Home Security Tips

Home Security Tips

“Approximately 80% of burglaries take place when the home is unoccupied, largely due to people advertising to burglars that they are away by leaving the rubbish bin out, having a mailbox bulging with junk mail or a deserted driveway,” says RACV Manager Home Security, Michael Hayes.

Don’t be a victim. Read these handy tips to help protect yourself – and your home…

• Leaving a bin out for extended periods tells a would-be thief that you are not at home

• If you’re away, ask a neighbour or relative to bring it in for you

• Single women can be an easy target. Leave a pair of work boots or large runners lying around the front or back entrances

• When outdoors, whether it be gardening or socialising, don’t leave your house open for any ‘would be’ thief to see what you have to offer

• Draw curtains or blinds at night so thieves can’t get a ‘sneak preview’ of your contents

• Don’t leave any large objects outside for the thief to use to gain entry to your home. Break-ins are usually committed with objects found around the home

• Don’t just set your timer to go on at the same time every day. It won’t take long for a watching thief to realise what is going on. Plug in a few timers at different points around the home. Then when the lounge room timer goes off, the bedroom or kitchen light goes on, creating the illusion of movement in your house

• When you buy a new TV, DVD or expensive jewellery don’t leave the empty box and receipts outside for collection. Dispose of rubbish discreetly

• Remember that houses with high fences or large bushes provide burglars with the perfect camouflage. Make your home visible.

• When washing, occasionally hang out men’s clothes (could use old rags or big floppy jumpers) so that ‘would be’ thieves don’t assume you live alone.

RACV Home Security consultants will be available at the RACV Home Show & Garden Expo to provide visitors with an obligation free home security quote. For more info see the RACV Home Show and Garden Expo website or call 13 28 86. Tickets available to buy at RACV Shops throughout Victoria.

Original article and pictures take shesaid.com site