The clocks are going back: 5 ways to secure your home as the nights get darker

The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, officially marking the return of shorter days and darker evenings. While there is lots to look forward to, from cosy evenings at home to Halloween and Bonfire Night, the earlier sunsets should also make us think a little more carefully about home security.

Making your home feel more secure doesn’t need to mean complicated installations or expensive monthly subscriptions. A few simple changes can make a real difference to how secure and in control you feel throughout the winter months.

Here are five easy ways to prepare your home for the darker months ahead:

1. Make sure your entrances are easy to keep an eye on

Your front door is naturally one of the most important areas of your home to monitor, particularly during the autumn and winter months when deliveries tend to increase.

A video doorbell gives you an extra set of eyes at your entrance, allowing you to see who is there without needing to open the door.

The Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell V3 connects to the free Toucan Smart Home app, so you can receive alerts, check your live feed and speak to visitors using two-way talk from your phone.

That can be useful whether you're upstairs, out at work or simply don't want to interrupt what you're doing every time someone comes to the door.

And with Christmas shopping season approaching, being able to check on deliveries remotely can be particularly handy. If you spot someone attempting to take a parcel from your doorstep, you can also sound the alarm through your Toucan device to draw attention to what is happening.

Recorded footage can prove useful after an incident too. With video event recording, playback and downloads included on Toucan’s free plan, you can save relevant footage to your phone if you need a record of what happened, particularly useful if a retailer or delivery company asks for evidence that a parcel has been taken.

2. Light up darker areas around your home

Good exterior lighting is one of the simplest ways to make the outside of your home feel safer during the darker months.

Think about the areas that become particularly dark once the sun goes down: driveways, side entrances, gardens, garages or pathways.

The Toucan Security Light Camera combines an ultra-bright security light with a Full HD security camera, giving you both visibility and a clearer view of what is happening outside your home.

Rather than leaving outdoor lights switched on all evening, motion-activated lighting can illuminate an area when activity is detected, while your camera helps you see exactly what triggered it.

It can also make arriving home after dark feel much more welcoming.

3. Keep an eye on harder-to-reach areas

Not every part of your property is conveniently located near a plug socket. If you want to monitor a garden, shed, side return or another outdoor area where installing a wired camera would be awkward, a wireless option can make things much easier.

The Toucan S5 Solar Powered Wireless Security Camera uses solar power to help keep the camera charged and can be positioned around your property without the need for complicated wiring and frequent manual recharging.

The S5 even includes built-in AI detection that can distinguish between people, vehicles and animals as standard within the free app, so your alerts are clearer and more useful.

4. Make the most of your security app

Smart home security isn't only about the cameras themselves. Taking a few minutes to explore the features within your app can help make your system work much better for your everyday routine.

The free plan within the Toucan Smart Home App includes instant motion alerts, live footage, video event recording, playback and downloads, so you don't need a compulsory monthly subscription to access those core security features.

Clever features such as Motion Zones can help you focus alerts on the areas that matter most, while Snooze lets you temporarily pause notifications and recordings when you already know there will be lots of activity around your home.

And if you want to take your smart security even further, Toucan’s AI+PRO and AI+ELITE plans unlock additional features including Advanced AI, Intelligent Alerts, Dual Live Feed and Linked Sirens.

5. Create simple routines for when you're out

As the evenings get darker, get into the habit of doing a quick security check before leaving home. Make sure doors, accessible windows and side or garden entrances are properly locked, and avoid leaving valuables, keys or bags clearly visible from outside.

It’s also worth thinking about how your home looks when you’re out. A completely dark house can make it obvious that nobody is in, so consider using lamps, timers or smart lighting to make the property look lived-in if you’re going to be away for several hours.

Before heading out, take a quick look at the areas around your home too. Make sure gates are closed, sheds or garages are secured and anything valuable in the garden is stored away where possible. These small habits only take a minute or two, but they can make your home feel much more secure during the darker months.

Good security works day and night

A combination of good lighting, sensible everyday habits and smart security in the right places can help you feel much more confident about your home throughout autumn and winter.

And with the ability to check in from your phone wherever you are, you can enjoy those darker evenings knowing you've got a clearer view of what's happening at home.

Click here to explore the full Toucan Smart Home collection and get your home ready for winter.