Many of Britain’s beautiful older homes offer charm in abundance, exquisite elegance, and a distinctive personality to boot.
A home is to live in and not just to look at, however, even if countless hours of house-hunting and daytime property shows has convinced you otherwise.
For your older home to be the utopian sanctuary that you deserve to live in, it needs to be safe and secure from the potential nefariousness of the outside world.
It’s always worth making sure your older property is secure enough to protect you, your possessions, and your peace of mind.
To ensure that your older property is as secure as its modern counterparts and that you don’t need to worry about any unwanted guests encroaching on your safe space, here are some tips and tricks worth mulling over.
Lock Your Door
It may sound absurdly obvious, but you need to lock your door. Plenty of people forget to lock their doors when they leave the house, and even when they’re in, burglars can still chance their thieving arms and walk straight in through the front door.
This is an upsetting thought, of course, but it is a possibility, and keeping your door locked can reduce the chances of it happening to you.
It’s worth noting that older, outdated locks may have been rendered ineffective from wear and tear, or they might not have even been too handy in the first place.
At LockRite, locks are our forte, and we know that installing a great modern lock, such as the Yale Keyless or Yale Linus smart lock can bolster your security in no time.
Don’t wait around to contact us if you feel as though you are long overdue for an upgrade – the consequences of not acting sooner could be catastrophic, and we’re here to advise should you need some help deciding on the best course of action.
Concealing Your Valuables out of Sight
Many burglaries are spur-of-the-moment affairs, which not only makes it all the more heinous, but it’s a shame when you can take steps to prevent it from happening.
Hiding your valuables from the street view is a good way to go, particularly if you have some impressive tech sitting around, like if you’re lucky enough to be one of the few people who own a Playstation 5.
Aside from elusive games consoles, countless ornaments, gadgets, and consumables pose a viable target for opportunistic burglars, such as alcohol, artwork, and any keys that may be hanging up on display.
Drawing the curtains can help with this at night, and don’t forget to lock your windows either.
Older homes that may represent wealth could be an enticing target for a burglar who happens to be meandering past, so keeping your valuable possessions out of sight is a must.
Get Teched Up
Taking a modern approach and getting your hands on some great security tech can be a good way to go, but it’s good to remember that you can’t rely on it solely to negate the risk of a break-in, as you will still need to practice safety too.
Some superb options worth looking out for include window sensors, smart lights, smart cameras, and a dependable alarm system. A smart doorbell camera is another great bit of tech, as it lets you automatically capture footage of anyone who approaches your house, and you can access it from your smartphone if you’re out.
It can seem like a costly endeavour at the time, but failing to secure your belongings and ensure your personal safety can prove to be vastly more expensive in the long run.
Is it Time to Replace Your Windows and Doors?
Older properties, particularly those with their original windows and doors, may not be able to provide you with the defence necessary to stop a forced entry, so if you suspect that your doors and windows are a little rickety, now could be time for an upgrade.
While expensive, this can increase your security, and you get an excuse to buy some fancy new fixtures and fittings.
If you’re fretting about losing your historic windows, you could always consider upgrading over replacing them.
For example, you could install some shutters, add a new layer of protective glass, or simply opt for a refurb.
By upgrading your property’s security, you can upgrade your peace of mind, and while the sentiment is immaculately corny, it could be the best way to make the most out of your living arrangements.
