Top Tips for Improving Your Home’s Security

Keeping your home safe is a top priority for every homeowner. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to enhance your home’s security, deter intruders, and keep your property - and loved ones - safe. From effective lighting to secure locks, here are our top tips for boosting home security.

Guide Contents

1. Choose the Right Front Door and Secure its Surroundings

2. Improve Exterior Lighting

3. Secure Your Windows

4. Get a Dog (or Make it Look Like You Have One)

5. Secure Your Front Gate

6. Use Visible House Numbers

7. Keep Valuables Out of Sight and Out of the Garden

8. Invest in an Alarm System

9. Final Thoughts

1. Choose the Right Front Door and Secure the Surroundings

Your front door is one of the most critical entry points to secure, as it’s often the first target for intruders. The material of your door, the type of locks, and even the surrounding design can all affect your home’s security. Here are some tips for making sure your front door is as secure as possible:

  • A pair of modern red-brick townhouses with white-framed windows and black front doors, each featuring small triangular wooden porch coverings with orange roofs. A neatly landscaped front garden with green shrubs and plants lines the pathway. The scene is bright and sunny with a clear blue sky in the background.

    Consider Aluminium or Composite Doors

    Aluminium and composite doors are generally more secure than traditional wooden or PVC doors. Aluminium doors are highly durable and resistant to forced entry, making them a great choice for security-conscious homeowners. Composite doors, which combine materials like wood, PVC, and insulating foam, are also tough and offer excellent insulation along with enhanced security.

  • A charming pink front door with a gold mail slot and knob, featuring the house number “214” in bold black digits. The door has glass panels with sheer curtains behind them and is set in a white-painted brick wall. A small rustic outdoor light is mounted on the left, and a vibrant yellow shrub grows beside the brick steps leading up to the door. The ground is paved with aged bricks, adding to the quaint atmosphere.

    Avoid Glass Panels Near the Door Handle

    Doors with glass panels close to the handle can be a security risk, as intruders can break the glass to reach in and unlock the door. If you have a door with glass panels, consider reinforced glass or adding security film to make it harder to break. Alternatively, choose a door with glass positioned far from the handle or with a frosted finish for privacy.

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Use a Door Security Chain or Bar

Adding a security chain or door bar can prevent an intruder from forcing entry if you open the door to speak with someone.

Install a Peephole or Door Viewer

This allows you to see who is at the door without opening it, providing an added layer of safety.

Upgrade Locks on All Door Types

No matter the material, upgrading to a high-security lock, such as a British Standard deadlock or a multi-point locking system, can greatly improve security.

By choosing a secure front door and reinforcing vulnerable areas, you’ll create a stronger barrier against break-ins. Even small upgrades, like adding a durable aluminium door or reinforcing door frames, can make a significant difference.

2. Improve Exterior Lighting

Outdoor lighting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to enhance security. Proper lighting illuminates your property, making it less appealing to potential intruders who prefer darkness to avoid detection. Here are some tips on using lighting to your advantage:

  • A pair of modern red-brick townhouses with white-framed windows and black front doors, each featuring small triangular wooden porch coverings with orange roofs. A neatly landscaped front garden with green shrubs and plants lines the pathway. The scene is bright and sunny with a clear blue sky in the background.

    Install Motion-Activated Lights

    Motion sensor lights are excellent for deterring trespassers, as sudden illumination can startle them and make them feel exposed.

    SHOP OUR MOTION WALL LIGHTS 
  • Sleek stainless steel outdoor wall light with up-and-down illumination, casting warm light against a textured grey wall.

    Use Pathway and Driveway Lighting

    Lighting pathways and driveways not only makes your home more welcoming but also ensures there are no dark spots near entry points.

    SHOP OUR WALL LIGHTS 
  • A sleek, modern, cylindrical solar-powered outdoor wall light with a brushed metal finish, mounted on a vertical wooden panel wall with a striped pattern. To the left of the light, there is a green plant with round leaves, adding a touch of natural greenery to the scene. The light fixture has a contemporary design that complements the wooden texture of the wall.

    Consider Solar-Powered Lighting

    Solar lights are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and easy to install. Try our solar powered outdoor wall light for reliable, energy-efficient lighting that keeps your home visible and safe.

    SHOP OUR SOLAR LIGHTS 
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For brighter, consistent lighting, mains-powered options are also great. Our mains powered outdoor up and down wall light provides robust illumination for entryways and garages, making it harder for potential intruders to hide.

3. Secure All Your Windows

Your front door is one of the most critical entry points to secure, as it’s often the first target for intruders. The material of your door, the type of locks, and even the surrounding design can all affect your home’s security. Here are some tips for making sure your front door is as secure as possible:

Window Locks

Locking windows is essential, especially on the ground floor or any accessible areas. Consider adding window restrictors to limit how much windows can be opened.

4. Get a Dog

(OR MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU'VE GOT ONE)

Dogs are not only great companions but also excellent deterrents for intruders. A barking dog signals to potential intruders that there is a vigilant presence in the house.

A rustic wooden garden gate surrounded by lush greenery and climbing vines. The gate, made of light, weathered wood, leads to a bright garden space with blurred hints of flowers and foliage in the background. Soft sunlight bathes the scene, highlighting the natural textures and creating a peaceful, inviting atmosphere.

Hang or Install a "Beware of Dog" Sign

Even if you don’t have a dog, a simple sign can make potential trespassers think twice. A nice and simple slate sign will work wonders.

Keep Dog Supplies Visible

Leaving dog-related items like a leash or dog toys in view can give the impression that you have a canine guardian, adding an extra layer of deterrence.

Opt for a latch or lock that produces sound

Installing a new metal lock or latch on your garden gate is an effective way to enhance security. Opting for a latch that produces a noticeable sound when the gate is opened or closed can further deter intruders, as the noise may discourage them from attempting to enter unnoticed.

5. Secure Your Front Gate

A front gate adds an additional layer of security by creating a boundary around your property. Gates not only make it harder for intruders to approach your home but also limit visibility into your property.

  • A stone pillar topped with a snow-covered decorative cap and a black and gold sign reading “Aykley Vale.” To the side, a black metal gate is partially visible, with snow gently falling and covering the surrounding landscape, including a blurred evergreen tree in the background. The scene exudes a serene winter atmosphere.

    Install a Lock on Your Gate

    A lockable gate increases the difficulty for anyone attempting to enter your property without permission.

  • A quaint rural lane bordered by lush green hedges, leading to a charming thatched-roof cottage. The cottage features a mix of flint stone and wooden paneling, with a brick chimney rising above. The well-maintained hedges create a peaceful, secluded feel, and the road curves gently, adding depth to the idyllic countryside setting. Bare winter trees are visible in the background under soft daylight.

    Consider Privacy Fencing

    If security is a priority, choose a gate or fence that obscures the view of your home from the street, making it harder for potential intruders to assess the property.

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6. Use Visible House Numbers

Having a visible house number may not seem like a security measure, but it actually plays an important role. In emergencies, police or paramedics need to quickly locate your home. A clearly visible house number helps them find you faster, especially in low-light conditions or densely populated areas.

  • Choose Reflective or Illuminated House Numbers

    Reflective or illuminated house numbers are easier to spot at night and during adverse weather.

  • Place House Numbers in Well-Lit Area

    Ensure your house number is visible from the road and adequately lit. You can install it near an outdoor wall light for extra visibility.

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Explore our range of House Number Signs to make sure your property is easily identifiable.

7. Keep Valuables Out of Sight and Out of the Garden

One of the easiest ways to deter theft is to keep valuable items out of view, both inside and outside your home.

A rustic wooden garden gate surrounded by lush greenery and climbing vines. The gate, made of light, weathered wood, leads to a bright garden space with blurred hints of flowers and foliage in the background. Soft sunlight bathes the scene, highlighting the natural textures and creating a peaceful, inviting atmosphere.

Avoid Displaying Valuables Through Windows

Keep curtains or blinds closed, especially on windows that face the street, to prevent prying eyes from spotting valuables.

Store Bikes, Tools, and Other Items in the Garage or Shed

Items left out in the garden or driveway are easy targets. Store them securely to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

Secure Garden Equipment

Use storage boxes, sheds, or garages to store valuable items when not in use.

Use Locks on Sheds and Garages

Secure any outbuildings where valuables are stored with a sturdy lock, and consider installing a motion-activated light nearby to keep these areas well-lit.

8. Invest in an Alarm System

Having a visible house number may not seem like a security measure, but it actually plays an important role. In emergencies, police or paramedics need to quickly locate your home. A clearly visible house number helps them find you faster, especially in low-light conditions or densely populated areas.

  • Choose a System with Monitoring

    A monitored system sends alerts to both you and a professional monitoring service if there’s a break-in, ensuring a quick response.

  • A CCTV camera mounted on a gray brick wall above a yellow warning sign that reads, “Warning: CCTV in operation.”

    Place Visible Cameras and Security Stickers:

    If you don’t want to invest in a full alarm system, simply placing security cameras or stickers that indicate you have surveillance can be a deterrent.

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9. Final Thoughts

Improving your home’s security doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. By following these simple tips, from enhancing your exterior lighting to securing your doors, you can make your home safer and more resilient to potential intruders.

Don’t forget to check out our range of security-enhancing products, like our solar outdoor wall light and mains powered outdoor up and down wall light, to keep your property well-lit and protected at all times. Small additions like visible house numbers and outdoor lighting can make a big difference in keeping your property safe.

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