Many people worry about the possibility of thieves breaking into their homes and stealing their jewellery, expensive gadgets and other valuable belongings. Here are two steps you can take to protect your belongings from criminals.

Purchase a safe

Whilst there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of a burglar being able to break into your home, there is always a chance that an experienced thief with the right set of tools and skills will be able to gain entry to your property.

As such, it's sensible to keep your most prized possessions hidden away, so that even if someone manages to get into your house, they won't be able to steal these valuable items.

The most effective way to hide valuables is to place them in a concealed safe. A safe with a combination lock or a digital locking system will be next to impossible for anyone without the right code to unlock. It is, however, important to make sure that you attach the safe that you buy to an immovable feature of your home (such as a wall or a floor) so that it cannot be picked up and carried out of your property by a thief.

New safes are generally quite expensive. If the high cost is deterring you from buying this item, it's worth looking at second hand safes instead, as these are often a fraction of the price of new ones. Should you decide to opt for a second hand safe, it is important to ensure that the shop or individual that you purchase it from is reputable and that the entire unit (and in particular, the locking mechanism) is in good condition. 

Have your locks replaced after certain events

There are certain situations in which it is sensible to have your locks changed by a locksmith.

For example, if your relationship with a live-in partner comes to an end or you no longer require the services of a nanny, dog-walker or cleaner who has a copy of the key to your home, you should have the locks changed. You may also want to have the locks replaced after any major renovation work which involved you giving tradespeople a key to your home.

The reason for this is because these situations could potentially increase your risk of having your belongings stolen, either by one of the above-mentioned individuals or by someone they know.

Even if the people you have given your keys to are completely trustworthy, there is a small chance that the key that they have to your home may have, at some point whilst it was in their possession, been copied by a would-be thief.

As such, it is best to take the precaution of having a locksmith change your home's locks.