Protection you can’t afford to be without
Barbara O’Reilly
Every day 1164 Australian homes are either robbed or are the site of an attempted break-in, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Cage Security consultant Bruce de Graaf said protecting your home requires a little thought and planning.
Your home is a reflection of you and your lifestyle, so put a little thought into keeping it safe, he said. There are so many things you can do to increase your property’s security.
de Graaf said the most effective protection for your home is personal vigilance. Identifying an intruder’s perception of the property as a soft target is the largest factor involved in home intrusion.
You have to think like a thief. If you are going to break in somewhere, how will you do it and what are your main concerns?, he said.
Firstly, you don’t want to be caught and secondly, you don’t want to be identified.
As your home’s main visual point is from the street, de Graaf said the most effective deterrents were visible signs of an alarm system, such as siren boxes and security company stickers on windows.
You love your neighbours but let’s be realistic. You would prefer they got robbed, not you, he said.
de Graaf said sensor lights are another highly effective tool both as a deterrent and to increase chances of identifying intruders.
Lights are surprisingly effective, but you need to be observant, de Graaf said.
Always challenge your light. If you think it is not working, someone may have turned it half a screw. This is a simple way for a potential intruder to ensure it won’t light up, setting you up for a visit in the middle of the night.
While trees and bushes can provide privacy for homes, they can also create cover and shadows that intruders can take advantage of. Many Sydney residents are now using intuitive gardening techniques to their advantage.
There are plants that, when trained to grow up the fence or deck, can make it difficult and painful for an intruder -鈥� species such as bougainvillea, some hakea varieties and Saws Edge, de Graaf said.
The latter is smooth in one direction but can cut you to shreds in the other.
The security consultant said this type of purpose gardening was particularly helpful for people in homes that have rear lane access or are located in high density areas.
de Graaf said people were also guilty of leaving items around the yard that make a thief’s job easier.
Tools that can be used to force entry are frequently found around the yard or balcony, he said.
More often than not, the guy who wants to break into a house finds all the implements on site. The number of times we see shovels, ladders and bits and pieces just sitting there waiting -鈥� intruders use these things all the time.
These days people are security-conscious enough to be aware of burglaries that might result when a wedding, funeral or another advertised event is taking place. However, releasing information through social networking sites has created a new threat to become aware of.
We all want to tell everyone that we’ve got three hours until we hop on the plane or that we can’t wait to strap on our skis at the snow this weekend, de Graaf said.
Just remember you are telling, in most cases, upwards of 100 people that no-one will be home this weekend. Be careful what you say on Facebook.
However, the same rule does not apply to neighbours, de Graaf warned. Maintaining regular contact with neighbours can significantly increase your home’s security, he said.
The number of cases where an intruder has simply dressed in a set of overalls and walked into a yard is quite alarming, de Graaf said.
In one case, a thief dressed as a carpenter and waved to the neighbours before robbing a house in plain daylight. This is why you need to swap phone numbers with your neighbours and organise to inform each other of any plans to have work done on your property or of upcoming holidays.
Hiding the spare key under the doormat, the biggest rock in the yard or a garden gnome is not a good idea either.
By all means keep a spare key around, but be tricky about it, de Graaf said.
It is not a good idea to underestimate the intelligence of professional intruders. These guys are smart, they know all the tricks. They know that after Dyna-Bolts are put through bricks to attach bars to a window, the structural integrity of the brick has been compromised.
All they have to do is take a hammer to it and it will crack.
The most effective safeguard is still the monitored security alarm, de Graaf said.
Dual path wireless technology is the new development in home security. The fully monitored systems have no wires so townhouses, apartents and previously inaccessible properties can now have alarms installed.
This also means the alarms are portable for renters and more aesthetically pleasing.
It’s your home, not a warehouse or a factory. People don’t need to be looking at wires, de Graaf said.
There is basically nothing an intruder can do to affect the monitoring of these alarm systems as the line of communication is through wireless internet and is backed up with a GPRS system. There are also convenient features that alert the user when batteries need changing, among other things.
When shopping for a monitored alarm system, be thorough. Some companies can lock you into long and expensive plans. There are top-notch deals and alarms that are offered on a month to month basis. Give yourself the freedom to leave if you are not happy with the service.
de Graaf insists that the new technology in alarms is highly reliable but only when installed to Australian standards.
Licensing is so important. We have seen incidences of locksmiths and electricians putting alarms in, he said.
Anyone working on your alarm should be carrying an alarm installer’s licence. This is a photographic ID accredited by the Security Industry Registry of NSW Police.
info: Do you have any concerns about the security of your home? Give Cage Security a call on 138 811 for a chat about how best to protect your abode, or visit for more information.
Bruce’s top home safty tips
1. Look secure
2. Install sensor lights
3. Be a clever gardener
4. Remove ladders, shovels etc from sight
5. Be careful what you say on Facebook
6. Know thy neighbour
7. Get a monitored security alarm
Thanks for those tips. That was good advice about the plants. Will be looking at my garden on the weekend in a new way and telling the children to be extra careful what they say on Facebook.