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How to Spot Rogue Locksmiths and Avoid Locksmith Scams
When it comes to protecting your home, it’s important to use a reputable locksmith you can trust. Unfortunately, locksmith scams have become increasingly common across
Halloween Home Security Tips
Dark, spooky nights are drawing in. Stay safe this Halloween with essential home security tips. The dark, gloomy nights approach as we get closer to
Recent Posts
What do Burglars look for?
Understanding how a burglar’s mind works is essential for safeguarding your home against potential break-ins. Considering what they most commonly look for gives the opportunity to take proactive measures to strengthen your home’s security. With that in mind, we have put together a helpful list of key factors to consider when thinking about what burglars look for in a home.
Open Doors and Windows
One of the most basic yet overlooked aspects of your home’s security is ensuring all windows and doors are shut. While most people remember to lock their doors, many forget to close their windows, particularly those on upper floors. Perhaps the reason people don’t see windows as a big security risk is that it appears much less convenient for a burglar to climb through a window than to walk through a door. However, burglars see open windows as easy access points, regardless of whether they’re on the ground or upper floor.
Always double check that any entry points to your property are secure when leaving the house or going to bed.
Visible Valuables
Any valuables that can be seen through your windows might tempt a burglar to break into your home. To minimise the risk of burglars stealing your possessions, be aware of any valuables that are visible from the outside. The more valuables burglars can see through your windows, the more likely they are to target your home.
While it’s important to ensure your valuables aren’t visible from outside your home, it’s equally important to keep them out of sight within your home. This will greatly reduce the chances of your valuables being stolen in the event of a burglary.
It’s important to keep valuable items out of reach from intruders. Items such as jewellery, watches, money, electronics and sensitive documents should be kept in a safe and secure place. Consider more obscure or less obvious hiding spots that only you know of for your important documents and valuables. Often, people will place sensitive documents in well known and predictable locations such as an office drawer or a bedroom cabinet. Burglars will check these known areas first, so keep your valuables in less predictable locations to reduce the chances of theft.
Keeping your valuables out of sight will make your home a less attractive target.
Overgrown Landscape
When it comes to home security, garden maintenance should always be taken into consideration. Burglars will commonly look for areas around a property that will allow them to remain hidden while scoping out a property or breaking in.
Overgrown bushes, trees, and shrubs provide easy cover for burglars, allowing them to approach your property undetected, without being seen by your neighbours. Perhaps it’s time to consider trimming those high hedges in your garden. Reduce the amount of hiding spots around your property through regular garden maintenance. Pay particular attention around your windows and doors to make your property a tougher challenge for burglars.
Vulnerable Dark Spots
Without adequate lighting outside of your home, you give burglars the advantage and opportunity to hide within dark spots where they can easily move around without being spotted.
The darker it is, the harder it is for a burglar to be seen. Installing ample lighting to illuminate your property’s exterior will act as a strong deterrent. Don’t forget about lighting your pathways, side or back doors, porch and garage.
Flood lights, security lights and motion sensor lights are all good examples of adequate lighting for your property during the night. Choose the lighting that is right for you and your home, whether that’s wall lights, stake lights or post lights. Both solar and wired lights are available depending on your preference.
Posts on Social Media
Sharing your life on social media can cause a few hurdles when it comes to your home’s security. Posting about a holiday or a trip away can unintentionally notify a burglar when you’re not going to be home, providing an opportunistic time for them to plan a break-in.
To stay safe, avoid sharing details about your whereabouts on social media until you return home.
Surveillance cameras around your property
Having a security surveillance system in place will allow you to monitor who approaches your property. Intruders are likely to check if you have security cameras around your property. If you don’t have any CCTV installed, they can exploit that vulnerability and your chances of a break in will increase. Burglars tend to avoid properties with surveillance due to the risk of being recorded.
Consider installing CCTV around your property to effectively monitor your home and discourage intruders. Another benefit to having CCTV is that you can use the footage as evidence if a burglary occurs.
Knowing what burglars commonly look for can be extremely useful, helping to secure your property and prevent the chance of a break in. Understanding the mind-set of a burglar allows you to implement security measures to deter intruders from breaking in. The hope is with enough precautions taken, the threat of burglary becomes minimal, allowing for peace of mind.
Looking to improve your security and protect against burglary? Our locksmiths can carry out a security survey of your property to ensure your locks and doors are secure, as well as identify any weak spots that intruders can exploit. Call us on 0800 0612 677 or click here to find your local locksmith today.
Halloween Home Security Tips
Dark, spooky nights are drawing in. Stay safe this Halloween with essential home security tips.
The dark, gloomy nights approach as we get closer to Halloween. As the nights grow longer, it’s important to make sure your home stays secure. From excited trick-or-treaters to mischievous pranks, Halloween can bring fun as well as potential security risks.
Updated for Halloween 2025: This post has been updated in October 2025 with the latest tips to help you protect your home this spooky season.
Read on to make sure your home is protected this Halloween and keep intruders and unwanted spirits at bay.
Are You Ready for the Clock Change – and Is Your Home Security?
The clocks will go back by one hour at 2:00am on the 26/10/2025 (the last Sunday of October), marking the end of daylight saving time (British summer time). With the earlier sunset, Halloween trick or treaters dressed in spooky costumes will be taking to the streets sooner, and so could opportunistic burglars who want to take advantage of the darkness.
So, while you’re getting ready for Halloween, decorating your porch and pathway with carved pumpkins and hanging cobwebs, make sure your home security is just as ready for Halloween 2025.
Halloween Looks for 2025
This Halloween, expect to see timeless costumes like witches, vampires, zombies, skeletons, mummies, werewolves and creepy clowns, as well as costumes inspired by iconic characters from some of 2025’s most popular movies and TV shows. Trick or treaters will be dressed to impress for Halloween, but is your home just as prepared?
With films like M3GAN 2.0, 28 Years Later and The Conjuring: Last Rights hitting the big screen this year, costumes inspired by these will be everywhere. Look out for lifelike android M3GAN lookalikes, plenty of zombie hordes and spooky nuns making their way through the night.
Popular TV shows like Wednesday, Squid Game, Fallout, Stranger Things and The Last of Us are sure to inspire costumes this year, including Wednesday Addams, Masked Pink Guards, The Ghoul, Eleven, Vecna and Infected roaming the streets in search of treats.
Of course, Halloween wouldn’t be complete without the usual horror fan favourites lurking around too – Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees and Art the Clown. These horror icons are experts at finding ways in, but with upgraded home security, you can make sure your property stays secure from any real intruders.
While Halloween is a night of fun, it’s important to be mindful of your home security, as the darker evenings offer more opportunities for unwelcome visitors.
Home Security and Burglary Statistics
ONS figures show there were 253,912 recorded burglary offences in the year ending December 2024. This marks a decrease compared to the previous year, and suggests that more home owners and businesses are prioritising home security measures to keep the ghouls away.
According to Crimestoppers, the Office of National Statistics recently said it’s widely accepted that improvements to home security have been an important factor in the reduction seen in domestic burglary. This highlights the importance of improving your home’s security – not just as a general precaution, but as a proven way to reduce the risk of burglary year round, and not just for Halloween. By making simple improvements, you can decrease the likelihood of your property being a target for burglary.
With this in mind, we have put together some actionable Halloween home security tips to keep your home secure in October 2025 and beyond.
Lock up, day and night!
Keep potential intruders away at Halloween by making sure your home is securely locked, especially when you’re out. It’s simple, but it’s the first step to improving the security of your home, and is often overlooked, so take a moment to double-check your locks.
Heading out to a Halloween party? Before you go, be sure to lock up and secure your home. You don’t want to come back to find an unexpected “guest”, like Chucky, waiting in your living room!
Like Michael Myers, burglars will take advantage of unlocked doors and open windows, and combined with it getting darker much earlier, it only makes it more convenient for them to try and enter your home undetected.
A quick check of your doors and locks can help ensure that your night stays fun and your property remains secure.
Use Indoor Smart Lights and Timers
Using timers for your indoor lights is an effective way to improve home security during the Halloween season when the darker nights creep in. When you’re out for the evening trick-or-treating or attending a Halloween party, timed lighting can create the illusion that someone is home, which can help deter potential intruders.
In The Purge (2013), where lighting played a crucial role in signalling that a home was occupied and secured, keeping your house well-lit can make a huge difference in discouraging unwanted visitors. Set your timers to turn lights on and off in different rooms at different times, mimicking the natural activity of your household. This random pattern is more convincing than leaving one light on all night, making your home appear occupied. Place them in important areas that can be seen from outside, like your living room, kitchen, or hallway, where light would normally be visible.
If you have a smart home system, like Hive, that uses smart plugs or smart light bulbs, you can control your indoor lights remotely, adding even more flexibility to your home’s security setup. Adjusting the lights on the go will make it even harder for anyone to predict whether someone is inside.
Light Up the Darkness with Scary Decorations
Carving some spooky pumpkins for Halloween? Take the opportunity to add LED lighting, like candles, inside and place it by your front door or on the porch for an added layer of illumination.
Use well-lit figures like skeletons or ghosts near pathways or dark corners of your garden. They’ll bring the Halloween atmosphere while deterring anyone trying to sneak by in the shadows.
For an even creepier touch, add motion-sensor Halloween decorations that activate eerie sound effects or lights to spring to life when someone walks past. Much like how Pennywise the Clown likes to cause a jump scare, these props can startle would-be intruders, and alert you to activity and movement around your home.
What better way to make intruders intimidated and expose anyone lurking in the shadows with petrifying decorations that light up the darkness.
Add Outdoor Lighting
While indoor lighting can create the illusion of activity inside your home, outdoor lighting is just as crucial for deterring intruders.
On Halloween night, when your porch may already be busy with visitors, a well-lit exterior does more than welcome trick or treaters, it also makes your home a less appealing target. Outdoor lighting can give burglars the impression that people are home, making it less likely that they will try breaking into your property this Halloween. Motion sensor lights can be particularly effective as they surprise intruders when approaching your property, instantly illuminating the area with beams of light, signalling your awareness of their presence and catching them in the spotlight.
Create a Tricky Landscape
Consider strategically placing prickly or dense plants and bushes near your windows. Thorny plants, like Holly, create a natural barrier that can make intruders think twice before getting too close. If they do dare, the moment they get hit with a prick, you’ll be alerted by the tell-tale signs of their presence. They might even leave behind torn fabric, like clues in a mystery.
However, don’t overlook the importance of maintaining your garden, clearing clutter and 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. Overgrown plants, bushes and overhanging branches from trees can provide shadowy hiding places, as well as obscure outdoor lighting and cameras. An untidy garden with long grass, weeds or clutter might make your property look unoccupied, giving it the look of a haunted house rather than a lived-in home. To a burglar, that suggests no one is home or paying much attention to the property, making it feel like a safer target with less chance of being disturbed.
Simple steps like pruning your hedges can improve sightlines, making it easier for neighbours or passers-by to notice suspicious activity. This way, your house can look welcoming, lit up with pumpkins and porch lights, without providing a hiding place for ghouls.
You can also use sound to your advantage. Adding gravel to paths, beneath windows, or near entry points creates a natural alarm system, discouraging potential intruders from approaching your home. Much like in the film “A Quiet Place”, where the smallest sound can alert deadly creatures, gravel can serve as your own defence and subtle warning system. The crunch of footsteps on gravel will give you an immediate heads-up, making it difficult for anyone to approach silently, helping to keep your home safe at Halloween, or any time of year.
Security Cameras
In the movie Paranormal Activity, eerie disturbances and unsettling events are caught on camera. Catch all the spooky activity in and around your home this Halloween by installing 24/7 security. CCTV acts as a powerful deterrent for burglars, warning any intruders that your home is under constant watch. Potential burglars will be spooked with a sophisticated security system in place – and who knows, you might even catch a ghost on your camera.
The good news is that CCTV is no longer a complicated or overly expensive option. Affordable options like the Wireless Ring outdoor camera, or the Yale Smart Outdoor camera make it simple to check in on your home from your phone, without the complicated wired setup. Just remember to charge the batteries!
Intruders, much like Ghostface from Scream, are quick to take advantage of less secure properties, exploiting unlocked doors or open windows, but the presence of simple, affordable CCTV can be enough to make them think twice before approaching.
Video doorbells are useful for knowing exactly who is at your door when they ring the bell, reducing the risk of distraction burglary without leaving the comfort of your sofa. The extra visibility makes all the difference, and they’re especially handy if masked visitors arrive at your doorstep this Halloween. They come equipped with a camera and a microphone, so you can unmask who’s really outside before opening the door, just like the gang in Scooby-Doo.
This Halloween, don’t just look out for ghosts and ghouls, protect your property from real world threats too. The combination of a video doorbell and security cameras can create a high quality security system to help deter thieves and keep your property safe, giving you peace of mind long after the trick or treaters have gone.
Consider installing a 24/7 surveillance system like our Yale Smart Home CCTV.
Install an Alarm System
Like the siren in Ghostbusters alerts the team to race into action, a home alarm system is designed to react the moment trouble appears. The piercing noise can send intruders running, and it’s an effective way to protect your property as a visual deterrent too. Visible alarm boxes act as a warning before anyone approaches, spooking burglars away by signalling that your home is monitored and not an easy target.
Modern alarm systems can be wireless, with options that link to your phone, allowing you to check in on your home from anywhere.
Combined with CCTV and good garden maintenance, an alarm system creates a layered defence that keeps your home safe from mischief all year round, with no proton pack required.
Keep your valuables locked away
This Halloween, the only people who should be taking goodies for free are the kids trick or treating – not burglars! Don’t leave expensive jewellery, electronics, or other valuables lying around. Keep any cash, sensitive documents and high-value possessions locked away so intruders don’t get enticed to try and steal it. Just like troublesome Gremlins, opportunistic thieves will grab whatever is in easy reach, so don’t give them the chance. Ideally, you want your valuables to be so secure that not even those sneaky, spectral spirits can get to your valuables. Consider using a safe or lockable drawer to keep these items well protected.
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 Halloween, you can control your own home security. If you’re looking to update your security, contact your local locksmith today.
Sources:
Office for National Statistics: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingdecember2024
How to Prevent Burglary: Top Tips to Safeguard Your Home
As a nationally recognised locksmith company, LockRite truly understands the importance of home security. Your home is your sanctuary, and it’s crucial to protect it from potential burglaries. In this blog post, we’ll provide expert tips and advice on how to prevent burglary, ensuring peace of mind for you and your family. These strategies are based on factual information and proven methods, so you can trust that they work.
Install High-Quality Locks:
One of the most effective ways to prevent burglary is by installing high-quality locks on all entry points, including doors, windows, and the garage. Choose locks that meet the British Standard (BS3621) if you can, for the best security. Additionally, you might consider installing deadbolts, rim locks, or mortice locks to further reinforce your home’s defenses.
Reinforce Doors and Windows:
Burglars often target weak entry points. Strengthen your doors and windows by adding security measures such as door chains, peepholes, and good window locks. Reinforced or laminated glass are also options that can make it more difficult for intruders to break in.
Use a Home Security System:
Investing in a reliable home security system can significantly deter burglars. As well as being a good deterrent, it can help you monitor any potential weak spots and may even help to reduce your Home Insurance costs.
Opt for a comprehensive smart system that includes a variety of security products, such as burglar alarms, doorbell cameras, motion sensors, and CCTV cameras. Not only do these components deter potential intruders, but they also provide crucial evidence in case of a break-in. Read how this Ring Doorbell footage helped police to identify a burglar after a failed break-in attempt.
Ensure your security system is professionally installed and maintained for optimal effectiveness.
Illuminate Your Home:
Darkness provides cover for burglars, so proper lighting is essential. Install outdoor lighting around your property, particularly near entry points and vulnerable areas like the garage or garden. Motion sensor lights are particularly effective as they startle intruders and draw attention to their presence.
Secure Your Garden:
Don’t neglect the security of your outdoor space. Trim overgrown shrubs and trees that may provide hiding spots for burglars. Install sturdy fences and gates, and consider adding prickly bushes or thorny plants near vulnerable access points. Use robust locks to secure garden sheds and garages, ensuring valuable items are out of sight.
A recent study from Crimestoppers polling 1,000 UK households indicated that 2/3 were at an increased risk of burglary because their front hedge exceeded the height recommended by the police and charity Crimestoppers. These statistics highlight the need for routine garden maintenance to help deter intruders. Consider keeping your front hedges from exceeding the 1 metre recommended height.
Don’t Advertise Your Absence:
When you’re away from home, create the illusion of activity to deter burglars. Use timers to turn on lights and perhaps even a radio or television. If you can, ask a trusted neighbour or friend to collect mail and parcels, or you can temporarily redirect deliveries. Avoid sharing your absence on social media, as burglars may exploit this information.
Join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme:
Participating in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme fosters community collaboration and helps prevent crime. By working together, neighbours can share information and look out for each other. Neighbourhood Watch signs alone can act as a deterrent for burglars, as they indicate a vigilant and proactive community.
Not sure if you live in a Neighbourhood Watch area? Search for a Neighbourhood Watch in your area.
In conclusion, protecting your home from burglaries requires a combination of smart security measures and proactive strategies. By implementing the tips mentioned above, you can significantly reduce the risk of break-ins and keep your property and loved ones safe. Remember, prevention is key, and investing in reliable security systems and reinforcing your home’s defenses is always worthwhile.
Sources:
Crime Prevention Advice, UK Police: https://www.police.uk/crime-prevention-advice/burglary/
National Home Security Month: https://www.homesecuritymonth.com/
Yahoo News: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/burglar-caught-camera-ring-doorbell-145031212.html
Go Compare: https://www.gocompare.com/home-insurance/guide/security/
Neighbourhood Watch: https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/get-involved/find-my-local-scheme
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The Yale Linus door lock. A keyless lock, designed to secure and simplify your life. Lock and unlock your door, no matter where you are.
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The smart door lock that puts you fully in control. The Yale Conexis gives you the freedom to secure your home without the need for a key.
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The Keyless Lock allows you complete control over how you lock your home. Unlock with a PIN, key card, key tag, remote fob or your phone.
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The Yale Linus door lock. A keyless lock, designed to secure and simplify your life. Lock and unlock your door, no matter where you are.
Yale CCTV
The smart door lock that puts you fully in control. The Yale Conexis gives you the freedom to secure your home without the need for a key.
