Our homes are our sanctuary and we want to feel that when we close the door, we can rest assure that we’re going to be safe from intruders. There’s nothing more unnerving than coming back to your home knowing that someone has been rifling through your stuff when you’ve been out. Experiencing a break in can be a very emotional and traumatic time. In this time of economic uncertainty, it’s unfortunate that some individuals are turning to crime in order to survive but the last thing you want is for your home to be under their radar.

In order to make your home secure from intruders, there are a number of things you can do. You can make your home less of a target by making it difficult for burglars to initially enter the home. A pebbled driveway is a great security feature, as the noise when walking across the driveway will alert someone in the home that someone is approaching.

Windows are often used as an entry route for burglars and having ornaments on the windowsill will act as a visual barrier for intruders. If they see a line of ornaments or picture frames, they’re more likely to be averse to breaking into the home, for fear of knocking over something and alerting the owner.

Windows on a ground floor should ideally by double glazed or made of toughened glass to try and avoid a forced entry. Leaded windows are particularly susceptible to breaking when attacked. To protect them you could ideally install window security grilles or bars to add another layer of protection rather than installing double glazed windows. This is also a much cheaper way of securing your windows.

It may seem like an obvious one but make sure your doors and windows are properly secured. According to Home Office Statistics, around 20% of all burglaries don’t even use force but are opportunists which freely open doors and windows. Around one-third of burglars get in through a window, so it’s worth checking they’re secure whenever you go out, even if you’re just popping to the shop.

Around 60% of burglaries occur at night. So in order to deter a burglar good lighting is a good deterrent. Although it may annoy the neighbors, it makes it more difficult for thieves to enter the home as they run the risk of being seen.

Step your home security all round by fitting fire alarms and extra locks. This may help to reduce your home insurance premium and turn the burglar away from trying their luck with your home.

If you plan on going on holiday, give the illusion of still being there. You could get someone to house sit for you, take your mail in and make sure your bins are put out. If you’re going away for a long period of time you could ask someone to take care of your lawn and ask the post office to hold your mail until you get back.

And if you do not agree to any of these points, you can always go for installing security cameras or having a dog as a pet.