Is It Time To Check Your Home Security?

Is It Time To Check Your Home Security?

Often the police issue warnings about burglaries as we move into the festive season and the nights start to draw in, but despite the lighter evenings the summer still presents opportunities for those who may want to break into our properties and we all need to be vigilant.

In fact, this could be the ideal time to take stock of your home security and see if there’s any work that needs to be done before the festive holiday’s.

Good Housekeeping recently shared advice issued by Get Safe Online, which warned in particular about the risks of oversharing on social media.

The news provider explained that it’s not advisable to post about upcoming holidays, or while you’re away, as this advertises the fact that your property is empty.

Online safety expert at the organisation Sarah Martinez told the magazine that you need to think carefully about the implications of any information you share on social media.

“A cyber criminal can easily find out your address from other online accounts and pay your empty home a visit,” she asserted.

In addition to not sharing about your holiday before you go or while you’re away, you should take care not to use the check-in function that many social media platforms provide as this too can show that you’re not at home.

While technology can be used to advertise your absence from your home, it can also be used to help protect it.

The publication also highlighted some of the top home security technology available. One thing you may want to invest in is a video doorbell. There are some devices that can send you an alert whenever movement is detected outside your home.

You can also watch the footage that’s been recorded from wherever you are in the world, so if there are indications that someone is checking out your property you can alert the authorities at home.

Another option is a wi-fi enabled video camera. Choose one that stores the footage it captures for seven days to get the best protection when you’re away from home.

You’re probably familiar with the concept of a timer that will turn your house lights on and off at a certain time while you’re away, but smart lights take this a step further. There are now devices you can invest in that will turn lights on and off at random times throughout the day, which makes it look more like someone is still in your property.

Of course, all the technology in the world is useless if you don’t take care to physically secure your home. The locks you have not only on your doors, but also your windows, should be robust.

South African Police recently advised people to keep all their doors and windows locked, even when they’re at home, and to ensure that you always take keys out of locks to help prevent burglaries at this time of the year.

Avoid leaving windows open when you go out, even if it’s just for a short time. It’s advisable to check the condition of your windows and their locks regularly. If you think it’s time to upgrade your aluminium windows and doors give us a call.