Strategies for fortifying your residence and discouraging intruders
Securing Your Home in Victoria: Essential Tips for Burglar-Proofing
In light of a 19.5% increase in residential burglaries in Victoria in 2023, according to the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency, it's crucial to take action to secure your home. Here are some practical tips to help you burglar-proof your property.
Physical Security Measures
- Lock it up: Always lock your doors, windows, and garages, even when at home. Double-check upper floors and less visible entry points like sliding doors and garages. Using security bars for sliding doors and ensuring garage remotes are locked adds extra protection. Regularly inspecting and upgrading locks through a reputable locksmith can reinforce entry points and prevent lock failures.
- Light it up: Strategically illuminating your home and surroundings can significantly improve home security. Landscape lighting, motion sensor lighting, or timer lighting all improve visibility around your property. Installing sensor lights in areas like the front and back entrance, as well as smaller windows, can improve home security. Eliminating dark corners for intruders to hide in makes it harder for trespassers to approach your home undetected.
- Maintain your garage door: Garage doors should be well-maintained and regularly serviced to prevent break-ins. Zip tying the garage door's emergency release cord can also help deter burglars.
- Secure valuables: Sensitive personal information, such as passports, tax returns, bank statements, and utility bills, are in demand with burglars and can be used for identity theft. Keep these items in a safe or secure location.
Neighborhood Cooperation
- Build relationships with neighbours: Introduce yourself to neighbours, exchange contact details, check in regularly about suspicious activity, and join a Neighbourhood Watch group. This mutual support can help prevent opportunistic crime.
- Establish good communication: Sharing plans and alerts about suspicious activity can deter burglars and increase community safety. Informing trusted neighbours about emergency plans or pet care during absences also helps maintain home security.
Modern Security Technologies
- Embrace technology: Security equipment such as alarm systems, motion detectors, and surveillance cameras further protect your property. These devices can alert you and authorities promptly in case of break-ins. Choosing professional locksmith services for installation and maintenance ensures reliable and up-to-date equipment.
- Advertise your security: Advertising the use of home security technology on your property can further deter burglars.
- Monitor your home: Having a professionally monitored home security system adds an extra layer of security.
Preventive Measures
- Be mindful of your online presence: Avoid posting holiday photos on social media to prevent burglars from knowing that your home is unoccupied.
- Keep your garden tidy: Keeping the garden neat and tidy can help deter burglars, as an overgrown garden can signal that the home is often unoccupied.
- Be vigilant: Burglars are becoming more strategic in their household and content choices. Hot items for burglars include mobile phones, tablets, laptops, cash, power tools, jewelry, passports, and bikes. Be aware of what items are in demand and take steps to secure them.
- Insure your home: Ensure your home insurance coverage is adequate. RACV Home Insurance can help protect your home from burglary.
By combining diligent physical security measures, active neighborhood cooperation, and modern security technologies, you can effectively burglar-proof your home in Victoria. Implementing these home security tips can help minimize the chance of becoming a burglary victim.
Incorporating home-and-garden improvements to maintain a tidy outdoor appearance can send a clear signal that the home is not an easy target for burglars, as an overgrown garden can suggest frequent absences. On the other hand, keeping valuable lifestyle items secure within your home, such as laptops, mobile phones, and jewelry, is equally important in ensuring a well-protected personal space.
