Burglaries tend to rise as we head into the darker months towards Christmas

The nights are drawing in and it won't be long before the clocks go back. We're filling our houses with tech during the Black Friday weekend, and it's a matter of time before the spare room is chocka with Christmas presents.

There has never been a better time to turn your thoughts to home security. According to the ONS, domestic burglary is 1.14 times more likely in winter than summer, so reducing the risks of your home becoming a target is well worthwhile.

Thankfully, there are lots of simple ways to make your house less attractive to burglars. And some solutions are surprisingly cheap.

We approached Alison Peckham, a security expert at myjobquote.co.uk for some top tips on how to ramp up your home security as the winter months approach, and we've added in a few Mirror Choice product recommendations that we've tried and tested.

Install an alarm system

One of the most important security devices in a home is a robust home security system. Homes with an alarm system are around 300% less likely to be burgled than a home without one.

Some security systems can be quite expensive, so make sure you shop around and choose a system that suits both your needs and your budget.

Alarm systems are a vital part of any home security setup.

Invest in a smart doorbell

Smart doorbells are a superb first-line defence in protecting your home. Video doorbells can help you keep a close eye on who is at your front door, and they can store video in the cloud or locally for later review.

They will also allow you to interact with someone at your front door using your smartphone or tablet without needing to get up, and you can see when someone is there, even when you’re not at home via an app on your phone.

Video doorbells can be bought for less than £100

Buy a Ring wireless video doorbell for £99.99

Install motion detector lighting

Instead of constantly having your outdoor lighting on, install motion-activated lights around the perimeter of your property. The sudden bright lights can startle potential intruders and scare them away.

Burglars typically prefer privacy while they’re at work and will be deterred by a well-lit property.

Add a home security camera

Security camerasare surprisingly affordable, and can be a doddle to install. Just like a video doorbell, they firstly act as a deterrent, and the camera footage can help you get justice if you are unfortunate enough to be burgled.

Wireless cameras are very cheap to by these days

Be sure to install the cameras close to your home's entry points. You should aim to install cameras at both the front and back entry points to your property.

Always discuss the cameras with your neighbours if they point at another private property.

Mirror Choice best security camera

Eufy S220 SoloCam

We've tested so many security cameras, and they all do a good job, but the wireless Eufy 220 SoloCam powers itself off an on-board solar panel and you don't need to sign up to an expensive subscription to unlock features and store footage. It's a perfect introduction to the world of home surveillance.

£109.99

Eufy

Buy Now

Make it look like someone is home

Whenever you’re not at home, It's always worth making it look like someone is. This can be as simple as leaving a light on inside the home, but some burglars will monitor a property to look for signs it might be empty.

A simple solution is tobuy a smart plug or smart switch for some of your lights. These can be really cheap, and you can set up fairly random patterns, just in case someone is keeping watch.

Leaving a radio on could convince a would-be intruder there might be somebody in the house

Other ways you can make it look less inviting include leaving a TV on, leaving a car in the driveway, having a neighbour collect your mail, and leaving a radio playing in the property.

Mirror Choice best smart plugs

Emporia Energy Monitoring Smart Plugs

These smart plugs are not only cheap, compact and reliable, but through the Empora app you can keep a track on how much energy a device uses. You can even monitor how much it's costing you to run.

Setting schedules for security lights is a doddle, so you'll easily be able to make it look like you house is in use while you're away.

£37.99 (pack of four)

Emporia

Buy Now

Educate your family

“Education is a cornerstone of effective home security”, according to Emrecan Dogan, security expert and founder of Score Beyond. “Regularly educate family members about security protocols, such as locking doors and windows, setting alarms, and being cautious about sharing personal information online”, says Dogan.

When your entire family is aware of the safety and security precautions associated with your home, this will help to ensure that your home stays secure at all times.

After all, you can’t expect your family members to know how to set the alarms if they haven’t been shown how to do it. You may be cautious about sharing your security codes with your children.

However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t tell your children about other precautions, such as ensuring the doors and windows are locked and avoiding sharing any personal information online or with their peers.

Visibility is important

Visibility is one of the simplest methods of deterring burglars. “The visibility of security equipment itself functions as a robust deterrent to potential intruders”, says Michael Falls, CEO of Sabretooth Tech Group.

“The knowledge that a property is under vigilant monitoring and safeguarding can dissuade criminals from even considering a burglary.

"These specialised devices possess the capability to identify any unauthorised entry into your residence, immediately detecting any intrusion attempts.”