Home Security

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Home Security

Most housebreakings can be avoided – in almost 70% of all break-ins, the thief gains entry via a rear door or window that has been left unlocked. The opportunist thief will always target a house which appears to be unoccupied, and where security is lax – an open window, or a key left in a back door. There is less chance of a thief being spotted at the rear of a house. Follow these common – sense tips to keep your home secure –

Boundaries

The front and back of a house should be treated differently in respect of fences, gates etc.

At the back, the higher the fence the better, as this will dissuade thieves from coming over it. If you can, and with the permission of your neighbours if needed, paint the top inch of a rear fence with anti-climb paint. This is special paint that never dries, so any attempt to scale the fence will leave the thief in a real mess ! Jaggy shrubs and bushes are also a good deterrent.

At the front, fences and shrubbery should be kept low to avoid creating any hiding places for thieves.

Lay gravel paths – it is more difficult to creep around un-noticed on noisy chippings.

Lighting – light is the greatest enemy of the thief, so use it to your advantage. Have outdoor lights fitted – “dusk –to –dawn” lights are now popular. These are floodlights which are on at a low -level during the hours of darkness, but should an intruder break the infra-red beam, the light level intensifies for a set period before reverting back to low-level.

Doors

This is where your homes security begins – your front and back doors should be strong and secure, and don’t forget the door frame too. Solid wood is the preferred choice for doors, but if you must have glass panels they should be made of laminated glass, which is much stronger and safer than ordinary glass. Your letterbox should not exceed the recommended size – 1 ½” X 10”, as this will prevent a hand reaching in from the outside.

An external door should always be fitted with a mortise lock – one that needs a key to lock and unlock it. Five lever mortise locks to British Standard 3621 are best, as these are made from better quality materials and are more difficult to pick or have the key copied. For doors that are seldom used and not used as fire escapes, mortise bolts or slip-bolts can be added to enhance the doors security.

The addition of a door-viewer and a door-chain will also help keep you safe.

Windows

In a large percentage of break-ins, the thief has got in through a window, usually at the rear of the premises. And, in a lot of cases, he hasn’t even had to force entry – the window has been left slightly open or unlocked. Any ground floor window, or those that can be reached by drainpipe, flat roof, garage or shed roof or balcony should be closed and locked when the house is unoccupied. A window lock which can be unlocked if the window is broken to get at the lock is of no use – fit Snaplocks, which automatically lock when the window is closed, and need a key to open them. These can be purchased at most DIY stores, and are easily fitted. Sliding patio doors are vulnerable too, but there are many good quality patio door locks on the market, again easily fitted.

Burglar Alarms

The installation of an intruder alarm is a good way of protecting your home when you are away. There are now lots of security companies which offer this service. A list of NACOSS approved companies which comply with Northern Constabulary Force Policy is available from your local Community Safety Officer.

Garden/outbuildings

Make sure your shed is secure by fitting a good quality padlock and hasp. Simple electronic battery powered shed alarms are also available.

If your garage has a locking door, use it.

Try not to leave anything in your garden that a thief could use as a climbing aid, or could use to help him break into your home. Always secure ladders to a drainpipe or similar, or store them inside.

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