Protect Your Home From Intruders This Winter

As the days shorten and the nights lengthen, winter in the UK brings many more hours of darkness and potential cover for criminal activity. Thieves and other criminals tend to work under the cover of darkness and winter provides more opportunity for them to do so. Burglars target homes and businesses during the darker months and break ins tend to rise, whether they’re looking for a way to nab your car keys or take away your money and valuables. With winter taking hold, now could be the time to consider new security measures on your property to deter burglars and help you feel safe and secure within the confines of your own home.

We at Mercury Fire and Security understand that darker months can make you feel less secure, but we have various different security solutions that can help. In this guide, we are going to run through some home security tips for the winter and detail what kind of business or home security system you can have installed by our experts. From security cameras to burglar alarms, we have the security devices to keep your home secure.

Why Do Thieves Target Winter?

There are a few reasons why winter can be a time for increased criminal activity, with criminals ready to take advantage of the odds being turned slightly towards their favour. The main reason property owners feeling less secure in winter is the dark afternoons and evenings. Reduced daylight hours provide a longer window for criminals to operate unseen as houses and business buildings are shrouded in darkness so appear vacant, becoming potential easy targets. This limited natural light means lower visibility and so higher difficulty in identifying perpetrators. It can be harder to first spot that suspicious activity is happening and then for law enforcement to bring the burglars to justice after the fact.

Another reason break ins are prevalent during the winter is that Christmas and holiday plans can offer yet more opportunities for burglars to strike. Lots of people like to visit family during the Christmas period or jet off to warmer climes to avoid the freezing British winter. Holiday decorations and travel plans can inadvertently advertise your property to opportunistic criminals and make your property an easy target. Empty homes are ideal for criminals looking to make a quick buck.

Luckily, there are some steps you can take to secure your property and reduce the chance of theft. Some things you can do yourself, but sometimes the best solution is to turn to a security specialist like Mercury.

How Mercury Security Can Keep You Safe All Year Round

The first step to securing your home or commercial building is to have an obvious, visible deterrent that will deter intruders from trying to gain access and steal your belongings. There are three powerful deterrents that homeowners and business owners may want to consider from a local professional company like Mercury. Let’s break them down…

CCTV Cameras

Visible security cameras convey a clear message – your property is monitored. Our high-definition cameras provide clear footage for identification and evidence gathering. There are various different types of cameras available, including turret, dome and bullet cameras, all of which have their own advantages. Each camera we install provides clear images over a large field of vision, vital for identifying a thief. We offer wireless CCTV cameras which are a great option for domestic use with smart home security phone apps included, while large wired security camera systems are often the best choice for big business properties. Read more about our CCTV camera systems here.

Intruder Alarms

Fitting an intruder alarm to your home can both deter burglars from committing a crime in the first place and then help alert you, your local community and law enforcement to a break in. Burglar alarms sit visibly on the front of your house, showing any criminals that your house is protected. You can even put up a sign to make even clearer that your home is secure. Read more about our home intruder alarms here.

Security Lighting

Another option to enhance your security system would be to consider adding security lighting. Motion-activated lights illuminate dark corners, entrances and perimeters, catching criminals off guard and discouraging them from approaching. As with alarms, bright security lights can act as both a deterrent and a way of exposing criminal activity as it is taking place.

CCTV, burglar alarms and lighting are just some of the weapons that Mercury can add to your arsenal in the battle against crime this winter and beyond. For more details, please get in touch.

Another Level of Security

To make you feel even more secure, we have further options and suggestions that can enhance your security system and make it even more effective. After all, it’s just not about deterrent, it’s about having a physical barrier between the outside world and your safe sanctuary, and these options can help in this area. Some of the multi-layered solutions that offer robust protection throughout your property are below.

Access Control Systems

Access control systems limit access to authorised personnel using key cards, codes or biometrics like fingerprints. This ensures only those granted permission can enter your business, creating a safer environment. Potential burglars will be unable to gain access to your property, creating a visible line of defence. Read more about our access control systems here.

Intercom Systems

Intercom systems provide another barrier to entry to your building. Two-way communication within the intercom system allows you to interact with visitors at your door or gate before granting entry. For high-traffic businesses, this option is extremely valuable and, like access control systems, adds an extra layer of security and control. Read more about our intercom systems here.

Door and Window Alarms

For even more security, you may want to consider specific door and window alarms, often working in tandem with your overall intruder alarm system. Strategically placed alarms on entry points detect unauthorised attempts to access your home or business, triggering an immediate response. Door and window locks must be kept engaged and any attempt to penetrate the locks will raise the alarm.

Winter Home Security Tips

Away from our professional services, there are a number of steps you can take yourself to help keep your home and business secure. Starting with the most simple but important piece of advice, please keep your doors and windows locked at all times, especially when nighttime comes. A front door, front window or garage door left open can be the perfect invitation to a criminal opportunist, granting them easy access and egress, perfect for a quick act of thievery. We also recommend keeping house keys and other keys away from front doors and windows.

You can also uses your driveway and garden to improve your security. It’s a great idea to add lighting to these exterior areas of your property as it will remove the cover of darkness that thieves need to approach your property. You could also invest in a better, higher fence around your garden and front driveway, or even consider replacing your perimeter fencing with a wall.

We also recommend taking steps to make your home appear occupied even when you’re away. You can do this by having a timer that will turn lights on during the evenings or even ask friends and family to pop in and open or close the curtains at appropriate times. You may even want to leave the radio or music playing at low volume to again suggest to any criminals that the occupants are inside. If you are going away, make sure you keep social media posts about your trip private and maybe wait until you get home to share your photos with the world.

And of course, you can collaborate with your neighbours and local community to keep your area safer in the winter and the rest of the year. You could join or create a neighbourhood watch scheme or simply promise to look out for each other’s homes and report anything suspicious. Working together is one of the best ways we can win the fight against crime.

The Mercury Fire and Security Service

We at Mercury understand that security is not just about having the right equipment and setup – it’s about peace of mind. We offer unparalleled service in the local area to put your mind at ease. Our team of qualified engineers ensures professional installation of your security system, guaranteeing seamless operation and adherence to the highest safety standards. For added peace of mind, we offer optional 24/7 monitoring services. Our trained professionals actively monitor your security system, ready to dispatch emergency services if an alarm is triggered. Furthermore, we offer maintenance and servicing options to keep your security system in optimal condition, ensuring uninterrupted protection year-round for many years to come.

Please get in touch with our experienced team to discuss the security options open to your and your property and explore our website for further details on all the products and services we have mentioned. Our services cover the entire East Midlands and surrounding area, and we have vast experience working with every kind of residential and commercial building known to man.