Home
Security
Everyone needs a holiday some time. And however much we like our
homes, there is nothing like a change of scenery. But we all want
to come home and find everything as we left it. Almost half of all
burglaries happen when a flat or house is empty.
By following the tips, you can help to make your home more
secure while you are away.
Before you go
· Make your home look like someone is living in it. Don’t close
your curtains in daytime this shows the house is empty. Use
automatic timer-switches to turn your lights on when it goes
dark.
· Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries.
· Avoid discussing holiday plans where strangers may hear
details of your absence from home.
· Cut the lawn before you go and trim back any plants that
burglars could hide behind.
· Uncollected mail is a sign that you are away. The Royal Mail’s
‘Keepsafe’ service will keep your mail for up to two months while
you are away.
· Consider leaving important documents and valuable items with
other family members or a bank. Or lock them in a safe.
· Do not put your home address on your luggage when you are
travelling to your holiday destination.
· If you normally leave valuable pedal cycles or similar items
in your shed, consider putting them in the house.
· Finally, make sure that you’ve locked all outside doors and
windows and, if you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set.
· And just before you set off, it’s worth spending a couple of
minutes checking that you’ve done all you had to do and taken
everything you need with you. Don’t forget your passport and
tickets!
General tips on home security
· Fit mortise locks (Kitemarked BS 3621) or bolts to
all outside doors, and locks to all downstairs or easily accessible
windows.
· Have an approved alarm system installed - ask your local
police and insurance company for advice.
· Try not to leave valuable items, like your TV, hi-fi, video or
DVD, where thieves can see them.
· Mark belongings visibly and permanently with your postcode and
house number. Keep a list of the make, model and serial number of
these items and take photos of any valuable items that can’t be
marked, like jewellery.
· Give copies of the list and photos to a trusted friend or
relative.
· Ask at your local police station for advice on how to get
‘postcoded property’ stickers that you could put in your
windows.
· Make sure that you have up-to-date contents and buildings
insurance.
· Most burglars get in through a back door or window. Make it
difficult for them by locking all side or back gates and adding
trellis to the top of walls and fences. Fit lights that come on at
night to cover the sides and back of your house.
· Put all your tools away so they cannot be used to break into
your house and lock your garage and shed with proper security
locks.
· If you have to leave a ladder out, put it on its side and lock
it to a secure fixture with a ‘close shackle’ padlock or heavy-duty
chain.
Help from your neighbours
It’s a good idea to get help from your neighbours.
You could ask them to collect post, sweep up leaves, mow the lawn,
open and close curtains, and so on. They could even occasionally
park their car on your driveway. Anything to make the place look
lived in.
You can repay the favour by doing the same for them. Warn your
neighbour not to put your surname, address or even your house
number on your keys in case they fall into the wrong hands.
Let your neighbour know when you will be away and, if you can,
give them details so that they can contact you, or someone who can
act on your behalf, in an emergency.
Is there a Neighbourhood Watch scheme where you live? Your local
police will tell you if there is a scheme in your area or help you
set one up. Or you can look on the internet at
www.neighbourhoodwatch.net. It could help you make your home more
secure while you’re away, and has many other crime-prevention and
community benefits.
For further information please contact, Charlotte
Foster, Community Safety Officer: 01473
265159