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It's yours, and it should stay that way! But there's no need to turn your house into Fort Knox - just be alert to the risks and keep your home and property safe with these handy home security tips and advice.
- Think like a thief. Unless it's well known you have a Rembrandt hanging in the hall, you're less likely to be targeted by professional burglars, and more likely to be bothered by an opportunistic thief. They'll look for the easiest house to get into - so simply ensuring your doors and windows are properly locked when you go out may put them off
- Don't help them. Garden tools and ladders are also useful for breaking into a house. So lock them in your shed or garage. And make sure your shed or garage is locked too
- Invest in a security marking pen. They're fairly cheap and can invisibly mark your valuables with your house number and postcode, which will be revealed under a UV light. If your stolen valuables are recovered, police can check and return them to you
- If there's a vulnerable spot outside your house when it's dark, think about a heat or motion detecting security light. It will deter burglars, and can be set so it isn't triggered by the cat and won't annoy the neighbours!
- Fit a decent lock to your front door, or whichever is the main door you enter and leave by. Choose a mortise deadlock with at least five levers or check your lock conforms to British Standards 3621. Besides providing better security, you might find your insurance insists on it
- Fit a chain or spyhole to your front door too, so you can check on callers before you let them in. If someone calls saying they're from an organisation such as a utility company or the council, ask to see their proof of identity. You don't have to let them in if you're not sure
- If you have patio doors, make sure they lock top and bottom, or if they slide, that there's an anti-lift device to stop burglars lifting them off the tracks
- All your opening windows on the ground floor should have locks. If they're key operated, don't just shut and lock the windows when you go out - take the keys out too
- Don't leave your car keys or house keys on the hall table. Determined thieves have been known to push a rod with a hook on the end through the letterbox, to pick up keys from the table and make off with the car in the driveway - or let themselves into the house later
- You can use timers to switch on lights or even a radio at night, while you're out of the house, to make it look like you're in. According to Crimestoppers, 58% of burglaries are in the evening or at night
elephant.co.uk Buildings Insurance is arranged and administered by Heath Lambert Limited (133 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AH), which is authorised and regulated by the FSA.)
or call for a quote on 0800 692 0168.
Trunkie tip
Instead of paving slabs, consider having a gravel path. It's very difficult for even the sneakiest of burglars to walk on gravel without making a noise. |
