Top 4 winter home security tips

But, although we’re often cooped up indoors, it’s statistically the worst time of year for an increase in burglaries, as the shorter days and longer nights give the perfect camouflage for opportunists.

And paired with the harsher winter weather often weakening the security measures we have in place, this also leaves our homes open to opportunistic attacks. So, how can you protect your home this winter, and what steps should you be putting in place to ensure you’re not at risk? Well, the home security experts at Yale are here to help, with their top four winter home security tips for a safe and secure snowy season.

Tip 1 - Fix up your door and window hardware

As we mentioned, winter weather can wreak havoc with our homes. From broken fence panels to rusted window locks to general wear and tear, harsh weather can certainly diminish the defence levels of our homes.

So, with winter on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to do a survey of your home to see if the harsh weather of the past year has worn down these defences. One of the first port of calls should be your door and window locks.

Door and window locks are a great first line of defence to protect your home, and low security, cheaper designs can quickly wear down and become less effective in stopping a range of burglary attack methods.

When it comes to front door locks, we’d recommend a high-security cylinder that can protect against a range of attack methods, including anti-pick, anti-bump, anti-drill and anti-snap to name a few. Although slightly higher in price, they offer unrivalled protection in the security stakes, ensuring no opportunist can use brute force or a range of tools to get easy access to your home.

Windows are also a prime entry point for burglars looking for easy access to your property. Keeping your windows locked at all times is an essential step in stopping a thief from easily entering your home undetected, but you may also need to update your window locks if they’re not looking as good as new.

High-quality window locks can help stop a burglar from forcing your windows open, as weaker window locks can easily buckle under the pressure. By investing in new window locks this winter, you could save yourself a lot of time, hassle, stress and money in the long run.

Tip 2 - Put your front door at the front of mind

Your front door will most likely be the first area of your home a burglar will try to gain access to. And, with the winter weather allowing them to move around under cover of darkness, if your home security measures aren’t up to scratch, you could easily leave your property open to an opportunistic attack.

Firstly, we’d recommend investing in some security lighting to light up your entrance area. A well-lit door won’t be appealing to criminals trying to break in, so they’d often opt for an easier target if your property is lit up at night.

After following tip one and updating your door lock to a high security alternative, you could also consider investing in a front door camera, to monitor any comings or goings to your home.

Not only will most burglars steer clear of a property with these modern, smart solutions around, what’s more, you can also check in on your home for peace of mind from anywhere at any time with your smartphone.

And whilst smart security products can help, even so much as a tidy up of your front doorstep can help to keep the burglars at bay. An entrance area that looks unkept or unloved may appear to an opportunist that your home is left empty, which means easy pickings if no one is around. With winter weather gathering leaves and other debris on your doorstep, it might be time to get that brush out and give your step a sweep.

Tip 3 - Secure the outdoors

Your outdoor spaces should be the first line of defence for your home. Burglars will typically use the shield of trees, bushes, and overgrown shrubbery to sneak up to your home undetected. This is why it’s essential to ensure your greenery is maintained sufficiently to ruin a burglar’s entry plan.

Firstly, to stop criminals before they reach your garden in the first place, you can ensure your fencing is sufficiently protecting your home. Harsh weather over the winter months can cause havoc with your fence panels, which can give burglars an easy route into your garden, and therefore your home.

It’s important to check if any panels need repairing or replacing, as this will ensure your garden offers the best protection for your home. And pair this with a high level of gate security, and you’ll easily keep the burglars at bay. A maximum-security padlock is a great investment, preventing a burglar’s access to the garden by withstanding harsh weather conditions, corrosion, and a range of burglary attack methods.

Sheds are also high on a burglar’s hit-list, as they house a range of expensive outdoor gear including garden furniture, machinery and equipment that can offer tools to a burglar trying to enter your home.

You can easily upgrade your shed security by investing in a heavy-duty padlock, making it very difficult for an opportunist to gain access to your shed. Obscure the glass in any windows so the contents can't be seen from outside and keep tools and other valuables in a lockable box that's bolted to the floor.

Particularly in the winter, upgrading your garden can often be overlooked for other internal security measures, but it’s essential to make sure that the first line of defence to your home is kept safe and secure.

Tip 4 - Invest in a ‘smart home’

There is now a range of smart security products available that can allow you to upgrade your home security this winter.

If you’re looking to invest in your home security this winter, a smart alarm is a great option to keep burglars from targeting your home. A smart alarm is a great investment, as it allows you to check in on your home from anywhere at any time. 

With instant mobile notifications and handy monitoring via a smartphone, homeowners with a smart alarm can have the peace of mind that their home is always protected, and they can see this first hand.

A smart CCTV system is also a perfect winter investment for your home, allowing you to monitor the goings on around your home from anywhere, anytime, in any weather conditions. Most high-quality systems also have increased night vision, so even on those dark afternoons, your CCTV system will always keep guard of your home.

With smart door locks, indoor cameras and an array of smart security solutions, there are a range of products that can allow you to upgrade your home security and prepare your home for the harsh winter months.

And for more top tips on how to upgrade your home security ahead of the winter months, be sure to visit our website at www.yalehome.com