Vital After Dark Security Tips to Protect Your Property

With the clocks going back and the nights drawing out, it’s important to start thinking about how to better protect your home, valuables and family after dark, which is precisely what we’re covering in this post: after dark security tips.

UK burglary statistics for 2022 published by the Office for National Statistics reveal that 60% of all burglaries take place in the evening or during the night, from 6pm to 6am. This makes it essential that extra steps are taken to protect your property during the hours of darkness, more so now that those hours of darkness are falling earlier.

Let’s take a look at a few after dark security measures you can employ that will specifically protect your property at night.

Install outdoor lighting

Outdoor security lighting offers a number of benefits. From making you feel safer and more at ease when you arrive home after dark and being able to better identify any night time callers, to putting off would-be intruders and acting as a deterrent for burglars, there are many reasons why investing in outdoor lighting is a good idea.

Choose from dusk till dawn lighting that stays on during the hours of darkness, or sensor lighting that automatically comes on when motion is detected.

It is important to site your outdoor lighting in the right place for maximum benefit. Our guide to getting the most out of your security lighting provides plenty of expert advice on this subject, as well as useful recommendations on choosing and installing outdoor lights as an after dark security measure.

Secure doors

According to the Office for National Statistics, in 70% of burglaries, the intruder enters the property through the door. And in 50% of domestic burglaries, someone was at home whilst the offender gained entry to the property.

So, two vital lessons to be learned here. Firstly, be sure to always lock your doors properly. And secondly, make sure your doors are securely locked, even when you’re at home.

Whilst many people invest in lever locks with multiple bolts for added security, the strange thing is, a lot of them don’t actually go to the trouble of locking the door with a key. But doing so is vital, not just because it makes it considerably more difficult for the lock to be compromised, but also because without fully locking the door, any insurance claim made following a burglary is likely to be turned down.

It’s also important to make sure you choose the right lock for the right door. Certain locks are more suited to certain types of doors, and some doors will need added security, such as wooden doors and patio doors, because they are considered more vulnerable.

Taking advice from an accredited locksmith is vital if you are going to ensure your doors are adequately secured and ready to protect you during the long winter nights.

Fit window locks

Or be sure to use them if you already have them fitted. Again, it’s not worth having locks if you don’t use them.

Ground floor windows, or those that can be accessed from a flat roof or drain pipe, are particularly at risk. So, to help boost your after dark security, make sure you secure them with a suitable lock.

Secure back and side gates

It is crucial to secure back or side gates that provide access to the rear of your property. Not only will you be preventing an intruder taking advantage of a potentially easier, undetected way in through the back of the house, you will also be protecting any outbuildings, such as a shed filled with expensive garden tools.

Make sure that any back or side gates fitted are robust and in good condition. This includes the hinges. Install good quality, suitable locks, and consider fitting security spikes for added protection.

Our guide to securing back and side gates provides more detailed advice.

Use a light switch timer

A security light switch timer is the ultimate after dark security solution, automatically switching your lighting on and off when you’re not home, making the property look occupied.

With no programming required, the switches are easy to use. Simply plug the lamp into the timer, set your on and off times, and switch on.

Some switches feature a built-in dusk to dawn sensor, so the light will only turn on during the hours of darkness.

It is also possible to buy a smart light switch timer which can be controlled remotely using a smart device. Some can also be connected via Bluetooth for voice control.

Looking for home security advice to protect your property this winter?

If you are looking to boost the security of your home this winter, why not talk to the friendly experts at Barry Bros Security?

We’re here to provide tailored guidance across every aspect of home security, so why not give us a call or pop in to our London showroom for a chat with one of our specialists?