Here are some simple tips and advice for protecting your garden and the areas around your home, simple ideas can go a long way to keeping the burglars at bay.
- Make sure your garden has the ability to be illuminated, this is usually carried out by a security floodlight, although a a total security lighting system can be installed to give you full control.
- Try to keep the main areas of your garden and driveway free of large objects, this ensures that you get maximum vision and the criminals have more potential exposure areas.
- Avoid large branches or objects that be climbed from being near any windows or potential entrance points, if a burglar sees an opening to his advantage they will take and use it.
- Makes sure that all tools and ladders are kept stored away and not left out in the open as these will be used by a burglar to gain access to your home.
- Makes sure your garage door is locked at all time, try to install an additional lock on the door, maybe a padlock that secures a clasp and bracket that is bolted to the floor, simple to install, cheap and very effective. It is very important to do this if your garage is attached to your house with an adjoining door, once the burglar is in they are hidden from view and has as long as they like. If you have a burglar alarm consider excteding the system to include protection in the garage.
- Keep garden gates locked at all time, again preferably with a padlock.
- Fit a trellis or similar fence toppings on top of your fences. This makes it more difficult for burglars to climb into your garden without being noticed. combine this with legal, naturally spiky plants that will trp and scratch burglars.
- Never leave door keys under the doormat or under a plant pot or anyo other obvious hiding places outside. If you want to leave a key outside make sure it is left in a keylock that requires a code to gain access to the key.
As often is a way in life, keeping things simple usually makes things work better. Here are some simple tips in how you can help to manage your burglar alarm system & prevent unnecessary false alarms:
10 POINTS TO REMEMBER:
- Make sure that only people who have been properly instructed operate the burglar alarm system.
- Carefully close and secure all doors and windows before setting the burglar alarm system.
- Checked that all movement detectors are not obstructed by any objects etc.
- Do not allow sources of heat or sound, or permit moving objects in range of your movement detectors when the burglar alarm system is set. Check that there is no unstable stock, and ensure that no birds or stray animals are present in the protected areas.
- Know the specified exit/entry route and keep to it when unsetting and setting the burglar alarm system. Do not enter other supervised/protected areas until the system is unset.
- Treat your security system with care and report all accidental damage, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel it is, to your security company.
- Inform your security company of any changes in the building and storage of contents, which may affect the security system.
- Remember your codeword (if applicable). If your burglar alarm system is one where the ARC (monitoring centre) telephones your premises after an activation signal has been generated, you will need to know your password, failure to say the correct passowrd may result in the Police / other keyholders being called. Do not set the system again after a false event until the fault has been determined and you are sure the incident will not happen again.
- Make sure your regular maintenance checks, are carried out by your security company. Remember that repetitive false alarm activation’s may give result in withdrawal of police response.
- Record all incidents and visits on a history events sheet or a supplied logbook. Check that all keys or code numbers are readily available and known before entry.
as i said, all fairly simple and a matter of common sense really but stick to these tips and false alarm activations should be kept to a minumum.
