Choose a tip by clicking on the links below:
1. Don't let strangers into your home.
2. Join your local neighbourhood watch group.
3. Fit good strong locks on all your windows and outside doors - also fit dead bolt locks to the top and bottom of doors too.
4. Invest in a monitored alarm system.
5. Fit security lighting both at the front and back of your house.
6. Don't leave valuables on display.
7. When you go on holiday, put the following things in place:
8. Don't leave packaging for new appliances and goods outside your house.
9. Don’t leave ladders or tools lying around outside your house.
10. Never, but never, leave a spare key outside your house.
1. Don't let strangers into your home:
Fit a peephole into your front door. Safety chains look secure but can be easily broken. You should always properly identify a caller before opening the door to them.
If they represent an organisation (e.g. Gas or Electric etc) get them to pass their ID through the letterbox first. Bona-fide representatives will always do this. Take your time examining their Identity cards and if you are unsure, do NOT answer the door. Ring the customer services number on your bill and get clarification of the name of the person who is calling in your area. Above all - if you are unsure, do not let them in.
2. Join your local neighbourhood watch group.
By looking out for each other, we all stand to benefit. Not only that, but burglars usually chose the most vulnerable people in the least protected houses and areas. If they know a neighbourhood watch group operates in your street, they will be less likely to choose your area over one that has no scheme in place.
If your street has no scheme, start your own! Often it just takes one person to make the first move before everyone is involved, so don't be shy, you can contact Neighbourhood watch by clicking here.a>
3. Fit good strong locks on all your windows and outside doors - also fit dead bolt locks to the top and bottom of doors too.
Make sure all ground floor windows have strong, visible window locks and make sure you always keep the locked. Make sure you keep the key handy, but out of sight from anyone looking in from outside.
Around 70% of all break-ins are through a door, so it makes sense to make sure yours are properly secured, if you are in doubt, get your local crime prevention officer to call and offer you advice.
4. Invest in a monitored alarm system.
Police no longer respond to ringing-bell alarm systems - it's a fact!
A professionally fitted monitored home security system will ensure your home, belongings and family are protected whether the house is occupied or not.
A monitored system is one of the best deterrents against burglars. A good monitored alarm system will also cover fire and medical emergencies too, giving you total peace of mind 24hrs a day, even when you are on holiday. You can find the market -leading monitored alarms systems by clicking here.
5. Fit security lighting both at the front and back of your house.
If you have windows or doors at the side, then fit one there too. Burglars love dark gardens and spaces in which to work, so don't make it easy for them! Security lighting is now very inexpensive, but is a very worthwhile investment.
6. Don't leave valuables on display.
Never leave valuable items such as cameras, laptops or jewellery where they can be viewed from outside. A lot of burglaries are opportunist thefts, so if the temptation is not there, it decreases your chances of being burgled.
Mark your valuables with a security pen, such as the one provided in our FREE home security pack. To get yours click here.
Take photos of important valuables such as expensive jewellery, works of art or antiques. It may help the police recover them if they get stolen and will certainly help with any insurance claims.
7. When you go on holiday, put the following things in place:
Use timers to turn lights, televisions and radios etc., on and off. It is much harder for a would-be burglar to tell whether the house is actually occupied or not.
If you have an answer phone, never leave a message indicating you are away. This is a green light for thieves.
Cancel your newspapers and milk for the time you are away. Get a friend or neighbour to move your post daily so it can't be seen to accumulate.
Get someone to put your dustbin or wheelie bin out for you while you are away. No dustbin could indicate that there is no one at home.
Leave some of your curtains slightly parted so your house doesn't have an empty look. If you have a kind neighbour, perhaps they could draw/undraw your curtains daily.
If you can, leave a car in your drive while you're away.
8. Don't leave packaging for new appliances and goods outside your house.
This just advertises to anyone passing that there is something new and valuable to pinch. Always tear up packaging and place in your bin, or better still, take it to the local dump for recycling.
9. Don't leave ladders or tools lying around outside your house.
Make sure you return these to a locked, secure shed or garage after use. An empty house with a ladder and claw hammer lying in the back garden is like a birthday present for a thief. Put them out of sight and there is much less chance someone will use them to rob you.
10. Never, but never, leave a spare key outside your house.
Burglars know where to look to find them. Fake rocks in the garden, plant pots, doormats etc, are all like laying the welcome mat out for someone to steal from you.
There is also a good chance that your insurance company will not pay out if you have left a key outside your house in a fairly obvious place, so don't take the risk.
If you have elderly or infirm family or friends and need to access a key to their house, or they to yours, invest in a key safe. Any good locksmith will fit a keysafe for you for around £50 and you can then pass the combination on to only those whom you trust.
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