October is National Home Security Month which aims to highlight the importance of home security. October is traditionally associated with a rise in burglaries as the nights begin to draw in.
Did you know that one in four households have no security measures in place? Those homes are opening themselves up to thieves.
The campaign aims to encourage people to take the security of their homes seriously, which includes buying alarms, CCTV systems and locks.
We recommend buying security measures that are Secured by Design-approved to keep you and your family safe at home.
What is Secured by Design?
Secured by Design is a national police crime prevention initiative that has developed a Police Preferred Specification, which means that security products must be re-tested regularly to ensure that they are at a high standard.
The attack test standard
Secured by Design-licensed products pass standards and tests to show that they can prevent or reduce crime. This usually means that they have resistance to a physical attack. Some of the products that are licensed and pass the attack test standard include: bicycle security solutions, windows, doors, locks and asset tracking.
Why choose Secured by Design-approved products?
Homes that use products that meet Secured by Design standards are up to 75% less likely to be burgled and see a reduction of 25% in criminal damage.
And since it only costs an average of £170 extra to use approved products in the home, it hardly makes sense not to use them.
What if I only have a small budget?
If you can’t kit your whole house out in Secured by Design-approved products, focus on your doors, locks and windows first. If you’re good at DIY, you could save more money by fitting the products yourself.
If you have got more money to spare, choosing Secured by Design-approved alarms and CCTV systems is a great idea.
How can I ensure an installer is reputable?
Another important way to keep your home secure is by choosing pros that have a good reputation. Look for installers that are a member of a recognised trade association – never discuss your security needs with telephone callers or door-to-door salespeople.
It’s also vital to get a written quote, not an estimate, so you can refer to this later. Make sure you only pay for the work when the pro has finished the work and you’re happy.
Keep an eye out for more National Home Security Month updates from us on our blog and Twitter. We’ll be giving you tips across October.