Going away over the holiday period then protect your house and your property.
Many of us go away during the xmas break and often I am asked what advice can you give me to make my house more secure while I am away. So here is the advice straight from the New Zealand Police website on how to protect your house and your property, while you enjoy the holidays
How to protect your home
Always lock up. Burglars usually enter through unlocked doors and windows.Or they take advantage of weak locks.
Install good quality locks – and use them! You must be able to escape easily in a fire or other emergency.
Use a reputable locksmith.
Lock the front door if you’re in the back garden.
Lock your house if you are having a rest or doing something that needs a lot of concentration, such as studying or sewing.
Lock away tools and ladders, because burglars could use them to break in.
Lock garden sheds and your garage, if you can.
Sensor lights are an excellent security device because they light up automatically if somebody moves nearby.
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed so they don’t provide hiding places for burglars.
Keep windows secure.
Guard your keys. Don’t have personal details on your keys (such as your name, phone number or address). Don’t leave house keys with your car keys when your car is being serviced.
Don’t invite BURGLARS in
Never leave notes on a door stating that you are out. When you go away, make sure your home looks ‘lived in’.
Security checklist
BEFORE you go out:
All doors locked.
Garage locked.
All windows shut securely.
Tools and ladders put away securely.
Spare keys with neighbour (not ‘hidden’).
Doors clear (no notes on them).
Tell your neighbour or a family member when and where you’re going
Cancel mail, paper, milk, etc
Give your neighbour a phone number
Put a lamp on a timer
Curtains open, blinds up
Turn telephone ringer sound down
Lock all doors, close all windows.
Clear your letterbox
Close your curtains at night
Use your clothesline occasionally
Watch your home
Use your drive occasionally
Report any suspicious behaviour.
Before you go AWAY:
Tell your neighbour or a family member when and where you’re going
