Sponsored by KBC Bank Ireland.
Home security is incredibly important to people, especially once kids come into the picture. We all want to feel safe in our homes, but with burglaries still a regular occurrence, it’s natural for us to be concerned.
While some burglars will scope out an area, the majority of thieves are opportunists who break into a house when they spot an opening. But don’t worry, there are a number of measures you can take to protect your home from thieves and deter spur-of-the-moment burglars.
Alarms
House alarms are a must-have and many home insurance policies actually have clauses surrounding the fitting and maintenance of approved alarm systems. If you have trouble remembering your code, never resort to writing it on the control panel or in your mobile phone. You should also fix faulty alarms that keep going off as neighbours soon learn to ignore the warning bells – something that burglars know well.
Never leave your home unlocked
You may just be driving down to the local supermarket to do your weekly shop, but you should still lock up your home and turn on the alarm. 30 minutes is plenty of time for a burglar to invade your home through an unlocked window and steal some precious items.
Re-evaluate glass panels
You may love how the glass panels in your front or back door look, but a burglar can easily smash these and open the door from the inside. Make sure glass panels are fortified or that the door itself is secured with deadbolts requiring keys.
Embrace the lived-in look
Before you go to bed, leave the house for the day or head off on holiday, make sure your home looks like there’s someone there. Make it hard to see through windows, leave a radio on and consider putting lights on a timer when it starts to get dark earlier.
Door locks
Change all the locks when you move into a new house and consider installing deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw on the front and back doors.
Light it up
Dark entrances can give privacy to burglars trying to pick door locks, so consider installing a motion detection light around doorways.
Reinforce your patio doors
Patio door locks are easy to pick, so consider installing an auxiliary security lock along the bottom of the door to provide extra security.
Watch your keys
You should always keep your keys in an accessible place for emergencies but never leave them by the front or back door where they’re fully available to potential thieves.
Don’t overshare
It’s a hard thing to do in an age where people often post their entire lives on social media, but try to avoid announcing when you’re going on holidays or heading out somewhere for the day. More and more burglars are monitoring potential victim’s online, waiting for their homes to be vacant.
If you’re taking out a new Home Insurance policy with KBC, you can save 20% off the cost! Simply call us on 1890 37 38 39 and quote “KBC discount”. For more information visit KBC.ie. Terms and conditions apply.
- The offer will be for the first year only and is not available to existing KBC Home Insurance Customers.
- The offer will not be in conjunction with any other Home offer
- Offer will be subject to minimum premiums.
- Offer is not available online and is only available over the phone.
- No discount available if a claim was made in the last 3 years.
- T&C’s and underwriting criteria will apply.
- Offer ends 31st December 2015.
Zurich underwriting criteria, terms and conditions apply. KBC Bank Ireland Home Insurance Products are exclusively underwritten, administered and provided by Zurich Insurance plc. Zurich Insurance plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. KBC Bank Ireland plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
