Cosying up for the Winter Weather.

The clocks have gone back and summer has officially gone - although it seemed like summer decided to turn it’s back on us a while ago! The evenings are getting darker earlier, and colder quicker, and all I want to do is cosy up on the sofa with Spud and watch a bit of telly.

Me and Spud cuddling up on the sofa watching one of our favourite Disney movies! 

There really is no better feeling than being warm and safe in your own home. But as the nights turn darker crime increases. In fact, during the winter, burglaries increase by 38% as thieves take advantage of the dark nights*.

It doesn’t have to break the bank to secure your home and even the simplest of additions can prove effective. Here are my top tips for staying safe at home this winter.

Keep your doors and windows locked

Yes, it sounds so simple and obvious but we have to admit that we’ve all at some point, sat up in bed trying to remember if we shut the bathroom window or locked the back door. All windows and doors should be fitted with at least one appropriate lock such as a mortice lock or nightlatch that meets British Standard BS3621. There are locks available for all types of windows, including wooden, aluminium and PVCu, as well as locks that are suitable for French and patio doors.

Invest in external measures

Consider installing a CCTV or an Alarm system. Not only are these great security measures in the event of a break-in, but they also act as a visual deterrent, putting off any potential attacks. 60% of burglaries attempted on homes with alarms are unsuccessful, so it makes sense to get one installed. Yale’s Easy Fit Alarm systems are simple to install and can be connected to your smartphone to receive updates if they are triggered.

Protecting personal items

What means the most to you? The emotional impact of a burglary can cause a lot of distress, let alone the financial implications. Perhaps, your laptop holds precious pictures of your family, or you have items of jewellery that have been passed down through generations. Having a home safe securely bolted to the floor or wall is an affordable option to protect smaller items in your home. Additionally, all important, personal documents should be shredded rather than binned to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.

My engagement ring from Gareth is so precious to me!

Sheds and outbuildings

It’s important not to forget sheds and garages during the winter months. You can secure these outbuildings with weatherproof, heavy-duty padlocks to help discourage thieves. Yale recommends using anchor locks and cables in addition to padlocks to help secure individual items of high value.

Yale also has a free Crimewatcher app that lets you see the crime rates in your local area for added peace of mind. For more information on how to download the app, please click here.

*Co-operative Insurance (source).

Until next time,
Jada x