Good

Poor

Danger

Check out these items with care.

SHRUBS that are close to the entrance gates or next to the house could hide a criminal. Hijacking does take place as you enter or leave your drive. Clear away.

LIGHTING. Is it effective, do you leave it on at night? Good lighting around your house will keep prowlers away and you can see anyone on your property.

WINDOWS. Metal guards screwed on to wooden frames are easily burst open. Drill and fix 8mm bolts through the frame and countersink the bolt head on the outside. This is a cheap and easy way to improve your security. Replace them with sliding guards or steel ones cemented into the wall if you are able to afford it.

DOORS. Wooden panel doors are being smashed in to gain access. Fitting a steel grill door inside or outside the wooden door will make it more difficult to break in.

DOORS. Sliding aluminium. Often these can be raised by inserting a screwdriver under the track and lifting the door out of the frame to gain entry. Test yours now. You can fit a lock to the inside frame to prevent lifting. Or fit steel doors.

DOORS. Entrances with glass framed panels. A very weak point, it’s easy to break the glass panel and open the front door. All small windows should be fitted with guards as small juveniles are often used to enter small break in points.

LOCKS. Exterior doors should be fitted with good quality locks that require a key to open it from the inside as well as the outside. Push button and Yale locks allow criminals to lave your property with large items. They also exit through the back door if the police/owner approaches the front door. Never leave your keys around they may be stolen and used for a return visit later on.

GARAGE. Keep it closed and locked at all times. In the garage are items that can be used to gain entry or used as a weapon (garden spade). Lawn mowers have value etc.

LADDERS AND STEPS. Lock them in the garage or chain them to the wall. A ladder can be used to gain access through the roof tiles of your house or one close by.

GARDEN GATES. Manual gates should be kept closed when ever possible. In the day persons may enter your property looking for work etc. If no one is at home they move to the rear of your house and attempt a break in. At night lock the gates with a chain. This would make it difficult to remove your car (push it out and start it down the road).

MOTOR VEHICLES. Remove a plug or condenser lead. Park them close to the house. For positive ID if stolen and recovered, push a business card down each window cavity.

PROPERTY ID. If your property is stolen and recovered the police must have positive ID to be able to obtain a conviction. You must record serial numbers, engrave your name, and mark the items with a UV sensitive pen, which will only show under a UV light. All items such as computers, TVs, VCRs decoders, lawn mowers, etc. They all have a value.

WEAPONS. Are yours locked in a secure safe? Don’t fool yourself that it is hidden. Criminals will ransack your house and find it. You have signed a sworn statement that you possess a steel gun safe. If your weapon is not secure and is stolen from your house in your absence you will face prosecution and will be refused further ownership of a firearm. Do not let your servant know you have a fire arm or where it is stored. Keep all your valued items locked in the safe.

BACK YARD. Keep the yard door locked to prevent access to your back door.

SERVANTS. Is your house secure in your absence? Are they able to use the phone to call the police if they see criminal activity on your property or your neighbour’s? Do they have your work number available and the number of the police station?

HOUSE NUMBERS. How can the emergency services respond if your house number is not easily seen by day and night? Fit a large reflective number, it might make the difference of life and death by saving those few minutes.