Personal Safety
You will probably never have a prowler on your property or face an intruder in your house, but you should have a plan just in case.
If you wake and find an INTRUDER in your home...
»» Get out if you can.
»» Dial 999 and ask for the Police.
»» Listen to what the Police tell you.
»» If you have to act – yell or scream! Blow a whistle.
»» Don’t try and catch the intruder or block their escape.
If you suspect there is a PROWLER outside...
»» Dial 999 and ask for the Police.
»» Listen to what the Police tell you.
»» If you are able to, turn ON all outside lights.
»» Turn OFF all inside lights.
»» Make a loud noise to frighten the prowler away and alert your neighbours.
If you arrive home and think there’s a BURGLAR inside your house…
»» Dial 999 and ask for the Police.
»» Don’t go inside.
»» Go to a safe place and wait for the Police.
To keep yourself safe at home
»» Install a wide-angle door viewer so you can see who is at your door.
»» Keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains at night.
»» Invest in good quality, secure locks.
»» If you live alone, don’t advertise the fact – for example keep your answer-phone message generic –
“No one is available to take your call ”
rather than
“I can’t take your call”.
If in doubt call 999.
If you think something is not right, but you are not sure, call 999 and let the Police decide.
Protect Your Property
How to protect your home
Always lock up. Burglars usually enter
through unlocked doors and windows.
Or they take advantage of weak locks.
»» Install good quality locks – and use them!
You must be able to escape easily in a fire or other emergency.
»» Use a reputable locksmith.
»» Lock the front door if you’re in the back garden.
»» Lock your house if you are having a rest or doing something that needs a lot of concentration, such as studying or sewing.
»» Lock away tools and ladders, because burglars could use them to break in.
»» Lock garden sheds and your garage.
»» Sensor lights are an excellent security device because they light up automatically if somebody moves nearby.
»» Keep trees and shrubs trimmed so they don’t provide hiding places for burglars.
»» Keep windows secure.
»» Guard your keys. Don’t have personal details on your keys (such as your name, phone number or address). Don’t leave house keys with your car keys when your car is being serviced.
Don’t invite BURGLARS in
Never leave notes on a door stating that you are out. When you go away, make sure your home looks ‘lived in’
Security checklist
BEFORE you go OUT
All doors locked.
Garage locked.
All windows shut securely.
Tools and ladders put away
securely.
Spare keys with neighbour
(not ‘hidden’).
Doors (no notes on them).
BEFORE you go AWAY
Tell your neighbour when
and where you’re going.
Cancel mail, paper, milk, etc.
Give your neighbour a phone number you can be reached at.
Put a lamp on a timer.
Curtains open, blinds up.
Turn telephone ringer sound
down.
Lock all doors, close all
windows.
Ask your NEIGHBOUR to
Clear your letterbox.
Close your curtains at night.
Use your clothesline
occasionally.
Watch your home.
Use your drive occasionally
Report any suspicious
behaviour.