1 – Home Safety
It’s time to take stock of your home security now that the clocks have gone back. The change to winter light always coincides with a rise in the number of house and shed burglaries being reported, but we’re also living in increasingly difficult times.
Burglars always look for an easy target, so if someone appears to be home then they are more likely to move on until they find a property in darkness or insecure.
Use light timers if you are going to return home after dark – these aren’t expensive. They can also be used on other electrical equipment to give the impression that someone’s home.
Make it harder to get into your home – Always lock doors and windows and think about whether you need to fit extra locks.
Use deadlocks, bolts and door chains if you have them.
Never leave door and window keys in or around doors and windows.
Extra lighting outside your home can make a big difference.
Make sure that your garden tools and furniture are put away, and that sheds and garages are locked with good quality padlocks. Thieves will often use tools from from sheds and garages to try and break into a house.
It’s a good idea to secure expensive items like tools and mowers using security cable, or chains and padlocks. You could go a step further by keeping all tools and equipment in a security chest or cage to provide added protection.
Put your car away at night if you have a garage.
These are simple examples, but may be the difference between being burgled or not. Your local Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) are available to provide a free Crime Prevention Survey on your home, which will help you to plan your home security.
For more information on crime prevention in Matson & Robinswood call the Safer Communites Team on 0845 090 1234.