5 Things Retired UK Police Teach Seniors Living Alone to Do Every Night to Stop Burglars

Five simple, low-cost changes can make your home a far less attractive target — and the most important one costs nothing at all. I walk through the practical habits used by Brian Hartley and other experienced UK crime prevention officers, from motion-sensor lighting and clearer garden sightlines to visible cameras and the lived-in look. I also explain why the door frame matters more than many expensive locks, and how a few longer screws can strengthen an external door. Finally, I show how to create a household plan with a safe room, a charged phone and a signal word. These measures are designed to deter opportunist burglars, buy valuable time and help everyone know what to do if someone still gets inside. 0:00 Five simple, low-cost habits and home modifications to deter burglars and protect your household. 2:19 Layered exterior lighting on motion sensors 5:22 Controlling the cover and the approach around your house 9:13 Visible cameras and the lived-in look 14:21 Reinforced entry points 18:13 A rehearsed household plan, a safe room, and a signal