Preventing burglary

Tips to prevent your home being broken into

• Lock doors and windows when you go out.
• Lock screen doors when you are at home.
• Keep cash and valuables out of sight.
• Keep ladders and tools locked away so there is nothing handy for a thief to use to enter your home.
• Don't leave your keys in hiding places such as under the doormat or pot plants.
• Don't mark your keys with your name and address.
• Don't leave messages on doors—they suggest no-one is home.
• Leave a light or television on when going out, to pretend someone is at home.
• Don't leave your keys or bag in the car while you carry shopping into your home.

If you’re going away for more than a day:

• Turn down the volume of your phone and cancel milk and paper deliveries while you are away.
• Ask a trusted neighbour to collect your mail and keep an eye on your home.
• If you are expecting parcels, have a trusted neighbour collect them.
• Don't tell too many people that you are going away and leaving your home empty.

Tips on protecting yourself at home

• Don't let a stranger into your home to use your phone or check your appliances unless you are sure it is safe.
• Check the photo identification of any service or repair person before you unlock the security screen door.
• Hang up if you get an unpleasant or unusual call and don't speak to the person. If the calls continue, keep a record of them and contact the police and your phone service provider.
• Don't give your name, phone number, address, or any other details about yourself or someone you live with to unknown callers.
• Pretend there is someone else in the house if someone unknown to you is at your door or on the phone. Call to a 'make believe' partner or friend and say something like “it's OK, I've got it”.
• Don't confront an intruder in your home—leave your home and contact the police from a mobile phone or neighbour's house.