Published 5 November 2025
How to burglar-proof your home
From alarms to lights and all the tech in between, let’s take a look at some simple ways to protect your home from burglary… and a few top tips to deter thieves from even trying!
How do I secure my home?
- Hide your keys
Always keep your car and home keys out of sight and out of reach. Hiding house keys in obvious places, like under a doormat or plant pot, or leaving them near a letterbox or open window makes it easy for thieves to grab them. If your keys are lost or stolen, or you’ve moved into a new home, get your locks changed immediately. Remember, never keep your address with your house keys!
- Lock up
It may feel like another thing on your to do list, but making use of things like mortice dead locks could save your home from potential burglaries. It may even be a condition of your home insurance, so please check your documents.
- Set the alarm
Setting up home alarms are a great way to protect your home, but remember to keep access codes / pin numbers secret and change them regularly. If you have an alarm system (or even a good guard dog) put up 'beware' signs as this could deter thieves.
- Use timers
Using timers to turn lights on and off when you’re away from home for the night or more will make your home look active. You could also ask a trusted family member, friend or neighbour to pick up mail or deliveries, put out / put away your bins and park in your driveway while you’re away. The last thing you want it for your home to look unoccupied to a would-be burglar.
- Curtain twitching
Get involved in a local neighbourhood watch scheme or group chat to stay on top of what’s going on in your local area. If there isn’t one, see if you can set one up, or come to an agreement with your neighbours to look out for each other.
Top tip: Use an ultraviolet pen to mark your name, house number and postcode on items in your home and garden. This will make it easier for the police to identify any recovered items that belong to you, following a burglary.
How to stop a burglar
- Light it up
Having the outside of your home well lit, especially near doors or to the rear of the house, is a great way to stop a thief in their tracks. Remember to fix exterior lighting higher up, out of easy reach.
- Check credentials
Always ask for ID from any trades people or unexpected callers and refuse entry to your home if you’re not sure.
- Don't make it easy
Leaving items like spades, bricks, ladders or other tools on show could help a burglar, as they can be used to break into your house. Or, if easily accessible, these could be items they steal.
Guard your garden
- Bins and bike storge can be used to climb over gates and fences, so keep these secure and away from entry points.
- Check for any weak spots in your fence, or gaps in your hedges, to establish any potential entry points. Make sure you secure these before going away.
- Trellis is a good anti-theft device on fences, as it would break if anyone tried to climb it.
- If you have a driveway, gravel can put some thieves off as it makes a noise at night when you walk on it.
Does Allianz Home Insurance cover theft?
Yes, Allianz Home Insurance covers theft, so make sure everything in your home is fully insured by checking the cover limits in your policy documents.
In the meantime, let's help avoid burglaries, by making sure our homes are secured, thieves are deterred and home tech is monitored.
