As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we cherish the safety and security of our homes. It's our sanctuary, where we keep our cherished memories and possessions. But when the unsettling news of burglaries in the neighborhood reaches our ears, it's natural to feel a sense of unease. The thought of intruders disrupting our peace can be distressing, especially for those of us who may live alone or feel vulnerable.

The recent spate of burglaries and car thefts in one local area has raised alarm bells for many residents. With criminals taking advantage of empty homes during holidays or evenings out, and even daring to break in while families sleep, it's clear that no one is immune to the risk. This concern is amplified for those with valuable possessions, including cars, which are often targeted by thieves.

A recent rise in burglaries and car thefts has led a homeowner to seek advice on better securing their property and vehicles. Credit: Pixabay / S_Salow

So, how can you transform your home into a fortress, a place that burglars would think twice before attempting to breach? Let's explore some effective strategies and tools that can help you secure your home and give you peace of mind.

Light Up the Night

One of the simplest yet most effective deterrents is motion sensor lighting. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, a well-lit exterior can be a formidable barrier against unwanted visitors. Thieves prefer to operate under the cover of darkness, so illuminating their potential path can send them scurrying away.

Visible Security Systems

A visible home security system can be a strong deterrent. From alarm systems to security cameras, making it clear that your home is protected can discourage would-be burglars. Alarm systems can range from £500 to £1,000-plus, with options for monitored services that alert a company when the alarm is triggered. Unmonitored systems rely on you to contact the police, but they can still be effective in scaring off intruders.

For those on a tighter budget, individual security cameras or smart doorbells can be a more affordable option, costing between £30 to £200 per camera. These devices not only record activity but can also send alerts to your smartphone, allowing you to monitor your home remotely.

Physical Barriers

Consider reinforcing the physical barriers of your home. This can include installing retractable driveway bollards to prevent car theft, or strengthening doors and windows with reinforced materials or additional locks. While costs can vary, investing in these measures can significantly increase the difficulty for burglars trying to gain entry.

Strategic Landscaping

Your home's exterior can play a crucial role in deterring burglars. Keep the front of your property visible by maintaining lower hedges or fences, which prevent intruders from hiding. At the same time, ensure that the sides and back of your property are secured with taller fencing to deter easy access.

Smart Habits

Sometimes, the best defense is common sense. If you have keyless car entry, store your keys far from the vehicle to prevent signal hijacking. Don't flaunt expensive items that can attract attention, and consider using a safe or safety deposit box for high-value possessions.

Professional Monitoring

For those who want an extra layer of security, professional monitoring services can provide 24/7 surveillance of your property. While this comes with a monthly fee, it ensures that help is on the way even when you're not around.

Community Vigilance

Lastly, don't underestimate the power of a vigilant community. Neighbors looking out for each other and reporting suspicious activity can be one of the most effective deterrents to crime. Consider forming or joining a neighborhood watch program to keep an eye on each other's properties.

While no home can be made entirely burglar-proof, these steps can significantly reduce the risk and give you the confidence that your home is as secure as possible. Remember, the goal is not just to protect your possessions but to safeguard the sense of security that makes your house a home.

Key Takeaways

• A spate of burglaries and car thefts in a local area has prompted a homeowner to seek advice on securing their property and vehicles effectively.
• Expert recommendations include installing motion sensor lights, a visible home security system with cameras and alarms, using gravel driveways for noise, and ensuring clear visibility at the front of the property while maintaining taller fencing at the rear.
• Security professionals advise against being overly flashy with valuables and suggest utilising physical security measures like reinforced doors, and for keyless cars, keeping keys far away from the vehicle inside the home.
• Additional options to enhance security include driveway alarms, retractable bollards to prevent vehicle theft, and storing high-value items in a graded safe or a commercial safety deposit box, with the consideration of professional monitoring services for comprehensive protection.

We'd love to hear from you, our valued members. Have you implemented any of these security measures? Do you have any tips or experiences to share with the community? Your insights could help a fellow member sleep more soundly at night. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's keep our homes and neighborhoods safe together.

 

[Catherines]

We have no hedges, big trees or plants obscuring our front door or sides of the house. In addition we have a monitored alarm system which will scream so loud if our home is broken into that it will alert neighbours a number of streets away (& the monitoring company as well). Even if a window is broken to gain entry there is a sensor in all rooms except our bedroom & 2 others, not occupied now we have an empty nest, which will screech outside to wake the neighbourhood. Alarm system installed many years ago when my husband was at sea & I was alone in the house for months at a time. Alarm turned on every time we leave the house even now.

 

[Luckyus]

When did we go back to Ponds, shillings and pence? are we also reverting back to the avoirdupois system

 

[Veggiepatch]

When did we go back to Pounds, shillings and pence? are we also reverting back to the avoirdupois system

It was the first thing I noticed as well!

 

[Luckyus]

I have a very significant lockup, system which by choice i have no control over till opened.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Nothing is impenetrable!

I had an sort of friend who had a small but lucrative business designing, building and installing high end car alarms. He advertised his products as being "Foolproof and Invincible".

He lived in an affluent southern Sydney suburb (Brighton-Le-Sands to be exact, overlooking Botany Bay) in the late 1990s and early 2000s, in a standalone house with a 7 foot brick fence, remote controlled gate and every security device imaginable! Thing is he didn't have a garage - just a carport with his Mercedes-Benz SL500 R parked below his bedroom window.

One morning, he came out to find his lovely machine on brick chocks, several thousand dollars of sports wheels gone and his megabuck stereo system missing. The thieves even stole the car's security system! So much for being "Foolproof and Invincible"!

A few days later, the car was broken into again but my "friend" had beaten the thieves to what they were after - a lost wallet with the ID of one of the thieves who lived in Gosford on the NSW Central Coast. I am not aware of the outcome of any investigation but his brother was a NSW Police Senior Constable.

Short of being armed with an AK-47 and staying awake all night, you won't escape the criminals of this world!

 

[Luckyus]

Nothing is impenetrable!

I had an sort of friend who had a small but lucrative business designing, building and installing high end car alarms. He advertised his products as being "Foolproof and Invincible".

He lived in an affluent southern Sydney suburb (Brighton-Le-Sands to be exact, overlooking Botany Bay) in the late 1990s and early 2000s, in a standalone house with a 7 foot brick fence, remote controlled gate and every security device imaginable! Thing is he didn't have a garage - just a carport with his Mercedes-Benz SL500 R parked below his bedroom window.

One morning, he came out to find his lovely machine on brick chocks, several thousand dollars of sports wheels gone and his megabuck stereo system missing. The thieves even stole the car's security system! So much for being "Foolproof and Invincible"!

A few days later, the car was broken into again but my "friend" had beaten the thieves to what they were after - a lost wallet with the ID of one of the thieves who lived in Gosford on the NSW Central Coast. I am not aware of the outcome of any investigation but his brother was a NSW Police Senior Constable.

Short of being armed with an AK-47 and staying awake all night, you won't escape the criminals of this world!

When these You aubeaut systems came out an horrendous price A seatmate had one fitted in his house supposedly everything with it. when he got back on leave the whole kit and kaboodle had gone.