Whilst it is not necessarily something which we want to think of, robberies and thefts can occur in our homes. When this happens it is the homeowner who is left with the task of replacing and repairing stolen and damaged possessions. This can often be expensive, so how can people make sure that they protect their finances and their homes from this situation?
A large number of robberies are committed by opportunist criminals and therefore a small lapse in security procedures could provide them with this opportunity. Basic safety measures which should be followed at all times include:
• Keeping doors and windows shut and locked at all times when you are out of the house. This should be done for all doors and windows and regardless of how long you intend to leave the property vacant for.
• Keeping valuables out of plain sight when not in the house. Any valuable items that are left in the view of windows are likely to attract the attention of passers-by, potentially leading to a robbery. You should therefore make sure that anything of value or worth is stored away from such areas.
• Keeping the house looking inhabited. If you are going away in the evening then you should make sure that you make your house look like it is inhabited, regardless of the duration of your absence. This can be done by simply leaving a light on. If you are planning to be away for more than one evening then timer devices can be fitted to lamps and lights in order to turn them on and off at certain times, making it look like there is still someone at home.
• Fitting extra locks and safety devices to doors and places of weakness. Whilst standard locks will help to protect your home it is always worthwhile fitting extra locks, such as deadbolts, in order to provide extra protection. You should make sure that you lock doors and windows fully when leaving the house and at night.
• Investing in security systems. This is a great way to deter robbers and there are a number of different security products which are available with alarm systems, CCTV cameras and security lights being some of the most popular.
• Keeping details of your absence private. If you broadcast the fact that you are going away for any length of time on social media sites such as Facebook then you are effectively painting the words “please rob me” over your front door. Don’t put information of your absence anywhere where it could fall into the wrong hands in order to keep your house safe.
If you are unlucky enough to experience a robbery despite your best efforts then you should make sure you have adequate home insurance cover to protect you. This will help you to cover the costs of repairing damaging and replacing lost items.
If you rent a property then you should speak to your landlord about whether they have obtained any Landlord Insurance quotes and what the policy would cover. Keeping up to date on the latest insurance news is also recommendable.
