When it comes to preventing burglary, it’s important to pay attention to the security of the outside of your house as well as the inside. Burglary is an opportunistic crime, so if your home looks unoccupied and insecure, it’s far more likely to be targeted.

One of the best ways to understand your home’s existing security level is to view it as a burglar would. Have a good look around to see which areas are easiest to access and think about how you can improve them.

Keeping the outside of your home secure can be easily done, it takes just a little time and effort. To get you started, here are some of our top tips:

Security lighting

Fit security lighting to the front and back of your property. This can either be dusk-to-dawn lighting which turns on and stays on in the dark, or motion sensor light that comes on once it detects movement.

Garden maintenance

Keep an eye on your garden and make sure the greenery around your home is maintained so you get maximum visibility to and from your home. Cut back tree limbs and branches to prevent thieves from climbing in through windows, and remember to lock away any garden tools and ladders as the sight of this equipment may encourage a burglar.

Gates and fences

If you have garden gates, keep these secure. Choose strong, lockable and high gates across passageways to stop thieves getting to the back of your home. And by fitting trellis to the top of garden fences, you’re making it more difficult for potential thieves to climb over.

Garages and sheds

The security of outbuildings is often ignored, despite the fact they not only contain valuable equipment, but also tools that can be used to break into your home.

Never leave garages and sheds unlocked. Make sure doors are strong and very secure, particularly if the garage has an adjoining door into your home. Also, where possible:

• Chain items such as bikes and lawnmowers to each other or a strong anchor point

• Mark expensive property, such as gardening equipment or power tools, to make it less attractive to burglars

• Mark your property to allow stolen goods to be easily identified

• Make sure your household insurance covers your shed and garage contents

The best deterrent of all

Finally, we’d recommend that your home is secured by a monitored alarm and make sure the alarm box is fitted in a visible place. When we asked reformed burglars what would deter them from breaking into a property, 93% put an ADT monitored alarm at the top of their list.

So, how secure is the outside of your home?