Chances are, you are already employing a variety of efforts to safeguard your home, its contents and your family. Nevertheless, research suggests that a surprising proportion of homeowners routinely overlook the home’s biggest vulnerability of all:
Its windows and doors.
Think about it – when was the last time you carefully considered, examined and evaluated the security of your windows and doors? How often do you actually test the security features of your doors and windows at home?
Approximately 422,000 burglaries are carried out in the UK each year, though doesn’t take into account the many thousands of attempted burglaries that either fail or go unreported.
Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of intruders gain access to properties through unsecure windows and doors. Even more remarkably, almost a quarter of all burglaries take place through first-floor windows, highlighting a huge lapse in security among homeowners in general.
How to safeguard your windows and doors
On a more positive note, taking a few simple steps to safeguard your home can exponentially reduce your likelihood of being targeted. It’s worth remembering that the vast majority of burglars are opportunists, meaning they take advantage of poorly-secured homes on the spur of the moment, rather than planning most burglaries ahead of time.
Hence, if you take heed of the following tips and guidelines from the experts, you’re far less likely to be targeted by an opportunist burglar:
1. Close your curtains or blinds
First and foremost, it’s never a good idea to advertise a vacant property to a burglar. Particularly at night or when you’re leaving your home for a period of time, it’s advisable to close your blinds or curtains so it’s not 100% obvious nobody’s home. The easier it is for would-be burglars to see inside, the more likely they are to take advantage of your absence.
2. Install quality window locks
If your windows don’t already feature high-security locks, there are plenty of add-ons that we can fit with relative ease. It’s worth remembering that along with physically securing your home, the presence of window locks in their own right often deters burglars from trying to gain access in the first place.
3. Upgrade your windows and doors
If it’s been some time since you upgraded your windows and doors in general, you may want to think about stepping up to something more secure. The latest advances in tempered or security glass are making it increasingly difficult for burglars to gain access to homes and businesses. Cutting-edge locking technology and additional security features are also making a real difference. Always remember that an investment in quality windows and doors is an investment in peace of mind for you and your family.
4. Replace your door locks
It’s worth remembering that exterior doors which are exposed to the elements throughout the year are far from invulnerable. Sooner or later, their mechanical components (including their locking system) may succumb to the rain, wind, snow, ice and extreme temperatures they’re subjected to across all four seasons. Upgrading to a more secure door lock doesn’t constitute a huge expense, but can nonetheless make a real difference.
5. Consider window shutters
Any additional physical barrier you can position between burglars and your home’s interior is a worthwhile deterrent. Quality window shutters being a great example to illustrate the point, which can often be bolstered with advanced locking systems and security features of their own. The more difficult (or at least inconvenient) you can make it for burglars to enter your home, the better.
6. Inspect, repair and secure
Last but not least, if there is any noticeable damage of any kind to your windows or doors (including their frames, locks, glazing and so on), you could be looking at a serious home security flaw. This is why it is essential to inspect your windows and doors on a regular basis, ensuring any damage or issues you come across are addressed immediately. If you’re unable to carry out the necessary repairs or replacements yourself, organise a glazing repair callout to fix the fault as soon as possible.
If you’d like to learn more about the latest advances in window and door security, contact A&C Glazing today.
