The Locksmith Journal Sep/Oct 2020 - Issue 70 | Page 18

NATIONAL HOME SECURITY MONTH

Setting the Home Security Standard as the Clocks Go Back

» AS THE NIGHTS GET DARKER , IT ’ S essential for more awareness around home security and the measures which can be taken to help prevent any unwanted attacks on homes . The dark winter months bring revenue opportunities for locksmiths , with homeowners investing in new home security products . Yale , sponsors of the annual National Home Security Month campaign , provides advice on what areas of the home should be looked at when considering home security .
Darker Nights
Comprehensive and adaptable home security has never been so important , there were more than 350,000 domestic burglaries in England and Wales in the year ending March 2020 1 , with November being the most common month for home break-ins 2 .
Many UK homeowners haven ’ t made the necessary security precautions to their home as required , and according to research from Co-op Insurance and Neighbourhood Watch 3 , even though more than half ( 51 %) of UK adults have been a victim of burglary and / or attempted burglary , more than two fifths ( 44 %) have not taken any measures to protect the property they live in .
As the nights get longer , it ’ s important to raise awareness around the significance of surveying current home security and what investments would be beneficial . The security campaign National Home Security Month takes place each year throughout October . Now in its eighth year , the initiative highlights the ways homeowners can keep their homes , families
and possessions safe as the days get shorter - providing the ideal opportunity for trusted tradespeople to install necessary home security measures .
When it comes to security , homeowners are willing to spend more to ensure that their homes are securely protected . As a tradesperson it ’ s important that you are offering the highest quality security products and sound advice , to guarantee your customers are receiving the most effective solutions .
There are many vulnerable areas around the home which are often overlooked by homeowners . When advising a customer or conducting a home security survey , it would be beneficial to take note of these locations around the home , to suggest security changes which should be made , and the required standards for different products .
Here are some top considerations to take into account when surveying the security of a home :
Internal :
• Ensure good quality windows and doors are fitted with appropriate locks . This is especially important for the more easily accessible ground floor windows and doors , such as patio doors .
• If the door handles are starting to become loose , they need upgrading . To achieve maximum security , ensure the handle is TS007 2-star rating and combine it with a 1-star or higher rated cylinder .
• As lock snapping continues to be a threat , the quality of the lock cylinders is more important than ever . Check that the cylinders are rated at TS007 3-star Kitemark , endorsed by Secured By Design , like the Yale Platinum 3 Star Euro cylinder lock , which provides anti snap lock protection for the property .
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SEP / OCT 2020
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