Keeping your home safe from break and entry from burglars is a real problem, more so these days with so many unemployed people.  School holidays are another time to be more vigilant.  Kids become bored, and often dared to do things by their friends to do things they would normally not do.

Leaving your home empty

Unauthorized entry can happen at any time.  You are more at risk when leaving it unoccupied for a length of time. They quite often watch your activities and know that you will be away from the house for several hours.  Burglars often gain entry because owners leave keys under mats, pots, or similar areas. 

Skylights or manholes are common entry points.  My daughter has had a lot of trouble with burglars.  Now the cops call it the Fort Knox home.  They have police security surveillance.  They gained entry with the aid of a young kid dropped into the home through the manhole.  As soon as he entered, the alarms would go off. 

They have since put deadlocks on all doors when no one is home.  If they get in that way now they cannot get out, before the police arrive.  Houses with a lot of shrubs or trees in their front yard obscure the burglar’s entry to the home.

 Here are a few suggestions to help

·        Leave lights on time switches if going out at night

·        Do not leave ladders visible

·        Notify the police if going away for more than a few days

·        Leave a spare key with a neighbor

·        Cancel all mail or newspaper deliveries

·        Put sensor alarms on windows and doors

·        Install an alarm system suited to your needs

·        Remove shrubs and trees in front of house

Purchase a small safe and keep your valuable jewelry or important papers inside it at all times. Make sure the safe is a fireproof one. Just in case, there is a fire.

Often the burglar will remove valuables while the owners are home. This happens when the owners are entertaining out the back in the pool or barbecue area.

Alarms

There are many types of alarms. You could secure doors and windows with a magnetic switch, or inertia switches which is set off when the window vibrates. Pressure mats fitted under the carpet, are set off when someone walks over it. The less complicated the alarm system, the fewer mistakes. Make sure the installed alarm complies with your local councils.

Confronting Burglars

Do not take unnecessary risks to save your valuables. Nothing is worth more than your own safety. You can buy those valuable trinkets anytime.

If you see something suspicious, notify the police and stay away.