4 tips to ensure your house isn’t a target for burglars

The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes the need for modern home security solutions.

Home owners are turning to smart technology to keep their homes safe and secure while they are away. It comes in combination with some common-sense techniques sure to deter thieves and prevent costly and traumatic break-ins.

Here, we look at measures that will ensure your home isn’t an easy target for burglars.

Smart door locks

Upgrading manual key locks to keyless entry locks is an instant game-changer when it comes to outsmarting thieves.

Smart door locks are powered by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology allowing home owners to monitor their homes through their smart devices. They will be alerted when someone has tried to gain access to the house by entering an incorrect PIN code on the keypad or incorrectly using a key tag.

Best of all, these locks have built-in anti-tamper technology, making it almost impossible for intruders to get past, says Eric Sindel, senior product manager at Yale.

“In terms of deterrents, we actually have a couple of features in the lock, and one is basically if you get someone entering a credential multiple times, it will lock them out after five attempts,” he says.

“Then it will temporarily disable that keypad or whatever the interface is, and you’ll see the number of attempts on the app. So, it deters them from trying to randomly pick the right code to come in.

“And all of our smart locks have anti-tamper alarms, so if they are going to pry the lock off or pry the door open, the connections in the lock will trigger an alarm and an in-app notification.”

Without a traditional key cylinder and barrel, smart door locks immediately rule out the possibility of lock picking or using key copies.

With Yale products, another level of security can be found in the encrypted credentials between the app and the interface, Sindel said.

“Not only do you use the standard encryption offered by Bluetooth technology, we actually put our own layer of encryption over the top, so it’s quite similar to how an app for banking might authenticate you,” he says.

Security lighting

Thieves generally prefer to skulk around in the dark, so security lights are an instant impediment.

Security lighting is best installed around the perimeter of a property, so it shines a light on possible entry points and hiding spots.

Consider lighting up your external doorways, the length of your driveway and into any dark corners. Just remember to regularly check and maintain your security lighting, especially before heading away on holiday.

Street view

Properties with an overstuffed letterbox and overgrown lawns are most likely to be unoccupied.

Other giveaways include deliveries on the doorstep, garbage bins left on the nature strip and an empty driveway.

Ask a neighbour or friend to park their car in your driveway and return your garbage bins, postpone any deliveries and organise a mail redirect through Australia Post.

Tidy your garden before you leave to give the appearance the house is occupied. Or organise a lawn mowing and garden maintenance service if you are away for a long period of time.

Being prepared

It’s often an uphill battle to get organised for a holiday, so in the rush of getting prepared, it’s no surprise that some home owners neglect basic security measures.

So, before you wheel your suitcase out the front door, ensure all windows and doors are locked. This includes the garden shed and garage doors, plus yard gates.

Remember to switch on any alarm systems or CCTV surveillance and lower all blinds and curtains so burglars can’t see any expensive items inside. And remove any hidden spare keys.