Tips to Protect Your Home from Burglary
February 2nd, 2015
Household burglaries are one of the biggest crimes that occur across Australia each year. In 2012, 450 burglaries were reported each week in Queensland. According to 2012 statistics, of the 8.7 million homes in Australia, nearly 250,000 were subject to at least one break in over the year. These statistics highlight the fact that burglary is an issue we must be aware of and take measures against. This article will give you some basic advice to help avoid your house becoming one of those statistics.
Lock your windows and doors
While this may seem like a logical step to take, not many people do this, particularly during the warmer months when it’s nice to have a cool breeze enter the home. Ensure you always lock your windows and doors, even if leaving the home for ten minutes. It takes only five minutes for someone to walk through your house, pick up your most valuable items, and leave.
Another aspect to consider is the quality of locks you use. If you use the simple snib lock at the back of the door handle, you may want to think about upgrading to a deadbolt as they make it much more difficult for an intruder to enter the house. It’s best for deadbolts to be over an inch and include an anti-saw pin that makes it all the more difficult for thieves to get around. If you have sliding doors, simply placing a long piece of wood behind the door will stop it from being slid open.
Clear the area outside your home
It’s easy to leave things gathered outside your house, but still within your property. Tools like hammers or screwdrivers that you forget to put away could be just what the thief needs to break into your home and pull off a successful burglary. Leave ladders locked up tightly, and if you have a two storey house, trim big trees back so that they can’t be used to climb onto the second level. These big bushes also allow burglars to easily hide from neighbours, so it’s best to keep them trimmed.
Try to keep the outside area as tidy as you can, and if you have any large items like BBQs or expensive deck chairs, then consider locking them up when you are away. A messy garden can give the impression that you are not home often, or do not take much care for your property, which a burglar may consider an inviting environment for a break in. On the other hand, leaving your outdoors area tidy will show that you maintain your property well, and will likely deter burglars. Another important aspect is to clear big rocks away from the immediate garden area, as it’s easy for a burglar to throw a rock through a window and break it, allowing access inside.
Make it seem like you’re at home
This is a difficult task at times, but fooling potential burglars into thinking you’re at home can sometimes work as a deterrent. Something as simple as leaving a light, TV, or radio on could signal to a burglar that there are people inside the home. Another option is to leave the spare car, if you have one, in the driveway rather than the garage. Ideally, you want the thief to just keep walking past because they believe someone is at home.
Go the extra mile
Whether it’s forming a neighbourhood watch group or paying for an alarm system, being proactive about home safety will decrease your chances of a break in. An alarm system is a good option, despite the price, as research(albeit by a security company) has shown that 94% of burglars would avoid a house with an alarm. If a break in happens, the alarm notifies you as well as the security company, who will go and investigate. Alarm systems will put sensors in your home, and if you want to go for the top of the range, a CCTV system can also be installed. If you cannot afford an alarm, fake security system stickers are better than nothing.
A neighbourhood watch group is a great cheap option. It means that your neighbours are watching out for your property just as you are for them. Although this may seem an unspoken rule, it’s best to put it into action than just assume it will happen.
Install security screens
A good security screen will resist attempts from burglars or intruders to physically break into your home. While you may consider going for a cheap security screen, investing a bit more in a high grade stainless steel mesh screen will give your home better protection. SecureView door and window screens have all been independently tested by scientists from Curtin University in Western Australia. Our door and window security screens have been proven to withstand the impact of heavy weights, to avoid being wedged open by a wrench, and to pass a knife shear test. This means that, with a SecureView screen, you can feel safe in the knowledge that our products have been tested and proven to be strong and secure.
Burglaries are so common that you need to be proactive in making sure you aren’t a victim of one. The statistics are high and these tips are simple options that may help deter thieves from choosing your home, or if so, they will at least make it difficult for them to pull off a successful burglary.