Do you think your property is safe from intruders?

Here’s a checklist to help you evaluate your home security as well as provide you with some tips to improve the protection of both the interior and exterior of your property.

ACCESS DOORS

These should be solid core doors, secured with deadlocks.   These locks are available for all types of doors including glass sliding patio doors and should all conform to Australian standards.  The deadbolt option (ie when the door can’t be opened from both inside and outside) should only used when you are away from the home in case you need to make a quick exit (eg in case of a fire).

TIP – Fit a door viewer to your front door for an added layer of protection.  Your options range from a simple peep-hole to a CCTV security camera system that you can access remotely.  And remember, always establish the credentials of the visitor before opening the door.

WINDOWS

Many people don’t think about their windows as a vulnerable area of their home security but burglars love them.  Your aim should be to make access as difficult as possible for intruders, so fit keyed locks to all your windows.  Sliding and sash windows will need some additional security such as screws which prevent the windows being lifted off their tracks or being opened too widely.

TIP – Many break-ins occur through unlocked or unsecured windows, so make sure everyone in the household is window-aware.

SKYLIGHTS

Skylights are great for letting the light in but if they’re not secured, they’re great for letting intruders in.

TIP – Fit your skylight with a barrel lock to prevent unauthorised entry.

LIGHTING                           

A well-illuminated property will deter intruders, so you should fit sensor lights to your entrance and around your cars which come on automatically when motion is detected.  Lights on a timer switch are also a good idea.

TIP – fit a timer switch to some of your interior lights so that they come on at different times to give the impression that the home is occupied.

PERIMETER SECURITY   

Gates and fences do provide an additional barrier to entry, but it’s important that they are low enough that people can see over them.  If they’re too high, intruders can merrily go about their business without fear of being detected by neighbours or passersby.

TIP – Keep perimeter hedges, trees and shrubs neatly trimmed so that burglars can’t hide in the foliage.

ELECTRICITY BOX

To prevent intruders from turning off the power to deactivate your home alarm system and lighting etc, put a lock on your electrical box.

TIP – A locksmith can install a special lock that enables authorised entry to the fuse box for meter reading purposes.

SHEDS AND GARAGES  

If you store your tools and garden equipment in an unlocked shed or garage, that’s a security risk.  Burglars can use items like ladders, hammers and spades to break into your home, plus you risk losing your valuable power tools etc to an opportunistic thief.

TIP – Mark your tools and implements clearly (painted handles or permanent markers are a good idea) and keep sheds and garages (including windows) securely locked at all times.

FIREARMS

Firearms in the wrong hands are a significant security risk.  It goes without saying that firearms have to be licensed and stored in accordance with federal regulations.  You’ll find more information on the police website or through your local police station.

STREET NUMBERS          

If there’s an incident at your property and emergency responders are called out, you need to make sure that your house number can be seen clearly, even during heavy rain or at night.

TIP – Make sure the numbers aren’t obscured by overgrown foliage and put up reflective numbers for quick recognition.

HOME SECURITY             

A home alarm system is an added layer of defence against burglars.  There are many different types of home alarm systems and these can be tailormade to suit your needs and budget.  Whether you want a simple alarm system or a more comprehensive solution with security cameras, 24/7 monitoring, emergency response, wireless access and intercoms, choose your provider carefully to make sure you get a quality system.

TIP – Your alarm system should be serviced regularly to make sure everything is in good working order and that the back-up battery is fully functional.

For a thorough evaluation of your home security and to find a solution that best meets the needs of you and your family, have a chat to the friendly experts at Crown Security.  They have decades of experience in commercial and residential security systems and security cameras in Perth, and offer the very latest in home security technology, automation and integration.