Having your home broken into can:

  • result in financial cost to repair and replace property, and
  • significantly impact how safe you feel at home.

However, we can all play a proactive role in making our home and community safer.

Here are some tips for making your home safer:

  • make sure your door and window locks work properly and meet Australian standards
  • always lock doors and windows when you leave the house, or if you are away from entry points, on the phone or in the garden
  • do not leave keys in an easily available location. Leave spare keys with a trusted friend or neighbour
  • consider a safe if you have jewellery or other items of value to you
  • if you like pets, consider getting a dog
  • fit an alarm system that covers all external doors, windows and garages. It should meet Australian alarm standards for domestic purposes
  • keep trees and shrubs trimmed to allow a clear view of your house from the street
  • lock tools in a garden shed or garage
  • consider installing sensor lighting in your yard
  • if you purchase expensive items such as a new TV, cut up the box before recycling. Boxes left on the nature strip can let burglars know what is new in your house
  • back-up computer hard drives and keep these copies in a different location to prevent the loss of information on your computer
  • mark your property using an engraver or ultra-violet markers, with a 'V' (for Victoria) followed by your licence number. These markers are available to buy from various electrical stores. Marked property is much harder for burglars to resell
  • join Neighbourhood Watch and be an active part of crime prevention in your community.

In the event of a burglary

If you require immediate police attendance, call police on Triple Zero (000)

If you are a victim of burglary call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 and make a report.

If you have any information regarding a crime, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The safety of yourself and others is more important than trying to prevent a burglary.

Author
Community Crime Prevention
Publisher
Department of Justice & Community Safety
Date of Publication

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