It is a sad fact of life in the 21^st century that people are willing to burgle your home, steal your most prized possessions and sell them and make money. Often your valuables will fund a drug or alcohol addiction for those who need a quick fix of cash.

As far as home security goes, it is more important than ever to take every precaution against being burgled. The simple fact is that if you do not have security measures in place, you are asking for trouble. So here are some of the most valuable home security tips to beat the burglars!

Secure your back door

The first thing to recognise is that burglars do not want to be spotted. This means that they will always try to enter your home from the back garden, rather than through your front door. Many people have a very secure front door but forget about the garden door, making it a vulnerable point of entry.

You certainly need a five-mortise lock on the front door, but the back door is just as vulnerable, if not more so. Think like a burglar: if you are going to break into a house, what is the easiest way?

Double-glaze your windows

If you don’t already have double glazing, it is well worthwhile. Not only from the security point of view but also for heat conservation. Your utility bills will be reduced!

Safeguard your garden

Anything that you can do to make it more difficult for burglars to enter your back garden will help.

Putting a trellis, or even barbed wire, on top of your fence can make it harder for them. There are even certain plants that you can buy, such as berberis, which have extremely sharp thorns and are not burglar-friendly.

Security lighting

A passive infrared lighting system will switch on security lighting whenever someone comes near your home. No burglar wants to be spotted in a blaze of light while trying to break your windows.

You might want to think about leaving a few lights on, even when you are not in the house. You could also leave a television on. Improve your personal security by convincing a potential intruder that you are home, even if you’re not.

Burglar alarm systems

First, the burglar can see the alarm box and this will instantly put them off. However, if he is not deterred, it is going to wake up the whole neighbourhood when it goes off.

Seeing as burglars are more likely to come in through the back, it’s a smart idea to put the alarm system at the back of your house.

Defend your home AND your family…

The absence of a burglar alarm system devastates hundreds of lives every year.

You wouldn’t leave your car parked on a busy road with the doors unlocked, the windows rolled down and the keys in the ignition – So why would you leave your home just as vulnerable?