December 3, 2012
Summer school holidays will be here again soon, and for many people this means a holiday or visiting family or friends … but summer vacations can also be a prime time for criminals.
An empty house is attractive to intruders because they have less chance of being disturbed and the offence can go undetected for days, even weeks.
Kingaroy police want to see the South Burnett’s summertime crime kept to a minimum.
They have a “Crime Prevention Tips” brochure available at the police station that includes some handy tips on how to improve home, property and car security.
But taking a few simple precautions can make all the difference.
If you go away on holidays you shouldn’t leave any clues that might tempt an intruder.
Simple things you can do include:
- Checking that all doors and windows are securely locked before you leave, and locking all interior doors to restrict any intruder’s mobility
- Asking your neighbours to watch for visitors (but ask them not tell to any visitors that you’re away)
- Arranging for a friend or neighbour to mow the lawn, water plants and collect any mail or deliveries of milk. newspapers or advertising material
- Asking a neighbour to park their car in your driveway at odd times
- Asking neighbours to contact police if they notice anything suspicious
Other useful things you can do to increase your home’s security over the summer vacation include:
- Turn down your telephone ringer – or unplug your phone from its socket – so it doesn’t give away that no one’s home if calls are unanswered while you’re away
- Consider using timers to turn lights or appliances like a radio on and off for short periods (talk-back shows make a house sound “lived in”)
- Ensuring your house number is clearly visible so it can be located quickly in an emergency
- Securing your garbage bin or putting it away out of sight
- Disconnecting the electrical pad on radio-controlled or electronic garage doors and using a strong auxiliary keyed lock instead
- Installing self-activating external lights
- Securing your vehicle if leaving it at home
- Taking your house keys with you, or giving them to a friend or neighbour – don’t leave them concealed outside the house
