Don’t Forget Your Home Security during Lockdown

Have you found that you’re running out of things to do during a lockdown? This can be the right time for you to improve your home security. The ONS reported that during the lockdown there has been a decrease in crime, especially in theft, domestic burglary, and theft of personal property. These are great news but don’t let this make you too relaxed. Burglaries are down but are still happening.

If you’re tired of watching TV and surfing the internet all day, below are some tips from our locksmiths in Belfast to keep you busy and improve your home security.

Make sure your security is up to standard

If you have the time, go around your house and check the locks on your doors and windows to make sure they are safe and functional. Check that your security lights are working as well, as these are one of the most effective ways to stop opportunistic burglars. Criminals may be staying at home as much as the rest of us, but you can bet they’re already planning how they’ll make up for lost time.

Lock up

Since most of us spend our days at home, burglars are much less likely to attempt a break-in, but if you lack basic security, you can become a target for robbers. Because of the change in routine, it’s easy to forget to check your doors and windows at night, which most of us do before going to bed. It’s all too easy to forget your security fundamentals when you’ve been home all day doing typical lockdown things like baking bread or trying out a new hobby. Know that if you’re going to use lockdown time to work in the greenhouse, make sure the front of your house is as safe as possible. You don’t want to come back inside to discover that you had an unexpected visitor when you were out.

Upgrade

Since you’ll be indoors all day, you’ll have plenty of time to start improving your home security. You’ve probably noticed the rise in popularity of smart security systems, but you might have dismissed them as being too costly and maybe impractical for your home. That may have been the case five years ago, but smart systems are now more affordable than they have ever been. They will not only keep your home safe from criminals willing to risk breaking the lockdown, but they will also help to warn you if there are any other emergencies, such as a fire or water damage. Also, being able to do anything from your phone means that even though you have to dash to the store to get some supplies, you can rest assured that your home is safe while you are away. Our mobile locksmiths in Belfast are certified to install smart security devices.

Remember to include the garden

If your garage is separate from your house or you have a shed at the bottom of your garden, make sure they’re both safe. Even if you don’t have anything valuable in either, they can persuade burglars that your home’s security is insufficient to justify a closer look. If you have valuables in those places, take special care to protect them. Checking the doors and windows is a good start, but if you have a surveillance camera system, at least one of the cameras should be pointed toward your garden shed or garage.

Security in the digital age

It’s not just about your physical safety that you should be concerned about. You’re now spending more time online than you used to, which means you could be tempted to post more personal information than you did before the lockdown. Although it’s unlikely that you’ll be going on vacation anytime soon, criminals can take advantage of a social media post, especially if it reveals you’ve gone for a run. When you’re out, don’t take any photos. An opportunistic burglar doesn’t need much time to find out where you are and realize that the house is empty. Take care when taking photographs of your home as well. If a burglar tries to target your house, they’ll check at everything in the background of a photo to see what valuables are there.

Save a locksmith’s number

Emergency locksmiths in Belfast are experts in all things locksmiths, like home security. They can help you improve your security during the lockdown. We also have 24-hour locksmiths in Belfast that are ready any time. Call us on 028 9532 0860 and check out other parts of Lock Doc NI’s website.