HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Living in Spain is great, but just like most places in the world today, you have to be mindful of security; not that the Spanish are more criminally minded than other Europeans; in fact, they are pretty good as a nation, but there are other elements from other countries here in Spain who are unfortunately quite active, so it pays to be careful.

The first thing you should do of course is to make sure that your property and its contents are properly insured, and you’ll find, just like back in the UK, that the better your property security is, the cheaper your premiums will be. So here in this brief article, we’re just going to run through a few basic tips on security to help avert any possible break-ins, and to help keep your insurance costs down at the same time.

Location, Location, Location

It’s worth bearing in mind of course that your location will have a big influence on your exposure to break-ins. If for example, your property is in a holiday resort, it will be more prone to crime out of season when there are fewer people around. Also, in the winter months, the longer periods of darkness give rise to greater opportunities for wrongdoing.

Another important consideration is squatters or Okupas in Spain.

Holiday homes can be left for long periods unvacated which means they can become a prime target for squatters.

Apartment Security

Many people are under the mistaken impression that living in an apartment means they are safe from being broken into. Wrong! Yes, you will get a certain degree of protection from the fact that you have neighbours all around you, but one of the favourite tricks of burglars is to break into your apartment by climbing in from next door’s balcony – particularly when your neighbours are either out, or staying away.

The best thing in this instance is to have a PIR security light installed – one which works by sensing movement. No would-be burglar will relish the idea of being in the spotlight when they are in the act of crossing over to your balcony. It’s a bit of a give-away. You can, by the way, also get PIR lights that also take photographs of intruders!

Most properties here in Spain (apartments included) have some sort of shutters, such as “Persianas”. Whilst these are not built for strength, they do pose quite a problem to a wannabe burglar, and on the same principle as the PIR light, no wrongdoer wants to be seen drawing attention to their activities.

Stand Alone Properties

Stand-alone properties, (Villas and Fincas) may be more prone to burglary, particularly if they stand remotely in their own grounds, away from public sight. In these instances, perimeter lighting is always a good advance warning, albeit for the residents or near neighbours rather than general onlookers.

But the most effective security system is a good old-fashioned audible burglar alarm, particularly one that is linked to a security company. You just need to be a little careful, both with your choice of alarm, and your choice of security service provider. One of the biggest “cons” is the large security company that sells cheap alarm systems, but who then charge you monthly for the monitoring services, which often leave much to be desired. It may be worth considering installing one of the new alarms that are so loud, it’s impossible to stay inside the premises once they have been activated.

Tried & Trusted

One of the most tried and trusted forms of security are metal grills or “Rejas”. These are made out of strong wrought iron (usually painted black or white), and are sunk into the brickwork. In order to remove them, a burglar would have to literally rip them out of the wall. These pose quite a deterrent, but one thing you must do before you install them or buy a property with them already installed, is to make sure that you can get out of the property in an emergency situation, for example, if a fire breaks out.

Some urbanisations are anti-rejas, because they think they are a bit of an eye sore. Whether or not you agree with this, you must check with the community or the property company before you consider installing them.

Home Security Cameras

Home security cameras are a popular way to enhance the safety and security of your home in Spain. They provide a range of benefits that make them an attractive investment for homeowners. Firstly, home security cameras act as a deterrent to potential burglars and other intruders. The presence of a visible camera can significantly decrease the likelihood of a break-in occurring. Additionally, if a break-in does occur, security cameras can capture vital evidence that can assist the police in apprehending the perpetrator.

However, it is important for homeowners to be aware of the legislation surrounding the installation of security cameras in Spain. Spanish law regulates the use of security cameras, and homeowners who fail to comply with these regulations can face legal consequences. For example, it is illegal to install cameras in certain areas, such as bedrooms or bathrooms, where privacy is expected. Homeowners must also ensure that their cameras are not capturing footage of public spaces or other people's private property.

To avoid any legal issues, it is important for homeowners to be informed about the laws and regulations regarding the installation of home security cameras in Spain. This includes understanding the rights of individuals to access their own personal data captured by the cameras, and ensuring that any data collected is stored securely and deleted in a timely manner. By taking these steps, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of home security cameras while complying with the law and protecting the privacy rights of themselves and others.

Learn more about home security cameras in Spain.

Where there’s a Will there’s a Way

An unfortunate truth of life is that where there’s a will, there’s a way. If a burglar has got their heart set on breaking into your property they probably will. The only thing you can do is make the deterrent as visible and as threatening as possible. The quality of locks here in Spain is not as good as those back in the UK, so you should make sure that you install plenty of them. The more overtly difficult you make for the would-be burglar, the greater the chance that he will target someone else’s property that is less secure than yours.

Find out how to report a burglary in Spain.