The first step in preventing a robbery is to make it as difficult as possible for a thief to get in. That means knowing what crooks are looking for when they target homes as well as keeping your home security measures up to date.

Here are 10 tips locksmiths in Watford recommend residents use to keep their homes and valuables safer:

1. Lock Up

The most basic strategy is to lock all of your doors and windows, including upper floors. Remember not to leave the keys in them. Doing so might make it harder for you to misplace them but easier for a thief who can break the glass and reach in to undo the lock.

2. Secure Your Property

Improve your home security by securing the boundaries of your property, including fences and gates. Take periodic walks looking for any nearby tree branches or other things that could be used to climb over the top. In dark areas around the exterior consider adding more lighting.

3. Don’t Supply the Tools

Lock up tools so they can’t be used to break windows or take things apart and ladders to prevent a thief from climbing to a higher floor to gain access. Store your bins behind a gate if possible so no one can climb on them.

4. Avoid Broadcasting Your Plans

Announcing what you’re up to on social media helps a thief to track your movements and know the best time to break in. According to most locksmiths in Watford, talking about your plans online don’t give specific times or locations and be aware of privacy settings so you know who can see your posts.

5. Understand Your Insurance

Understand your insurance compliance requirements. Are high-value items covered? Know what is necessary to receive compensation if you are broken into, and keep receipts and manuals even if you just throw them all in a box.

6. Neighbourhood Watch

When you go away let a trusted neighbour know and ask them to watch your property while you’re gone. Make sure they have your contact information so they can reach you if anything happens.

7. Lock Change

Consider getting experienced locksmiths in Watford to install new locks to update your home security. Older homes especially may have outdated locks that are easier to bypass, and technology is always improving. As simple lock change can be a great way to keep criminals at bay.

8. Keep Your Keys Safe. Keep car keys out of sight.

In some instances, burglars take the car keys during the initial break in and returning later to steal the car, especially high-performance ones.

9. Deal With Deliveries Quickly

Avoid leaving boxes outside of your home. Items that have been delivered are easy to steal right off the stoop with your new item still inside. Empty boxes sitting by the bins advertise the new items that are inside the house, and even an unmarked box is evidence of newly bought goods that might be valuable.

10. Maintain Privacy

Close your curtains, especially at night. When it’s dark outside and the house is lit up it’s easy to see valuable items inside. A house full of valuable items can look like a shop front to a criminal. Protect Yourself Take advantage of the services offered by Locksmiths in Watford and be aware of your surroundings to help keep your property and your family safe from break-ins.

Often the difference between a secure home and one that thieves see as an easy target is the behaviour and vigilance of the people who live there. You can avoid helping a criminal get into your house by checking for any weak areas inside and outside your home.

Outside The House

Not Enough Light

Burglars like to work in the dark, so having areas around your property that are not well lit offers them places to hide. Timers can make sure the lights come on even when you aren’t there, or if you don’t want to have lights on all night consider installing lights with motion sensors.

Hiding the Spare Keys

Under the mat, on top of the frame, even in special stones that are designed to blend in; no matter how secure you think your hiding place is, looking for a key by the front door is the first step a burglar takes. Experienced locksmiths will tell you not to leave a key lying around for them to find but to instead ask a neighbour you trust to keep one in case of an emergency.

An Unlocked Tool Shed

Many people leave their shed unlocked for easy access, but it’s not just you that may be going inside. Power tools can be easily sold or a more ambitious crook may use them to access other parts of the property, especially with things like ladders.

Leaving the Garage Open

A garage that’s left open for any length of time puts its’ contents on display, and it is becoming common for organised gangs to come through and steal expensive bikes that can be quickly sold for cash. Improve your home security and avoid this situation by simply locking the garage door when it’s not in use.

Inside the House

Forgetting About Secondary Entrances

Just because you don’t use it very often doesn’t mean that a thief won’t. If you have a door you don’t use very often you can add a sliding bolt or a bar to the inside. This makes it almost impossible to force the door open from the outside but allows it to still be usable as an emergency exit if required.

Keys left in a door

Leaving your keys in the door may keep them from being misplaced but it also makes it easier for a thief to use them to gain entry according to UK locksmiths. If there is glass nearby they can break it and reach in or it’s possible to use magnets to turn a door lock when the keys are left in it.

Open windows

Windows are already one of the weakest points in your home security plan, and an open window is an invitation to criminals. Windows are also left unlocked more often than doors, making them an easy access point that criminals know to check.

Bags in the hallway

A handbag with a wallet and car keys sitting in the hallway can be easily spotted by peeking through windows or letterboxes. It makes a tempting target just inside the house that can be quickly taken.

Protect Yourself

Knowing where your weak points are is the first step toward protecting your family and your property. For a thorough assessment ask one of the reputable locksmiths in your area to do a home security survey on your property and improve the odds of keeping crooks out.