TIPS FOR SECURING YOUR HOME

1. Get to know your neighbours. Exchange telephone numbers and keep an eye on each other’s homes. Observant neighbours can reduce prowling, loitering and burglary by reporting suspicious people or vehicles to police.

2. Even when you are at home, be aware of your home security and ensure doors and windows are secured, particularly in areas that are unoccupied.

3. Secure your home when you leave by locking all doors and windows. Many burglars simply enter through an unlocked door or window. Remove keys from internal doors and windows when you are not at home.

4. If you have a faulty alarm that frequently goes off, get it fixed immediately and tell your neighbours that it’s been repaired. Many people ignore an alarm that goes off regularly

5. Give your home the “lived in” look when you’re out by leaving a light on and the radio playing. Timing devices are effective for this. When you are not at home, adjust the ringing volume down on your telephone so it is not obvious the home is unoccupied.

6. Don’t leave notes on the door or let mail pile up in the letterbox as that can suggest no one is home.

7. Ensure spare keys aren’t hidden in obvious places. Thieves always look in mailboxes, under doormats and above doorways for keys – don’t make it easy for them.