Stay secure this summer
With the holiday season well underway, now is the time to take extra security precautions to keep your property safe if you are away – particularly if you live in a remote location or on a farm or smallholding.
Here are some tips from Thames Valley Police for keeping your property secure:
On homes
- Ensure all doors and windows are shut and locked when not in use.
- Ensure windows and door frames are in good repair.
- Fit good quality deadlocks conforming to the latest British Standards to all external doors.
- Fit good quality window locks – these can reduce your insurance costs.
- Fit timer switches to lamps in different rooms and set them to come on at staggered times but be sure to read manufacturer’s instructions to avoid potential fire risk.
- Leave a radio turned on tuned to a ‘talk’ station.
- If possible, leave a car in the drive or ask a neighbour to park there.
On sheds and outbuildings:
- Consider padlocks that emit a very loud sound if tampered with or those that will send a text alert to your mobile
- Install appropriate external security lighting
- Consider installing a monitored intruder alarm system
- Get comprehensive advice from a reputable security company that conforms to national standards:- National Security Inspectorate (NSI) – Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB).
- Go to www.datatag.co.uk/cesar-agriculture.php for information on protecting agricultural machinery from theft.
- Consider making machinery – such as ride-on mowers or quad bikes – unattractive to thieves by daubing it with paint. It makes it less easy for them to sell on.
Nothing beats the human eye, however, so ask a family member, neighbour or friend to check your home and property on a regular basis – but try to avoid the same time every day as would-be thieves get wise to this.