Real Estate
12 November, 2021
Is it time to upgrade your home security?
House break-ins are one of the most common crimes and can occur at any time of the day or night.
There are steps you can take to reduce identified risk areas in your home and reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime or even a repeat victim of crime.
Cars are stolen by opportunistic thieves who have been able to get their hands on the keys and they aren’t going to great lengths to do so.
These thieves stealing cars aren’t always those with hot-wiring skills.
Opportunistic thieves will take any opportunity to steal cars, including walking into your home and grabbing the keys right off your bench with you sitting in the next room watching your favourite television show.
Everyone should be entitled to feel safe and secure in their own home, but unfortunately the reality is that it is not wise to leave doors unlocked and presume you won’t be broken into.
In 2019, there were a total of 659 vehicles reported stolen, in 2020 there were 542 stolen and so far in 2021 there has been 620 vehicles reported stolen.
With a considerable rise in vehicle thefts local police are encouraging all residents to consider giving a gift that will keep on giving – your very own Home Security Audit.
Other home security options to consider are:
• Ensure all windows and doors are locked in your home, garage and shed. • Have your mail collected by a friend or neighbour while on holidays.
• Hide valuables from plain view.
• Identify valuables such as TV’s, electrical goods, CD’s, DVD’s, cameras, phones, jewellery, computers by engraving or microdot technology. Update records of identifying particulars with police.
• Don’t leave messages on your answering machine or door advising people you are away. • Consider using automatic timers on a light, TV or radio to switch on at night.
• Disconnect the power source to your garage.
• Take your vehicle keys with you. As well as responding to crime when it happens, Queensland Police Service (QPS) works with communities to prevent crime and make Queensland a safer place to live, work and play. For more information and tips on home and personal security, check out the following links.
• Home security tips & audit: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/ safety-and-preventing-crime/ home-and-multi-residentialsecurity
• Property security tips: https:// www.police.qld.gov.au/safetyand- preventing-crime/propertyidentification- and-recording
• Vehicle & bike security tips: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/ safety-and-preventing-crime/ property-identification-andrecording/ vehicle-andbike- security
