How do you prevent burglary?
House keys
The keys for your house should not be kept in the traditional, and most obvious, places, such as under the doormat or in the flower pot by the door. Children should be informed about the importance of not losing keys.
If you are not sure whether all the keys are present or if a key really has been lost, the locks should be replaced as soon as possible.
Take the key out of your pocket before you reach the front door. This way you need less time to open and close the door.
Thieves are not attracted by inhabited homes
Houses are usually broken into whilst nobody is at home; in the middle of the working day, or during holiday periods. When leaving home, always check that your home does not seem to have been abandoned.
Before going on holiday, agree with a trustworthy friend or neighbour that they will empty your mailbox, pull on the curtains at night, clean leaves from the garden or mow the lawn. This way it will seem that life is going on as normal.
Doors, windows, locks
The most important means for preventing a burglary are a good door and a proper lock.
Get a good, strong front door for your home. The door hinges should be fastened with bolts; a metal strip may additionally be installed on the door jamb. If the house’s front door are not secure, the house is not secure. The door must have a strong structure. It is also important to have a durable door jamb.
Security cogs should be installed on the front door because this way the door cannot be opened from the hinged side of the door frame.
If you leave the house for a longer period of time, lock all doors and windows and close all fasteners.
Instead of hiding keys in the garden or outside the building, give them to someone who will be able to come and check up on your home from time to time.
The security lock on the front door is an efficient method for protecting yourself against thieves because it prevents unauthorised entry and makes it difficult for any thieves to leave with their stolen pickings. Security locks should be installed on all external doors, including back doors.
Before opening the front door, check through the peep hole to see who is standing outside. Before opening the door, make sure that any person who enters your home is who they say they are. If they wish to check the gas or electricity meters, for example, ask to see their certificate of employment. You can verify the authenticity of the certificate if you call the relevant institution. In doing this, do not use the telephone number on the certificate but look it up in the telephone book or ask for it via directory enquiries.
Plastic windows should have security claustras. Windows can have security glass, while regular window glass may be covered with security film. In addition to this, windows could have security claustras that cannot be opened from the outside in any other way than by breaking the glass.
In the first order the weakest windows should be secured: they are located on the ground floor, in rooms facing outdoor and public areas, near rainwater pipes and near the hallway ceiling.
Window glass must be installed in such a way that prevents it from being removed from outside.
Position your television set and video recorder in such a way that they are not visible from the window.
Keep the garage and shed locked at all times, especially if they are connected to the house. Keep all tools, ladders, etc, locked away so they cannot be used to aid a burglary.
Security alarm system increases security
If you have many valuable objects at home, or if you are often away from home, or your home is located in an area where there are a lot of burglaries (such as in Tallinn, Harjumaa, Ida-Viru and Lääne-Viru Counties, Tartumaa, or Pärnu) it is recommendable that you acquire a security alarm system.
A security alarm system may be designed and assembled according to the needs of your home. Very often, smoke detectors can be joined into a common system. The information from the alarm system can be forwarded to the desired telephone number, such as to your own mobile phone or your that of your neighbour, the alarm centre, or a security company. You may also use the local alarm system where the alarm is properly hidden and the system has an autonomous electrical supply.
Have the alarm system installed by an expert in such a way that it doesn’t catch the eye of strangers.
If possible, keep any rooms that you are not using continuously under some form of monitoring, even if you are in the building. Where bedrooms are on the first floor of a house, it is recommended that you place the ground floor (unless someone is sleeping there) and the garage under guard for the night.
The working area for the detectors should not be covered with any object or cover.
