Reduce the risk of your home being burgled by making sure you’ve taken these simple (and often inexpensive) precautions. Look at your home through a burglar’s eyes.

• How would you get in if you’d forgotten your keys ? If you can get in, so can a burglar.
• Are there places where they could break in without being seen ?
• Would they have to make a lot of noise by breaking glass ?

• If you are replacing or fitting new doors and windows, get ones that are certified to British Standard BS7950 (windows) or PAS 24-1 (doors).
• If you can afford it install a burglar alarm.
• Lock away ladders, garden tools and other items that burglars could use.
• Make your home appear occupied when out or away by using timer switches or leave your lights on.

Remember, most burglaries happen when a house is empty. They are also more likely to happen during the evening or at night.

• Don’t leave curtains closed during the daytime.
• Use timer switches to turn on lights, radios and other appliances when you’re out. You can buy these from DIY shops. But don’t use them if they will show a burglar that you're out, for example, in ground floor rooms where the curtains have been left open.
• Keep all valuable items out of sight, including presents (e.g. under the Christmas tree) if they are in full view of open un-curtained windows.

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