Beating burglars before they break in

A few simple precautions can make your home more secure

It's a sad reflection on modern life that few if any of us believe we can leave the house with the doors open or unlocked while we go out for a few minutes or an hour or two. Yet the fact is, many of us do it.

According to Hiscox, one of the country's leading high value home insurance underwriters, over 60% of burglaries happen because people don't actually use the security protection they've got. They leave their burglar alarms turned off, and their doors and windows unlocked, thus making it easy for thieves to get in without having to force an entry, which is what happens in a third of all burglaries.

It is very easy, and needn't cost much, to have five-lever mortice deadlocks and hinge bolts fitted to all the outside doors of your home. Once locked from the outside, the doors are almost impossible to open from the inside and the locks themselves are very difficult for burglars to pick.

It's also easy to fit locks to all your patio doors and downstairs windows, and a good idea to fit them upstairs as well. Burglars can be very agile. The most effective window locks are those fitted with keys, which you should keep out of sight at all times.

While locking your doors and windows is a good start, it's only the beginning in the business of securing your home.

Many people believe that police monitored alarm systems are a waste of time, but evidence suggests otherwise. Time is the burglars' enemy, and the police are more likely to catch intruders if they learn of a break-in immediately. Police monitored alarms should ensure this; even non-monitored alarms will act as a deterrent. Having them fitted is always a good idea.

Burglars can also be put off by movement-activated lights outside the house, which come on when the sensor detects a presence within their range. As well as deterring prowlers, lights like these can also welcome you home when you return after dark.

A gravel drive and path can also help deter intruders. The noise made by driving or walking on gravel can act as a simple alarm to those at home indoors.

All these simple precautions will go a long way towards making your property more secure, as well as having an impact on your home insurance premiums.

But none of them will be of any value if you neglect to use them. The key is to use your keys. Lock all doors and windows each time you leave the house, and make sure your alarm system is turned on.

That way you'll beat the burglars before they break in.

There are several books on the market offering excellent practical advice on home security, including one written by two former police officers.