10 tips to help you prevent home break-ins

With break-ins on the rise, you may be concerned about home security. These 10 tips to help you prevent break-ins could put your mind at ease.

Home is a place where you are meant to feel safe and secure. Aussies like to think of our homes as our castles – the title of one of our most beloved films even references this. Given all this, the thought of someone breaking into your home can be quite distressing.

Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that home break-ins are experiencing an upswing. Figures show that, after a lull that coincided with lockdowns, they have actually increased for the first time in a decade.

What are thieves looking for?

Generally speaking, thieves are no longer stealing large televisions and other bulky items from people’s homes. Will Milne, the head of crime and justice statistics at the ABS, said that in the majority of break-ins, smaller personal items such as handbags, jewellery or clothing were most commonly taken. If you’re concerned about a break-in at your home, what are some things you might be able to do to help mitigate the risk?

10 tips to prevent a break-in

Canstar spoke to Queensland Police Acting Senior Sergeant Danielle Fioritti about home safety – here are the ten top tips she gave us for things you can consider doing to help keep your home safe from thieves, and some added things to consider if you are wondering how to prevent break-ins at night.

1. Keep valuables out of sight

With thieves targeting small, expensive items in the home, it is a good idea to keep them out of sight. Keeping valuables locked up and away from public view is an easy way to protect your home from unwanted attention.

2. Be sure to lock up

A significant number of home thefts occur through unlocked doors and windows, Acting Senior Sergeant Fioriti says. Keeping your house locked whenever you’re out is a simple and effective way of safeguarding your home. Before you head out, check all doors and windows are locked and make sure your garage door is closed.

3. Consider additional security

Installing additional security measures in your home is a worthwhile investment, according to police. There are many options available in home security, and if you want to know more, Canstar has an article on the cost of putting in a home security system.

Acting Senior Sergeant Fioriti says either a sensor light, a camera or a full security system will be effective in alerting potential offenders that security measures are installed. Putting in a sensor light could be one option if you are trying to think about how to prevent break-ins at night

4. Install a security screen

Installing a screen door – also known as a security screen – is a simple way of adding an extra layer of security to your home. Screen doors come in a variety of different materials, including extremely strong materials which are designed to withstand extreme force, such as a thief attempting to break in.

5. Keep information to yourself

While you might be keen to tell everyone about your travel plans or post pictures online while you’re away, letting others know that you’re not at home can make you a target for a break-in, Acting Senior Sergeant Fioriti says. The same applies to anyone knocking on your door who you don’t know, so it’s best to limit the amount of information you give them.

6. Invest in a safe

If you own expensive jewellery or have anything valuable in your home, Acting Senior Sergeant Fioriti says a heavy-duty safe that is bolted into concrete may be an excellent investment. Her other piece of advice is to make sure you actually use it. She says that too often, people buy a safe but forget to store valuables in there.

7. Get to know your neighbours

Being friendly with your neighbours can be another effective way of safeguarding your home, as it can mean you have people to watch your home while you are away. Acting Senior Sergeant Fioriti says it’s also important to report any suspicious activity in your street, adding that if something seems out of the ordinary, you should call and report it to police.

8. Remove hiding spaces

While it’s natural to want to create a landscaping screen for more privacy, you could be putting your home at risk, says Acting Senior Sergeant Fioriti. While you may not like others seeing into your home, having a house that’s visible from the street can help to keep your property safe. It’s also a good idea to assess your garden and remove anything that will create a hiding spot for thieves.

9. Reconsider a spare key

If you need a spare key for a medical professional or someone else to access your home, just ensure it’s not in an obvious spot such as your front door mat or under a flower pot, as these are often the first places an offender will look. Consider a key safe with a code and make sure it is located out of sight, with a PIN that is not obvious (such as your street address or 1234).

10. Think about where you park your car

If possible, Acting Senior Sergeant Fioriti suggests parking your car in a garage or behind a boundary fence. If you don’t have a garage, be sure to remove all valuables from the vehicle to deter any opportunistic thieves passing by. If you do have a garage but are parking your car elsewhere, it’s also a good idea to remove any remote controls for your garage from it, as otherwise a car thief may be able to gain access to your home.What can you do if you are broken into?

In the unfortunate event you are broken into, having photographs or records of expensive items such as jewellery or electronics, including serial numbers where applicable, may make it easier for police to locate them in places like cash exchange stores. It’s also a good idea to check your home and contents insurance to see what is and isn’t covered in your policy, being mindful that there may be exclusions in your cover, such as if you leave your home unlocked or store a spare key outside.

With that in mind, it’s important to make sure you have an appropriate level of home and contents insurance, and are covered for everything you need.  You can compare home and contents insurance with Canstar to see if there is a better option for you than you currently have, and perhaps even one that might save you some money on premiums.

Cover image source: Miljan Zivkovic/Shutterstock.com