Tips and Tricks on Keeping Yourself and Your Family Safe

Protecting Your Home

• Always lock your doors and windows
• Lock your front door, even if you are home or in the garden
• Keep all tools and ladders locked away
• If possible keep your garden shed and garage locked even when you are at home
• If you have sensor lights, use them.  They are a great deterrent when used correctly if someone moves nearby
• Keep all the trees and shrubs on your property maintained as they create a perfect hiding spot for burglars
• Ensure all your windows are secured
• Make sure you home looks occupied when you go away
• Do not leave notes on your door advising you are out
• If you have a house alarm, use it.  it won’t stop burglars from breaking in but the siren should deter them.  It will also alert your neighbours that something is happening on your property
• Record the serial numbers of expensive electronic items and photograph all valuables
• Note down registrations of any suspicious vehicles.  Often burglars will scope out a place beforehand

Before You go Out Check That

• All your doors are locked and your windows are securely shut
• The garage is secure and locked
• All tools and ladders are locked away
• The “spare” house key is not in an obvious “hidden” place.  Maybe give to a trusted neighbour
• The doors are clear and don’t have any notes left on them

Before You go Away Check That

• If possible, put your mail and newspaper on hold
• Let your neighbour, know when and where you are going and give them a contact number
• Lock all the doors and close all the windows
• Turn the telephone ringer down or off (if possible)
• Put a lamp and or a radio on timer
• Ask your neighbour to keep an “eye” on your home, clear your letter box and your close your curtains at night and then open them again in the morning
• Hide valuable items, financial documents and any spare keys to the house or vehicles etc
• Also, ask your neighbour to park in your driveway occasionally