Collaborative post
Crime rates have increased in the UK over the past few years. Crimes including personal thefts and burglaries are committed regularly, so if you own valuable personal belongings, you need to be proactive in keeping them safe.
How bad is theft in the UK?
Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show that there were 430,000 reported instances of domestic burglary from October 2021 through to June 2022.
Even though theft offences initially decreased with the outbreak of the pandemic, it’s easy to put reduced criminal activity down to Covid-19 restrictions. Indeed, police have already revealed that violent crime rose by 23% after lockdown restrictions eased, the biggest increase on record.
With criminals back on the streets, it’s never been more important to keep your property safe. If you’re looking to improve security in a rented apartment, here are some tips for keeping your flat secure.
Get covered
One of the most crucial steps towards protecting your valuables is obtaining tenants content insurance from a trusted provider. With the right cover, you’ll benefit from the peace of mind that you could be reimbursed if your valuables are stolen from your locked home.
Use alarm systems
Home alarm systems are undoubtedly effective against burglars. Some of the most innovative systems allow you to set a timer on your alarm. This means you’ll be able to sleep peacefully at night, knowing the deterrent is active.
Most alarm systems can be activated and deactivated using a keypad. If you were unlucky enough to get burgled while away from home, a loud siren will alert your neighbours to a break-in.
Check your locks
Not all locks are made equal, so it’s important to make sure that yours are high quality.
Do your research, and try your locks physically too. If you detect any structural weaknesses or find out about wider flaws, get in touch with your landlord. You should always install sturdy bolts on gates too.
Use CCTV
As one of the most obvious theft deterrent methods, CCTV could be a useful investment for your home. Whether you position yours in an obvious place near the front door, next to a garage, or tucked along the garden wall, cameras keep thieves at bay.
Of course, if you’re living in a rented house or apartment, you’ll need to check with your landlord first. If you’re unable to install a camera system, you could opt for fake CCTV instead.
Keep boundaries secure
Whether you have a large garden, or a compact patio area, it’s crucial to make sure any surrounding walls, fences, and gates are secure.
Think about the height of your fence or wall: is it low enough for someone to easily hop over, or would it be quite challenging to scale it?
Theft prevention starts from outside your home, so you need to make it as difficult as possible for a potential thief to reach your internal doors and windows.
Got any of your own tips for keeping your flat secure? Feel free to share them in the comments section below.
Catherine
Source link
