Living Well at Home UKClear, practical guidance for later life
Home safety

By Does Your Duck Quack

Home security and burglary prevention

Improve home security with practical steps for doors, windows, visitors and time away, while keeping access safe for the people who live there.

Checked: 8 October 2026 · Next review: 8 April 2027 · Applies to: UK, with nation notes
How this guide was prepared

Purpose: urgent guidance · Level: detailed

Checked by: Does Your Duck Quack. Sources are linked below; seek professional advice for individual circumstances.

The short answer

What to do first

Improve home security with practical steps for doors, windows, visitors and time away, while keeping access safe for the people who live there.

Start here: Check that doors and accessible windows close properly and that the resident can operate them safely. Keep keys in a consistent place that is reachable but not visible or accessible from outside. Do not leave a key under a mat or in an obvious hiding place. If a person uses a key safe, agree who may know the code, how it is changed and how access is logged; see the key-safes guide. Any security change must still allow the person to leave quickly and allow carers or emergency responders to enter as agreed.

Do not wait: Call 999 if a burglary is happening now, the intruder may still be inside, or anyone is in immediate danger. For a past break-in, call 101 or report online.

Visual guides

See the decision at a glance

A practical home-security check
  1. 1. Secure accessKeep doors and windows secure while ensuring the resident can leave safely.
  2. 2. Verify callersDo not open the door to unexpected visitors until their identity is checked.
  3. 3. Protect keysKeep keys out of sight and agree who may use any key-safe code.
  4. 4. Ask locallyContact local police or fire services about available home-safety advice.
If there is a security incident
  1. Crime happening nowCall 999 if a crime is happening or someone is in immediate danger.
  2. Past incidentUse 101 or the online police route when there is no immediate danger.
  3. Possible evidenceAvoid touching disturbed items until police advise what to do.

Scope of this guide

This guide helps you understand the options and questions to ask. It is not personal medical, legal or financial advice. Check the official sources for your nation and seek qualified help for high-stakes decisions.

If someone may be in immediate danger

Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. For an urgent problem that is not clearly life-threatening, use the official NHS urgent-care route for the UK nation you are in. Have the address, symptoms, onset time, medicines and allergies ready.

Who this guide is for

Older people and disabled residents who want practical security without losing safe access, privacy or control over their home.

Feeling secure at home matters, particularly if mobility, sight, hearing or memory has changed. Home security should reduce unwanted access without making it harder for the resident to leave, answer a genuine visitor or get help in an emergency. Start with simple habits and the person’s priorities. If you are supporting someone else, ask permission before changing locks, moving keys or arranging monitoring. This guide covers general prevention, safer visits and what to do after a concern; it does not promise that any measure can prevent every crime.

What to do now

1. Make everyday entry and exit safer

Check that doors and accessible windows close properly and that the resident can operate them safely. Keep keys in a consistent place that is reachable but not visible or accessible from outside. Do not leave a key under a mat or in an obvious hiding place. If a person uses a key safe, agree who may know the code, how it is changed and how access is logged; see the key-safes guide. Any security change must still allow the person to leave quickly and allow carers or emergency responders to enter as agreed.

2. Plan for callers and unexpected visitors

A person does not have to open the door to someone they do not recognise. A door viewer, chain or speaking through a closed door can help, but only if it is comfortable and accessible for the resident. Genuine workers should accept that the person wants to verify their identity independently. Do not let a stranger rush the conversation or distract the resident while another person enters. Agree a simple household phrase or trusted-contact plan if that helps, and avoid sharing personal or banking information at the door.

3. Reduce avoidable opportunities

Lock doors and windows when leaving, even for a short time, and keep valuables and house keys away from letterboxes or windows. Ask a trusted neighbour or keyholder to collect post or notice an unusual problem if the resident wants that support. Avoid advertising time away in public. Secure sheds and outbuildings where possible, and keep access routes clear. These measures are practical habits rather than guarantees; consider what is manageable rather than overwhelming the resident with a long checklist.

4. Balance security with access and dignity

An alarm, camera or sensor may reassure some people, but it can affect privacy and should not be installed without considering consent, capacity and the views of people who live or work in the home. Less intrusive steps may be enough, such as a trusted keyholder, improved lighting, a door chain or agreed check-in calls. If a person needs care visits, coordinate access arrangements with them and the provider. Do not make the home feel like a controlled space unless a specific, agreed safety need requires it.

5. Ask for local safety advice if needed

Your local police service may offer crime-prevention guidance or a home-security assessment, and local availability varies. A fire and rescue service may also offer a home safety visit; eligibility and what is included differ around the UK. Ask the local service what can be provided and whether it is suitable for the resident’s needs. If cost is a concern, ask the council, housing association or local support service whether help is available before paying for work. Be cautious of unsolicited traders who create fear or pressure you to sign immediately.

6. Respond calmly if something happens

If a burglary or attempted entry occurs, move to a safe place and contact police. Use 999 if a crime is happening now, someone is in immediate danger or urgent police response is needed; use 101 or the online reporting route for a non-emergency matter. Do not touch items that may be evidence until police advise. Tell the resident’s trusted contacts if they want that, and ask about practical support with repairs, replacement keys and feeling safe again. If money or identity details were taken, contact the bank and relevant service promptly.

Warning signs and checks

Common questions

What is the simplest way to make a home more secure?

Begin with everyday checks: close and lock doors and accessible windows when leaving, keep keys out of sight, and agree how unexpected callers will be verified. Make sure the resident can still use locks and leave safely. Police.uk offers practical home-security advice, and local police may provide further guidance. Choose steps that suit the person’s home, access needs and comfort rather than adding equipment they do not want.

Should I give a spare key to a neighbour or care worker?

Only do so with the resident’s agreement and a clear plan for who may use it, when and how access is recorded. A key safe can avoid a hidden key, but its code should be shared only with trusted people and reviewed when circumstances change. Care workers should follow the provider’s access policy. See the key-safe guide for questions about secure entry and consent.

Can I install a camera to watch the front door?

A camera may reassure some households, but it can affect the privacy of the resident, visitors, neighbours and care workers. Discuss the purpose, consent, who can view recordings and how long they are kept before installing anything. Consider less intrusive options such as a door viewer, agreed check-in or keyholder. If the resident cannot make the decision, follow the relevant capacity and best-interests process rather than assuming family preference is enough.

When should I call 999 after a security incident?

Call 999 if a crime is happening now, someone is in immediate danger or urgent police help is needed. For a past incident with no immediate danger, use 101 or the online police reporting route. If the resident is distressed, help them get somewhere safe and contact a trusted person if they wish. After a burglary, avoid disturbing possible evidence until police have advised you.

Differences across the UK

Police and fire-service arrangements differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including how home visits are requested. Local housing and council support can also vary. Police.uk provides UK-wide crime-prevention information; use the relevant national police service for reporting and local advice.

When to get urgent help

Call 999 if a burglary is happening now, the intruder may still be inside, or anyone is in immediate danger. For a past break-in, call 101 or report online.

Primary sources

The publisher checked this guide against the 7 official sources below. This is an editorial source check, not approval by a clinician, lawyer or benefits adviser.

Editorial note: By Does Your Duck Quack.