The festive season can be a lucrative time for burglars, as Australians pack their bags and leave to visit friends and family.
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Australia’s home burglary rates are alarming, with one in five people having experienced a burglary or attempted burglary.
When it comes to home security, take a common sense approach, then back this up with robust security equipment to make sure your house is safe and secure.
According to Jeremy Stewart, vice president of global marketing at home security system company Swann Comunications, research has found that most burglars will stay inside a home for 15 minutes or less once they’ve broken in.
To avoid becoming a victim, here are ways to help protect your home, your valuables and your loved ones.
Think like a burglar. Put yourself in the shoes of a burglar and scan your property – just as they would – for potential entry points.
Make your house look secure. The appearance of locked doors and windows, security stickers, cameras and even the presence of a dog can add an extra layer of protection to your home and deter burglars before they even attempt a break-in.
Get to know your neighbours. Tight-knit communities have less burglaries because neighbours look out for each other and can spot a stranger. If you’re going away, ask them to help make your home appear occupied.
Lock your car and remove valuables. Never tempt a thief by leaving valuables in your car. Thieves use Bluetooth to detect items like laptops and phones in cars, so shoving them under the seat won’t keep them from finding your valuables – take them with you.
Keep your house neat and tidy. This includes outside of the house too – cut back bushes so burglars can’t hide behind them and make sure the bins and mailbox aren’t overflowing.
Minimise your digital footprint. Be careful about not only what you post online, but also who you share it with. Review your privacy settings and even consider ‘unfriending’ people on social media who you don’t know in real life.
Install video surveillance. Video surveillance or CCTV systems aren’t the complex and expensive purchases they used to be. Cameras such as Swann’s Smart Security Camera are wireless, have advanced motion detection technology and let you to access footage of your home via smartphone.
