Protect your block against theft damage
When considering how safe and secure your flat or apartment is you need to consider how best to avoid theft and malicious damage and defend your property, how to detect intruders on your property and how to protect your property from those intruders.
As flat owners you have a great defence against theft by having neighbours close by.
Plan - if you are planning a holiday ask your neighbours to keep an eye out for anything unusual, for example:
* Flats generally do not have problems with overgrown vegetation hiding the view of your home, however do try to keep them maintained to a level not to conceal vandals and thieves.
* Neighbourhood watch schemes are located in most areas, if you do not have a scheme why not speak with your neighbours to see whether you could start one.
* External lighting from dusk should prevent your property being seen as a target
* Where properties are left empty during the day, i.e whilst you are at work, consider controlled lights or leaving a radio on (please remember not too loud or it will upset your neighbours)
* When on holiday ask a neighbour to ensure your post, milk, newspapers are not left in sight to make it obvious that you are away.
* Keep your property as it normally looks, for example, ask a neighbour to shut your curtains in the evening.
* Keep walls, hedges and gates maintained, and lock gates where possible.
* Avoid keeping expensive garden ornaments on site to avoid encouraging a thief to come on to your property. If you can secure anything, then do so.
* Keep your garages and sheds as safe as your main property. Often thieves will look in these to see whether they can find anything to aid them in entering the house.
Thieves are lazy and will be looking for opportunities. Use the best locks you can afford, your insurance company will usually specify their minimum requirements. Ensure your doors, windows and window locks remain in good working order. Check with a member of the Master Locksmiths Association if you are at all unsure.
(w) www.locksmiths.co.uk
(t) 01327 262 255
(f) 01327 262 539
(e) enquiries@locksmiths.co.uk
5d Great Central Way, Woodford Halse, DAVENTRY, Northants NN1 3PZ
Protect - when you go to bed ensure windows are locked (and that window keys are to hand for an emergency)
Keep window and door keys out of sight and reach and don’t leave spares under mats or plant pots – thieves are not stupid !!
Don’t leave car keys, handbags, laptops within sight through windows – or you could be tempting fate.
Don’t put your address with your keys in case you lose them.
Make sure you shred all documents before throwing them out – as identity theft is on the increase.
Ladders should be locked or chained to a fence or railings.
Intruder alarms are very effective and are great deterrents for thieves, however always use your alarm and ensure it is installed by a competent installer and serviced regularly.
Recover - In you suffer a theft you can help recover your possessions by marking valuables with a marking kit, for more information try www.selectamark.co.uk and also displaying a sign to show that the property is security marked.
Make a list of serial numbers on any of your electrical items, lawn mowers etc.
Take photographs of any antiques, jewellery or anything of high value along with any particular marks, to assist them being identified.
Check your Insurance policy to ensure any insurance requirements regarding alarms and locks are observed and check regularly that your sums insured are adequate.
For a locksmith in your area see:
www.flat-living.co.uk/services/locksmiths.htm
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Whilst flat-living makes every effort to ensure that the articles included in the web site are accurate at the time of publication it is inevitable that, as time goes by and circumstances change, the articles may contain out of date information. Readers are strongly urged to check the content of these articles before taking any action that could have legal or financial consequences. flat-living shall not be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising from inaccuracies.
DISCLAIMER
Any external products and services listed do not necessarily carry the endorsement of retirement-flat-living or imply a recommendation. retirement-flat-living.co.uk does not recommend any of the advertisers and cannot be held responsible for any work undertaken by or purchased from any advertiser on this site.
Whilst retirement-flat-living makes every effort to ensure that the articles included in the web site are accurate at the time of publication it is inevitable that, as time goes by and circumstances change, the articles may contain out of date information. Readers are strongly urged to check the content of these articles before taking any action that could have legal or financial consequences. retirement-flat-living shall not be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising from inaccuracies.