Burglary Prevention Make it difficult for a burglar Home security is the best way to reduce your chance of being burgled. A lot of burglaries are spur of the moment, carried out by opportunist thieves who don’t even have to use force – they get in through an open door, window or other easy point of entry and take their chance. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to improve home security and put of burglars. Spending money on security measures can seem daunting but it is a good investment, it will last a long time and can add value to your home. Look at your home through a burglar’s eyes: · If you think that your security looks poor, chances are so will a burglar. · Are there places where they could break in without being seen? · If you have forgotten your keys but can still get in, so can a burglar. If you’re going away: · Ask a neighbour or friend to look after your house (Collecting mail, turning lights on, closing/opening curtains etc); · Cancel any regular deliveries such as newspaper or milk; · Cut the lawn and trim back any plants that burglars could hide behind; · Do not put your home address on luggage labels when travelling to your destination; · Keep all valuables out of sight; · Consider leaving important documents and valuable items with other family members or a bank, or lock them in a safe; and · Don’t forget to lock all external doors and windows. If you have a burglar alarm, make sure you set it. Outdoor Lighting:Good outdoor lighting can put off or draw attention to a burglar. Make your home look occupied when you are out. Most burglaries happen when a house is empty. They are also more likely to happen in the evenings or at night. Don’t leave your curtains closed during the daytime as this shows the house is empty. Use automatic timer switches to turn lights on when it goes dark. They can also turn on radios and other appliances when you’re out. Gardens, gates and fences: Prevent intruders getting to the back and sides of your home by installing strong fencing or gates. Check for weak spots where a burglar could get over your garden, for example a low sagging fence, or a back gate with a weak lock. A thorny hedge along the boundary of your property can put burglars off. But make sure that passers-by can still see the front of your home so that a burglar can’t work without being seen. Burglars don’t like gravel; it’s noisy to walk on. Solid fences or walls are relatively easy for a burglar to climb over. Fixing trellising to the top can make it more difficult. Passageways at the side and back of your home:Fit a strong, lockable, high gate across the passageway to stop a thief getting to the back of your home where they can work without being disturbed. If you share a passageway with a neighbour, ask their permission and for help with costs. Garages and sheds:Garages and sheds are often full of expensive tools, which are ideal for breaking into the rest of the house. Never leave a garage or garden shed unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house. A burglar could get in and work the door from inside without being seen. Fit string padlocks to shed and garage doors, and make sure that the doors are solid enough not to be kicked in. Lock ladders inside your garage or shed to stop a burglar using them to reach upstairs windows. If there is no room in your garage or shed, chain or padlock them horizontally to a sturdy bracket on an outside wall. Consider having lockable steel boxes fitted to the floor to store your tools in, or anchor posts fitted to the floor to secure larger tools and equipment. Burglar alarms: Many burglars will avoid breaking into a property with an alarm. Property Marking: It is good practise to mark property, and ideally keep photographic and detailed records of valuables (i.e. the make, model and serial number). Keep theses in a safe place. Items should be visibly and permanently marked showing your postcode plus the number of your house or flat or the first two letters of your name. Only use an ultraviolet marker pen when other methods would reduce the value of the object. The mark isn’t visible and so this might not put burglars off. The marks can fade in months. It should therefore be used as part of a specialist product, such as chemical trace liquids or microdots painted on internal or hidden components. Works of art antiques and silverware should be photographed. You may consider keeping jewellery or watches in a safe. Keys:Never leave a spare key in a convenient place such as under the doormat, in a flowerpot or behind a loose brick – burglars know all the usual hiding places. Never leave your house or car keys in or near a door or window. Some burglars have been known to use a fishing rod or magnet on a stick to steal them through the letterbox. Decide on a safe place for your keys and always use it, so you can find them in an emergency. Before you go out remember to: 1. Close and lock all doors and windows even if out for a short time 2. Set your burglar alarm 3. Make sure the side or back gate is shut and locked 4. Lock the shed or garage 5. Make sure that valuables are out of sight 6. Put keys out of reach from windows or doors 7. Make sure the curtains are shut and some lights are on if you are going out for the evening.
Click onto our Guide to home security for more ideas on Burglary Prevention. For any more information on Burglary Prevention do not hesitate to contact 1 Stop Locksmiths on: 0800 731 5765 / 07838 804 316
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Click on this link and you will be directed to the Home Office Website where you can undertake a 3 minute quiz to see how safe your home is.
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