Dark, spooky nights are drawing in. Stay safe during Halloween with these home security tips.
The dark, gloomy night approaches as we get closer to Halloween. As the nights grow longer, you may be wondering why it’s getting darker earlier. For those curious, the clocks go back 1 hour on the 29th which is the last Sunday of October. This means you’ll most likely see Halloween trick or treaters dressed in spooky costumes outside of your house much earlier than expected.
You can expect to see a lot more tricksters roaming the streets this Halloween, dressed as iconic characters like Wednesday Addams and M3gan. Of course, we can’t forget the legendary Michael Myers. Fuelled by the release of the ‘Halloween Ends’ movie last year, the streets promise to be teeming with ‘The Shape’ himself, wandering around your neighbourhood during the dark of night.
To put your mind at ease, here are some Halloween home security tips to keep your home secure.
Lock up, especially at night!
Did you know that 60% of burglary in the UK happens between 6pm – 6am? You’d be shocked to find out that 42% of people don’t lock both their doors and windows together according to the Office of National Statistics. Burglars take advantage of this, and combined with it getting darker much earlier, it only makes it more convenient for them to enter your home. If you’re planning on going to a Halloween party, make sure to lock up and secure your home before you go. After all, you don’t want to return home to find Ghostface waiting in your living room…
Add Outdoor Lighting
Having lights outside of your house gives burglars the impression that people are home and therefore makes it less likely that they will try breaking into your property.
Motion sensor lights can be extremely effective at deterring potential break-ins, as they surprise intruders when approaching your property, signalling your awareness of their presence.
Carving some spooky pumpkins for Halloween? Perhaps your pumpkin could have a light attached outside of your front door or on your porch. What better way to make intruders intimidated than a petrifying pumpkin holding a bright light, exposing those that lurk in the darkness.
Create a Tricky Landscape
Consider strategically placing prickly plants and bushes near your windows. Thorny plants can act as a natural barrier to deter potential intruders and the moment they get hit with a prick, you’ll be alerted by the telltale signs of their presence.
Another way to spot intruders on your property is to add gravel outside of your windows. The sound created acts as a natural alarm system, discouraging potential intruders from approaching your windows.
It’s also worth noting in regards to landscape the importance of trimming your front hedges. Crimestoppers did a poll which showed that ⅔ of people surveyed faced an increased risk of burglary due to high hedges.
Security Cameras
Installing 24/7 security cameras on your property is a huge deterrent for burglars. They will see it as a warning and sign that you have a sophisticated security system in place. Intruders prefer to take advantage of less secure properties so having something as simple as a camera can be enough to prevent unwanted break ins.
Video doorbells are useful for knowing exactly who is at your door when they ring the bell. They come equipped with a camera and a microphone allowing you to see and speak to the person before deciding to open the door, minimising the risk of distraction burglary. Learn more about installing a 24/7 surveillance system with our Yale Smart Home CCTV.
Keep your valuables locked away
This Halloween, the only people who should be taking goodies for free are the kids trick or treating. Don’t leave your expensive jewellery lying around. Keep any cash or sensitive documents locked away so intruders don’t get enticed to try and steal it. Ideally, you want it to be so secure that not even those sneaky, spectral spirits can get to your valuables.
Halloween is a night where the mischievous thrive and for many homeowners, it can be quite worrying to think about all the things that could happen. It’s important to focus on what you can control vs what you can’t. While you may not be able to control what other people decide to do on that hallowed night of fun and danger, you can control your own home security. If you’re looking to update your security, find your local locksmith to ensure peace of mind.
Sources:
Office for National Statistics: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/overviewofburglaryandotherhouseholdtheft/englandandwales
