Home security advice.
Get our top tips and advice for keeping your house and garden secure. And protect the things that matter to you.
Published: 15 May 2025
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The importance of home security
No matter where you live, it’s important to put some basic home security measures in place to reduce the risk of being burgled.
Burglars tend to be on the lookout for easy opportunities, like open windows or unlocked doors. So, it’s a good idea to make some basic checks - and take a few precautions - to keep your house secure.
Home Contents Insurance can help protect your belongings in case they get damaged or stolen, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk.
And remember, it’s always best to check your policy documents to see exactly what you’re covered for.
Top tips for home security
Tick off our home security checklist to keep your house secure.
Your home insurance
- Check your cover. Make sure your home insurance is up to date, and check what you’re covered for, so you’re prepared if something happens.
- Tell us about long holidays. If you have Tesco Home Insurance, and you’re going to be away from home for more than 60 days in a row, please get in touch to let us know.
Security inside your home
- Don’t leave your house in darkness. Leave a light on and close your curtains before you go out for the night. It’ll help to put off intruders if they think someone might be in.
- Don’t leave your keys in the locks. Put them in a safe place, out of sight, once you’ve locked up - well away from your front and back doors.
- Tell someone if you’re going away. See if a friend or neighbour can cut your grass and pick up your mail, so your house looks lived in when you’re away on holiday. For more tips and information, see our guide - Keep your home secure while you’re away.
- Think about installing a burglar alarm. Make sure you set it every time you leave the house, and maybe when you go to bed too. It’ll force intruders to look for an easier target.
- Keep your valuables in a safe place. Ideally, locked away in a safe, and always out of sight.
- Report suspicious behaviour. Reporting criminal or suspicious activity to the police can help improve awareness of what’s going on in your area.
Security outside your home
- Don’t hide spare keys in obvious places. Never under the doormat and not in a flowerpot. It’s the first place a thief will look.
- Think about installing security lights with motion sensors. Outside lights triggered by movement could make a burglar think twice about breaking and entering.
Security around your garden
- Lock sheds, garages and summerhouses. And make sure things like tools and bikes are securely stored away.
- Don’t leave stuff lying around. If you leave lots of equipment lying around, it might be more tempting for burglars and make them think your home’s an easy target.
- Put lights around your garden. Extra lighting could help to stop a burglar getting into your garden without being seen.
Learn more about home insurance
Find the right cover for the place you call home. Choose Tesco Home Insurance and save money with your Clubcard.