Good home security isn't about spending a fortune — it's a handful of habits plus a few well-chosen upgrades. Here are the tips we give customers across Southampton and the Solent that genuinely make a burglar move on to an easier target.
Everyday habits that cost nothing
- Never label keys with your name or address — if they're lost or stolen, you've handed over the map.
- Keep keys away from windows, doors and the letterbox, where they can be hooked or grabbed after breaking glass. Never leave a key sitting in the lock.
- Use a door chain or the peephole to check who's there before you open up.
- Lock ladders and tools away — don't leave a burglar the means to reach an upstairs window.
Inexpensive upgrades worth making
Fit key-operated locks on all ground-floor windows and any first-floor window reachable from a flat roof or extension. Make sure external doors carry a BS3621 five-lever deadlock — the standard most insurers expect — and put a decent padlock on the shed and side gate.
Deterrents that punch above their weight
- Motion-activated lighting startles anyone approaching after dark.
- A gravel path or drive makes a quiet approach impossible.
- Blinds and an alarm box (real, ideally) add to the "not worth the risk" impression.
- A home safe protects what matters if someone does get in.
Not sure where your weak spots are? As local, independent locksmiths we'll happily take a look and fit whatever's needed — get in touch or visit our Hedge End or Park Gate store.