Construction and renovation work is a great way to improve the interior of your home. However, it can also be a prime opportunity for thieves to steal from you. That’s why we at StrongHold Locksmith Brisbane want to teach you how to protect yourself against theft during construction or renovations on your home.
- First, make sure your doors are locked at all times. This includes when you leave and return to the home for short periods of time. Do not assume that someone else is watching out for thieves while construction occurs on your property.
- Second, keep an eye on any tools or materials left outside overnight. Thieves may break in through windows if they notice a lack of security inside the house during work hours (e.g., because there are no lights). Lock up these items securely so they can’t be stolen–even temporarily! Tools should only be brought into the house after dark, as well; this will also protect against theft from people posing as tradespeople who infiltrate homes by pretending to offer their services free of charge.
- Third, create a secure area for storing valuable items. This can be achieved by using an inexpensive but effective lock mechanism such as a hasp and padlock or even Velcro straps to secure any cupboards where these objects are stored during the day. It is also advisable to install new locks on windows that will not be used so burglars cannot break through them with crowbars (a popular tactic).
- Fourth, note all valuables in your home before construction begins–both those which you want to be protected and those which may need protection from thieves who have already been inside previously. Take pictures of anything expensive just in case it disappears while work is being done: this will make theft more difficult because many things stolen at construction sites turn out to be faked.
- Fifth, make sure the security code of your alarm system is changed before work begins– or better yet, change it often while the construction process is taking place. This can help thwart thieves from entering with a duplicate key made previously and stealing any valuables that are left unguarded for an extended period of time (tempting as they are). The same goes for buying new locks: keep changing them, so there’s no chance of someone matching one up after seeing where you store extra keys in case of emergencies. It may not seem like much, but these few changes will deter many burglars who might otherwise see this renovation opportunity as too good to resist.
A burglar could easily break into a home while renovations are happening if they know how to disable the alarm system and have duplicate keys. So, make sure you change your security code often or get new locks so that it’s harder for burglars to find something worth stealing in your house when there is less space with all of these other things going on. It may not seem like much, but these few changes will deter many burglars who might otherwise see this renovation opportunity as too good to resist.