Use timer or motion-activated lighting. Lights that come on automatically as it gets dark can help a home look occupied, even on evenings when nobody's back until later.
Ask a neighbour to collect post if you're away. A doormat that's cleared regularly can help avoid one of the more obvious signs of an empty house.
Keep hedges and gardens tidy heading into autumn. A quick trim before the clocks change can help keep sightlines clearer as the nights draw in.
Check doors and windows are properly locked. It's worth doing a final check each evening, rather than assuming everything's secure out of habit.
Consider a video doorbell. A video doorbell lets you see and speak to whoever's at the door, which can be useful for checking on deliveries or callers once it's dark outside.
Look at outdoor cameras and entry sensors. An outdoor camera can help you keep an eye on the property, while an entry sensor on doors and windows can flag if something's been opened while you're out.
Think about a visible deterrent. A bell box is a visible sign that a property has an alarm system, which some households find useful alongside other measures.
Consider professional monitoring. A 24/7 monitored alarm means alerts are looked at day and night, which some people find reassuring heading into the darker months.
What Burglars Look For As The Clocks Change
Posted September 12th, 2026 by SimpliSafe
When the clocks go back each autumn, it doesn't just mean an extra hour in bed. It also means darkness falls much earlier in the evening, often while people are still at work, out running errands, or on the school run. That shift in routine is something burglars may take notice of. Here's what's thought to catch their eye once the clocks change, and a few things worth considering in response.
1. Homes that stay dark in the early evening
Once it's dark by late afternoon, a house with no lights on can stand out as a sign that nobody's home yet. It's one of the simpler signals burglars are thought to look for, since it suggests a window of time when a property is likely to be empty.
2. Post, parcels, or deliveries left uncollected
A pile of post on the doormat or a parcel left on the step can suggest a property has been empty for a while, particularly if it's still there after dark. It's a small detail, but one that can add up alongside other signs.
3. Overgrown gardens and hedges
Hedges and shrubbery that haven't been trimmed back before the darker months set in can offer more cover than they did in summer, which may make it easier for someone to approach a property without being seen from the street.
4. Windows and doors left unlocked from summer
Warmer months often mean windows left open for ventilation, and it's easy for that habit to carry on without much thought once the weather turns. Getting into the routine of properly locking up as the evenings draw in is a simple change worth making.
5. Predictable routines
Once it's dark earlier, people's comings and goings, arriving home from work, walking the dog, taking the bins out, become easier to notice from the street. A fairly predictable pattern, repeated at the same time each evening, is something that's thought to be more visible once darkness falls earlier in the day.
6. No visible signs of home security
A property with no visible cameras, alarm, or bell box may be seen as an easier target than one that clearly has some form of security in place. Visible deterrents don't guarantee anything on their own, but they're often considered alongside the other signs above.
A few things worth considering as the clocks change
None of the below can promise to keep a home safe on their own, but they're worth thinking about as part of a wider routine heading into the darker months:
Related reading
If you'd like to look further into this topic, we've covered some related ground in other posts, including the most vulnerable time of day for UK homes, 12 things burglars don't want you to know, and how to trick burglars into thinking an empty home is occupied.
Something to keep in mind this autumn
The clocks changing is a good natural prompt to think about home security again, since it shifts routines and daylight hours in ways that are worth being aware of. Small, everyday habits, like keeping hedges tidy and locking up properly, can go a long way on their own, and a few pieces of home security technology can add another layer on top of that.
If you'd like to look at options for your own home ahead of the clocks changing, you can browse SimpliSafe UK or get in touch with any questions about setup and coverage for your property.