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Security Advice from The Lock Whisperer |
Burglary can have a long-lasting emotional
impact on victims, leaving them feeling isolated and vulnerable.
However, by taking just a few simple measures you can reduce
the chances of it happening to you. This section gives you
a wealth of simple and practical advice on how to deter thieves,
so you feel more secure in your home.
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General Security Advice & Tips |
Security was shown to be the most significant
determining factor in whether a household experiences a burglary
or not. Households with no security have been shown to be
far more likely to become victims.
The majority of home security measures are
common sense and low cost, and can result in reduced insurance
premiums.
For a relatively small outlay you could
make your home more secure and buy a piece of mind into the
bargain.
When you leave your home it’s important to ensure you
leave it as secure as possible.
Getting into an ‘exit routine’ can help ensure
that you don’t forget obvious, but important things,
like not leaving your valuables near windows. Here’s
our quick reminder on what to do when you leave your home.
What to Do before You leave Your Home:
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- Close and lock all your doors
and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.
- Set your burglar alarm.
- Make sure the side and/or
back gate is locked.
- Lock your shed or garage.
- Make sure that any valuables
are not in sight.
- Put keys out of reach of
letterboxes.
- In the evening, shut the
curtains and leave some lights on.
- Never leave car documents
or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways.
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If you are going to be away for days or
weeks at a time, you will need to take additional action,
such as cancelling newspaper and milk deliveries. Consider
asking your neighbours to close curtains, or park on your
drive. Use a timer device to automatically turn lights and
a radio on at night.
The majority of burglars can be deterred
by simple security measures.
Statistics prove that by taking quite simple
precautions you can deter a would be intruder, the majority
of whom are opportunistic. It is of course necessary to take
extra precautions to keep out the professional burglar but
remember that security buys you time, something the intruder
does not have. The list below will help you to identify any
steps you may need to take to protect your premises and your
personal property.
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Improve the security of your doors and windows |
- Main entrance door - This
should have a 5 lever mortise lock or cylinder mortise lock
conforming to British Standard BS3621, not just a simple
night latch.
- Other external doors - Should
be fitted with either a 5 lever BS3621 mortise lock or with
top and bottom mortise security bolts.
- Windows - Windows on the
ground floor are vulnerable to forced entry, especially
at the rear of the premises. These should be fitted with
key operated window locks. Above ground floor any window
that can be easily reached via a roof or drain pipe should
be fitted with a key operated window lock.
- Double French doors &
patio doors should be fitted with top and bottom mortise
security bolts and a mortise lock in the centre if possible.
- Outbuildings & Garages
usually contain garden equipment etc that would be help
an intruder to force entry to your premises, you should
secure these by fitting a suitable 5 lever mortise lock
or good quality padlocks.
- Car and Van manufacturers
have made giant steps in recent years to combat vehicle
theft by the fitting of immobilisers - however this has
exercised the minds of thieves to develop other ways of
stealing new vehicles. Car theft of new cars is now predominantly
achieved by stealing the car keys! According to a government
survey a staggering 85% of cars registered after 1997 were
stolen using the keys. Thieves now take the route 1 option
by breaking into homes to obtain just the car keys, in order
to steal the expensive new car standing in the driveway.
Leaving your car keys near your front door, window or on
the kitchen table is an easy option for the brazen criminal.
- Remember to remove keys from
locked windows and keep them out of sight.
- High priced items such as
jewellery, car keys and credit cards should be kept out
of sight - Do not tempt the thief.
- Most burglaries happen when
a house or flat is empty - Look in, when you're out.
- Easily visible locks may
deter some thieves as they force the thief to break the
glass and risk attracting attention.
- Spare keys should never be
left in a convenient hiding place such as under the door
mat or in a flower pot - A thief will look there first.
- Consider looking at your
house through the burglar's eyes, are there places where
they could break in unseen ? Foliage needs to be cut back
to remove hiding places.
- Light up your house during
the night. Fit low energy lights around your home. Thieves
don't like being seen and this will put offenders off -
(also read the 'Lighten Up' page).
- Use time switches to turn
the lights on inside your home when you are out.
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So don’t delay, Pop
my number in your phone today! |
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