How safe and secure do you feel at home?

With recent government showing that 80% of the population who reside in our cities and towns have a real  fear of their home being vulnerable to crime.

So wouldn’t it makes sense to take “sensible precautions” to ensure that not only is your property safe but also your family, and that you have the added security of “peace of mind” as well.

So without falling into a trap of “paranoia and “fear” what sensible steps could we take to make sure that we feel safe and secure in our own home?

Safety Indoors:

• Always secure outside doors with hinge bolts available from any DIY store and have then fitted professionally

• Fit barrel locks top and bottom as well

• Fit barrel locks top and bottom to all your internal doors as well

• Buy inexpensive battery operated door and window alarms from any reputable DIY store and fix them  to all external doors and windows, you don’t need an expensive “all singing all dancing” complete alarm system all you need is a “deterrent”.

• If you have to use a key, keep it in a safe place away from the door, where you can find it quickly in an emergency, you may need to use the door in the event of fire

• If you’ve just moved and you think that other people such as previous tenants could still have keys that fit, change the locks

• Don’t give keys to workmen or tradesmen, as they can easily make copies

• If you wake to hear the sound of an intruder, only you can decide how best to handle the situation

• Even if you’re on your own, call out loudly to an imaginary companion most burglars will flee empty handed rather than risking a confrontation

• A telephone extension in your bedroom will make you feel more secure as it allows you to call the police immediately, without alerting the intruder

• Draw your curtains after dark and if you think there is a prowler outside – dial 999

• If you see signs of a break-in at your home, like a smashed window or open door, don’t go in. Go to a neighbour and call the police

• When you answer the phone, simply say ‘hello’, don’t give your name or number

• If the caller claims to have a wrong number, ask him or her to repeat the number required

• Never reveal any information about yourself to a stranger and never say you are alone in the house