Top tips to secure your home

With the fine weather and thoughts turning to vacations, many homeowners like to spend more time socialising or relaxing in their garden, or away from home altogether on a seasonal break or weekend away.

United-Kingdom-based real estate firm Harrison Murray are urging people not to let the feel-good factor end in upset by being complacent when it comes to security.

Su Snaith, Head of Estate Agency for Harrison Murray, said: Many of us seem to let our guard down slightly at this time of year, with the warmer weather and sunny weekends meaning we spend more time outdoors. It just takes an opportunist thief to spot an open window and ruin your summer.

Some simple checks will help to keep your property and garden safe and secure, giving you peace of mind to enjoy yourself with family and friends.

Here are Harrison Murrays simple tips for a stress-free experience.

Your property

Check your doors, windows and patio doors are closed and locked before you go to bed.

If you are in the garden, make sure the windows at the front of the house are closed it's easy for someone to enter your house unobserved via an insecure window or door.

If you are planning to go away, ensure all moveable valuables like handbags, laptops and mobile phones are hidden from view upstairs.

Use automatic timer-switches to turn on a light and perhaps a radio when it gets dark.

Don't leave your curtains drawn for the duration of your holiday its fine in the evening but during the day it is a give-away that the house is empty.

A pile of post hanging out of your letterbox is a clear sign that you are away. Ask a trusted neighbour to pick up your post, or use any keepsafe service thats available where, in some cases, they will keep your mail for up to two months.

Never leave keys anywhere near the front door, in line of sight from your letterbox; burglars know where to look.

If you have a house alarm make sure it is serviced, and you have mutual arrangement with a neighbour to hold keys and check the property. False calls are annoying and the genuine one may just get ignored.

If you are in the process of selling your home, ensure you leave a key with your agent.

Your garden

Make sure the garden looks cared-for, and that passers-by can see the front of your home so that a burglar can't work without being spotted. Some people think large overgrown hedges help hide their property, but they can be a blessing to those wanting to break in.

Remove and secure items that may be used to break in or climb up such as ladders and garden tools, and don't leave any equipment, like lawnmowers, unattended in your front garden.

Secure gates and sheds, and fit security lighting on a movement detector.

Fix garden statues securely in place.

If you are putting in a new shed, try and place it in view of your house.

Your garage

Never leave your garage door open for others to view the contents even for just a short time. They may make a mental note of what is in there and return later.

Fit an alarm or heavy-duty lock to the garage.

Make a note of model and series numbers of any bikes or tools stored in garages or sheds.

This advice was provided by Harrison Murray - a residential estate agent with 21 offices in central and southern England, and was edited by Andrew Batt, International Group Editor for PropertyGuru.

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