Hints and Tips

• HOME SECURITY ... How you can protect your home against burglary

• HOLIDAY SECURITY ... Some simple steps to protect your home while you're on holidays

• Holiday Security Checklist

HOME SECURITY ... How you can protect your home against burglary.
Here are some suggestions to make your home safer and more secure. Remember most burglars are opportunists, so don't give them the opportunity. 

• When leaving your home, ask yourself, "Does it look like the house is empty?" If it does, do something about it.  

• At night, leave on inside lights which you would normally leave on if you were at home. A house in darkness is a prime target for a burglar.  

• Consider using electronic timing devices that turn the-TV, radio or lights on and off at selected times.  

• Ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your home, particularly if you're going on holidays, and to report any unusual activity to the police.  

• Become involved in Neighbourhood Watch.  

• Lock all doors and windows when leaving.  

• Activate alarm systems.  

• Consider installing movement-activated external floodlights.  

• Don't leave blinds or curtains dosed - it makes the house look empty.  

• Key operated locks for doors with glass panels are essential.  

• Make windows more secure by fitting locks, safety film, security screens or external roller shutters.  

• Identify your property with your motor driver's licence number (e.g.WA1234567) by using engravers supplied free through Neighbourhood Watch.  

• Photograph and record serial numbers of all valuable property and keep this information in a safe place. 

HOLIDAY SECURITY ... Some simple steps to protect your home while you're on holidays. 

• Ensure all doors and windows are securely locked, preferably with deadlocks and keyed window locks.  

• Let your neighbours know you'll be away and ask them to watch out for visitors and collect all your junk mail.  

• Arrange for mail to be held or re-directed by the post office or collected by your neighbour.  

• Cancel all deliveries such as newspapers and milk. 

• Give your neighbour or friend a contact address and telephone number. 

• Lock up garden tools, ladders and other items which could be used to enter your home. 

Holiday Security Checklist
Have you ... 

• Locked all windows? - preferably with key operated locks  

• Locked all external doors?  

• Advised your chosen keyholder of your absence and contact details?  

• Locked all tools away?  

• Cancelled deliveries such as newspapers?  

• Had mail held, redirected or arranged collection?  

• Disconnected power supply to electric garage doors?  

• Locked valuables in a safe or bank safety deposit box?  

• Turned down the ringing volume on the telephone?  

• Arranged for someone to cut the lawn?  

• Arranged for the care of the pets?  

• Arranged for the payment of bills for utilities such as electricity and gas?  

• Engraved your valuables with your driver's licence number?  

• Advised monitoring centre of next contact person/keyholder, if your house has a monitored alarm.