Security Advice

Security tips – your home

Security tips – your business

Security tips – at night

Security tips – your vehicle

Security tips – your home

The obvious things first:

• Always lock all doors and close all windows when you go out, even if it’s for a short time
  • Don’t leave window or door keys in their locks
  • A visible burglar alarm, particularly a monitored alarm, can act as a deterrent, as can good lighting and security lighting
  • Don’t leave spare keys outside or in a garage or shed
  • Use your alarm system. Put it on at night time when you are at home. Night-time robberies are just as likely to take place when you are there
  • Draw your curtains at night. In general, don’t have valuable items visible from outside
  • Keep sheds and garages locked
  • As an extra layer of security, window locks can help prevent people getting in
    • On doors, use at least one deadlock – they make it harder for an intruder to get in
    • If changing to PVC or metal-framed doors, make sure they have good fitted locks and chains – they can be costly to add afterwards
    • Use timers for lights and radios if you will be out of the house overnight or for some days. They create the impression that someone is at home.
    • Walls and solid fencing around your house could actually conceal a thief. Trees and shrubs can also be hiding places. Chain-link fencing gives the intruder nowhere to hide and trellises with prickly shrubs or barbed wire can be a deterrent
    • Make sure that garden tools or ladders that could be used gain entry to your home are not left lying around
    • Fit a ‘spy hole’ so that you can see who is at the door. Also have a door chain so that you can open the door slightly to talk to visitors
    • Mark your belongings with a property-marking product (warning labels work particularly well in conjunction with this) or electronic identification
    • Get to know your neighbours and ask them to be alert while you are away. Neighbourhood Watch and other ‘watch’ schemes are excellent ways for communities to fight burglary crime
    • Make sure that any security improvements you make to your house don’t stop you getting out as quickly as possible if there is a fire
    • If you’re going away on holiday or for work, don’t go around telling everybody! You don’t know who these random people you’re telling associate with. Similarly, don’t you’re your holiday plans on social media sites such as Facebook.
    • Put alarm signs or stickers on the back or side of the house as well as the front. Most burglars enter from the rear

Further measures:

 

You’ll also find useful security advice on www.garda.ie.

 

 

Security tips – your business

[Picture ideas: CCTV camera, computer clamps, car park barriers …]

Security is always something to be concerned about, particularly in our currently poor economic situation, which has driven many to theft. Every company needs to have a security policy in place to protect employees, equipment and goods. Having the right security measures can help deter or keep out burglars and trespassers.

Here are some simple suggestions for improving security at your workplace:

• The first one is so obvious: close all windows and lock all doors when leaving the premises
  • Invest in a good, monitored alarm system. Limit the number of people who have the password and change it regularly
  • To enhance security for your employees, make sure all the entrances to the building have sufficient external lighting. This will have the added advantage of discouraging break-ins
  • Consider installing keypad locks to secure all entrances and exits. Using swipe cards or badges is another way to limit access to just staff members
  • If the costs of installing a full CCTV system are too high, consider a dummy CCTV camera
  • A well-looked-after building looks more secure, which in turn deters vandals or burglars
  • Refresh staff training on security protocols regularly. As staff get comfortable, standards slip. It is important to teach staff not to be embarrassed to confront someone if they do not recognise him or her
  • Have a system for recording visitors so that you have a way of knowing exactly who is on site. You need to know this in the event of a fire or evacuation in any case.  Providing a visitor badge shows everyone that that person is authorised to be there
  • Consider dummy CCTV cameras for your car park and signs to go with them
  • Installing barriers or gates at the entrance to your car park will mean you can manage who has access to the car park after working hours
  • Invest in clamps for your technology so that computers cannot be easily removed. Password protection for all machines containing sensitive information is vital

 

 

Security tips – at night

 

People on the way home from a night out or at the end of a late shift must be extra vigilant. Night time brings the added nuisance of people under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in other words people whose inhibitions have disappeared and whose judgements may be impaired. Add to that the fact that revellers on the way home tend to feel relaxed and are possibly less aware of their surroundings and therefore of potential danger, and you can see why night time is an especially dangerous time.

 

If you are out, and particularly if you end up walking or alone, here are some tips to keep you safe at night:

 

• Plan ahead; run your errands or take exercise earlier in the evening when more people are out and about
• Plan and use the safest route, not necessarily the shortest one
• Make sure someone else knows your plans, including how and when you’ll get back home
• Avoid walking in deserted areas or along dark streets, especially when on your own or in

unfamiliar areas

• If it is essential to walk in an undesirable or high-risk area, do not go alone. If your suspicions

are aroused, leave the area immediately

• If lost, do not stand in the street consulting a map – go to a busy shop and ask for directions, or consult the map there inconspicuously
• Keep valuables, such as wallet or purse, in an inside pocket and place items of value in

separate pockets or bags

• Be wary of anyone who tells you it is dangerous to walk alone in the area and offers to accompany you
• Never accept a lift from a stranger
• If you suspect you are being followed, do not go home, but rather proceed to the nearest police station or a busy, well-lit area, such as a service station. It is possible the person following you intends to overpower you and rob your home
• If you have a mobile phone, ensure you have the emergency services’ telephone number programmed and ready to call
• Don’t wear earphones as you won’t be able to hear who or what is approaching
• Do not be a hero and try and confront any would-be criminal

 

You’ll also find useful security advice on www.garda.ie.

 

 

Security tips – your vehicle

 

Here are some common sense tips to help you prevent the theft of your car and the theft of items from your car:

 

• Find somewhere to conceal your car key at home – it is estimated that 70% of car thefts are made using the vehicle key, taken during a house robbery. This is a particularly common method where the car is a high value model

 

• Don’t bring your car keys with you into the bedroom when you retire as determined thieves will not think twice about coming into the room to search for the keys

 

• If you use a sat nav, don’t leave it in the car after use

 

• Obviously, don’t leave any valuables in view in your parked car, or even loose change or CDs, and that includes in multi-storey or underground car parks

 

• Park somewhere safe – well-lit, in a busy area

 

• Lock your car and close the windows when you leave your car at petrol stations or to pay a parking fee. Never leave your key in an unattended car

 

You’ll also find useful security advice on www.garda.ie.