Relocating can be a very exciting time as you and your family look to settle in your new neighborhood. With all of the excitement and drama going on, many people forget that relocating is actually a very dangerous time for robberies, as you aren't yet familiar with your surroundings. To make sure you're safe in your new area, consider the following three tips before getting settled into your new house:

Check Your Doors

It's important to remember that if your doors aren't secure, neither is your home. Too many people fall victim to burglary due to unsecured doors - with these being your first line of defense against robbers, it's imperative that you pay some thought to their security.

There are a number of things you can add to make your door more secure, such as door chains, top and bottom bolts, and even spy holes to allow you to see people approaching your door. However, the best thing you can do is invest in a good lock.

There are many locks on the market, but not all are made equal. One of the best options available is a patented key, which cannot be copied without the person providing proof of ownership. This means that if your key goes missing, you can be sure that no extra copies can be made without your knowledge.

Additionally, when patented keys go missing, they can be deleted from your locksmith's database. This ensures that the key will no longer work, and your emergency locksmith can go about re-configuring your lock and making you new keys.

Don't Fall Victim to Distraction Burglary

Distraction burglary is a commonly used tactic by thieves in order to gain entry to your home. Typically, they will pose as a plumber or electrician and try to trick their way into your home. New tenants and homeowners are particularly vulnerable to this form of attack, as their is likely a lot of work to be done on your property. As such, take the following precautions to ensure safety:

• Lock all windows and doors, even when you're in the house.
• Make sure the rear of your home is protected, as many burglars work in pairs - one will distract you at the front of your home whilst the other enters through the back.
• Put the chain stopper on your door on before answering the door, allowing you to verify the visitor prior to them gaining entry.

If they are claiming to be a tradesmen or other professional, check their ID to make sure it matches up with their story. If in doubt, use your smartphone or tablet to quickly verify the phone number prior to unlocking your door.

Make Good Use of Lighting

While doors are your best physical protection against break-ins, it's better to avoid the problem occurring in the first place. One way to do this is to install proper lighting outside your home – burglars are much more wary of properties that don't offer the disguise of darkness.

When you move into your new home, it's a good idea to assess the current exterior light fixings and see if any improvements can be made. Particularly, consider the following:

• The best lighting to install is a high-efficiency light that switches on only when it's dark. This keeps running costs low whilst offering you security at night.
• Avoid using extremely bright, sensitive lights as these can be hazardous to traffic.
• Make it look like you're home, even when you are out. Consider installing a low-energy dimmer switch that tells burglars you're home, even though you're not.
• Install a motion-sensitive spotlight in your back yard. Trees and bushes offer burglars an ideal spot to hide, so this will allow you to pick up on them before they reach your property.