Protect Your Home
Our author, John Humphries, is a management trainer with over 20 years successful experience in the UK and abroad.
Now is the time to check that you have made everything as safe as you can.
6 things that really matter |
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It is always important to make sure that your home and property are as secure as possible from crime. However, the older we get the more vulnerable we feel and become to criminals.
The risk of becoming a victim of crime is low in the UK compared to many other countries. Similarly crime is more rife in large towns and cities than elsewhere. Nevertheless you need to take every possible precaution to reduce the risk. Statistics show that 80% of crimes against property and vehicles are carried out by opportunist thieves, that is those who see an open window or other easy access. Although very traumatic when they occur, crimes against the person are fortunately rare. Again there are measures that you can take to reduce that risk.
Protecting your property does cost money, however most insurance companies offer premium reductions on homes that are well secured.
IS THIS YOU?
• I have nothing worth stealing.• My insurance company will recompense me.• I live in a safe area.• I can‘t afford to secure my home properly.• It‘s the job of the police to protect me and my property.
1 PROTECTING YOUR HOME
When a Crime Prevention Officer visits a property, he or she will take an ‘onion peel’ approach. First they will look at the boundaries and garden, then the exterior of the house and finally the interior. So we will take the same approach.
Boundaries
Ensure that all walls, fences and gates surrounding your garden are in good condition and preferably at least two metres in height. Defensive planting along the boundaries provides an excellent deterrent. Prickly shrubs such as berberis, Spanish gorse, firethorn pyracantha, white bramble and climbing and rambling roses are all ideal. They should be allowed to grow to about 1 metre in width to prevent people from climbing over them. This is especially important if your garden backs on to an open space or public byway. Avoid tall hedges along the front boundary as this could provide cover for anyone trying to break in at the front of your house.
Gardens
Never leave a garage or garden shed unlocked as they often contain expensive tools ideal for breaking in to the rest of the house. Fit all shed and garage doors with a strong padlock and make sure they are solid enough not to be kicked in. Always lock ladders inside your garage or shed to prevent them being used by the thief.
Windows
A third of burglars gain access through a back window. Fit key-operated locks to all downstairs windows and those upstairs above a flat roof or by a drainpipe. Louvre windows are especially vulnerable as the slats can be easily removed. Glue the slats in place with an epoxy resin and fit a special louvre lock. As a final resort you may consider fitting a decorative, wrought iron grill to vulnerable windows.
Doors
Fit the back and front doors with five-lever mortice deadlocks and use them. Bolts should also be fitted top and bottom to all exterior doors. You will need to get specialist advice on fitting locks to patio doors. If you have glass on or around any exterior doors, make sure the glass is laminated. Fit a security chain to the front door. Check the door hinges to make sure they are strong and well secured. Letter box cages prevent thieves from putting their hands through the letter box and trying to open the locks from inside.
Burglar alarms
Visible burglar alarms are a good deterrent as they will make the potential house-breaker think twice. There are many systems available, from cheap DIY ones to more sophisticated and expensive ones. Wired alarms are cheaper, but easily installed ‘wire free’ systems are readily available, whereby sensors are fitted around the house and transmit radio detection signals to a control system. Before having an alarm installed, get specialist advice and several quotes. A badly fitted alarm can create problems in itself. Unless you have the necessary skills and knowledge, do not attempt to install a DIY system yourself. If you truly cannot afford a full alarm system, a dummy box fitted to the front of the house is better than nothing as a deterrent in itself.
Security lighting
The simplest and cheapest lighting is a light over the front door or porch. However, for greater security consider fitting one or more exterior lights with infra-red sensors that switch the lights on when they detect anything within their range. Many such systems can be adjusted to prevent them coming on when a cat or bat crosses their beam.
Indoors
Most burglaries happen when a property is empty. Use time switches to turn on lights, radios and other appliances when you are out. Keep valuable items out of sight from anyone looking in the window. Never leave spare keys where they can be easily seen from outside.
Flats
If you live in a flat the most vulnerable part is the front door, so ensure that it is strong with good locks and bolts. You could consider strengthening the door with a steel strip. If possible install a door telephone entry system.
