FabSwingers.com forum: Holiday times coming and it always worries me.

By *ENGUYMan
over a year ago

Hull

"How do you make sure your property is safe when you are away? I put the timer plugs for lights and a radio but will this really fool the experienced burglar. Anyone got the perfect answer?

There was a feature on this matter on our regional BBC recently, presented by an officer from our regional Police force.

He advised that timer plugs for lights are only OK if you can set different times for each day. If you normally set it for the same time each day, burglars will get used to that.

Have different timers for a radio, even two if you can; thus if the radio goes off in the downstairs room, have one come on within a minute upstairs, giving the impression that someone is moving around!

Burglar alarm boxes, with wires that go into the wall behind the box, will help. Visible wiring under/beside the box can be snipped risking it sounding an alarm, but if the wires are hidden inside the box and back through the wall, it's a greater risk factor and burglars will avoid it.

If you have any areas below windows, see if you can put in place grow bags with thorny plants. In garden perimeters, train thorny plants along fences. Burglars hate thorny plants!

Do not place broken glass or broken stones along the tops of fences or gates; you could be prosecuted! You can however, "build up" the height of fences or gates with wooden trellis work. Again, it is something to slow down a burglars mode of entry and exit!

Lastly, some police forces still have crime prevention officers; ask at your local station!

Before I forget, I could come along to your home and house-sit for you!