Burglar Prevention

Protect Your Home From Burglars

Most home theft occurs during the summer and holidays, but burglary can happen at any time. Find out how to protect yourself and your belongings year-round.

• Safety
• Crime
• Community

Theft security begins with burglary prevention.  Victims often make the mistake of thinking, "Those things don't happen to me." By paying attention to your neighbourhood and surroundings, you can protect your home and safeguard your belongings. 

Just Moved In

Take a walk around your flat or house and think about what a burglar sees when he or she arrives at your door.  If possible, change the locks and alarm codes.  If you do not know how many people have keys to your home, your home is not secure.

Theft Prevention

There are a number of simple ways to protect a home against theft. Make it difficult by:

• Investing in a peephole so you can see who is at your door without opening it.
• Installing deadlocks.  A locking door handle is often an easy entry.
• Installing motion detection lights along main doors and walkways.
• Keeping a clean yard.  Put away tools and other objects that thieves can use to break into your home.  Prune your garden in a way that will make it difficult for a burglar to hide.
• Instead of hiding extra keys on the property, give one to someone you trust.

Remove Temptation

• Lock your doors and curtain your windows whenever possible.
• Keep valuables and keys away from visible windows and entryways. Out of sight means a burglar risks finding nothing or spending too much time looking.
• Don't put big boxes from expensive items such as televisions or computers out for trash collection. Break them down and stash them with other trash or take them directly to a recycling station.

Plan for the Unthinkable

• Make sure your address is clearly visible.  This will help police find your home should something happen.
• Keep your home insurance up to date whether you are a homeowner or a renter.
• Keep a list of your valuables and their serial numbers. This can help police find stolen items or aid in your insurance claims.
• Store valuable documents in a fire-proof safe or at a bank.

Security Systems

The ultimate way to protect your home is to install a security or alarm system. It can also help with other emergencies such as medical or fire.  Systems often come with features such as an alarm sounder, a coded keypad, an infrared detection arrangement and a panic button.  Even their window decals and yard signs act as deterrents.  There are two main types of system:

• A Local Alarm makes a lot of noise to scare potential burglars and alert neighbours.
• A Monitored Alarm signals a help centre so that emergency services can respond immediately.

Should you decide to install a security system, there are two main things to remember.  First, it is important to memorise your code so you don't create false alarms.  Second, don't keep codes written down unless they are absolutely secure, because a stray paper can fall into the wrong hands.

While You Are Away

Since most burglaries occur during summer and the holidays, it is most important to protect your home while on vacation. 

• Timed lighting can fool burglars into thinking you are home. You can also ask a pet-sitter to turn on your lights when he or she feeds the animals at night and turn them off in the morning.
• Let your neighbours know when you are away.  They can watch your home for anything out of the ordinary, and don't forget to leave them a contact number just in case.
• Put a hold on your newspaper and mail, and cancel any regular deliveries.  Piling letters and papers advertise that you are away.
• Turn your phone volume down so people can't hear it ringing.  A ringing phone is a sign that no one is home.
• If you have a security system, remember to inform security monitors of when you will be on vacation.

Encountering a Burglar

If you happen to surprise a thief in the act, you cannot be sure of how he or she will react.  Do not confront a burglar if you can avoid it! If you come home and suspect that someone has broken in, call the police immediately and find an alternate safe location - the burglar may still be inside.  If you are home when thief breaks in, try to lock yourself in a room where you can contact the police, or safely exit the home entirely.

If Your House is Burgled

• Don't touch anything
• Call the police
• After police advise you, inventory what is missing
• Call your insurer
• Alert your neighbours

By taking the correct steps to prevent your house from burglary, you can safely say, "Those things don't happen to me!"

Need more information? Find security services in the NZS.com directory.

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Lifestyle images from Flickr: Alliance, Yoga and Wine.