There are many ways to improve your home and business premises security and significantly reduce the risk of burglary, including:

• use security deadlocks and grills on doors and windows. Solid core doors are recommended. Have one or two window grills hinged to allow easy exit in case of an emergency
• choose quality deadlocks that allow one key to open all locks
• do not hide extra keys in flowerpots or under mats
• do not give your security keys to anyone that you do not know
• do not give your key to trade persons
• make sure your home or business is clearly visible from the street. Prune bushes and trees that obscure windows and doors
• have adequate lighting at outside doors
• when at home keep doors locked, but make sure you can exit easily if necessary
• do not leave messages on doors that suggest that no-one is at home
• avoid having parcels delivered to the doorstep
• if having goods delivered while you are out, have a neighbour collect them
• wheelie bins are a great stepladder - lock them away
• when out for a short time, leave a light and the radio or television on to give the impression that someone is at home
• keep cash and valuables out of easy reach, and out of sight. Do not keep cash on business premises after hours.

1. Secure the perimeter first, i.e., doors and windows.

2. Internal security can be provided by alarms.

3. Improve visibility with lighting and by removing shrubbery from the line of sight.

Security should act as a deterrent to possible intruders without making you feel like a prisoner in your own home.

Security devices

There is a wide range of security devices available to make your home secure.

Window locks
Most burglars get in through windows, so it makes sense to fit window locks. There are locks for every kind of window, and they can cost very little.

Security doors
Fit good quality steel security doors to all entrances. They provide an additional lock and a barrier between you and a caller.

Door locks
A small investment in quality locks will protect your possessions, including items which cannot be adequately replaced by insurance money, and give personal security for you and your family.

Fit security deadlocks to your main exit doors. These locks can be opened or closed from both sides only with a key. The key should be easily accessible to occupants.

The simple night latch, which you can open from the inside by turning a knob, provides very little security, especially if there is glass nearby. All a burglar needs to do is break the glass, reach in and turn the knob.

A deadlock can be opened only with a key, so a burglar cannot smash nearby glass and open the door from the inside. If the burglar enters through a window your property cannot be carried out through the doors.

Special locks for patio doors are available.

Door viewers
A peephole fitted in the door and a light outside allows you to identify callers before letting them in.

Chains
These help you to speak with strangers at the front door before letting them in. Once you have one fitted, get into the habit of using it. This should not be used as a primary security device.

Advice and assistance
Advice about the most suitable security devices for your home is available from locksmiths, insurance companies or security consultants.

Locks

The choice
There is an enormous range of locks available on the market.

Choosing the type that is suitable for your need may not be an easy task. Understanding the terminology is important when making a selection of locks.

The latch is the part of the mechanism that is worked by the handle.

The lock is the part worked by the key or some extra knob.

The handle is the part you turn with your hand to open or close a door.

Locking doors
Internal doors - whether you choose to lock internal doors is up to you. You should bear in mind that although locking doors will increase your security, locked doors can slow your exit in the event of a fire. External doors - using a deadlocking version will provide more security than a latch which can be slid back from the outside. A deadlock on its own will be inconvenient without a latch to allow you to go in and out when the door is not locked.

What to do when choosing door hardware
The best thing to do when making a selection of locks for your house is to make a list of rooms and doors and decide how you want to lock them. Find the right place to buy your hardware from. Take your list along to the shop and sort out what you need.

Internal security alarm systems
Before rushing off and spending hundreds of dollars consider:

a) What threat do you want to protect against?
b) What methods of protection are available?
c) Alarm detectors - which type do you require?
d) What type of alarm signal do you require?
e) Who will respond?

It should be clearly understood at the outset that there is a difference between an alarm system and an intruder security system. A warning system is to inform other people of a problem. Alarms are used to indicate a problem with machinery, water levels or fire. Neither will stop unauthorised entry, but merely indicate or inform others that it has occurred. An intruder security alarm indicates that an unauthorised person has entered the monitored area.

The amount of protection a system provides is measured by the response to such an alarm. Therefore, alarm systems alone are of little value in many situations - such as remote locations, smash grab, etc.

To achieve practical security usually means a balance between electronic and physical methods.

A rough yardstick is: what physical security is required to withstand an attack for longer than the response time to the alarm?

Personal security alarms
These alarms are compact and are carried on your person. They have a built-in audible alarm and use compressed gas or batteries. When the alarm is activated it will emit a loud piercing noise.

These alarms can be worn as a pendant, brooch, or carried in a handbag.

When buying a personal alarm, think about weight, ease of operation, amount of noise emitted and cost.

It must be remembered that these alarms are meant to act as a deterrent by alerting nearby people. They DO NOT guarantee protection from attack.

Lighting/electricity

Is there an automatic lighting timer installed?
If no one is at home, lights on and the sound of a television or radio creates the impression that someone is home - even during the day.

An automatic lighting timer may be installed which turns the lights on and off during the evenings at the same time the resident normally would.

External security lighting
Internal and external lighting can also be a deterrent. The criminal does not like to work in a lit area because of the increased risk of being observed.

External lighting could be just a simple light which can be switched on when required or operated by a sensor. Sensor lights can incorporate sensor and light together or you may have one sensor operating a number of lights around your home. This could be as a security device when an intruder enters the home or for safety purposes, such as in the garage when you arrive home, on stair cases, or wherever you feel it would make your home secure or improve your safety.

Electricity meter box
Preferably all switches and fuses should be fitted internally with only the meter showing on the outside of the premises. The existing meter box can be locked by means of a lock purchased from us.

An intruder is able to detect whether premises are vacant or not by switching off the power supply at the meter box. If the power supply is not switched back on, it indicates the home is not occupied.

Securing property

Gerden shed/Garage

Is your garden shed able to be locked and secured?
Are your garden tools locked away when not in use?

Garden tools left lying about may provide an offender with the means needed to break into the home.

Ensure all tools are locked away in the garden shed or garage.

The shed or garage should be fitted with a strong lock, or a chain and padlock.

Treat doors and windows in your shed or garage similar to your house.

Ceiling access hole(manhole)
Ideally the ceiling access cover should be of solid construction and fitted internally with hinges and sliding padbolt to create a door in the roof, making access to the house from the ceiling difficult.

Roof access
Ladders, wheelie bins and large items can give easy access to the roof. Do not leave these around the yard as someone else may use them for that purpose.

Protecting property

Identifying and protecting your property
Engraving or marking your valuable property leaves no doubt as to ownership.

It deters others from taking YOUR property because of the difficulties involved in 'off loading' identifiable property and also helps police to identify owners of stolen property which has been recovered.

What you should mark
Items listed are those most often stolen. It is therefore important that you mark as many of these items as possible regardless of their value.

Check off each item on your list after marking.

Checklist

Television Musical equipment

Binoculars Video equipment

Antiques Cameras

Microwave Clothing

Furniture Kitchen appliances

Typewriters Stereo

Sporting Goods Clocks

Radios Cassette recorder

Firearms Computer equipment

How you can mark your property
(i)Using an engraver

Electronic engravers are available from your local police station or your nearest Neighbourhood Watch.

Take care when using an engraver and seek operation advice before you begin. Where possible, place your identification code in the top right hand rear corner of the item.

(ii) Using an Ultra Violet Pen
Use an ultra violet pen rather than an engraver to mark items such as antiques, paintings, jewellery and collectables.

(iii) Photograph or Video
Not all items are suitable for marking by electric engraver. The following items should be photographed or video taped, with a ruler or match box beside them to assist in determining size.

• Jewellery
• Watches
• Silverware
• Furs
• Antiques
• Paintings

(iv) Other
Items such as trailers, tractors, other farm machinery and tools can be marked by cold stamping or welding your identification code.

What code to use
Property identification involves marking your property with a personal code.

The following code can used:

Your drivers licence number

Holiday safety

Holiday security precautions
A house left empty for some time is a prime target for intruders because the chances are they will not be disturbed and any offence will go undetected for days or perhaps weeks.

When you go on holidays it is important that you do not leave behind any clues that will tempt an intruder. The following guidelines will help you reduce the chance of your house being broken into whilst away.

• Check all doors and windows are securely locked.
• Lock your rubbish bin (wheelie bin) in the garage, or have a friend or neighbour place rubbish in your bin and put it out for collection at the usual time.
• Maintain a 'lived-in' appearance at your home.
• Have your mail re-directed, collected by a neighbour or held at the Post Office.
• Cancel all deliveries, newspapers, milk etc.
• Have a neighbour regularly collect advertising and 'junk mail' from your letter box.
• Arrange to keep paths and driveways free of papers and other debris.
• Inform your trusted neighbours of your intended absence.
• Do not leave keys concealed for others to use - an offender may take advantage of this.
• Lock away garden tools, ladders and anything which may be used to gain entry to your home, garage or shed.
• Disconnect the electrical supply on radio controlled or electronic garage doors and use a good quality lock.
• External floodlighting can be linked to a passive infra red detector which automatically activates lights when someone enters its field of vision.
• Do not leave notes advertising your absence. Ask neighbours not to tell callers that you are absent on holidays.
• Consider using the most secure room in your home to store valuables.
• If property is stored under the home, ensure the access door is locked.
• Windows can be made more secure by the installation of window locks, grilles, security film or external roller shutters.
• Turn down the volume on your telephone on the day you leave.
• Before leaving, again check that all doors and windows are locked.

A good neighbour can be as effective as a police patrol in protecting your home and property while you are away.