Read our expert guide to DIY home security for 2023 and discover how a few easy tasks can protect your home and family from intruders.
The first thing to be aware of when considering home security is that burglars don’t want to get caught. Burglars target the easiest looking properties in the area. There are several DIY tasks that you can undertake to make sure that they don’t choose to target your property.
According to the latest Crime Survey someone is home in 64% of attempted and successful residential burglary incidents. The survey also found that if someone was at home during a burglary or attempted burglary, then 43% of the time they were completely unaware of what’s happening. This has implications for the types of security measures to be taken.
Door Locks
Home security starts with locked doors with three quarters of burglars entering through doors. One third of incidents involve a lock being forced, and 1 in 7 burglars enter through an unlocked door! Of course locking your doors is a simple and essential measure. However, if you want to be able to have your doors open to let fresh air while you are in your home fitting a cable window restrictor to a door will prevent intruders from entering.
Window Locks
20% of burglars enter via a window, but only 6.3% of burglars smash the glass in order to enter. Fitting a high quality window lock is a simple and low cost DIY measure that will prevent burglars gaining entry by forcing a window.
The Titan window security lock by Jackloc is the strongest and most secure window restrictor in the world, due to its steel folding mechanism. This window security device was awarded Sold Secure status by the Master Locksmiths Association, making it the first, and only, window restrictor to achieve this accolade.
Th Titan key lockable window restrictor restricts the window from opening further than 100mm. It will withstand a force of five adult males pushing against the window.
When you want to open the window fully simply dis-engage the restrictor with a key.
Visible Home Security
Burglars will walk down a street looking at properties deciding which to target, visible signs that your home is secure can deter them from targeting your home. Alarm boxes and cameras that are visible from the street can encourage a potential burglar to walk past your home, whether the alarm and camera are dummy or active. These are widely available from DIY stores and are easy to fit.
58% of burglaries occurred in the dark in 2021 and this is where security lights come in. Security lights at the front and back of your property are a quick and easy DIY security system. Even if a potential intruder walks up to your door they will be deterred when the lights come on.
Digital Home Security
In recent years DIY digital home security measures have become more affordable and are usually easy to install. These include video doorbells that record video when the doorbell ringer is pressed or when motion is detected. Many of these devices can be programmed to trigger other system devices such as locks and interior cameras. Nearly all of these DIY systems can be monitored using a mobile app that allows you to arm and disarm the system remotely, monitor sensor status, and view live and recorded video. You’ll get alerts when a sensor is triggered, but it’s up to you to contact the local authorities if there’s a break-in.
We hope that this DIY home security for 2023 guide has shown you that protecting your possessions and family in your home doesn’t need to be expensive and can be as simple as a undertaking a few DIY tasks.
