Keeping Your Home and Property Safe From Crime

Everyone wants to believe their home is secure. Home is your safe haven, and should always be a place you can relax. No matter where your home is, it is important to make sure you keep your home and property safe & secure.

The Australian Federal Police recommend several steps to create security and stability in your home.

Never leave keys outside of your home. No matter how safe you believe your neighbourhood is, burglars know where people commonly hide their keys. It is better to leave a key with a trusted friend or neighbour –forget hiding one outside. Do not put your name, phone number or address onto your keys. If you move into a new home or lose your keys, change your locks. As an agency we readily make use of commercial grade lock boxes, whereby a code is needed to access the keys and the box is shackled to the gas or water pipe.

Install quality deadbolt locks on all of your external doors. Make sure to have all of your doors properly fitted into your doorframes and all door locks properly installed. Make sure that your garage door has a deadbolt lock, and lock your garage door as well. These locks are now required in a rental property for good reason, so make sure you also have them in your home.

Keep your yard secure. Trim any trees or shrubs that could be used to climb up to a window. Keep all gates securely locked and shut. Lock up tools, ladders and equipment when you are not using it. Install motion activated lights in the front and back of your home. Thieves commonly use the back of your home to gain access to your home because it is harder to see from the street.

Label your property. Engrave your name into your electronics, ladders, tools and other valuables. Thieves are less likely to take property that is easily identified. Hide or keep valuables out of sight. Keep a light or television on when you are not home to make it looks like you are still inside. These could be set on a timer to help save electricity.

If you suspect that your home has been broken into, call the police. Do not enter your home if there is still a thief inside of your home. Help police to compile a list of anything that was taken, with serial numbers, descriptions and engraving information to help get your property back.

Having been broken into on 2 occasions now, it is well worth taking a photo of receipts for expensive items. I do it now at the time that I buy them and then I always have a digital copy of the receipt on record.

For more information about keeping your home safe from crime, contact your local police station, go online at www.afp.gov.au

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