Security At Home

Unfortunately burglaries are on the up. Comparing quarter two of 2011 and the same period in 2012, burglaries and related offences had increased by over 10%. There is no point in ignoring it and there is a lot we can do to protect our homes and belongings. Here are some tips.

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.