Top Tips to Keep Your Home Safe Over the Winter
1. Secure doors and windows
Check that all your doors and windows are secure and in good condition. Upgrade your locks if needed, with deadbolts or multi-point locking systems providing extra security.
Always lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, remembering to double-lock UPVC doors (lift the handle and turn the key).
2. Garage doors
If you have a door connecting the garage to the house, make sure this has the same level of security as those above.
3. Install a security system
Burglars want easy pickings and will avoid properties that have effective security. Research has shown that improvements in home security such as fitting an intruder alarm, have played a significant role in reducing burglaries.
Before you buy an alarm, follow our advice here to help you choose a suitable system.
4. Keep valuables out of sight
Ensure all keys, including car keys, are out of sight and away from the letterbox, as a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox.
Keep valuable items, such as mobile phones, laptops and jewellery so they are not visible from outside. In the evening, shut the curtains/blinds and leave lights on.
5. Safes
Store any high value items such as jewellery and passports in a properly accredited safe or bank vault.
Find out more about domestic home safes and what you need to consider when choosing a safe here.
6. Property mark your valuables
Make your valuables less attractive to thieves by using police recognised forensic marking solution – this includes for valuable tools and bikes that are stored in outbuildings and garages.
Property marking is a simple and effective way to protect valuables, making them far less attractive to thieves by both reducing the potential to sell them on and dissuading an offender from its theft by realising that the item can be easily linked to the scene of a crime.
Find out more about property marking here.
7. External lighting
At the front of your property, install security lighting operated by a daylight sensor. At the rear of your property, because it is more secure and private, Secured by Design encourages, wherever possible, the use of the most environmentally friendly light sources. Try to position lighting so that it is not a nuisance to neighbours or a distraction to road users.
8. Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme
A strong community can be one of the best defences against crime. Join or start a neighbourhood watch group and maintain good communication with those living nearby.
Look out for each other’s homes and report any suspicious activity. Neighbourhood Watch provide specialist advice, support and guidance, such as toolkits, training and resources to people who want to develop an active Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
This includes training and resources in respect of setting up schemes in areas of high crime and high social disadvantage, ensuring the inclusion of under-represented communities and those who may otherwise be isolated.
For more information about establishing a Neighbourhood Watch, visit ourwatch.org.uk or contact
9. Don’t forget outdoors
Ensuring your gates and fences are secure, and you may even want to consider gravel paths. Gravel makes noise when walked on, alerting you to anyone approaching your home, especially at night.
Always secure your sheds and outbuildings, as they often contain valuable tools or equipment, some of which can even be used to break into your own home.
10. Don’t advertise your absence
If you're travelling during the winter holidays, avoid advertising your absence on social media, especially during the run-up to Christmas.
Ask a neighbour to collect your mail and use light timers to make it appear as though someone is home.
Whilst winter can be a cosy time spent indoors, don’t forget to take these steps to protect your home from potential security risks.
With a few simple precautions, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is safer and more secure over the long, dark winter nights.
You can find a huge variety of home security and crime prevention tips in our free Advice Hub.
Alongside our practical advice, we have listed our Secured by Design member companies that offer products that have been tested and certified to meet the exacting standards you would expect from the police all to give you confidence and peace of mind. Check it out here.