Home Security Tips: Protect Your Property and Reduce Insurance Premiums

New Zealand experiences approximately 30,000 residential burglaries annually. While this sounds alarming, the good news is that basic security measures significantly reduce your risk. Burglars prefer easy targets. Properties that look secure, with visible deterrents and no obvious entry points, are typically bypassed in favour of less protected homes.

Beyond protection, security improvements may reduce your home insurance premiums. Many insurers offer discounts for monitored alarms, security cameras, and approved locks. The savings can offset the cost of security upgrades over time.

Physical Security Fundamentals

Before investing in technology, ensure your basic physical security is sound. Locks, doors, and windows are your first line of defence. No amount of cameras or alarms helps if a burglar can simply push open a weak door.

Door Security

External doors should be solid core or solid timber, not hollow core interior doors. The strike plate should be secured with long screws that reach the wall framing, not just the door frame. A quality deadlock provides significantly more resistance than a standard latch lock.

Sliding doors present particular vulnerabilities. Install a bar or dowel in the track to prevent the door being forced. Consider an auxiliary lock that pins the door to the frame. Glass panels beside doors should be laminated or security film applied to prevent reaching through to unlock from inside.

Window Security

Windows are common entry points. Ensure all windows have working locks and use them, especially when away from home. Key-lockable window stays allow ventilation while preventing the window opening wide enough for entry.

Ground floor windows and those accessible from flat roofs, fences, or climbing structures deserve particular attention. Security window film on glass prevents easy smash-and-reach entry. Security screens or grilles provide strong protection but affect appearance and emergency egress.

Alarm Systems

A quality alarm system deters burglars and limits damage if entry does occur. The visible presence of an alarm, including external sirens and window stickers, discourages many opportunistic offenders before they attempt entry. If triggered, the noise attracts attention and typically causes quick departure.

Monitored vs Unmonitored

Unmonitored alarms rely on neighbours or passers-by responding to the siren. In reality, most people ignore alarm sounds. A monitored alarm alerts a monitoring centre who can dispatch security or police. This faster response increases the chance of apprehension and reduces time for property loss.

Monitoring typically costs $30 to $60 per month. Some insurers require monitored alarms for their best rates or for high-value contents cover. The annual monitoring cost may be offset by insurance savings.

Security Cameras

Visible cameras deter offenders and provide evidence if crimes occur. Modern systems are affordable, easy to install, and offer remote viewing through smartphone apps. Even budget systems provide useful deterrence and recording capability.

Camera Placement

Cover main entry points: front door, back door, and garage. Include driveway coverage to capture vehicle details. Position cameras high enough to prevent tampering but angled to capture faces, not just the tops of heads. Ensure adequate lighting for night recording, or use cameras with good low-light performance.

Cloud storage ensures footage is preserved even if the recording device is stolen. Local storage on a hidden recorder provides backup. Many systems offer both options. Retain footage for at least 30 days to ensure any incident is captured before automatic deletion.

Lighting and Visibility

Burglars prefer darkness. Exterior lighting around entry points, pathways, and dark corners removes concealment. Motion-activated lights startle intruders and draw attention. Timer or smart-controlled interior lights simulate occupancy when you are away.

Maintain visibility around your property. Overgrown hedges and trees near windows provide concealment for forced entry attempts. Trim vegetation to eliminate hiding spots while maintaining privacy from casual observers. The goal is clear sightlines from the street and neighbours to potential entry points.

Valuables and Documentation

Even with good security, theft can occur. Minimise potential loss by securing valuables and documenting possessions. A home safe protects important documents, jewellery, and small valuables from both theft and fire. Bolt safes to floors or walls to prevent removal.

Photograph valuable items and record serial numbers. Store this documentation securely, ideally in the cloud or off-site. This information proves invaluable for insurance claims and police reports. Update documentation when you acquire significant new items.

Insurance Benefits of Security

Many insurers offer premium discounts for security improvements. Common qualifying measures include monitored alarm systems, deadlocks on external doors, window locks, and security cameras. Discounts typically range from 5 to 15 percent, potentially saving hundreds annually.

Contact your insurer before installing security systems. Ask specifically which measures qualify for discounts and what documentation you need to provide. Some insurers require professional installation or specific product certifications. Understanding requirements upfront ensures you receive the discounts you expect.

Building a Security Routine

The best security systems fail if not used. Develop habits that ensure consistent security. Lock doors whenever you leave, even briefly. Close and lock windows when rooms are unoccupied. Set the alarm when leaving and at night. Check that garage doors are closed.

Include family members in security routines. Ensure everyone knows how to operate the alarm system without triggering false alerts. Agree on procedures for key management. The most sophisticated security is worthless if children leave doors unlocked or share alarm codes with friends.

Review your security periodically. Check that locks and alarms function correctly. Ensure camera views remain unobstructed by plant growth. Update alarm codes if household circumstances change. Security is an ongoing practice, not a one-time installation.