How to burglar proof your home in Dorset this winter

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that, as the months grow colder, Mariah Carey arrived on the radio, and Snowmen start to be built, thieves are more likely to target homes. In the 2021-2022 period alone, there were 192,060 home burglaries reported in England and Wales – that’s an average of 526 homes a day and a house being burgled every 164 seconds. It’s a scary prospect, true, but relax when we say that Poole Joinery is well equipped to help better burglar proof your Dorset home.

Should you worry about this particularly fervent time of year from property thieves, there are multiple methods you can lay in place to feel more secure. From fitting your glazing with appropriate multi-locking furniture to composite doors that set the standard for safety, here’s all you need to know to enjoy absolute peace of mind when it comes to home security this winter…

What are 5 things you can do around your home to make it safer?

1. Reinforce your windows with multi-point locking

We mentioned in the intro, that one of the best ways to secure your home via the windows is to ensure that they are fitted with the appropriate lock mechanism. Not just locks that secure the handle either, but actually secure them to the frame. Any new windows that are installed – whether using uPVC or aluminium – should meet British Standard 7950 and PAS 24 requirements, like the ones fitted by staff at Poole Joinery. Every window we offer comes fitted with multi-point locking furniture as standard, keeping your property protected via the “eyes” of the home.

2. Invest in a secure material for a new front entrance

Just as important as windows, the doors you choose to have fitted also have a dramatic impact on your home’s security. Read on to find a breakdown of which specific entrance door material would best suit your needs. For now, however, just know that the most secure door is usually one that is multi-layered, fitted with the appropriate security locks, and fitted to be airtight into the frame. Just know that when it comes to home security, every door fitted by Poole Joinery always comes manufactured with Secured By Design accreditation.

3. Replace single glazed windows and doors with double or triple glazing

It being 2022 means that, realistically, no home should still be suffering from draughty single-glazed windows and doors. As well as leaking an unprecedented amount of heat from the inside living space, they also leave your home open to attack thanks to minimal layers of defence. That’s why opting to upgrade your property with either double- or triple-glazed windows and doors means creating entranceways that are immensely more difficult to break from the outside. You’ll not only be able to sleep more soundly but will likely benefit from reduced energy bills, too. A nice bonus.

4. Install security cameras and a house alarm

Our next point isn’t the most revolutionary, we’ll admit, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t use this opportunity to reinforce how important it is to fit your property with a house alarm. Not only does having this type of technology fitted warn you in the instance that your home is under attack, but the simple sight of it has been proven to be an effective method to ward off thieves. Once they see that your home is appropriately kitted out with an alarm system, or better still security cameras, the likelihood that your home will be targeted decreases substantially.

5. Close blinds and curtains after dark

Sometimes it’s the smallest details that can make the biggest difference. A prime example is our last top tip, which again references the important role your doors and windows play in keeping your home secure: Ensure that any blinds or curtains are closed at night. By doing this any potential thief won’t be privy to what’s going on inside the property, and many will likely be less tempted due to any valuables staying hidden behind these extra layers.

What type of front door is the most secure?

There are various different types of front doors, all of which hold unique benefits when it comes to security. That’s why, as promised earlier, here’s a breakdown of each door material and what security perks they offer:

Create a safe and secure home with services from Poole Joinery

As well as wrapping up warm this winter, be sure to increase your home’s security with reinforced windows and doors from Poole Joinery. To discuss which configuration and design would be best for your needs, feel free to contact a member of our team for a free quote today!