|
 |
Moving can be an exciting time and we hope you enjoy your new home. However, when you prepare to move home there is so much to think about to make sure everything goes well. Burglars know this and may be on the look out for a chance to commit a crime. Below is some advice on how to keep your home and possessions secure. Whether you are renting or buying, your chances of being burgled are higher when you move home. The risk is even greater if you are renting. However, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk. Using trades-people Check that estate agents, removers and other trades people can be trusted and are members of a professional body or association. Take care with your keys If you need to pass your keys to others make sure that the person can be trusted and ask for the keys to be returned as soon as they have finished with them. Do not hand out more sets of keys than you need to. Tell your neighbours If you have put your home up for sale ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your home while you are out. Let them know your movements and when you expect possible buyers to call but take care who you tell. Advice from estate agents If you are out a lot and a "for sale"' board has been recommended, ask your estate agent to be careful about the details they give out about you, your work and the security arrangements and layout of your home. Insurance cover Make sure that your home contents insurance cover will transfer when you move and remember to update your motor registration and insurance details too. Entry to your home Only allow someone to view your home if they have made an appointment with the estate agents. If strangers appear without an appointment and ask to view your home do NOT let them in. Suggest they contact the estate agent first. Dealing with rubbish When you prepare to move home you may decide to throw away more things than usual. Be careful about leaving large piles of rubbish or packed bins outside your home for too long. Packing your belongings Take care if you collect lots of boxes from local shops - a burglar may see this as a sign that you are moving soon. Think about using large plastic bags for lighter items. Think about leaving small valuable items, like jewellery, on deposit at the bank. Keep your possessions secure Try to get friends and neighbours to help keep an eye on your home or possessions or to help out on the day of the move. Keep all doors locked (don't forget the garage, shed or patio doors) or watched when they are not in use, such as when you take a tea break. Take special care with valuable items such as televisions or videos. Small children and animals Think about arranging for them to be looked after on the day of the move. The removal van Make sure that your removers can secure their van and stop it from being stolen when it is left alone. Ask the removers to take care that the door used for loading the van should not be left unguarded or unlocked when not in use. Home Watch/Neighbourhood watch Most new neighbours are friendly, welcoming and helpful. Get to know them as soon as possible and think about joining your local Home Watch scheme. Your local Crime Prevention Officer can provide advice on how to do this. New possessions Take care when leaving empty boxes outside your home they can give away details of new and valuable equipment, which may be worth stealing. Marking possessions If your possessions are marked with a postcode, make sure you change it to the new postcode. Keep your own list of these items. Making it secure You may want to think about changing the locks or fitting key-operated locks to windows. Discuss this with your insurance company, housing officer, Crime Prevention Officer or the person you are renting your home from
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| |
|
| |