July 2002 Volume 83 Number 7 "serving the protectors"

We are all vulnerable to burglary. Yet often we create the conditions that make it easy for intruders to strike. Discover how to protect your home against burglars.

Housebreaking is a crime of opportunity and failure to lock doors and windows is responsible for a large percentage of burglaries every year. Here are some hints from CGU Insurance on how to protect your home and combat the common criminal.

Keeping burglars out

• Make sure windows and doors are securely locked whenever you leave your house.
• Don’t give burglars the tools to do their job – keep ladders and tools inaccessible.
• Does your garden provide hiding places? You can carefully position trees and shrubs to overcome this.
• When working in the backyard or an isolated part of the house, lock the front door.

Create an impression

• If you intend returning home after dark, leave a light on and the radio or television switched on to give the impression your home is occupied.
• Don’t leave messages on your door – why tell a burglar that you’re out?
• Keep garage doors closed. An empty garage usually means no one’s at home.
• Don’t have packages delivered when you’re not at home to receive them.
• Make sure your mailbox is large enough to hold mail for a few days.

Keys and locks

• Separate car and house keys when you leave your vehicle in a parking lot or at a garage. It’s easy for a person to duplicate your house key and obtain your address.
• Don’t give keys to tradespeople.
• Never leave keys under a mat, in the meter box or on a ledge above your door. Intruders know all the hiding places.
• Don’t leave identification on your key ring.
• Always change exterior locks or lock cylinders when you move into a new home.

Adequate insurance plays an important role in any security plan and while it cannot replace sentiment or reduce the personal trauma of a burglary, it will at least replace your stolen property – provided you are adequately covered.CGU can help you make sure your possessions will be covered in the unfortunate event that you are burgled. For professional advice, insurance quotes or further information on CGU, call Police Credit Union on 131 844 or pop in to your local branch.

PASAweb   Index & Search   Top of Page   Comments   Email to Editor

The Police Journal Online is an official publication of the Police Association of South Australia and is published monthly. Editors of kindred publications can seek permission from the Editor to re-publish any Police Journal Online article. Copyright 2001  The Police Association of South Australia sustance