Ten budget-friendly ways to make your home more secure

According to The Guardian, Ilford in East London has the highest burglary rate in the United Kingdom, with the lowest being in Northern Ireland. Although the number of break-ins is falling nationally, thieves continue to find new ways to commit burglaries and get into your home.
Ukcrimestats.com states that the number of burglaries in England and Wales was 34,751 in May 2017 alone. By making a few simple and cost-effective changes to your home, you can reduce the risk of burglary and help keep that national trend on its downward trajectory.
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- Adding a heavy deadbolt offers a high-value, low-cost security feature to your home. There are numerous varieties available on the market, just make sure you choose one which has a Grade 1 security rating.
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- Unauthorised entrance into your home will become tougher with the installation of a strike box on the front door. Strike boxes come with over-sized plates, a metal pocket, and a solid connection into the wall acting as a further deterrent to burglars.
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- A convenient and easy trick to help you see who is at the door is the installation of a wide-angle peephole, allowing you a wider angle from which to screen visitors.
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- If your house was previously occupied by someone else, it is advisable to change the entry locks and keys, offering you greater peace of mind and security.
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- The addition of a reinforcement plate is an extra layer of reliable security. Make sure you select the correct size for your door or it will be of limited benefit.
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- A crack in an unsecured window air conditioning unit or vent can provide an easy entry point to an intruder so make sure they are well sealed.
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- If your garden has lots of mature bushes and trees, they could act as a hiding spot for potential intruders. Keep your garden as simple and tidy as possible to ensure an unobstructed view, or install security lighting to minimise shadows and hiding places.
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- You can easily buy security decals which will give the impression that your home is protected by special security features. If you have items of high value in your home, then a good security system may be a small outlay to protect your valuables and home.
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- You can install timers on lights and TVs to create the impression that someone is home even while you are out. An outdoor light may also be useful to deter thieves and can even give the neighbours an easy view of your home so they can keep an eye on it from the comfort of their own home.
- Last but not least, one of the easiest ways for thieves to enter a home is through the windows. Make sure that they are well protected, secure, and have strong locks so that they cannot be breached easily.
Want to protect your home further?
At DNA Security we provide a range of security systems and offer advice to ensure the right protection for your home as well as give you peace of mind. If you would like to increase the security of your home, talk to one of our experts by calling 01424 718 844.