Long, dark evenings, empty houses and gifts on view add up to an increase in burglary at this time of year. Remember, extra goodies in the houses at this time can tempt this, so you are likely to be burgled on a dark afternoon or evening during the festive season. Fitting sound locks on doors and windows may seem obvious, but since most burglaries are opportunist, here are some simple deterrents:
1. MAKE IT LOOK AS IF SOMEONE’S HOME – Since most burglaries take place in the afternoon or evening, leave a light or radio on if you go out. If you are going out for a few days use timer switches, which you can buy cheaply from DIY stores. Ask a trusted neighbour to come and remove post away from the door or post box.
2. SECURE YOUR WINDOWS – A third of burglars enter houses through the back window, so fit extra key-operated locks on those windows that are easy to reach via an extension roof or drainpipe. If you are out a lot in daytime, hang voile or muslin curtains at your downstairs windows, they are almost impossible to see through.
3. FIT GOOD DOOR LOCKS – Fit five-lever mortise locks to all your doors, and extra key-operated locks at the top and bottom of vulnerable patio doors.
4. INVEST IN A BURGLAR ALARM – Consult your insurance company to see what it recommends, and get quotes from specialists in your area. Check what options they offer should the alarm go off while you are out. You can often choose to have the alarm linked to a monitoring centre, which will contact the police if there is an intruder.
5. INSTAL GOOD LIGHTING OUTDOORS – Security lights that come on when they detect movement are a good way to deter thieves. Put them above your front door, over patio doors, and also garage doors if the garage is away from the house.
6. LOCK UP YOUR GARDEN – Fit a strong, lockable gate to side passages, never leave a shed or garage unlocked and keep ladders chained and padlocked so thieves can’t use them to get in through upstairs windows.
7. BE CAREFUL WITH KEYS – Never hide a spare key; burglars know all the obvious places to find it. Instead, leave it with a neighbour or friend. If you’ve recently moved house, getting the locks changed is the only way to be sure you are the only one with a set of keys.
8. MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS – Apart from convenience of having someone close by who can look after your home if you go away, getting to know who lives where and what time they came and go is good practice. And if you keep an eye on your neighbour’s homes, they’ll do the same for you.
9. GET A DOG – Burglars hate dogs. Not only might they bite, but they also bark loudly if they hear someone trying to get into the house. Most burglars are opportunist, and won’t know if you own a dog so either way, it may be worth putting up ‘Beware of the dog’ signs.
