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- Make sure your front door and windows are clearly visible from the road. If not, arrange for bushes to be trimmed back so that it cannot conceal someone trying to force an entry.
- Ensure that all doors to your property including garage doors have strong hinges and secure locks.
- Make sure that all windows are fitted with strong locks.
- Try to eliminate a burglar’s ability to climb fencing by pruning tree branches that could be used to scale the perimeter.
- You can increase the security of your boundary by planting bushes with thorns.
- Check outside for any furniture, trash cans or barbecues that could be stood on and used to gain entry to the upper floor of the house. These should be locked away or moved inside when you are out.
- All external buildings should be fitted with locks so that thieves cannot access tools, ladders or other items to help them break in.
- Protect outdoor items such as bicycles, children’s toys or garden tools by ‘U’ marking them with engraving equipment which can be borrowed free of charge from Somerset, Hamilton and St. George’s police stations.
- A few simple measures like refreshing paint on windows can show thieves that you care and are likely to have guarded against break-ins.
- Check how concealed your house becomes in darkness. Consider installing motion sensor lighting so that unwanted visitors cannot arrive unnoticed.
- Consider buying or renting an alarm system to act as a deterrent to would-be thieves. Consult a specialist about your requirements (see the Yellow Pages for listings).
- In addition to robust security, changing your behaviour can help you to protect your home. If your doors are fitted with double locks and additional bolts then make sure you use them; complacency can be your worst enemy.
- Give your house a lived-in look by regularly opening and drawing curtains, using porch lights and leaving on your television set or radio while you are out. You can set these on a timer to save money.
- Don’t forget your neighbours can help keep your home safe. Let them know if you are going away and leave a number for them to contact you if they see any unusual activity. Have them check your mail box, a full mail box can be an invitation for a burglar.
- You should report any suspicious persons hanging around your neighbourhood to your neighbourhood watch group or to your nearest police station.
- Don’t forget to check that your belongings are fully insured with a home contents policy so that if you are the victim of a break-in, you can rest assured that you have the financial means to replace your belongings.
- Remember to update your home contents policy when you buy or receive as a gift any high-value items such as an engagement ring, electronic equipment or art work.