Inviting Burglars into the Home

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It is easy to become complacent regarding home security when one resides in a relatively crime-free area and devastating when the unthinkable happens. Having house contents insurance may take the sting out of losses suffered by burglaries, but having the sanctuary of one’s home violated in this manner remains a traumatic experience.

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Taking preventative measures may not only save your possessions, it may just save your life. Burglaries are seldom impulsive acts and most will involve some careful selection and planning. It is an easy matter for anyone to recognise the homes of those who have gone away on holiday without putting certain safeguards in place.

Deliveries – Milk deliveries that have not been suspended are a sure sign that nobody is home: the same is obviously true of newspaper deliveries.

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Lighting-Leaving a light on can be a good idea, but a light that remains burning day and night can also act as a beacon to burglars. It is preferable to have a trusted neighbour come in to switch lights on at night and off during the day. Alternatively, timers can be purchased from most hard ware stores that can set the lights to switch on and off at certain times of the day.

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Alarms-A good burglar alarm system is always an excellent deterrent and should be a standard, particularly for those of us who have set routines that require leaving the house unattended for specific periods of time every day.

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Windows- Drapes or blinds should be closed and valuables never left in open sight. A quick peek through a letterbox or window may be all a burglar needs to estimate the value of a potential haul.

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Keys- Many households have a table in close proximity to the letterbox on which keys, mail etc is casually kept. It is easy for a burglar to gain access to these, perhaps even using garden tools that have been left lying outside: these should be locked securely in a shed.

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It is often suggested that the most valuable of our possessions somehow be ‘branded’ with some identifiable mark such as a house number, street name etc. It is sound advice which is easily accomplished. Burglaries sometimes occur despite all precautions taken, so that house contents insurance remains important for a good night’s sleep.