SECURITY
How to secure your home this summer Tips and advice from June Green of Deepings Home Minding Service Your spare set Make sure a spare set of important keys is held with a relative, friend, neighbour or minding company. This allows someone to act if there’s a problem in your home and reduces your inconvenience if you lose your keys while away.
Taking stock
Secure your special stuff!
Carry out a review and maintenance of your external lights, burglar alarm, doors, windows and locks including your garage and shed. Use a reputable locksmith if you are considering a change or upgrade of locks. Don’t leave anything outside which can be used to gain access to your property such as ladders and tools. A tidy, well-kept garden is more difficult for undesirables to hide in and gives the illusion that there’s someone at home.
Consider leaving small sized valuables; jewellery, laptops, important personal documents etc. with family or friends during your absence. A reputable home safe is a must although the standard size whilst reasonable to buy is relatively small in capacity.
Alarm bells? Clean up your burglar alarm box/cover. If it looks uncared for it’s a sign to a burglar that your alarm is possibly outdated, not working or that it’s a dummy box. Burglars view this as a positive 75/25% chance they are willing to take to enter your property. A simple box/cover clean (please consider ladder safety) or replacement by a qualified installer can make the difference between having an unwelcome visitor or not.
Regular checks Best to have your home regularly visited by a relative, friend, neighbour or minding company to ensure all is well. Very important that whoever visits has the wherewithal to manage any problems that may arise as these can involve the emergency services, insurance/ utility companies and tradesmen etc. Trusted neighbours should be made aware of your holiday dates and who will be visiting so that they won’t call the police unnecessarily.
Not so social! Having a great time on holiday? Letting everyone know on Twitter and Facebook with location check-ins on Foursquares with selfies uploaded on Instagram? It’s a fact that burglars use this information to target empty properties. Most insurance policies include clauses that “reasonable care” must be taken to protect property. It now applies to what policy holders post online! Insurers will check your social media if a claim is made.
Make a list.. .Check it twice! Holiday excitement gets to us. Cancelling papers, milk, possibly redirecting mail, closing curtains, are all things we do but sometimes we just forget last minute checks on security light timers, key locking windows and doors or setting the alarm etc. Simple to solve! Create a comprehensive check list well beforehand and stick to it rigidly right up to the time you close (and lock) the front door. Bon Voyage!
Neighbourhood Watch Being a member of Neighbourhood Watch has so many advantages and gives added security to your home. If you are not a member, please consider joining or starting one up where you live.
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