Looking
after your home
A lot of burglaries can be prevented. Most are committed by opportunist
thieves, and in two burglaries out of ten the thief does not have to force his
way in because a door or window has been left open. Burglars like easy
opportunities. They don't like locked windows because breaking glass attracts
attention. They don't like security deadlocks on doors because they cannot open
them even from the inside and they have to get out through a window. Simple
precautions like these do work. So check the security of your home against the
advice on these pages, and strengthen the weak spots as soon as possible. A
small outlay will, in many cases, make your home much more secure and buy peace
of mind into the bargain.
Strangers:
- Be alert to people loitering in residential streets, if it is no one you
recognise, call the police.
Burglar Alarms:
- Visible burglar alarms make burglars think twice.
Small Windows:
- Even small windows like casement windows, skylights or bathroom
fanlights need locks. A thief can get in through any gap larger than a human
head.
Spare Keys:
- Never leave a spare key in a hiding place like under a doormat , in a
flowerpot or inside the letterbox - a thief will look there first.
Gates and Fences:
- A high wall or fence at the back of a house can put off a burglar. Check
for weak spots where a thief could get in. A thorny hedge along a boundary
can also be a useful deterrent. Make sure the front of the house is still
visible to passers by, so that a burglar can't work unseen.
Front Door Roof:
- A thief could reach first floor windows from this roof - so fit window
locks.
Garages and Sheds:
- Never leave a garage or garden shed unlocked, especially if it has a
connecting door to the house. Lock tools and ladders away so that a thief
cannot use them to break in.
Front Door:
- Make sure your front door is strong. It should be as strongly built as
the main outside door of the block. If it isn't, get another one or ask your
local council to do it. Fit hinge bolts which stop someone pulling the door
from its hinges. And fix a special steel strip into the doorframe.
- If your block does not have a telephone entry system, talk to the
landlord or council about putting one in. This may be easier if you get
together with other tenants to form a tenants' association. If you do have a
telephone entry system, don't let strangers in or hold the door open for
someone who is arriving as you are leaving.
Side Passage:
- Stop a thief getting to the back of the house – where he can work with
less chance of being seen – by fitting a strong, high gate across the
passage. If you share an alleyway with a neighbour, talk to him or her about
sharing the cost.
Shared accommodation:
- If you live in student halls of residence, a bedsit or some other type
of shared accommodation, you should try to follow all the home security
measures in this booklet. You also need to be careful to keep your room
locked when you go out to use the kitchen or bathroom. Don't leave keys in
your door, or lying about in any common rooms. Avoid putting your name or
room number on your key ring in case it gets lost or stolen.
- Never leave cash or valuables on open view in your room; lock them out
of sight. Try to limit the amount of jewellery or electrical equipment you
keep with you.
- Always lock main entrance doors behind you. Try to avoid letting anyone
you don't know into the building along with you. Be aware of any strangers
around the corridors to the building, and report any suspicious activity to
the warden, security staff or the police.
Strangers at the door:
- The best defences against a doubtful caller are a viewer or spyhole in
the door and a stout door chain. Remember, if in doubt keep them out.
- Always make sure that visitors are who they say they are. If they say
they are from the police, gas or electricity board, ask to see their card.
Check it by ringing their local office. Don't use a number on their card but
look it up in the 'phone book. If you are worried, ring the police.
- Don't let the caller stop you doing these things by saying he or she is
in a hurry. A genuine caller won't mind waiting outside with the door closed
while you ring. Remember to keep the door chain on until you are sure your
caller is genuine.
- Be wary of salespeople who call unannounced and try to persuade you to
spend your money on an investment scheme. Such schemes don't guarantee you
will make any more money, and you could end up losing it. Check with the
Financial Services
Authority that the salesperson is a member of an approved trade body. If
they are not, you will not be entitled to any compensation. Be particularly
careful of offers from overseas, as you will probably not be able to pursue
the case through the courts in this country if you are defrauded.
- Always seek advice from an independent source. Never sign anything on
the spot.
Burglar alarms and safes:
- If your possessions are worth a lot of money or you live in an area with
a lot of burglaries, you should consider a burglar alarm or a safe. Ranging
from inexpensive DIY kits to sophisticated systems costing hundreds of
pounds, there are scores of burglar alarms on the market. Quality fitted
alarms will certainly be a deterrent to burglars. 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 the companies they recommend. The system installed should meet
BS4737 (professionally installed) or BS6707 (DIY).
Lighting:
- Good lighting can deter a thief. Some exterior lights have light sensors
or an infra-red sensor that switches the light on for a short time when it
detects something in its range. Sensors can be bought separately to convert
an existing outdoor light into a security one.
Back to Personal Safety Guide
Estates
& Facilities