Safety pointers to protect against petty crimes
CASES of robbery common and petty thefts are on the rise, with reports of criminals jumping walls to gain access to residential premises and consumers being robbed while out shopping.
This has prompted the police to encourage members of the public to take extra safety measures and always be cautious, enforcing all security measures where possible.
Most house burglars want to get in and out in under 10 minutes, so every step you can take to slow them down is well worth it.
If the unthinkable happens and your home is broken into, avoid the impulse to go inside in case the burglar is still there. Call the police immediately from your cellphone or a neighbour’s house.
Take these simple preventative steps to protect your home 1. Look for vulnerable spots
Walk around your home’s exterior with an eye out for windows that could be easily pried open, or that have a clear view of your TV and other valuables. Never leave valuables near an open window, even if there are burglar bars.
2. Lock doors and windows
Ensure doors are locked and windows secured, especially at night. If doors are left open, security gates must be locked.
3. Landscape strategically
Think thorny rose bushes under easy-to-access windows. And trim your shrubs so thieves can’t hide behind them. Gravel walkways and driveways also work well to signal the presence of an unwanted visitor.
4. Put up a fence
Chain-link or ornamental metal fences secured by concrete pillars work best to keep intruders out. Solid fences with pointed tops are another good option.
5. Install double-key deadbolts
Believe it or not, many intruders simply let themselves in through a home’s front door. Consider getting double-key deadbolts which require two keys - one to enter and one to exit - so they are more secure.
6. Upgrade doors and locks
Thick wood doors are hard to kick in and can thwart a break-in. For doors with glass panes that can be broken, install a floor lock to keep a burglar from reaching in and unlocking the door.
7. Install motion sensor lighting
Motion detectors are excellent deterrents. Position them at entrances and dark spots around your home’s perimeter. If you live in an apartment with a dark parking lot or hallway, ask your landlord to update the lighting in common areas.
8. Invest in a home security system
Installing a home alarm system is one of the most fool-proof ways to prevent burglary. Or you can go one step further and install security cameras, preferably with night vision and a hard drive to store video recordings.
9. Secure sliders
Sliding glass doors tend to be easy to unlock and slide open. The solution? Stick a broom handle in the track to keep it secure.
10. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
Play it safe in case your computer is stolen by backing it up. Then stash your hard drive somewhere unexpected, like a kitchen cabinet or linen closet.
Snap pictures of valuables and record model numbers and purchase prices in case you need to file a claim.
11. Get a safe
Precious jewels, passports and other essential documents belong in a fireproof safe, preferably built into a wall or bolted to the floor.
12. Change the locks
Whether you’re a homeowner or a tenant, changing the locks is good practice.
13. Don’t advertise
Going out of town for an extended period? Don’t tell the world on social media or even leave a message on your outgoing voicemail. Both moves make you easy prey for computer-savvy burglars.
14. Put timers on lights.
Use timers that automatically turn on lamps in selected rooms after dark. Set outdoor lights to turn on in the evening.
15. Leave a radio on.
It’s an easy and inexpensive way to create the illusion that someone is home.