Home security and technology are increasingly linked. Using tech to secure your home is more common. Here, we present a number of tips to keep your home safe, including some specific tips relating to the winter period now that the snow is upon us:

• Lock away your snow shovel. Although useful for clearing pathways during difficult periods, snow shovels are perfect tools for burglars to gain entry. Secure tools to prevent such occurrences.
• Lock doors and windows. Regardless of how long you will be away from your property, it is important to keep your doors and windows locked. Most homes are fitted with UPVC windows which must be double locked. Ultimately, when you’re away from your home for long periods of time, remember to lock your deadbolt.
• Have a burglar alarm fitted. Burglars will not even attempt to break into a property which has a visual burglar alarm outside. Although an alarm can be an expensive investment, it can be invaluable for protecting your home and deterring burglars.
• Hide keys. Some burglars attempt to fish keys through a letterbox which have been left on a hall side table for example. Don’t give burglars the opportunity and make sure keys are hidden from view.
• Keep your home well lit. During the winter months, daylight hours are inevitably reduced, presenting opportunities for burglars. Remember to keep your home well lit using motion activated outdoor security lights and indoor timers. If you want to go the extra mile, you could even invest in a home automation system where your lights can be controlled from your mobile device.

• Limit social media activity. Although social media is a useful way to share life events, it can also be an ideal platform for burglars to find opportunities to break into properties. Ensure not to upload photos of your property until you are home. This is just the start of the considerations for home security and technology.
• Make your home look lived in (even if you’re away.) If you are away from home for certain periods of time, it can be useful to ask a neighbour to complete certain tasks such as clearing your driveway of snow or collecting overflowing mail. Such activity deceives burglars into thinking someone is home. Therefore, reducing the threat of burglary to your property.
• Maintain border fences. Badly maintained or rotting fences provide perfect access to your property by burglars. To prevent this happening, keep your fences well maintained by repairing or replacing them when necessary. Subsequently, it is also important to keep side gates locked.
• Lock away valuable objects. Valuable objects such as bikes are a quick gain for thieves as they are easy to steal and provide the added advantage of providing a quick getaway. Ensure such items are locked up with a high-quality lock.
• Make items traceable. For high value items, it is worth marking them using a special type of pen. This allows the items to be traced back to the owner if theft does occur.
• Join or form a neighbourhood watch scheme. Have the peace of mind knowing that your neighbours are viewing your property from time to time. This could allow a faster response if an incident was to occur.
• Be mindful of where to store high value items. Ensure that high value items are out of view. Additionally, it may be worth locking away very valuable items in a safe or vault.

Although we have outlined the traditional methods of securing your property above, there are a number of modern techniques now available. Home security and technology work well together, so here are some great ideas –

• Smart door locks. Smart door locks allow you to secure your home without a key. They pose a range of benefits over traditional key entry locks, including the ability to control the lock via an app, eliminating keys and being battery powered, meaning no wiring needed.
• Smart home alarms. A smart home alarm is similar in some ways to a traditional alarm, except it allows you to control it via an app. They pose a range of benefits over traditional systems. These include being easy to fit and easy to control via an app (amongst other things)
• CCTV kits. For an advanced solution to keeping your home safe, you may consider investing in a CCTV kit. CCTV is useful in monitoring activity in and around your home, and modern kits allow you to remotely view footage.
• Digital door viewers. Unlike older styles of door viewers, digital viewers have the added advantage of providing a very clear image. This allows the viewer to get a clearer picture of who is at their door.