Make your home safer this winter

LUCY Harmer, Director of Services at Independent Age, the older people’s charity, gives her expert tips on the things to think about when it comes to home security.

Get a security check – Your local police Safer Neighbourhood Team or Crime Prevention Officer will be able to give you practical help and advice to make sure your home is secure and may offer free security checks. The local council or local Neighbourhood Watch scheme may also be able to offer advice.

Focus on doors and windows

– If you have a limited budget, focus on doors, locks and windows. Burglars will need to go in and out through a door or window so make sure they’re in good repair and securely locked, with the keys put away somewhere safe.

Think about the outside

– Gates and fences in a good condition are the sign of a secure home and can help to deter burglars. Make sure you always keep the front gate closed and gates to the back garden should be padlocked. Having a low wall or fence in the front means there will be fewer places for burglars to hide.

Invest in lighting – Outdoor lighting that comes on automatically is a powerful deterrent and can also help you find your way if you come back after dark. Position lights at a suitable height so that they can’t be tampered with and are less likely to be activated by animals.

Keep it tidy – Keep garden tools locked away as they could be stolen or even used to break into a property. Rubbish, ladders, wheelie bins, plants, ornaments or garden furniture could also be targets for burglars or used as ways to break in, so keep these locked away or secured.

Think about other security measures – Things like burglar alarms, property marking or CCTV can all be very effective deterrents. Don’t be tempted by a dummy alarm – they’re easy to spot and some burglars will test that an alarm is working by throwing something through a letterbox or breaking a window.

Keep valuables out of sight

– Keep valuables out of sight, including things like car keys or handbags. A burglar may look through the letterbox to see what they can take. You may also want to consider fitting a small safe for valuables, and make sure you keep important documents somewhere safe.

Lock up when you leave – Even if you’re only popping out for five minutes or going to a communal area in your building, like a laundry room, make sure you always lock the door behind you. It’s also a good idea to leave a visible light on if you go out in the evenings and never leave a spare key in an outdoor hiding place (such as under the doormat).

Take precautions when you go on holiday – If you’re going away for longer, you don’t want to leave your house looking unoccupied so think about things like cancelling milk and newspaper deliveries, using light and radio timers, mowing the lawn before you go and possibly asking a trusted neighbour to occasionally park their car in your driveway or collect post so it doesn’t pile up. Don’t close curtains or blinds, as that’s a giveaway to burglars that no-one’s home.

Know what to do if you get burgled – If you notice signs of a break-in when you get home, don’t go inside or call out – go to a neighbour’s house and dial 101. If the intruder is still there, call 999. The police will give you a crime number so you can make an insurance claim.

You should then make sure you have your spare house and car keys, and change the locks if any keys are missing, as well as checking that important documents, such as passports, and credit cards haven’t been taken. Being burgled is a very distressing experience but there is help available so you don’t need to deal with it alone.

The charity has launched a new, free advice guide, called Home security: Protecting Your Property, which can be ordered via www.independentage.org/ home-security or by calling 0800 319 6789.