Triton Security -

Security Tips Page

Your home:

Home Security is the best way to reduce your chances of being burgled. A lot of burglaries are spur of the moment, as a thief may see an open window or other easy point of entry and take their chance.

Tips to avoid being a victim:

• When you go out, always close and lock the external doors and windows — even if you are just going out for a short time.
• If you are installing new doors and windows, get ones that are certified to British Standard BS7950 (WINDOWS) or PAS 24-1 (doors)
• Window locks, especially on older windows, will help stop people getting in (and remember — a burglar is less likely to break in if they have to smash a window)
• If you have deadlocks use them. They make it harder for a thief to get out again. But don’t leave the key near the door or in an obvious place.
• Don’t leave spare keys outside or in a garage or shed, and put car keys or garage keys out of sight in the house.
• Use timers for lights and radios if you need to be away from home overnight or when you are on holiday. They will create the impression that someone is in.
• Visible burglar alarms, good lighting and carefully directed security lighting can put burglars off. But make sure that lights don’t disturb neighbours and that alarms turn off after 20-minutes.
• Fences at the back of the house may make this more secure, but walls and solid fencing may let a thief break in without being seen. A good compromise is chain-link fencing or trellis with prickly shrubs.
• Fitting a ‘spy hole’ allows you to see who is at the door. A door chain lets you open the door a little way to talk to the caller.
• Never leave garages or sheds unlocked, especially if they connect to your property.

Who can help you do this?

Homeowners

• Spending money on security measures can seem daunting but it is a good investment, will last a long time and can add value to your property.
• Contact you council or local police for help. They may be able to advise you on the best measures to protect your property and may even have grants to help cover the cost.

Tenants

• If you rent your house or flat, your landlord has some responsibility towards its security. If your home is not secure, ask your landlord if they will make necessary improvements. It will be cheaper for them to fit window locks than mend broken windows.
• If you live in social housing or in a block of rented flats, forming a tenants’ association might make security easier.
• Flat owners should make sure that main entrance doors close behind them and they don’t let other people in with them. Do not give out entrance codes/keys to third party.

Protecting your property

• There are laws (planning regulations) that govern many of the changes you can make to the outside of your home, including building walls and fences. However, you do not need to apply for planning permission for everything.
• Unless you live in a listed building, or your council has removed your ‘permitted development rights’ (your rights to carry out limited development without applying for planning permission), you can build a fence or boundary wall up to one metre high where it will be next to a road or footpath, or up to two metres high elsewhere. These height limits would include, as part of the wall or fence, any barbed or razor wire you put up. You may seek further advice from your local planning authority.
• If you use barbed or razor wire, under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 you must take reasonable precautions to prevent injury to other people, including trespassers, caused by dangers on your property. If you are building a wall on the boundary with your neighbour, you may need your neighbour’s permission (under the Party Wall Act 1996). If you live somewhere, such as an estate where there are building restrictions in force, you may need to get special permission.

Personal safety at home

Securing your property will make you safer in your home, and will make you home and your belonging s safer while you are out.

Here are some useful guidelines for dealing with different situations you may find yourself in:

• If you think you have an intruder, only you can decide how to deal with the situation. Think about what you might do now- you might not be thinking clearly in a real incident.
• You may respond differently if you are alone in the house, or if there are other people there.
• You could make a noise and hope it puts them off, or keep quiet and hope they don’t come into your room.
• You could keep a phone in your bedroom so you can raise the alarm. This may may also make you feel safer.
• It is generally best not to challenge an intruder.
• If you come home and find a broken window or lights on, and you think there may be an intruder inside, you may decide not to go into the house.
• Go to a neighbour’s house and call the police, or ring the doorbell- someone who should be in the house will come to the door, whereas intruders are likely to run away.

Older people

• Older people may feel more vulnerable to some crimes, but are actually less likely to become victims. A few simple steps can also help reduce your risk of crime.
• Consider joining the community alarm scheme to use if you trip or fall, or are feeling at risk at home.
• Some companies operate a password scheme for older or vulnerable customers where their representatives are expected to confirm a password to prove they are genuine.
• Don’t keep large sums of cash at home- use a bank account instead.
• Many areas run schemes specifically aimed at assisting older people with their home and security and general maintenance. You should ask for advice for the Police, Local Authority or Voluntary group.
• Have a list of useful numbers by the telephone. These may include the number of your family, local police station, local council etc.

Bogus callers

Most people who call at your home will be genuine, but sometimes may turn up unannounced, with the intention of tricking their way into your home. If someone calls on you:

• LOCK — Keep your front doors locked, even when you are at home.
• STOP — Before you answer, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked the back door and taken the key out. Look through a spy hole or window to see who it is.
• CHAIN- If you decide to open the door, put the chain or door bar on first, if you have one. Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep.
• CHECK- Even if they have a prearranged appointment, check their identity card carefully. Close the door while you do this. If you are still unsure, look up a phone number in the phone book and ring to verify their identity. Do not use a phone number on the identity card, as this may be fake!

Bogus callers may be smartly dressed and claim to be from the council, police or utility companies. They can also turn up as builders or gardeners and try to trick you into paying for unnecessary work. You should never agree to having work done by someone who is just passing by. If you think work needs to be done, get at least two quotes from other companies.

If you think a bogus caller has called on you, report it to the police immediately.

If you have any doubts, KEEP THEM OUT!