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Try to make doors and windows as secure
as possible by using the following security precautions:
- Always leave a spare key with a neighbour
rather than try to hide it under a flowerpot or a doormat, as
these are the first places that thieves will look. For the same
reason don't be tempted to hang a spare key inside the letterbox.
- Lighting both inside and outside the
house can act as a huge deterrent to thieves. Using a timer can
give the impression that there is someone in even if the house
is empty and exterior security lights which are activated by
motion sensors can prove to be very off-putting to burglars.
- Taking basic precautions such as remembering
to close all windows and locking back doors before leaving the
house are incredibly important as thieves will take any opportunity
left available to them.
- Replace any weak or damaged glass window
panels on or around a door with sturdier laminate glass versions.
- Hinge bolts can be a relatively inexpensive
solution to strengthening a vulnerable door.
- Fit bolts to all exterior doors.
- Remember to fit appropriate locks to
the top and bottom of patio doors if they don't already have
a multi locking system.
- If living in a flat or an apartment
never open the main entrance door to strangers or hold it open
for people who appear to be entering just as you are leaving.
- Side passageways can be made more secure
by inserting a high lockable gate to prevent thieves entering
the house through the back garden.
- Gravel is another cheap security measure.
The crunching noise it makes can make it very difficult for thieves
to sneak around the sides of the house.
- Although seemingly secure, solid wooden
fences around a garden can prove to be very easy to scale and
are an appealing opportunity for a passing burglar to climb without
being seen or making a noise. Better alternatives are options
such as attaching weak trellising to the top of your fence or
replacing any wooden fences with wrought iron gates.
- An attractive and effective way to prevent
thieves is to use different plants and trees as barriers. Thick,
spiky hedges or a climbing rose around a wrought iron gate can
be all the protection needed outside.
- Garden tools and implements are popular
targets for thieves and are often worth considerable quantities
of money. Therefore try and avoid leaving lawnmowers and hedge
clippers outside when not in use, instead lock them inside the
shed or chain them to a ground anchor.
- Consider filling garden furniture with
gravel to make it difficult to carry away.
It is worthwhile being extra careful when moving house, as this is one of
those stressful times that could only be made worse by becoming the victim
of a burglary. Precautions such as only allowing people to view your home
if they've made an appointment with the estate agent and keeping all house
and van doors locked whenever possible during the move.
- If you are
leaving your home unoccupied for lengthy periods of time it
might be worthwhile using the Royal Mail's "Keep Safe" service,
canceling all milk and newspaper deliveries and setting the
light timers.
- Beware of bogus callers who can use
guises such as desperately needing to use a phone or a bathroom.
This is when viewfinders and door chains can be very helpful
as you can see the caller without having to open the door fully.
- It's best to keep your front and back
doors locked even when at home.
- Have the back door locked when answering
the front door to a strange caller for they might have an accomplice
who'll try to sneak in whilst you're being distracted.
- If you think that a bogus caller has
visited take notes of their description and inform the police
and the occupants of the street.
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