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Don’t Skimp on Security – top tips to protect your home from burglars

Although West Berkshire is generally a safe place to live, Thames Valley Police is working to try and reduce the number of burglaries in the district.  Here are the 10 top tips to keep your home secure from burglars:

Double lock your front door and don’t leave keys near to front doors where they can be fished or hooked out through the letterbox.

All downstairs windows should be closed and locked.  Consider fitting a window limiter for airing your home safely. If you do fit one, it’s important to adapt your house fire escape plan.

Don’t leave your house unattended with the windows and doors unlocked – even if it’s just for a minute or you’re out in the garden.  Remember that home insurance may not be valid if buildings are left unsecured.

Ensure that any access points such as side gates are locked. A shackled padlock is often a good deterrent.

Before turning in for the night, make sure that all doors are locked with a key.  You should then remove the key from the door.

High-value items such as jewellery and credit cards should be kept out of sight.

Secure valuable property inside your shed, eg.chain bicycles, lawnmower and power tools to a strong anchor point.  Never leave your shed insecure, a third of all burglaries involve sheds and garages with £600 of equipment stolen on average during each break-in.

Code your property.  We recommend forensic coding, eg. Smartwater or select DNA which has the advantage of only having to code your property once.

Consider installing a burglar alarm.  If you already have one fitted, make sure you set the downstairs zones at night.

Look at your house through a burglar’s eyes – are there places where they could break in unseen?

To do a self assessment of your home visit the Home Office ‘Secure your home’ page at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/secureyourhome

 

For a free Home Office burglary prevention advice pack call freephone 0800 456 1213.  This pack contains discount vouchers for security products from DIY retailers.

 

More information is available from your local Crime Reduction Department on 0845 8505 505.

 

Source: “A great place to live…” magazine, autumn 2009