Be Aware
Be Aware
ips for Home Security
Writer: Heather Fagan
T
here is no worse feeling than getting home and realising that someone broke into your house, violated your space and handled your most prized possessions. For some, a burglary leaves them feeling unsafe and on edge. This has led some people to move house because that sense of violation, especially for women, does not disappear easily. While no security system is completely foolproof, there are ways to not make your house an easy target thus protecting your possessions, your family and most importantly your peace of mind. The great news is that most home burglaries are done by amateurs. Compiled below are pointers from experienced locksmiths and a prominent security company. These tips will ensure that any potential burglar who wants to pay you an unexpected visit will leave empty handed and maybe second guessing his chosen ‘profession’.When you move into a new house, change all the locks immediately. Ÿ If you lose your set of key, change the locks instantly. You never know whose hands they may turn up in. Ÿ If the helper, plumber, electrician is not someone with whom you previously had a long standing relationship, do not take it for granted that they are honest. Check their background and references thoroughly. Ÿ Stop leaving spare keys under the mat or flower pot! Ÿ Do not leave notes for family members on the front door. That is like waving a welcome sign or an instruction manual for thieves Ÿ If you are out try to make the house seem as if someone is home. Leave a radio on and use timers to switch on the lights when it gets dark
Ÿ If your alarm system is very sensitive and tends to go off easily, have it fixed and inform your neighbours. Many people tend to ignore an alarm if it goes off periodically. Ÿ For back or side doors a good old fashioned Dutch pot cover balanced on the door works wonders as nothing is as loud and offensive in dead silence than that! Ÿ A spring-latch lock is an easy pick as thieves can use the ‘loiding’ technique. Loiding is the method of slipping a plastic credit card against the latch tongue to depress it and unlock the door. A deadbolt defies any such attack. It is only vulnerable when there is enough space between the door and its frame to allow an intruder to use power tools or a hacksaw. Ÿ Trim back fruit trees at the entrance of your home and invest in some motion sensor lights as thieves hate being observed Ÿ If a sales person or utility company worker comes to your home, ask for photo IDs before letting them in since this can be a cover for a later burglary. Ÿ Dogs are great deterrents especially indoor dogs as these are an unwelcome sur ?\?H???\??\??1n[??[ KZ[??XY?? ?????[^ \?[????1nY? \?H\?H??[??\?? H?] ?YH? [?\??\?K Z?H?? H??[? ?\?] H[??\?[??YK??\??\?H[H YY?\? ?? ??Z[?[? ?H ? [?\??YH\??????] H[??H [????X?\? ??X?\???B??