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Home Security

Statistics show that domestic burglariesare on the increase, but many of thesebreak-ins need not have occurred if justa few basic security measures had beentaken. It is easy to prevent opportunistthieves from being tempted by the sightof open windows and doors by alwaysbeing sure to close them both at nightand even when you go out for a short time during the day. Even the mostdetermined burglar who sets out witha crowbar to force an entry can bethwarted by sturdy locks, bolts andsecurity floodlights. As well as giving peace of mind, a well-secured home cansave money on insurance premiumsand, more importantly, the anguish oflosing your valued possessions.

Outside the house

Check that garden gates at the rear ofthe house close firmly, and can hesecured if you go away for long periods.A garden fence with gaping holes canprovide a discreet entry for a burglar,so he sure to keep this in good repair.Another frequent entry point is a garage - if attached to a house, this canallow a thief to force a door into thehouse unseen. Always fit secure locks togarage doors to minimize the risk of thishappening. Padlock a garden shed ifyou have one in order to prevent toolsfrom being stolen or used to gain entryto your home.

Remember that high shrubs andhedges at the front of your house maygive privacy but can also screen aburglar from the street or neighbours.Large trees situated very close to a flatroof or window can also give an easyaccess route.

Fit a passive infra-red (PIR)floodlight to the front and back of thehouse. This will automatically switchon if activated by a passer by, makinga pleasant welcome for a visitor but astrong deterrent for intruders. Chooseone that has a variable light durationand an adjustable sensor for covering large or small areas. A hell box isanother good deterrent - even a falseone can deter an opportunist thief.

A spy-hole fitted in the front doordiscreetly lets people outside know thatyou can observe their movements whileyou are still secure behind the door.Always use the spy-hole before openingthe door, and never open it unless youare sure of the identity of the person.

Door security

On a front door, replace a standard`nightlatch' with a 5-lever mortise lockthat cannot he opened without the key,even if the burglar can reach it via abroken pane of glass in the door.Remember, however, that good door

Fit a strong mortise lock that can belocked from the inside to prevent a burglar fromopening it through an adjacent broken pane.

locks are only as strong as the door thatthey are on, so choose a solid door andhinges so that both the opening and thehinged side will withstand an attemptedforced entry. If you are in doubt, inserthinge bolts on the hinge side of thedoor. These fit into corresponding

holes in the door frame, providing extrastrength and preventing the door frombeing forced off its hinges. Even if thedoor does eventually give way, there isa good chance that the noise created bythe burglar will have attractedsomeone's attention.

Fit a door chain or bar restraint tothe front door. These both work in thesame way by restricting the amount bywhich a door can be opened, giving youvaluable time to assess the validity of acaller. A bar restraint is stronger than achain, as it consists of a solid metal bar.Both require the door to be closed forthe bar or chain to be released beforethe door can be opened to its fullextent.

A door chain or bar restraint will allowyou to see who is calling at the door without therisk of the door being burst open.

Fit French windows and casementdoors with additional rack bolts at thetop and bottom, which slide into theframe. Keep the key out of sight ofintruders, but where it can be found byyou and all the other members of thefamily in an emergency.

Window security

Insurance companies now demand key-operated window locks are install to all the windows in a house, and-these do contribute greatly to security..=-acre buying window locks, however,check that they are suitable for thewindows to which you intend to fi tthem. Measure the window framesbefore you go to buy, and check thatthey will accommodate the type oflocks that you have in mind. In the caseof very narrow frames, use a surface-fitted kick.

Sash windows can be fitted with dualscrews, where a bolt passes through theinner frame into the outer frame to holdthe 2 sections together; or with surface-fitted bolts that fir on the upper sashesand allow a small gap for cent nation.Replace existing handles with lockableones that, once locked, cannot be re-opened without the key.

Lockable window handles are useful forkeeping children in and burglars out.

EMERGENCY ACTION

A length of wooden dowel cut to theexact length to fit inside the bottomtrack of a patio door can wedge itclosed. Similarly, if a dowel is placedvertically in the side runner of a sashwindow, it cannot be opened.

Sink a screw into the wood framebeside a handle to prevent it frombeing opened.

Stay-bars on casement windows canbe secured by sinking a screw through ahole into the wooden frame.

When you are out

Light-sensitive fittings on interior andexterior lights sense when it is growingdark and turn on automatically. Timeswitches are also an excellent idea.

These can be used to operate a numberof appliances, making it appear as if thehouse is inhabited - televisions andradios create enough noise to beconvincing. Electronic curtaincontrollers are also available, to closecurtains automatically at a pre-set time.This will give the impression that thehouse is occupied.

A time switch set to operate while you are out will give the impression that the house isstill occupied.

Marking property

Ultra-violet pens are easy to use, andleave an invisible mark that will onlyshow when placed under an ulna-violetLoop. Engraving scribers, ranging fromsimple carbide or diamond-tipped pensto electric engraving tools can be usedto scratch a postcode, telephone number or other identifiable code. Usestencils with an engraver to give a near,legible result. Another option is anetching kit, which is ideal for markingglass objects. Stencil transfers mask offthe security code, and acid brushedover the surface etches the code.

Engraving scribers are an effective andeasy method for marking hi-fi equipment.

A socket (receptacle) safe looks just likean ordinary socket, but is large enough to holdcash and jewellery in the box behind it.

SECURITY MEASURES

If you return home to find signs of abreak-in, do not enter but go straightro a neighbour's house to telephonethe police.

If you hear an intruder in the houseor trying to break in, put on the lightsand make a noise to alert them to thefact that you are there. if you areupstairs, do not go downstairs toinvestigate but telephone the police(nom your bedroom if possible.

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