A large number of burglaries happen due to doors and windows being left unlocked. There are a number of simple and inexpensive ways you can protect your home and yourself from becoming a victim of crime.
1. Always lock your doors, windows and any gates, which allow access to the back of your house, when you are out.
2. Don’t leave the packaging from new goods, especially expensive electrical items such as flat screen TVs, outside your house. It advertises what new items you have.
3. If you are out in the evening, leave a light on a timer switch and a radio playing. If possible leave a car in the driveway. Don’t advertise the fact that you are out.
4. Make sure that hedges and plants are not overgrown and cannot be used by burglars to hide from view.
5. Where possible fit motion-sensor lights to the exterior of the property and regularly check if they are working.
6. Make sure your shed is locked with a good quality padlock. Put inside anything in your backyard that might be used by others to break in.
7. Become a member of Neighborhood Watch – you are four times less likely to be burgled if you are in a watched area.
