks to existing windows, you’ll quickly
(and cheaply!) boost your home security.
Usually purchased in multi-packs, they cost around £4 each.
6) Get a Light Timer (£3.50 / $5.50)
Burglars like to operate unseen, and will be deterred by
people awake and present in the house. Fake TV intruder deterrents can be
purchased for a little over £20, but for a low cost alternative consider
buying a couple of light timers.
They cost around £3.50 each and will switch lights on and
off at set intervals, convincing a burglar that someone must be home.
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| Image via Menage a Moi |
7) Don’t Leave a Spare Key Out (Free!)
Don’t keep a spare under the flowerpot or the doormat- it’s
the first place a burglar will look! Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbor instead, or buy an
inconspicuous garden ornament that contains a hidey hole.
8) Talk to your Neighbors (Free!)
Neighbors play a large part in home security; as well as
keeping safe a spare key, your neighbors are the most likely people to notice any
suspicious goings-on. Make sure to let your neighbors know when you go on holiday,
and you can keep an eye on their house in return!
9) Buy a Dual Smoke & Carbon
Monoxide Alarm (£19 / $30)
It’s not just intruders that pose a risk to your security; appliances or piping in your own home could pose a risk to it too! Despite most houses being fitted with smoke alarms, many
people neglect to install an alarm for carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide gas is invisible and deadly. Buy a dual
alarm for complete piece of mind.
10) Lock your Door (Free!)
2/3 of burglars enter through a door, so your simplest defense is to keep it locked!
But while it may seem like common sense, in 2009 5,000 homes
were broken into by burglars simply walking through unlocked front doors! Not only does this leave your possessions vulnerable to
theft, it is also likely to invalidate your home insurance.
Security
equipment doesn’t need to be high-tech to have a large effect, and your
home can be as safe and secure as the extra pounds in your pocket!
Do you have any budget security tips?
