Top Tips to help single-dwellers keep their homes secure
- Lock It Up
In almost a third of house robberies* a thief enters through an unlocked door or window. So it may sound obvious but be sure to lock all doors and windows when leaving your property and remove any valuables away from windows where they’re easily spotted. - Lighten Up
More than half of burglaries* take place in the evening or night so leaving lights on is an easy way to give the impression that your house is occupied. In order to save on the electricity bill, time switches can be fitted to operate lights and radios while you’re away. - Be Alarmed
A visible burglar alarm can make a burglar think twice. Those connected to a monitoring service are best, but even a dummy alarm box can be an effective deterrent. - Be Cautious With Your Keys
Never leave spare keys in an obvious hiding place, for example under the door mat or in a flower pot; thieves will look here first. Don’t leave keys by a door or a window where they are easily spotted and be aware not to label what the keys are; this will make a thief’s job easier in gaining access around your property. - Think Like A Burglar
It may sound strange, but put yourself in the burglar’s shoes and imagine trying to break into your own property. Look at potential points of entry and anything that gives the impression that your home would be worth breaking into, such as empty packaging of expensive goods. Look for areas where the burglar could break in without being seen and consider removing any cover that allows a thief to go unobserved – such as overgrown foliage. - Everybody Needs Good Neighbours
Trusted neighbours can keep an eye on your property and make it seem as if the house is occupied, so get in touch with your local Neighbourhood Watch or set up your own. Try to keep natural hedges and trees minimal to allow neighbours extra surveillance on your property. Milk, newspapers and other deliveries left on the doorstep indicate your house is unoccupied so consider asking a neighbour to collect them for you. - Telephone Give Away
Potential thieves may try calling your home phone to see if the house is occupied, so it’s worth either disconnecting the answer-phone, or recording a new message which gives the impression that you are only away for a short period of time. - Still Home
Cut your grass before you go away as an untidy lawn is an obvious sign of unoccupied house, as is a build up of mail - so place a ‘no junk mail’ request on your letter box.
*British Crime Survey Data 2008
