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A hooded burglar holding a crowbar and a flashlight at a door in the dark.

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

Recent Posts

How to Keep Your Home Safe when Going on Holiday

Every holiday should be about having fun. However, unexpected trouble at home can ruin that. So, if you want to keep your home safe when you’re away on holiday, you need to be careful.

Many burglars keep an eye out for homes that stay empty for a few days. Also, something can always go wrong – a leaking pipe, for example.

So, in this article, you will see what you should do to keep burglars away and prevent serious issues:

keep your home safe

Prepare Your Home for the Holiday

You and your family are not the only ones who need to be ready for the holiday. If you want to keep your home safe while you are away, make sure it is prepared for your absence.

Here are the most important things you need to know:

  • Don’t make noticeable changes – leave your curtains the way you usually do
  • Hide your valuable goods – jewellery or other expensive items
  • Ask a friend to check on the house – to feed your cat, water your plants

Keep Your Home Safe by Unplugging Home Appliances

There are multiple reasons why it’s a good idea to unplug home appliances. First of all, they keep consuming power even when they’re in standby mode.

Granted, they don’t use up as much power like when they’re on, but it’s nothing you should overlook. You could save a little money on energy bills, after all.

The second reason is safety. If something breaks down inside your home, it can get bad – real bad.

After all, faulty appliances and leads were the cause of 16% of all fires in the UK, between April 2014 and March 2015.

A Smart Home Is a Safe Home

keep your home safe

The idea of smart homes is becoming more and more popular every day,  however not everyone has embraced the idea of a smart home yet.

Nevertheless, here’s what you need to know: A smart home is a house with security devices and sensors that are connected to the Internet. They can also communicate with each other, and the owner can monitor them remotely.

A smart home is far safer than a standard one. In case a small fire breaks out, it can turn on the safety features. It will also alert the owner.

You can also keep your home safe when you’re on holiday by fitting it with smart locksThese locks don’t require a key. You can simply talk with a friend to check on the house every once in a while.

When he/she gets there, tell them to let you know. Then, use your smartphone to unlock the door – simple and easy.

A smart home allows you to keep it safe by giving you control over the lights. Some people would advise you to keep a light on even while away on holiday – so burglars would think there is somebody home.

That could be effective when you’re away for a few days. But for longer periods of time, you can turn the lights on for only a few hours when it gets dark. Thus, you don’t waste any money on energy bills.

It will be a lot easier to keep your home safe while on holiday. You can spend your time relaxing. Or, you can check on your house by using your phone.

We are a team of experts who have plenty of experience with lock repairs and replacements. You can get access to some of the best smart security systems available by working with us.

Get in touch with us if you need further guidance or if you have any questions.

Not Sure if You Have an Outdated Alarm System? Here Are 4 Signs to Look out for

Technology is ever-changing. The same goes for security. Have you ever wondered if you have an outdated alarm system? That could cause some serious problems.

The biggest issue is that an outdated system will not be able to provide enough security for your home. Burglars can disable old security systems with ease.

So how do you tell if you’ve got an obsolete security system? Here are four signs you should not ignore:

1. Outdated Alarm Systems That Use Land Lines and Hard Wired Sensors

Security systems use a communication method to reach out to the owner. Old ones use land lines. While the only communication method back in the days, they have been replaced now.

So it is important to fit your home with newer alarm systems. They are way harder to disable. That will prevent burglars from going inside your home without any fear of getting caught.

The same goes for sensors. The wired ones can be disabled with ease. This type of outdated alarm system leaves you and your home vulnerable.

Plus, did you know that every 45 seconds in the UK, there’s an attempted burglary? If your security isn’t good enough, you may find yourself in a bad situation.

Modern alarm systems use wireless methods of communication. They have many great features that keep you safe.

outdated alarm system

2. Low-Resolution Cameras

Did you ever try to see if you can recognise someone using your security cameras? If it’s an outdated alarm system, chances are you will not be able to do it.

That happens because old CCTV systems function at low resolutions.

Modern options, on the other hand, are more performant. Moreover, modern cameras have a dedicated night mode function. That enables you to see details even in the dark.

It is always a good idea to upgrade your security system. Modern cameras also allow you to check on your home using your smartphone or tablet. If the smart sensors are triggered, they will use the cameras to take a picture and send it to you immediately.

3. Outdated Software and Hardware

Technology evolves so fast that what was next-generation five years ago, is nowadays obsolete. That is relevant when talking about locks and alarms.

An outdated alarm system doesn’t allow you to control it remotely. It does not have access or sensors for the locks. That makes it extremely vulnerable, as mentioned before.

Big security software and hardware manufacturers continually release updates. These are meant to make the system more efficient and burglar-proof.

Smart locks are a great way to boost your home security. You can access them remotely, and you’ll no longer need a key.

They work even when the power is out. Plus, they cannot be jammed. They get constant updates and keep up with the latest trends in home security.

outdated alarm system

4. You Can Only Access It from Home

In 2016, we’re using our smartphones for more complex tasks than we could’ve imagined years ago. Home security is one of those tasks as well. But if you can’t do that, it means you have an outdated alarm system.

All the security systems described so far can communicate with each other. The sensors can tell the security cameras to snap a picture of what/who triggered them. The smart alarm system will notify you. And you can check your home even while on holidays.

As a team of professional locksmiths, choosing LockRite ensures you have the choice in latest home security solutions. Feel free to contact us online if you have any questions or just looking to get a quote.

Remember to also check out our offers if you are interested in upgrading your current security system.

3 Home Security Mistakes That Can Get Your Home Robbed during the Holidays

Nothing can ruin a holiday like finding out your home was robbed when you return. Sadly, it’s a real possibility that you need to avoid.

We don’t mean to be downers but make sure you take necessary precautions. This way, you can soak up the sun without worrying about your home.1674149

To keep burglars away while you’re on a holiday, avoid these three home security mistakes:

1. Announcing Your Holiday

We understand that you’re excited to go on vacation but be careful when talking about it. Social media has become an ingrained part of our life but remember that burglars use it too.

If you post about when you’re going on vacation, just about anyone can find out. If a thief knows about your plans, they could rob your home. You won’t be there to stop them.

We doubt you personally know all your Facebook friends so be careful what you share.

The same goes with notices on your door or fence. If you’re expecting someone to swing by, tell them that you won’t be home in person before departing. A note on your door is like an invitation for burglars.

If you want to talk about your holiday, do it after you come back. Doing it before is one of the biggest home security mistakes.

2. Putting All Your Faith in a Locked Door

You can classify burglars into two categories: Impulse thieves and “professionals”.

The first category will simply see your house and decide to break in. They don’t plan ahead; they just do it. They could pick the lock, climb through a window or just break down the door – whichever seems easier.

The second category will stake out the place before entering and devise a plan. When they make their move, they’ll know where to go and what to do. Professionals are more dangerous than impulse thieves.

4926205564_9f1df77730_b[Image Credits: Jason]

Either way, a simple lock won’t stop them. If you’ve got CCTV cameras or alarms, though, everything changes. The moment an impulse thief sees a camera or hears an alarm, they’ll run. They’ll realise the mistake they’ve made and try to get away.

The professional burglar will see your security system and just give up. They know they have a slim chance of getting away so they move on.

Whichever way you look at the situation, a security system enhances your safety. With smart technology, you can even monitor the house through your smartphone.

3. Hiding a Spare Key

People usually leave hidden keys behind while they’re away because of two reasons. The first one is because the key was always there. The second reason is to have it there in case of an emergency. Let’s tackle both ideas and see why they’re home security mistakes.

We get that people sometimes lose their keys, but a hidden spare is a huge risk. If someone sees you using that key and putting it back, they can enter the house whenever they want.home security mistakes

Event if the key is a well-guarded secret, a burglar will check for hidden keys. Once a stranger has your key, stealing your belongings becomes a breeze. Find a better alternative.

The second reason is even worse. If you’re afraid a pipe will burst, give the key to a trusted friend. You’d need their help if something goes wrong either way, so it’s better to be prepared.

Hidden keys are never a good idea. If you’re out of town, the risk is even greater.

Why People Keep Making These Home Security Mistakes

The problem is that many think that bad things, like a robbery, won’t happen to them. After it happens, though, they change their tune. The best policy is to always be careful. Like the saying goes: “Better safe than sorry”.

We hope you learned a thing or two about home security. If you’ve got carefree friends, don’t forget to show this article to them too.

If you’re in need of any home security tips or advice, we’ll gladly help you. Get in touch with us on FacebookTwitter or right here on our website.

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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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Yale Sync Alarm

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 Smart CCTV Installed

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.