By the end of this month, it will be dark before teatime. An unlit house at 6pm can make it obvious to anyone looking that nobody is home.
October is National Home Security Month, an annual campaign encouraging people to think about how well protected their homes really are. With darker evenings setting in, now is a good time to carry out a simple security check.
It takes around ten minutes, costs little or nothing, and is worth doing whether you own your home or rent it.
Why does autumn matter for home security?
Darkness can make the signs of an empty property much easier to spot. In June, a house with no lights on at 6pm looks much like any other. In November, it can stand out on an otherwise illuminated street.
Fortunately, many simple home security measures cost very little. Opportunistic burglars look for easy access and visible signs that a property is unoccupied, so removing those opportunities is a sensible place to start.
What is an opportunist actually looking for?
Often, it is the small signals.
A house in darkness when neighbouring homes are lit. Parcels building up by the front door. A side gate that opens easily. A ladder stored conveniently against a fence. Car keys, laptops or other valuables clearly visible through a window.
The good news is that these are all things you can do something about.
That is the thinking behind this ten-minute security check.
What should you include in your ten-minute security check?
1. Start with the front door
Does it lock properly every time? Get into the habit of locking your door properly, even when you are at home, and use the appropriate locks overnight rather than relying solely on a latch.
2. Check the windows
Walk around the property and check that accessible windows close and lock securely. Do not forget upstairs windows that could potentially be reached using a flat roof, extension, wheelie bin or other object.
3. Test the side gate
If it opens with a simple push, consider fitting a suitable bolt or lock. Restricting access to the rear of your home removes one of the easiest routes to less visible doors and windows.
4. Check the shed and garage
Tools and ladders can be valuable in themselves, but they can also help someone gain access to your home. Keep them securely locked away when they are not in use.
5. Put a lamp on a timer
A simple plug-in timer can switch a lamp on around dusk, helping your property look occupied when you are out. Smart plugs can offer similar functionality if you prefer to control lighting remotely.
6. Check your outside lighting
Make sure existing outside lights are working. Motion-sensor lighting can also help illuminate entrances, paths and less visible areas around your property.
7. Look through your windows from outside
Stand outside and see what a passer-by can see. Move laptops, keys, parcels and other valuables away from obvious view.
8. Make a plan for parcels
Consider using a designated safe place, trusted neighbour or parcel locker so deliveries are not left sitting outside for long periods.
What if you rent your home?
The same home security check applies if you are renting, but there is another important step.
If you notice a broken or failing lock, a door or window that does not close securely, or another maintenance issue affecting the security of your home, report it to your landlord or letting agent in writing as soon as possible.
It is also worth checking your insurance arrangements. A landlord’s insurance does not generally cover a tenant’s personal possessions, so renters should consider their own contents insurance.
Is smart security worth the money?
It can be, but you do not need to turn your home into a fortress.
Video doorbells, smart plugs and automated lighting can all be useful additions to your home security. They can help you see who is at the door, control lighting when you are away and make your property appear occupied.
Renters should check with their landlord or agent before installing anything that requires drilling or permanent alterations. Battery-powered and non-permanent options may be more suitable.
Most importantly, technology should complement the basics rather than replace them. A video doorbell cannot compensate for an unlocked gate or an open window.
How can neighbours help improve home security?
One of the simplest security measures is having neighbours who look out for one another.
A street WhatsApp group or active Neighbourhood Watch scheme can make it easier to flag unusual activity, collect parcels, bring bins in and keep an eye on homes when somebody is away.
If your street already has a group, consider joining it. If it does not, autumn could be a good time to start one.
How can you secure your home while you are away?
Before heading away, take another quick look at how your property will appear from outside.
Use timers for lights, arrange for post and parcels to be collected and ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on things. Avoid making it unnecessarily obvious that the property is empty.
It is also sensible to think about what you share publicly online. Consider saving holiday photos and updates until you return rather than advertising that your home is currently unoccupied.
Frequently asked questions
Do darker evenings really make a difference to home security?
Darker evenings can make an unoccupied property easier to identify, particularly when neighbouring homes are illuminated. This is one reason home security campaigns often focus on the autumn and winter months. Using lighting timers and maintaining good security habits can help make an empty property less obvious.
What is the cheapest way to improve home security?
Start with your everyday habits. Lock doors and windows properly, secure side gates, keep keys and valuables away from windows and lock tools and ladders away. A simple plug-in timer for a lamp is another inexpensive addition.
Whose responsibility is security in a rented home?
Landlords have responsibilities relating to the safety and security of a rented property, while tenants should use the locks provided and report faults promptly. Tenants are also generally responsible for arranging insurance for their own belongings.
Take ten minutes this autumn
Good home security does not always require expensive technology. Often, it starts with spotting the small vulnerabilities that are easy to overlook.
Take ten minutes this week to carry out your own security check, and consider sharing this guide with a friend, relative or neighbour who might find it useful.
About the Ethical Agent Network
We are proud members of the Ethical Agent Network (EAN), a national group of independent agents that have been independently assessed against standards covering honesty, service and community care.
Membership is assessed rather than simply purchased. When you see the EAN logo, it identifies an agent that has been through the network’s assessment process.
If you would like to know more about the Ethical Agent Network, please get in touch or visit www.ethicalagentnetwork.co.uk.
Source: National Home Security Month, October 2026.
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