The variety of home security is massive and ever expanding which is why it helps to know what would be most effective at keeping intruders and unwanted guests out.
All houses should have the basics in domestic security, homes should all be fitted with a door chain and a suitable, insurance rated lock.
The type of lock is vital in the protection of one's home; the first question to ask one's self is are your doors wooden or PVC? For wooden doors, locks should display current British Standards - BS3621.
This can be found on sashlocks, deadlocks and nightlatches.
If your door currently has a night latch it is advisable that a deadlock is fitted in addition and used at all times when the property is vacant.
For UPVC doors the standard lock found is a Euro Cylinder, these locks are particularly vulnerable to attack.
In a lot of cases thieves have been able to gain access to the property in under 30 seconds.
Recent improvements in the design of Euro cylinders now mean they are more resilient to attack.
When purchasing a Euro Cylinder always look for Bump, Pick and Snap resistance.
In recent years a doorstep burglary has gone through the roof.
A bogus caller's access to your property can be restricted easily by a few simple security upgrades - Door Chains and Door restrictors are a simple and cost effective method of preventing forced access to one's property.
Door viewers (or the more commonly known peephole) are a cost effective, useful and easily fitted product that can help to prevent bogus callers gaining entry to your property by allowing you to identify them without having to open the door.
Installing a door viewer gives the occupier of the property full control over who they allow access to.
Another thing to consider would be the potential to access your home through a window.
It is recommended that all ground floor windows and other easily accessed windows (Could someone gain access via a flat roof etc?) should have key operated locks fitted.
You should also be aware of any ladders stored on your property.
Ladders should be kept either securely chained up or locked away and out of site.
To finish, the most important thing of all is to check the requirements of your home insurance company.
They are all different with their requirements but will all refuse to pay out in the event of a burglary if they do not think your home security is up to standard.
Always read the small print and if you are still unsure, ask someone who knows.
Many locksmiths will offer a free, no obligation security survey to homes in their local area.
You could potentially save a lot of heartache and money for the sake of a phone call.