Month: February 2021

Having a guard dog as an extra security measure for your family home or business certainly has many benefits. You can be almost certain that when your average opportunist burglar has a choice between breaking into a home with a dog and one without, they will undoubtedly choose the one without.

Another benefit is that dogs are alert and protective over their owners and will do anything to keep you safe and they provide companionship that’s hard to find in another species, as well as being a great pet for any kids in your family. But is it enough to protect your home from intruders? Here we discuss why a dog might not be the only home security option you need:

A dog will not put off a professional burglar

An experienced burglar will know how to handle a guard dog, especially one in a family home. They will know some calming techniques and maybe offer some irresistible treats and usher your furry friend into another room and shut the door while they go about their business of rooting through your valuables.

You need to invest in professional guard dog training for maximum effectiveness

Some dog breeds, although they will have a loud bark and look intimidating, will cower and hide when a property is actually broken into. It’s not enough to simply have a dog that you call a guard dog and just barks at people without investing in proper training on how to deal with an intruder. A well-trained dog will not take treats or be fooled into a thief’s diversion tactics.

Dogs need time and investment

Having a guard dog is appealing and could be an excellent addition to your family, however it has to be said they do require a lot of time and training. Ask yourself before considering getting a dog to improve your home security if this is something you really have the time for and want not just to protect your property but to join your family.

A dog can’t protect your home 24/7

Dogs still need to be taken for walks, exercised and they need to sleep and rest. They cannot be on guard all day and night. While there’s no doubt a well-trained guard dog will alert his owners to someone approaching the property there are times they just won’t be available to do so. Another consideration is what will you do when you go on holiday. If you are planning on boarding your guard dog what will protect your home while you are away?

In conclusion, we believe while having your very own guard dog is an excellent deterrent, and holds many other fantastic benefits for your family, but it just isn’t enough to put off a professional burglar from entering your home by itself. Consider taking extra measures to protect your home and family such as installing a professional home security system or starting a Neighborhood Watch on your street.

During the winter months, the longer darker evenings give burglars an extended cover of darkness to target residential areas. Most burglars are opportunists looking for the easiest targets. Whether it’s homes that are clearly unoccupied or ones that don’t have a visible home security system.

Over a third of burglaries take place between November and February making winter a prime time for them to strike. Here we will look at some simple measures you can take to reduce the risk of your home being targeted this winter:

Fit a Home Security System

It’s a surprising fact that only 1 in 4 homes are fitted with a home security system, yet it is the single biggest deterrent against burglary. A professionally fitted, well-maintained alarm at a visible point on your house may well be enough to make any thief think twice about breaking into your home. In addition, having an alarm system or CCTV security system in place when you are away from home will alert your neighbours and your security company of any issue – Giving you added peace of mind.

Invest in Outdoor Lighting

Dark houses with no exterior or interior lights on are another ideal target of burglary. Nothing says ‘we’ve gone away’ like a pitch-black house for nights on end. Consider installing external security lights that will light up your home and spot any unwelcome visitors at night. Similarly, if you are away for more than an evening, set up some timers for inside the house or smart lighting that can be controlled from your mobile device. This will give the appearance that someone is home and a burglar is more likely to move on.

Lock Up

This may seem obvious, but how many of us have left the back door unlocked while we are home and doing something elsewhere in the house or in the garage, or even just left your side gate open? Make sure you lock all the windows, doors and lockable access points every time you leave home even if it’s just for a minute or two. It’s also worth investing in double locks or deadlocks. If a burglar tries your door and it moves a millimetre or two they know your locking system is weak giving them a green light to attempt a break-in.

Get to Know Your Neighbours

Living in a community where everyone knows everyone’s business really does have its benefits. If your neighbours know you and your family they are more likely to be able to spot an intruder on your premises. Good neighbours are an extra set of eyes on your house. We are all on different schedules with working patterns or school hours so some are likely to be around when you are not especially if that’s in the dark evenings making them a valuable asset to home security.

Don’t Give Burglars a Reason to Break In

Hopefully, you use curtain and blinds to keep eyes off your property to any potential thieves in the neighbourhood. There’s another thing that would give a thief an idea of what kind of goods you might have inside your home and if it’s worth the risk to them of breaking in – your rubbish. Are there boxes of newly acquired high ticket items such as TV’s, games consoles or laptops in your recycling bin? Don’t leave them outside, you don’t know who might be watching.

If you’d like more information about home security systems, get in touch today and find out more about the wide range of options available to you.