NATIONAL HOME SECURITY MONTH
NHSM From
KEEPING YOUR HOME SAFE AND SECURE
Here the official police security initiative , Secured by Design , highlight a few simple steps that you can take to ensure that your home stays safe and you reduce the chances of falling victim to an opportunistic burglar .
Physical security - house
We advise that doorsets – door , frame , locks , fittings and glazing – which allow direct access to your home achieve our high security standard , Police Preferred Specification .
Easily accessible windows , including easily accessible roof lights and roof windows , should also meet Police Preferred Specification standards . Both door and window frames must be securely fixed to the building fabric in accordance with the manufacturer ’ s instructions and specifications .
Even the most secure doors are vulnerable if we don ’ t lock them - even when we are at home , lock your doors & windows . Always keep your keys to hand should you need to exit quickly for whatever reason .
Security systems
If you have decided your property would benefit from an alarm system , you should ensure that you use a reputable alarm company . To obtain information on reputable companies who supply and install security systems in your area , contact the following Independent Inspectorate Bodies who will be able to supply you with these details - the NSI ( National Security Inspectorate ) or the SSAIB ( Security Systems & Alarm
Inspection Board ). Both Inspectorates have search functions on their websites to help you find an appropriate installer and having an alarm system certified by one of the accredited independent Inspectorate Bodies will ensure you have a reliable and well maintained system that meets relevant British and European standards and which could result in lower insurance premiums .
Safes & property marking
Good-quality doors , windows and locks are excellent deterrents , but there ’ s even more you can do to stop burglars in their tracks and protect your valuables . Whenever they are not being used , store valuables such as passports , credit cards , identification documents and jewellery in a safe that complies with BS EN 1143 ( the Eurograde system ) to the appropriate grade or Sold Secure who have a dedicated test specification for Domestic Safes ( SS304 ). Your safe needs to be placed somewhere discreet where it can ’ t be easily discovered – ideally in an alarmed part of the house – and bolted to a wall or floor .
Property marking makes it easier for the police to trace and recover your possessions . Register with a Secured by Design accredited property marking system to assign your valuables their own unique code , allowing them to be traced back to you – this includes for valuable tools and bikes that are stored in outbuildings and garages .
Register your valuables free of charge using a police recognised database . Keep documents , such as receipts , so you can prove ownership . Take photos of all valuable items , including antiques and family heirlooms , which are particularly attractive to criminals .
Keep your car keys safe Vehicles fitted with a smart or passive key ( a contactless key ) are susceptible to a type of theft called “ Relay Theft ”.
There are a wide range of electronic devices , key cloning devices and other tools that can be easily obtained by opportunist thieves and criminal gangs to target your vehicle .
The criminals normally work in pairs , targeting vulnerable and desirable makes of vehicles by using cloning devices that have the ability to grab the signal from the smart key so that it appears to the car or van that the key is present . The whole process can take as little as 60 seconds and for safety reasons , the engine won ’ t cut out when the key is out of range .
Your vehicle is most vulnerable overnight , particularly if parked on your driveway or directly outside your home where most of these thefts occur .
Don ’ t leave your keys in the hallway near the front door as fishing for vehicle keys through the letterbox is a prominent method of stealing them . Grabbing the signal will also be easier for the thieves if the keys are near the front door .
When not in use store your keys in a security pouch . Security pouches are sometimes termed Faraday bags or RFID signal Fob Blocker / shields , these pouches will prevent the signal from your vehicle from being captured using electronic devices .
www . securedbydesign . com
44 OCTOBER 2024
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