Spring is a time when many of us refresh our homes – opening windows, spending more time in the garden, and making the most of longer, lighter days. It’s also a good time to review your home security, as these seasonal habits can make homes more vulnerable to crime.
Police guidance consistently shows that many burglaries involve unlocked doors, open windows, or easy access to a property.
Taking a few simple steps this spring can help keep your home safe and secure.
Why home security matters more in spring
As the weather improves, routines naturally change. You may be moving between the house and garden more often, leaving doors open for convenience, or spending longer periods outdoors.
While these are all part of enjoying the season, they can also create small moments of vulnerability that are easy to overlook.
By building a few simple checks into your routine, you can help keep your home secure.
How spring habits can impact your home security
During the spring months, it’s common to:
- Leave doors open while moving between the house and garden
- Spend more time outside, with the home less supervised
- Start gardening or DIY projects, leaving tools accessible
- Open windows more frequently, including overnight
These are all normal behaviours – but being mindful of them can help reduce risk.
Be mindful of open doors and windows
It’s natural to let fresh air into your home as the weather improves.
However, it’s important to:
- Secure all doors and windows before leaving the house or going to bed
- Avoid leaving ground-floor windows open overnight
- Ensure windows are not easily accessible from outside
Even during the day, an unlocked door or open window can provide easy access.
Secure your garden and outdoor spaces
Spending more time outside means your garden becomes a key part of your home’s security.
Simple steps include:
- Locking side gates and checking fences are secure
- Securing sheds and garages
- Keeping tools, ladders, and equipment stored away and out of sight
Items left outside can sometimes be used to gain access to your property, so it’s important to keep them secure.
Improve visibility and use simple deterrents
Spring is a great time to tidy outdoor spaces – and improving visibility can help deter unwanted attention.
You can:
- Trim hedges and bushes around doors and windows
- Ensure entrances are visible from the street or neighbouring properties
- Use lighting to give the impression your home is occupied, such as timers or smart plugs
- Consider visible deterrents such as video doorbells or dummy CCTV cameras
Simple changes like these can make your home less attractive to someone looking for easy access.
Think about safe access to your property
As routines change, you may rely more on others accessing your home – for example, family members, carers, or neighbours.
Leaving spare keys outside may seem convenient, but it can create a security risk.
A more secure option is a key safe, which allows controlled access to your property without leaving keys exposed.
Stay alert to delivery and doorstep risks
With deliveries now a regular part of daily life, it’s important to stay aware of both physical and digital risks.
- Avoid leaving parcels in visible or unsecured locations
- Arrange safe delivery options where possible
- Be cautious of unexpected “missed delivery” messages and always check the source before clicking links
Taking a moment to check can help protect both your home and your personal information.
Prepare your home if you’re away this spring
As we move into spring and early summer, many people begin taking short breaks or holidays.
If your home will be empty, consider:
- Using timers or smart plugs to turn lights on in the evening
- Using devices such as TV simulators to give the impression someone is home
- Asking a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property
- Avoiding sharing travel plans publicly on social media
- Installing a ring doorbell to monitor who approaches your property
Simple steps like these can help your home appear occupied and reduce the likelihood of it being targeted.
We’re here to help this spring
The Blue Lamp Trust offers two services to support people in staying safe at home and online.
Our Safe Home service operates across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, providing free home security visits for older and vulnerable residents.
During a Safe Home visit, our trained technicians provide personalised advice and, where needed, can install safety equipment such as:
- Door and window locks
- Spyholes and door chains
- Long-life smoke alarms
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Other approved safety equipment
Additional security measures can also be installed for a small fee where appropriate.
- The police-approved Supra C500 Key Safe
- The Ring Battery Video Doorbell
Our Safe Online service operates across Hampshire, offering guidance and support to help older and vulnerable individuals stay safe when using the internet.
Take a simple step towards a safer home this spring
Spring is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your home security and make simple changes that can have a lasting impact.
Find out more or make a referral: bluelamptrust.org.uk
