6 rules for a safe home

19 October 2021

Every year the Police record several dozen cases of burglary¹. Thieves are tempted not only by valuables left in homes, but also by gaps in security, which make it easier for them to break in. Sometimes it is enough to forget about an open window to invite a burglar into your home. So it's worth remembering the basic safety rules.

The first rays of sunlight encourage us to plan spring trips. However, before we set off, it is worth analysing whether we have secured our house well against theft. Every longer absence is connected with an increased risk of burglary. In order to prevent this, the following rules should be followed:

Keep doors and windows closed

Sometimes the investment in solid, burglar-proof doors and windows will never pay off if you forget to close them. When they're left ajar, all it takes is a burglar to get inside the house. So check every room before you leave, including the less 'obvious' ones such as the laundry room, garage and utility rooms. If you often ventilate your home, it's a good idea to install automatic window closing devices which can be configured with your alarm and home automation system. Then the windows will close by themselves when the system recognises that the occupants have left the property.

Check that all security devices are in good working order

A blind that won't close or a broken lock on a back garden gate can sometimes be a small detail that can lead to a burglary. It is best to make a note in your diary of regular security checks and make the necessary repairs on an ongoing basis and as soon as they are detected. This is the only way to be sure that your security measures are fully operational.

Consider additional security features

The times when we used to keep our life savings in a sock are becoming a thing of the past. However, this does not mean that thieves have lost interest in the possessions kept by many of us in our homes. On the contrary, burglars' techniques and the equipment they use are also evolving with the advancement of technology. Professionals can enter a property within minutes. So you should always take care to purchase security that is commensurate with the value of the items stored in your property. Over time, it is worth investing in a more sophisticated alarm system, such as one that detects intrusion into your property from the moment you cross the fence, solid roller shutters, a video intercom that will show you online who is loitering outside your property, or a home safe that will protect your valuables in the event of a break-in.

Keep valuables in a safe

Even the best-secured fortress can be breached. That's why you should always store valuables such as jewellery, cash, collectibles, valuable electronics or data carriers and documents in a burglar-proof safe with an appropriately selected security class. Then we can be sure that even if a burglar enters the house, he will not take the most valuable items out of it.

Check the range of home safes at HARTMANN TRESORE!

Do not inform strangers of your departure

In the old days, you used to ask neighbours to help look after your property when you were away for a while. Nowadays, a better idea to fake presence is to install a home automation system. Appropriately configured software will switch on lights and appliances to give the impression to outsiders that there are people in the house.

Be discreet

With the popularity of social media, it's a good idea to protect your privacy and limit information that could be indicative of your assets. Although the temptation to share beautiful photos of your trip online is great, let's not write a "live" blog. It turns out that burglars are constantly on the lookout for potential properties to "rob", and they also keep an eye on their owners online. If they find out we are planning a trip, they can plan a heist well in advance. They can also easily deduce what is best to steal from your home.