Five ‘measures’ to keep your home ‘extra secure’

With winter on its way, it is important for households to be aware of burglaries and to take steps to ensure the home is as safe as possible. Glenn Amato, Managing Director at ADT UK&I Subscriber, commented: ‘Our 2022 burglary report found that most burglaries occur at night, more precisely 32 percent in the evening and 26 percent at night. Opportunistic thieves prefer to operate under the cover of darkness so it is no surprise that the number of burglaries increases when the clocks go back and the nights get longer.’On average, a burglary in England and Wales costs £2,856 and our report found that the cost of stolen items in a burglary amounts to more than £1,000 in 44 percent of incidents.’Your home is where you feel most secure, yet only one in five of us take extra security measures when the dark nights draw in. ‘By taking these extra security steps when the clocks go back this year, we can help to reduce the number of burglaries.’Experts at ADT have shared five top tips to make homes extra secure when the clocks go back on Sunday.READ MORE: The rural Surrey village Dame Judi Dench calls home Home security experts share five ‘extra measures’ to keep your property ‘extra secure’ (Image: Getty)The security experts explained: ‘Empty homes are more likely to be targeted by thieves, so it’s a good idea to make your home look like it’s occupied while you’re out. ‘By turning on and off the lights or TV, you can trick opportunistic robbers into thinking you are home even when you are not. ‘You can also control your home while you are away using your smartphone thanks to smart plugs.’There are several smart plugs on the market, including ones from Amazon Alexa, which can be purchased for as little as £10.DON’T MISS:Methods to get rid of ivy ‘for good’ with two home ingredients [EXPERT]Use ‘unconventional’ ice cube ‘trick’ to keep houseplants hydrated [COMMENT]Boy George’s quiet life in desirable London location [INSIGHT] Investing in a burglar alarm is also the easiest way to reduce costs and save on home insurance (Image: Getty)Looking for a new home, or just fancy a look? Add your postcode below or visit InYourArea This is because the more protected your home is, the less likely it is to be targeted, meaning it is at less risk.5. Lock windows and doorsLocking windows and doors before leaving the house or going to bed is also vital in keeping the property safe, and it takes no more than two minutes to do so.The experts said: ‘This is a precautionary measure, but heading into the winter months when it gets darker much earlier, it is important to ensure your windows and doors are locked.’Also, check your home to ensure all locks are in good working order. This will deter any opportunists looking for a quick win.’