Your home should be your haven. You need to feel safe when you are at home and confident about its security when you are out. So, make your home hard to break into and your possessions difficult to steal. We have shared some tips below to help you outsmart the crooks.
A dark house is a soft target for thieves. But timers on lamps, hallway lights or even leaving the TV on can create the illusion that you are home, even when you’re not. Use timer lights if you are out at night, on holidays or away for the weekend.
Security screens are only as good as their quality. Look for screens that meet Australian Standard AS 5039-2008, which means they have been tested to withstand forced entry, including jemmy attacks and knife slashes. You supplier can help you find a screen that meets the standard.
Make sure every door and window has a good quality, keyed lock. If you like letting in fresh air, fit security screens that meet current Australian standards so you can stay secure while you ventilate your home. If you don’t have window locks shutting your windows can still be a deterrent.
Engraving your valuables is a simple and effective way to deter theft and make stolen items easier to recover. Engrave your driver’s licence number, starting with ‘S’ for ‘South Australia’ on items like bikes, tools and electronics. If you don’t have a driver’s licence, use your mobile phone number. For delicate valuables such as jewellery or collectibles, use a UV pen to mark your details invisibly. There are also adhesive microdots available with an individualised, tiny, almost invisible code printed on them. Traceable belongings are more likely to be returned if they are stolen.
Learn where your home might be at risk of break-in with Neighbourhood Watch Victoria’s How safe is my house? quiz.