Friday, November 6, 2009

CRIME PREVENTION WEEK – IS YOUR HOME AT RISK?
What is the most important thing you can do to protect your property against burglary?

If your answer was making your home less appealing to a burglar, you’re on the right track!

To safeguard your property, always make sure it has a “lived-in" look. Criminals are less likely to target a property where someone is obviously at home.

Our natural instinct is to think about ways to keep the burglar out, such as upgrading our locks or installing an alarm system. But when assessing a home, most thieves don’t focus on the type of lock or alarm system. Instead, criminals look for opportunities that improve chances for success. In the case of residential properties, burglars look for:
• landscaping and solid wood fences that help them hide from your neighbours
• indications that you aren’t home, such as uncollected flyers or newspapers
• unshovelled driveways
• uncut lawns
• no car in the driveway
• absence of outdoor lighting.

Even the design of your house and its location can have an influence on the criminal’s decision to burglarize your home. It’s important that you take a fresh look your property – from a prospective burglar’s view. Reduce any opportunity for his/her success by making any necessary changes. Make sure the property looks lived in, especially when no one is home.

Remember, your best defence is to present your property in such away that it does not appeal to a criminal walking the street. Burglars look for privacy - homes that are concealed from neighbours or passersby. Overgrown landscaping and high fences offer them the best opportunity.

If a burglar targets your property, your chances for loss could be greatly reduced if you’ve taken precautions to secure your home, but the first step is to reduce your chances of becoming a victim in the first place.