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Keep your home secure
Although burglary rates have fallen by nearly 40% in the last six years, and according to Home Office statistics, you are less likely to be burgled now than at any time in the past 20 years, it is very distressing to have your home broken into - and as most burglaries are opportunist, they can often be prevented by taking a few commonsense precautions.
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Think security
Bogus callers
Secure your home
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Think security
• Burglary is quick - most thieves take just 5 minutes to break in, steal your property and leave. So don't be tempted to leave your front door unlocked, because you're "only popping out for a few moments". Always lock your doors when you go out.
• Close and lock windows, too, when you go out. Burglars can slip through even small ones. They don't like breaking glass, because of the noise and the risk of leaving forensic evidence.
• Don't hide a spare doorkey in your garden, under a plant pot, or whatever. And never leave keys in your hall where they could be reached by someone 'fishing' through your letterbox (you can lose your car this way, as well as inviting a burglar into your home).
• Arrange your home so that your valuable possessions, including things like a TV or DVD player, are not easily visible from outside.
• You can mark valuable items in various ways - with a UV pen, by etching, stamping or using an indelible market. If you mark them with your postcode and house number or the first two letters of your house name, then the police have a way of identifying the property as yours and returning it to you, if it is stolen and recovered. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pounds-worth of stolen property is left with the police because the owner is unknown. You can obtain stickers from the police "Coded for Keeps" to display in the windows of your home to deter thieves (property that can be identified is much more problematic for them).
• Be careful about marking jewellery and antiques as you could reduce their value: seek professional advice.
• If you don't want to mark your property, you can still keep a record, by photographing each item, in colour, against a plain background. Put a ruler in the shot to give an idea of size. Note any distinguishing marks - initials, crests, etc. Keep this in a safe place where you will be able to lay your hands on it at need.
• Keep documents such as passport, driving license, building society passbook, etc locked away in a safe place - identity theft is big business, and you don't want to make it easy for the thieves!
• Don't leave boxes from newly purchased goodies by your dustbin for collection. It's an easy hint to burglars that you have a nice new video camera, music centre, etc for the taking...
• If you go away, don't make it obvious that you're not there. Use timers to switch lights and radio on and off at intervals, make sure that you cancel any milk and newspaper deliveries, and arrange for a friend to collect post and draw curtains, if possible.
You can see more about security products by clicking here.
Bogus callers
• Although most people who call at your door are genuine, it is sensible to protect yourself by taking a few simple precautions.
• Before you go to answer the front door when someone calls, it is prudent to lock your back door and take the key away with you.
• Always put the door chain on before you open the front door. If you don't have a door chain or bar, get one, as soon as you possibly can.
• If the caller claims to be from an official body - the local council, water or gas company, etc - ask them to show you their ID, even if they have an appointment. All legitimate callers will have one. Check that the photograph looks like the person (tricky, I know!). Is the company name the same as that shown on your utility bills? Is the phone number the same? If you have any doubts about the person, close the door while you double check by phoning the organisation they claim to be from. Do not call the number on their card - it may be fake. Instead, look up the number in the phone book or on your bill. If you are not completely reassured after this, tell them to call back at a time when you know you will have someone with you, or to write to you to fix a more convenient appointment.
• If the person on your doorstep wants to sell you something, do not feel pressured into letting them in, however persuasive they are. A legitimate company will make an appointment at a time that suits you. A well-known ploy is for the caller to claim to be a builder or gardener who 'just happened to notice' some work that needs doing as they passed the house. Never take their word for it that there is anything that needs doing, and don't be pressured into having work done in this way. If you think that some work needs to be done in your home, get estimates from two or three reputable organisations before you make any decisions. Don't sign any contracts or hand over any money until you have talked to someone else about it.
• If the person at your door claims to be in trouble of some kind, and asks you to help, either by going outside with them, or by letting them in (to have a glass of water, make a phone call...) DON'T. Unless you have someone else with you, the only safe course of action is not to get involved.
• Remember - genuine callers will not mind waiting while you check their identity. They won't mind if you want to arrange another appointment. Be suspicious of anyone who tries to hurry you or put pressure in any way.
• Bogus callers often work an area in pairs or teams. If you think that you have received a visit from one, phone the police (999) to let them know and also alert your Neighbourhood Watch, if you have one, or local friends and neighbours. Try to remember details of their appearance and way of behaving, so that you can give a good description.
• Utility companies and some local councils have a password system for older and vulnerable customers. You supply a confidential password, and when any representative calls, they give you the password to prove that they are genuine. Find out more from the companies that supply you.
You can see more about security products by clicking here.
Secure your home
• Take a look at how secure your home currently is. The crime prevention officer at your local police station will be glad to give you some free advice. The cost of fitting good locks to doors and windows will be less than the financial loss of a burglary, of course, and houses with good security are much less likely to be burgled than those without.
• Any accessible windows should have locks - as mentioned above, burglars are much less likely to break glass in order to get in. Another possibility is security shutters for vulnerable windows. These are widely used on the continent, and are becoming more common in Britain. There are various types available - for convenience, roller shutters which are fixed outside the window and operated from inside, are probably most practical.
• Front doors need good quality locks - a single Yale-type rimlock is not sufficient. Ideally, you should have an automatic deadlock instead (this type, when locked, needs to be unlocked from inside as well, so would prevent burglars from leaving easily by the front door with your possessions, if they have broken in through a window, for example). This should be combined with either bolts at top and bottom or a further mortice deadlock towards the bottom of the door.
• Back doors and patio doors are also vulnerable - make sure that they are adequately supplied with locks and bolts. If you have UPVC/PVCU doors, you cannot usually change the lock types - modern ones should include either deadlock bolts or a multi-point locking system, both of which provide good security by shooting a number of bolts from the door into the frame. If yours don't, consult the manufacturer about ways of making them more secure.
• For peace of mind, a spy hole in your front door through which you can view callers, is a must. They are easy to fit and inexpensive.
• A door chain or bar is also important. Always put the chain on before you open the door, but don't keep it on at other times, as it could cause problems if you need to get out quickly, or emergency services need to get in.
• A video door entry system is also worth considering, particularly if you have reduced mobility. With one of these, you can view the caller on your TV screen and talk to them, without leaving your chair (if you have a portable intercom system). You can add an automatic door opener to the system, so that you can let in those callers that you wish to, without having to go to the door yourself.
• Security lighting, which automatically switches itself on when movement is detected, or when it becomes dark, is also good for deterring burglars - but make sure that it is located in such a way that it doesn't disturb your neighbours.
• A visible burglar alarm (with a box displayed on your front wall) will also deter opportunist burglars, but be aware of the potential for driving your neighbours insane if your alarm keeps sounding for hours. Have one that stops after a set time; make sure that it can't be triggered accidentally, by pets wandering near the sensors, for example; and choose a keyholder whom the police can contact to turn your alarm off if it sounds when you are away. Be aware that local authorities can prosecute you for noise nuisance if your alarm keeps bothering people.
You can see more about security products by clicking here.
This section also includes a lot of information about safety in the home.
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