Slough Borough Council

Securing your home

20 ways to secure your home

Don’t wait until your house is burgled to start thinking about ways to secure your home. Prevention is the key and here are some useful tips on what you can do.

Securing the outside

Walls and fences - if you are choosing fencing for outside your home – consider buying trellis fencing – this is always more difficult to climb. Avoid high fences – they may be hard to climb but once their in they provide cover. So keep them low.

Lighting - buy an outdoor light with a sensor which comes on when someone is outside your home.

In the house

Pop down your local DIY store and buy some plug-in timers for lamps and ceiling lights. Try to time them all to come on at different times so that any opportunists will think someone is at home.

Use a plug-in timer for a radio – make it a talk station rather than music.

Ask your neighbour if they would mind shutting the curtains while you are away.

Insure your belongings – contact our customer services team and find out about the home contents insurance we offer in partnership with Norwich Union. Call 01753 875491 / 875492.

Buy mortice locks for your front and back doors. Make sure they are British Safety standard BS3621.

Fit two big locks to big windows.
The safest double-glazing has bolts that shoot into the frame for extra security. Laminated glass is better than toughened because it stays in place when it is smashed – this will slow any burglar down. It’s safer for kids too because toughened glass shatters into tiny bits.

If you have patio doors, make them safer with a purpose-made lock or security bar.

If you have French windows and both parts open, put mortice bolts for the top and the bottom of each door. Make sure you fit them to the frame and not the door.

If you have spare keys – try to leave them with a neighbour, friend or relative. Always make sure you never leave keys in the door.

Invest in a house alarm – when it sounds, burglars tend to grab what they can and run for it. Whichever one you choose – have it fitted professionally.

Keeping them out!

Bogus officials: water board officials never need to come into your house to test water pressure or repair leaks, even in emergencies. If they ever do need to come into your home they must send you a letter first, making an appointment. Gas and electric meter readers want you to check their identity before you let them in. If in doubt, ring up and check. Keep the phone numbers handy. Shut the door while you are checking – genuine callers don’t mind.

Always look to see who’s at the door before you open it.

If your front door is wooden – fit a spy-hole. Or get into the habit of looking through a window near the door to see who is calling.

If you need to open the door to make further checks, use a door chain or similar device.

Invest in a door light to see who is knocking at your door.

For small items such as jewellery, photograph them against a ruler. A picture will help to trace your belongings if they are taken.

Protecting your home is fine, but you will enjoy greater security and peace of mind if everyone around you is working with you. An enthusiastic home watch scheme will deter burglars. Contact your police station for help in setting one up.