Have you just bought your dream home? Wondering how to protect and secure it against a break-in? While I’m sure you’re up to your eyeballs in packing boxes and bubble wrap, it’s time to start thinking about security. You might be surprised to learn that the best time to get your security considerations sorted is before moving in.
First National Real Estate points out that 20.3% of Australian homes have been burgled at some point. And here’s the clincher: it takes 75% of burglars less than 5 minutes to enter a property. Yep, you read correctly, less than 5 minutes! Putting these figures together, it’s an unfortunate reality that your home may be broken into while you’ve still got the SOLD sign standing up in your front yard.
Here are our top tips for securing and protecting your home before you move in.
Organise home and contents insurance
While many movers provide transit insurance, once your contents have arrived in your new home, they are your responsibility to insure. Even if you’ve only moved a few valuables, the cost of an insurance policy is likely far less than replacing your TV!
You may also need to check whether home insurance is your responsibility before settlement. In some states, including Queensland, you may be responsible for any damage within your home once you’ve signed the contract.
Change the locks
As soon as you pick up the keys to your new home, it’s good to organise for a locksmith to come and change the locks. As you probably know, duplicating a key is incredibly easy (and cheap!), and you don’t know how many copies of your keys are out there. It’s safe to assume that anyone who’s lived in or rented your home previously might have a spare copy of your keys, which can open you up to a potential burglary in the future.
When you change your locks, you usually have two options:
- Rekeying — having a locksmith adjust the tumblers of the locks so that old keys won’t work
- Replacing the locks altogether.
Install security screen doors
The most common way burglars attempt to break into a property is through the front door. In fact, two-thirds of burglars are opportunistic, simply finding an unlocked or easy-to-jimmy access point and wandering straight in. During the transition between buying or renting your new home and moving in, there will likely be many people coming and going through your front and back doors and, unfortunately, several valuables left out in plain sight.
Installing security screen doors before you move in can save you the heartache of finding out that a mover or family member has forgotten to deadlock your door, leaving your home vulnerable to a break-in. Security screen doors made from our market-leading Amplimesh® SupaScreen and IntrudaGuard® fitted with a triple-lock locking system will keep your house safe and secure by simply turning a key.
Consider a home security system
Along with security screens, home security systems can be a great deterrent to burglars looking for a vulnerable house to target. In addition, most new security systems link up to your smartphone, allowing you to monitor your new home from anywhere while you’re in the moving process.
Security systems are great for giving you peace of mind, knowing that you have a system watching over your new property and recording any unwanted behaviour. We’ve talked about security screens and other general security measures in our helpful post, Break-ins in your area? Here are 5 easy ways to secure your house.
As an extra precaution, consider installing outdoor security lighting or motion lights to complement your security system. Motion sensor lights may deter criminals who trespass onto your property at night, particularly when no one is home.
Make friends with your new neighbours
If you’re not going to be moving into your new house for some time, it’s a good idea to head out and introduce yourself to your future neighbours. Let them know that you’ll be moving in soon and ask them to keep a lookout for anything unusual until you move in. Leave your contact details with them and ask them to tell you if they notice anything suspicious happening near your property.
Enlist Goldco to get you move-in ready
Moving home can be a stressful time — don’t let a break in add more worry! The team at Goldco Security can support you to secure your property with the market-leading Amplimesh® security screens on the Gold Coast.
Both our Amplimesh® SupaScreen® and Amplimesh® IntrudaGuard® Security Mesh screens are tested to and exceed the Australian Standard AS5039-2008 for maximum impact and shear resistance to keep your home and family safe and secure. Not only that, our security screens are certified Australian made and manufactured right here on the Gold Coast.
If you’d like to learn more about our security screen offering, give us a call to talk to a member of the friendly Goldco team. We pride ourselves on our quality workmanship, old fashioned service and competitive pricing.
For a free site measure, contact us today!
Contact Goldco Security