Haven Extras – Summer 14

Security doesn’t take a holiday

Are you heading off on holiday during the festive break? While you’re easing yourself into relax mode, opportunistic burglars will be ramping things up – summer holidays are a prime time for crooks. Unfortunately, homeowners commonly make the thief’s selection process easy – by failing to take some simple precautions. By taking a back-to-basics approach, here are some ways to help burglar-proof your house.

• Know your neighbours. In close communities people look out for each other. Ask them to collect your mail daily, park one of their cars on your driveway and put your garbage bin out for collection. They can also report any suspicious activity, and when they’re away you can return the favour.
• Statistically many burglaries still occur through unlocked windows and doors. Breaking a window or door creates noise, so it’s a last resort. Keep doors and windows locked, and better still install deadlocks – these will make it difficult for an intruder to enter and exit the house.
• Install sensor lights on the exterior of your home – outside lighting is a cheap and effective break-in deterrent.
• Help your home look lived in by installing interior lamp timers.
• Don’t leave tell-tale empty boxes visible (in bins, sheds etc) – expensive new gear with original boxes can be returned or resold.
• Leave a pair of shoes outside the front door and a few clothes on the washing line – it looks like someone is home.
• Store your valuables in a home safe.
• Install a house alarm.
• Don’t provide a hiding place – keep a clean line of sight from the street to your house by keeping trees and shrubs trimmed.