How to Keep Your House Secure at Night

As the clocks change and the longer evenings set in, it's natural to seek ways to ensure your home remains a safe haven. The darker nights may be unsettling, but with the right strategies in place, you can rest assured that your home is well-protected. This guide details all the essential steps to secure your home at night, providing peace of mind as autumn approaches.

Securing your home starts with understanding the potential risks and taking proactive measures to address them. Here are some security ideas for your home to help you protect your house from break-ins:

1. Install High-Quality Locks

One of the most effective ways to protect your home is by ensuring all entry points have high-quality locks. Deadbolts, smart locks, and keyless entry systems add an extra layer of security. We aren't just referring to front door locks; remember to secure windows and sliding doors with appropriate locks too.

Keep track of your spare keys or smart lock access, a lock is only as good as the security around the keys for it. You should only give copies of keys or digital access for smart locks to your trusted friends or relatives. Make sure to emphasise to them not to label any keys with your address and to frequently check they are safe.

2. Use Smart Lighting

Lighting plays a crucial role in deterring intruders. Consider installing smart lights that turn on automatically at dusk and off at dawn.

Motion-sensor security lights outside your home can also startle potential burglars, making them think twice before approaching. Lights help those nearby to see if someone is breaking into your home. They also make it difficult for the intruder to escape with any belongings without being seen.

3. Invest in a Home Security System

A comprehensive security system is one of the best ways to protect your home. Modern systems offer features like video surveillance, motion detectors, and 24/7 monitoring. The presence of cameras alone can act as a strong deterrent.

Many home security cameras, like the Pro 5 camera kit, also include spotlights. So smart lighting is covered within the home security system, which means less equipment for you to buy and install.

4. Secure Your Perimeter

Fencing, gates, and locked garages add an extra barrier against intruders. The Police recommend using shorter fencing in the front of your property to improve visibility. They also suggest using taller fencing on the sides and back and planting prickly or barbed shrubbery.

Ensure your garden and driveway are well-lit and have no hiding spots, such as overgrown bushes or spaces behind bin corrals. Adding gravel to pathways can also create noise, alerting you to any unexpected visitors.

5. Reinforce Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are common entry points for burglars. If you are concerned about these, you can reinforce them with security film, bars, or grilles to make your home safer.

If you don't wish to for aesthetic reasons, consider pointing an internal camera at vulnerable spots to capture suspicious activity. You can also consider installing door and window sensors that trigger an alarm if tampered with.

6. Keep Valuables Out of Sight

Ensure that valuable items are not visible from outside your home. It is a good idea to keep curtains or blinds closed at night and store expensive items in a safe.

Think about the packaging near your bins revealing expensive purchases or anyone knowing about costly items in your home. Be cautious of what you display and who you discuss expensive items with. Valuables to a burglar can include jewellery, cash, electronics and prescription medication.

Preventing break-ins requires a combination of physical security measures and good habits. Here are some home security tips you never thought of:

1. Create the Illusion of Occupancy

If you’re away, create the illusion that someone is home by using timers for lights, radios, and televisions. You can use smart home devices to control these from afar, so observant burglars won't notice a set timer.

It can also be helpful to get a neighbour or friend to open and close the curtains at the front of the house while you're away. If you're away for an extended period, not putting out the bins can also indicate that the house is empty.

2. Maintain Your Property

A well-maintained property indicates that someone is occupying and caring for it. Regularly trim hedges, mow the lawn, repaint the door and window frames and collect post and deliveries. An untidy garden and piles of letters visible through a glass front door can signal to burglars that you’re away.

If you are away, ask a neighbour to pick up the post from behind the door regularly for you. Or stop newspaper deliveries and ask the post office to hold your letters with the "Keepsafe" service (charges apply).

3. Join a Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood watch schemes are excellent for deterring crime. Being part of a community that looks out for one another adds a layer of security. Burglars do not want to be noticed; a sticker indicating that those nearby are watching the property can make them go elsewhere.

Yes, you should set your burglar alarm at night. Many people forget to activate their alarms when they’re at home, but it’s crucial for nighttime security. Modern alarm systems often have a “home” mode that allows you to secure the perimeter while you move freely inside.

The hope is that the above preventative measures will deter a burglar from attempting a break-in in the first place. If they attempt to break in anyway, you'll be glad your burglar alarm woke you before they did.

Advantages of Setting Your Alarm

• Alert: If an intruder attempts to break in, the alarm will notify you and the monitoring centre immediately.

• Deter: The sound of an alarm can scare off burglars before they manage to enter.

• Peace: Knowing that your home is protected gives you peace of mind, allowing you to sleep more comfortably at night.

As the evenings grow longer, it becomes increasingly important to secure your home at night. By following these home security tips, you can effectively protect your house from break-ins and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve done everything possible to keep your home safe.

Whether you invest in a robust security system, install smart lighting, or simply remember to set your alarm, every action contributes to a safer home environment.

As with all types of crime, prevention is the ultimate goal. A security system can prevent crimes before they happen, saving you the time, loss of valuables, and the anxiety associated with break-ins.

Today’s innovative night vision farm cameras allow you to see clearly, even in complete darkness. Consider Arlo’s floodlight security camera, which illuminates the surrounding area with 3000-lumen LEDs brighter than car headlights and records in 2K resolution simultaneously.

Opt for weatherproof cameras that withstand rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. Arlo’s Pro 5 wire-free security camera offers 2K HDR video, integrated spotlights, and two-way audio for clear communication—all while being weatherproof!

Here at Arlo, we understand that rural security extends beyond security cameras. Here’s a checklist to get you started:

Well-lit properties with clear views from the road are less appealing to criminals. Install outdoor security lights with motion sensors to deter nighttime activity. Consider getting a camera with a powerful light included, such as Arlo’s cutting-edge floodlight outdoor security camera.

Ensure sheds, barns, and garages are properly secured with strong locks and deadbolts. Consider using security shutters or bars on windows for added protection.

When not in use, store tractors, quad bikes, and other equipment in a secure building. Invest in immobilising devices like wheel clamps or hitch locks. Security marking your equipment with a unique ID can also deter theft and aid recovery.

Maintain secure fencing around fields and pastures—double-check gates and enclosures regularly for signs of tampering. Consider using electronic tagging systems for your animals.

Install secure locks on fuel tank lids. Locate tanks above ground for better visibility, and consider using alarmed cages for additional protection.

Join or establish a neighbourhood watch scheme to connect with your rural community and share information about suspicious activity.

Remember, you’re not alone! By working together and implementing these security measures, rural communities can deter crime and create a safer environment for everyone. You should report any suspicious activity or crimes, no matter how minor, to the police. This will help build a bigger picture of criminal activity in your area.

At Arlo, we understand the unique security challenges faced by rural residents. Our best CCTV camera systems are designed to deliver exceptional performance, even in remote locations. With weatherproof cameras, night vision, and remote access, your property stays secure, no matter the place or time of day.