The old cliché that your home is your castle has even greater resonance today as people try harder than ever to hold on to their properties.
The majority of reported crime in Ireland relates to common everyday crimes of burglary and theft, and recent figures show an increase in the number of burglaries occurring during the summer months.
Reminding property-owners on some security tips for the home, Maurice Buckley, CEO of the National Standards Authority of Ireland said: “It is always important to take precautions regarding home security. It is a shocking fact that in a quarter of all burglaries, the burglars don’t even have to use force, as most houses are not properly secured. NSAI wants to ensure that you enjoy your summer holiday, worry free, by adopting the following home security tips.”
1. Common sense tips: Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, letterboxes or other “secret” hiding places. Burglars know where to look for hidden keys. Ensure that all valuables are kept out of sight, both upstairs and downstairs. Make sure to leave your keys with trusted neighbours and ask them to regularly check on your house. Inform your local Garda station that you will be heading away and leave them your contact details. Call the local Post Office and ask them to hold your mail for collection and postpone all other deliveries until your return, including milk.
2. Certified alarm installer: If you have an alarm or are thinking about installing one, make sure it is installed by a certified company and that you have a maintenance contract in place so that it is serviced annually and continues to function correctly.
3. CCTV: A significant number of home owners are now installing CCTV systems as part of their home security. NSAI operates a certification scheme for CCTV installers.
4. Light timers: If heading out for a long period of time, make sure the house looks like it is occupied by installing light timers. Timers can be pre-set to turn lighting on and off at predetermined times.
