It's getting to that time of year when we start our Christmas shopping (some of you might have finished of course!) and we should give a thought to how secure our homes are.
Don't give burglars an open invitation into your home - properly lock any UPVC doors before you go out or go to bed by lifting the handle and double-locking with the key to engage the security features. Remember, even if the handle is lifted up on the inside, it isn't properly secure unless it's double-locked.
Lock all doors and keep all windows (including upstairs ones) closed, preferably locked, when you are out, and keep your keys out of sight. Try to keep all loose valuables like laptops, cameras and mobile phones out of the sight of anybody looking in - and why not register them on the free online database
www.immobilise.com.
- Give your home the 'lived-in' look by using timer switches on lamps if you are going to be home after dark.
- Secure your rear garden - lock your shed, shut and lock any gates and keep fences maintained. Don't leave ladders and tools outside - they could be used by a burglar.
- If your neighbours are away on holiday, you can help to deter burglars and give their home the lived-in look by putting away their emptied rubbish bins.
- When Christmas arrives, don't put all the boxes which contained your gifts outside by the bins for any passer by to see what you now have in your home!
If you should see anything suspicious please report it on 0300 123 1212 or in an emergency please dial 999.
Paul Hammond, Barnet Boroughwatch
