Reducing Your Risk of Burglary and Crime
Household burglary is a widespread and increasingly common crime across Australia, and much as we love our country town, it’s becoming more common here in Penrith, too.
Most break and enters occur because homes are not adequately secure. To help you evaluate your home, complete each question in the checklist below. If you answer ‘no’ to any questions, we recommend you take the proposed actions listed below to increase the security of your premises.
And if you have any questions or would like a professional opinion, we’re here to help.
Actions to Increase Your Home Security
- Street numbers: It’s recommended that street numbers are big enough that they are visible from the road and clearly visible at night. A street number that is not visible will hinder emergency services if there is ever a need to locate your home.
- Warning signs should be displayed around the home where applicable. For example; prosecution signs where those who trespass intend to be prosecuted, or warning of video surveillance signs where video surveillance is present.
- Gate locks: Gates/fences are prime access restrictors to your property. Locks on gates should be used where necessary to ensure access to your backyard is limited. Gates/fences/locks need regular maintenance to keep their effectiveness.
- Adequate lighting is effective at keeping your home secure. If your home is well lit in the dark, thieves are more likely to be seen. Be sure to have extra lighting around doors into the home.
- Letterbox and electricity box locks: Letter and electricity boxes should have appropriate locks to ensure access is restricted. Remember that locks on electricity boxes need to comply with your electricity provider’s requirements to ensure they remain accessible for the provider.
- Garage and shed locks: Locks on garage and shed access doors should be in working order to minimise the chance of burglary. These locks should be adequate security for what’s kept inside. Secondary locks can be installed when there are items of value kept in these areas (such as a padlock and hasp and staple installed).
- Solid core doors: External access doors to the home should be solid core to minimise the chances of break and enter occurring.
- Door locks: All locks on doors should be of good quality and in working order. Locks on external doors are the primary access restrictors to the home.
- Security screen doors: Installation of security screen doors will increase the security of the home, making access harder.
- Sliding door lock bolts: Installation of lock bolts on sliding doors will also increase the security of the home by making access more difficult.
- Window locks: All windows should have locks to increase the security of the home. And remember that windows not in use should be permanently locked, making access to the home harder.
- Secure your keys: Leaving keys in locks makes exit of the house easier once a burglar has entered. The same is true with window locks – keys left in a window lock can increase the risk of break and enter occurring. An intruder can break the window to then unlock and open with the key.
- Spare keys hidden on the premises increase the risk of burglary. Leave your spare keys with relatives or a trusted neighbour.