Security Hints & Tips

Holiday Checklist
Did you remember to lock that verandah door? And who was in charge of getting the newspaper and mail delivery stopped? Don’t let nagging doubts about the security of your home ruin your vacation. Print out this checklist to make sure your security strategies will stay in force even when you’re away.

Windows
Windows are left unlocked and open at a much higher rate than doors. An open window, visible from the street or an alley, may be the sole reason for your home to be selected by a burglar. Ground floor windows are more susceptible to break-ins for obvious reasons. Upper floor windows become attractive if they can be accessed from a stairway, tree, fence, or by climbing on balconies.

Neighbours
Get your neighbourhood involved in the ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ scheme. Good neighbours should look out for each other. Get to know your neighbours on each side of your home and directly across the street. Invite them into your home, communicate often, and establish trust. Good neighbours will watch out for your home or apartment when you are away, if you ask them to.

Lighting
Interior lighting is necessary to show signs of life and activity inside a residence. A dark home night after night sends the message to burglars that you are away on a trip. Light timers are cheap and can be found in almost all supermarkets.

Doors & Locks
The first step is to make your home more difficult to enter than the next. Remember, the burglar may simply bypass your home if it requires too much effort or requires more skill and tools than they possess. Most burglars choose to enter through the front, back, or garage doors. Experienced burglars know that the garage door is usually the weakestfollowed by the back door.

Alarm Systems
An electronic alarm system in it’s simplest form, is a low-voltage electrical circuit with sensors on entry doors and windows. When the circuit is broken, like when a door or window is opened, its sensor detects the interruption in the flow of electricity and triggers a warning signal such as a siren or strobe light. In addition to door and window sensors, many systems also include motion detectors that monitor large areas inside the house.

Business
Keep areas around the store clean to aid visibility. Display your most valuable articles furthest away from entry points of the store to force a burglar to take the longest possible escape route. Keep merchandise displays organized to allow maximum visibility throughout the store. Check cupboards and toilets before you lock up. You don’t need an unwanted visitor staying inside your store after closing hours.

Safes
Safes come in all sorts of sizes and shapes. They are very useful for household or business security. Most amateur burglars would not know how to crack a safe without a great deal of noise or time. A good safe is the best bet for home and business security.

Valuables
Your belongings should stay that way, and if they do get into the hands of somebody else you should follow some simple steps to increase the chances of you getting them back. To start with you should make an inventory of your belongings. Just go through every room in your house and make a list of all the things you own, (this does not mean underwear and socks!) things like jewelry and antiques, tv, video player, stereo, dvd player etc. If this is done at least if something happens like a robbery or fire you have a list to give to the appropriate parties (eg. insurance or police). In your list write down details such as model and serial number.

Vehicles
You must be careful what you leave in your car, or, if you are going to leave something in your car make sure it is out of plain view so as not to tempt would-be thieves. There are different ways of keeping your vehicle secure, from car alarms to immobilisers and even just a plain old sticker so as to fool amateurs.

Basic Computer Security
Huge corporations spend millions of dollars each year on trying to make sure their computers are safe. But if you own a personal computer at home, the truth is your computer is probably already alot more safe than those that they own. Many of their problems relate to glitches in their networking software and such. This does not mean that you are safe though.

Home Security
Try to avoid letting people into your home that you do not know or trust, if they do come knocking on your door deal with them through the door or go outside to talk to them. It is not necessary for them to know what belongings you have in your home and where they are.