standard-title October is National Home Security Month

October is National Home Security Month

Isle of Wight residents are being urged to keep a close check on their homes and would-be thieves as part of National Home Security Month (NHSM), a five-week campaign helping to protect the nation’s homes, families and property. Lifeline have teamed up with National Home Security Month as official support partners.

With the pressures of day-to-day life, home security is often overlooked. National Home Security Month (NHSM) is here to raise awareness around the importance of home security so you can be safe in the knowledge that your home, family and belongings are protected. First launched in 2013, the campaign takes place every year in October and offers advice, information and support on how to secure your property as darker nights start to draw in. The theme for this year’s campaign, which runs throughout October, is ‘You call it home, we keep it secure’, encouraging homeowners to use trusted security products that meet the latest standards. Here are a few highlights and tips from NHSM October 2020 to help you be more secure at home.

Research shows that CCTV is the biggest deterrent for intruders. However, despite this, only 14 per cent of UK adults say that they have cameras installed at home. Also, according to a Which? survey of 100 ex-convicts, a huge 71% are put off by having a visual siren, such as the renowned polished silver Lifeline chrome bell box, on display. In response, throughout week three, NHSM will give the low down on how you can use alarms and CCTV to help keep an eye on your home – no matter where you are. For the latest campaign updates and top tips, search for National Home Security Month on Facebook and Twitter (#NHSM20).

 

 

Keep It Locked

National Home Security Month began with a focus on door security! According to Aviva, 5% of burglaries take place due to an unlocked door. British Standard locking solutions can help to keep your home and possessions secure. A secure front door is vital for home security, especially when you consider that ‘MoneySupermarket’ claim that 74% of burglars walk in through a door. Being more secure can be as easy as double-checking all doors are locked when you leave the house, adding chime to the intruder alarm system or simply fitting a chain.

Keep It Safe

Bring the outside in – at least in terms of security, with week two of #NHSM20 and its focus on your indoor security, including the best hiding places to keep your valuables safe. Smaller belongings, such as laptops, cash, mobile phones and jewellery, are the most commonly stolen items in domestic burglaries states Co-op Insurance. Fixing a safe to a wall or floor is a simple way of adding an extra layer of security should someone break in. In many UK homes these portable valuables are not covered by contents insurance; in fact, six million households across the country don’t have any form of home insurance cover at all (Finder.com). One of the most worrying targets for burglars is important paperwork and documents, such as passports, birth certificates and credit card statements. A clever thief can use these to raid your bank account or even steal your identity. 28% of UK adults take no security precautions at home leaving their possessions and loved ones vulnerable (Co-op Insurance).

Keep It Monitored

Did you know that the biggest deterrent for burglars is an alarm system? Week three of #NHSM20, offers the low-down on how you can use alarms and CCTV to help keep an eye on your home, no matter where you are. In a Which? Survey of 100 ex-convicts, 71% said they were put off by a home having a visual siren, such as the renown polished silver Lifeline chrome bell box, on display. People don’t like to think they can be caught on camera when they are up to no good. This extends to video doorbells, or a camera by your front door; some burglars will try knocking on it to determine if someone is home. Research shows that CCTV is the biggest deterrent for intruders but, despite this, only 14% of UK adults say that they have cameras installed at home according to Co-operative Insurance.