Home Security:4selfdefence

Reducing the risk of crime:

Complete a risk assessment on your home:

1.What or who is vulnerable and needs protecting?

2.What or who is the threat?

3.What is the likelihood or risk of being attacked?

4. What would be the consequence, cost or impact if attacked?

6. Can we remove the threat completely?

7. If the threat can’t be removed what preventive methods can we put in place?

8. Time line for putting preventive methods in place.

9.Monitor, review and improve.

House break-ins are a common threat; it has been proven that most break-ins are preventable as break-ins are a crime of opportunity with entry being gained through an unlocked door or window.
The cost of home security varies depending on the amount of security you perceive to keep your home safe. When you are happy with the security procedures you put into place make sure you use them, make sure doors and windows are locked or if you install an alarm make sure you turn it on.

New homes
If you are building a new home, talk to your architect about designing to prevent crime. You can insist on using solid doors, locks on windows, the elimination of dark spots, improved exterior lighting, an alarm system, and good quality deadlocks on doors.

Some General Crime Prevention Tips
Your house number should be easily seen so police and emergency services can find your home quickly.

• Reflective numbers should be placed in a place easily seen from the street.
• Don’t leave messages on your door or keys under a rock or pot plant.
• Use sensor lights at night.
• Don't leave ladders in your yard, thieves can use the to gain access to your roof.
• Consider leaving a light on and the radio or television playing to give the impression that someone is home.
• Cash and valuables should be kept out of easy reach, and out of sight.

If you hear an intruder in your home - do not risk injury. Raise the alarm by ringing the police and stay safe. If outside and you see signs of a break-in, do not enter. The intruder may still be present. Go to a neighbor’s house and seek help to call police and wait there until they arrive.

Phone
Place the following numbers in your mobile phone and home phone quick press:
1. 000
2. Local Police Station
3. Family, neighbor or close friend.

This may be an important time saver especially in an emergency or dialing in the dark. Consider connecting a telephone extension to your bedroom. Messages on answering machines should be carefully worded so as not to indicate you live alone or the house is unattended.

Home and asset Insurance : Insurance won't protect you or your family from injury but it is a necessity in case of natural disasters, theft and any other type of incident that can cause loss of assets that you would not be able to afford to replace. Types of insurance can be, but are not limited to, home and content insurances. Homeowner’s insurance in Australia can cover a property or home of the insured, along with the belongings and/or contents of the home, the home is insured against damage identified in the insurance policy.