Make Your Home More Secure
Make It Difficult For The Burglar
Most
burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves. In two
out of ten burglaries they don't even have to use
force; they get in through an open door or window.
Look at
your home through the burglar's eyes; are
there places where they could break in unseen? Have you
fitted strong locks on your doors and windows? Would they
have to make a lot of noise by breaking glass?
Reduce
the risk of burglary happening to you by making sure you've
taken these simple precautions. For a
relatively small outlay you could make your home more
secure and buy peace of mind into the bargain.
Windows
A third of
burglars get in through a back window. Easily
visible locks may deter some thieves, because a window
lock forces the thief to break the glass and risk
attracting attention. DIY shops sell inexpensive key-operated
locks to fit all kinds of window. Fit
key-operated window locks to all downstairs
windows, those which can't be seen from the
street and easily accessible upstairs window, eg.
Those above a flat roof or by a drainpipe. Even
small windows such as skylights or bathroom
fanlights need locks; a thief can get
through any gap larger than a human head. Remember
to remove keys from locked windows and to keep them out
of sight in a safe place. Louvre
windows are especially vulnerable because the
slats can be removed easily from the frame. Glue
the slats in place with an epoxy resin, and fit a
special louvre lock. Better still replace them
with fixed glass. If you
are replacing windows consider laminated
glass. As a
last resort, consider fitting security grilles to
vulnerable windows; many DIY shops now sell
decorative wrought iron grilles.
Lighting
Some
exterior lights have an infra-red sensor that switches
the light on for a few moments when it detects something
in its range. Sensors can be bought separately to convert
an existing outdoor light into a security one. Use
time switches (available from DIY shops)
to turn on lights, radios and other
appliances when you're out. Don't
tempt the thief; keep all valuable items
out of sight. Don't
advertise your absence when you're on
holiday, or even when out at work or shopping.
Most burglars will only tackle an empty house. If you
can, get a friend or neighbour to look after your
home when you're away, by collecting your
post, drawing your curtains at night and
generally making the place look lived in. And be
prepared to do the same for them.
Burglar
Alarms
There are
many systems on the market, ranging from cheaper DIY
alarms to more sophisticated alarms costing hundreds of
pounds. Easily installable 'wire-free' alarms
are now available whereby sensors fitted around the house
transmit radio detection signals to a control system.
These systems usually take 3-4 hours to fit. Wired alarms
are cheaper but take longer (around a day) to
install. Get
specialist advice and a number of quotes. Consult
your insurance company for companies they
recommend before deciding which best suits your
needs. The system should meet BS4737 (professionally
installed) or BS6707 (DIY). Remember, a
badly-fitted alarm can create problems in itself. Don't
install a DIY system unless you have the electrical
knowledge and practical skill to do so.
If You Live In A Flat
The most vulnerable part of your flat is likely to be the
front door. Replace
a weak door. It should be as strong as the main
entry door. Fit
hinge bolts which stop the door being pulled off
its hinges. Fit a
steel strip to the door frame to strengthen it. Consider
having a door telephone entry system installed.
Never 'buzz' open the door for
strangers ot hold the door open for someone who
is arriving as you are leaving.
Spare Key
Never
leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place
such as under the doormat or in a flower pot;
a thief will look there first. If you're
moved into a new house, consider changing the
back and front door locks; other people may
have keys that fit.
Side
Passages
Fit a
strong, lockable, high gate across the passage to
stop a thief getting to the back of the house
where they can work undisturbed. If you share an
alleyway with a neighbour, ask their permission
and for help with the cost.
Garages and Sheds
Often full of expensive tools ideal for breaking into the
rest of the house; and often left unlocked. Never
leave a garage or garden shed unlocked,
especially if it has a connecting door to the
house – a thief could get in and work on the
inner door in privacy. Fit
shed and garage doors with a strong padlock and
make sure that they are solid enough not to be
kicked in. Lock
ladders inside the garage or shed to stop a thief
using them to reach inaccessible windows. If
there is no room inside, chain or padlock them
horizontally to a sturdy bracket on an outside
wall.
Gates and Fences
Check
for weak spots where a thief could get in;
a low or sagging fence, or a back gate with weak
lock. A
thorny hedge along the boundary can act as a
deterrent. But make sure that the front of the
house is still visible to passers-by so that a
burglar can't work unseen.
Doors
SECURE
ALL DOORS.
If your front and back doors are not secure, neither is
your home. Make
sure the doors and frames are strong and in good
condition. Doors should be made of solid core
construction: 44mm thick. Glass
panels on or around the door are especially
vulnerable, so replace them with laminated glass. Fit
back and front doors with a five-lever mortice
deadlock: and use it. Fit
all exterior doors, top and bottom,
with bolts. Remember to fit all security devices
with strong screws or bolts. Get
specialist advice on fitting locks to patio doors. Fit
both french doors, top and bottom, with a
security mortice lock and mortice bolt. If you're
thinking of buying PVCu or metal framed windows or doors,
make sure that they come with good built-in locks and a
fitted chain, which can be very difficult and expensive
to add retrospectively. Look in
your telephone directory for the names of local
locksmiths who are members of the Master Locksmiths'
Association. Buy a
chain and use it every time you open the door. Fit a five-lever deadlock about a third of the way up the
door. One kitemarked to at least BS3621 should satisfy
most insurance requirements.
Check that the door hinges are sturdy and secured with
strong, long screws. For
added security fit hinge bolts. These are inexpensive and
help to reinforce the hinge side of a door against the
use of force. A door viewer will enableyou to identify callers before opening the door.
Never hang a spare key inside the letterbox; an
obvious place that a thief will check. Consider fitting a letterbox cage
which prevents thieves from putting their hand through
the letterbox and trying the locks from the inside.
Postcode
your property
In only 9% of cases where something has been stolen is
property returned.Marked
property can deter burglars because it's harder for
a thief to sell and can help the police to return it if
found. Take pictures of all valuable items like
jewellery and silverware and write down the serial
numbers of your TV, DVD, video, hi-fi, home computer and
camera equipment, to help the police identify them should
they be recovered. If you have many valuable items, fit a
safe. Ask your
local police station for 'postcoded property'
stickers to display in the front and back windows of your
house.
Insurance
Smoke Alarm
With all security, consideration must be given to the
risk of fire and means of escape. Fit a smoke detector, a minimum of one per
floor, installed to the
manufacturer's instructions to BS5446 Part 1.
Be A
Good Neighbour
If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your
neighbourhood, call the police. Join a Neighbourhood
Watch Scheme; there are now over 130,000 in this
country. Anyone can start up a Watch, call your local
police for details.
If You
Are Burgled
A secure home will reduce the chance of you getting
burgled. But, if you get home and notice signs of a break-in:
Don't
go in or call out, the intruder could still
be inside. Go
to a neighbour's house to call the police.
All police forces have officers trained in crime
prevention; contact your local station for advice.
Some
forces can arrange surveys of your home or business
premises and recommend security improvements. This is a
popular service; if there's a waiting list you
may be sent an information pack so you can do your own
survey.
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