Secure your home this Summer

How to secure your home this summer

Tips and advice from June Green of Deepings Home Minding Service

Taking stock 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.

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 If it looks uncared for it’s a sign to a burglar that your alarm is possibly outdated, not working or that it’s a dummy box.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.

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.

Secure your special stuff! 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.

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.

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.

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!

Tom Clare Photography The Photo Studio. Market Deeping Family photo shoot £40 Child friendly relaxed atmosphere No time constraints Party shoot for up to 10 children accompanied by an adult- perfect for birthdays! Gift vouchers available. Visit www.tom-clare.co.uk Call 07827 225812 or 01778 219138

Enormous stock of craft supplies Regular varied & captivating workshops with friendly tutors Childrens workshops in the school holidays

Childrens crafting parties available too

in the of the Deepings Antique & Craft Centre, High St.Market Deeping

www.riversidebeads.co.uk t: 01778 346810

Ofsted (April 2014) “Relationships are strong as a result children are happy and secure”

Free child places available for 2-3 year olds and all 4 year olds

Celebrating 25 Years of success

a.b.c Day nursery and out of school club operates from a mobile building set in 3.5 acres with a large play area. This has been thoughtfully designed to provide flexible childcare facilities for children aged 6 weeks to 13 years. Our long standing team of highly trained, enthusiastic practitioners provide a stimulating and caring environment. Our baby room, toddler room and pre-school room use the Early Years

Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework to plan activities to support children’s learning and development. We are situated in Tallington, just off the A1175 on Barholm Road.

For more information contact us on: 01778 343111. email us: abcdaynurserytallington@gmail.com Website: www.abcdaynursery-tallington.co.uk Find us on Facebook. 20% discount on your first weeks fees when you enrol. We offer flexible hours to suit every family’s needs. Holiday club open 22nd July-2nd Sept with a variety of activities and outings to take place daily

Shampooch We are moving to our new Salon on Godsey Grooming & self-service dog wash

1c Godsey Lane, Market Deeping PE6 8HT Tel: 01778 346972 email: enquiries@shampooch.net

THE RED LION

West Deeping 01778 347190 www.redlionwestdeeping.co.uk the red lion, west deeping redlionwdeeping

Delicious 2 mains for £16 Tue - Fri eves.

Don’t forget to come & enjoy our lovely children’s play park, paddock & patio