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Burglary prevention
Burglary is a nightmare for home owners and sitters alike: potential loss of valuables, the trauma of intrusion into your private space, damage and possible vandalism, dealings with police and insurance company in the wake of a burglary. Fortunately there are many things that you and I can do to minimize the risk of a burglary or even a burglary attempt.
What you can do:
- Home security starts with good quality doors and locks for the main entrance (ideally more than one), lockable windows, garage doors and doors between garage and the rest of the house
- At least one room that can be locked from inside for personal safety in case of an intrusion.
- Blinds or curtains on windows to obscure views from outside. This way burglars cannot detect high-value goods and/or the absence of home-owners
- Keeping valuables in a safe or a safe deposit box (outside of your home)
- checking for and securing any vulnerability in the main entrance, for example a window or a letterbox (as part of the door). If there is a letterbox on the inside of the entrance door it should be caged to avoid "letterbox fishing"
- motion sensors and outside or doorbell "ring" camera/home security system
- If there is a cat flap it should ideally be lockable or recognize exclusively your cat's microchip
- Social media: don't post valuables in your home or share dates of your vacation or professional absences
What I can do:
- When going out: make sure windows are closed and (all) door (locks) locked
- Keeping main entrance door (as well as garage door) locked when inside
- If your main entrance door has a window or a letter-box inside: keeping it locked but not leaving keys in door locks or close to the door
- Empty letterbox regularly
- When going out: leave radio on at room volume level but audible through the entrance door
- Not letting unexpected callers into your home. They could be distraction burglers, i.e. burglers who are posing as employees of a gas company, fundraisers for an NGO etc.
- Keeping my eyes open around your house or apartment building
- Reporting unusual/suspicious activity and calling the police in case of a burglary (attempt)