I always pay attention when I receive updates from the local police force. A few days ago, I got one about burglaries ...
So Thames Valley Police share the following useful tips:
- Invest in timers to open and close your curtains or turn on your lights, or better yet, ask a family member or neighbour to pop in and do it at random times of the day so a potential thief does not see an exact pattern
- Shut and key lock doors and windows when a room is unoccupied, when you go out and when you go to bed
- Ensure that doors which use lifting handles to engage the locks are always locked with the key
- Make efforts to restrict access into your rear garden by padlocking gates and repairing fences
- Don’t leave any keys in sight of doors and windows or near your letterbox or cat flap where they could be hooked out
- Valuable items including laptops/tablets, mobile phones, games consoles and jewellery should be hidden from view when not in use
- Security mark all valuables with your postcode and house number or use a forensic property marking kit. Keep a record of makes, models and serial numbers
- Register all your electronic items and other technology with Immobilise, the UK national property register free of charge at www.immobilise.com
- Keep gifts and presents out of view. Placing them in plain view of windows will only draw attention to your house and its contents
- Be cautious when using social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Do you really want to advertise that your home is empty by showing you are somewhere else or having a countdown to your holiday?
- Dispose of boxes and rubbish discreetly. Leaving boxes outside will give away the fact that you have new and valuable items in the house
- Register to receive important Police alerts and information at www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk
- Keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour around your neighbours' houses or in your street
- Report suspicious incidents on the Police non-emergency number 101
- For a crime in progress, ring the emergency number 999
So there you go, lots of hints and tips about keeping your home safe this Christmas. But don't worry too much, the statistics show that the chances of you being burgled are very small, but still ... it's a good idea not to tempt fate, hey?
If you feel inspired to find out more about anything I've said here, do call me on 01908 774320 or leave a comment below and I'll be in touch as soon as I can.