SAFETY TIPS

External Doors and Windows: Ensure your doors are fitted with BS3621 mortise locks or rim-mounted deadlocks. Do not forget to close and lock all windows and deadlock all doors when leaving home.
If you loose your keys replace the locks.

Security Lighting: Locate security lights to the front and rear of the house. Be considerate to neighbours and animals when positioning them. When leaving home, use timer switches indoors and programme them to make it look as if there is someone in the house watching TV or moving around.

Garages: Most garage doors need additional locks. Integral garage doors should be fitted with
mortise bolts. The Defender 111 can be used as a good alarm. See Personal alarms.

Car: Keep locked in garage whenever possible. If parked outdoors do not leave any items inside the car or in the boot. Check that the car is properly locked. If kept on the road park near a street light wherever possible.

Sheds: Locate sheds near the house if possible and alarm the shed as well.
See Personal alarms.

Gates: Gates should be locked at a point where an intruder is unable to reach over and unlock them.

Fences and Hedges: A 5ft rear fence with 1ft of trellis is less inviting to climb over than a 6ft panel fence. Ask the NW Administrator regarding plants to grow by the fence which will act as a good deterrent to intruders.

IT Equipment: Security mark all your equipment. Regularly change your passwords.
Do NOT give out passwords or pin numbers over the phone. Genuine firms will not ask for them.
See Smartwater. Ask Watch Liaision Officer for more advice.

Electrical: TV, DVD, Ipods, Jewellery etc: Security mark everything as with IT equipment.
See Smartwater.

Personal papers: Cross-shred ALL papers that have useful information for someone wanting to clone your identity: Recycle shredded paper or put on your compost heap, it will rot down and help to make good manure.

Contact the Milton Keynes Watch Liaision Officer for further advice