Crime Prevention
Most burglars will not want to risk personal harm when burgling. They will attack the homes that are, in their minds 'asking to be burgled'. Out of every ten burglaries two will have entered through an open window or door with no force required at all! A third of all burglars will have entered the home via a back window.
The best way to secure your home is by first carrying out your own survey.
Could you climb up the drain pipe to the window that is left open most days? Most burglars are extremely adept at squeezing in through the smallest of window s including skylights and bathroom fanlights.
Would you be able to force the lock on your back door? Do the windows all have locks with keys visible on the outside? Casement locks are impossible to open without the relevant key - keep the keys in a safe place easily accessible incase of fire.
Are your louvre doors as sturdy as they can be? If you are in a particularly unsafe area or feel you have one window that is very suspect, consider fitting security grilles - there are some on the DIY market.
Exterior lights operated by an infra-red sensor (which can be bought separately from outlets), alert you when there is any movement around an area you feel is vulnerable to intruders.
As most homes are burgled when empty it is a good idea to use time switches to turn on lights and other appliances such as TV's and radios at specific times during the day give the impression of someone at home.
If you store items worth stealing in a garage or shed, you may need to check your household contents policy covers you for any theft. Bikes often have to be included separately. Make sure you add padlocks to any doors and chain items such as lawn mowers to a post or pillar where possible. Padlock any ladders kept outside horizontally to a sturdy wall bracket if you don't have a shed or garage. Check that your fences are not falling apart and they are not easily pulled over.
Mark your property with your post code with an ultra violet marking pen to aid identification.