| There are always going to be crime but you can help | | | | take special care with back windows, etc. |
| to ensure your house is not the victim of it by taking | | | | 2. See that no ladder is accessible - it is a good plan |
| some easy steps which will make your house less | | | | to padlock a ladder to the wall or shed. |
| attractive to potential thieves. | | | | 3. If you are away from home, do not leave any |
| There are many excellent burglarproof locks and | | | | obvious signs, such as notes for the tradesmen or |
| window catches on the market, which make it more | | | | neighbours, uncollected newspapers, dust covers |
| difficult for burglars to force their way in. | | | | over the furniture etc-; do not draw the curtains. |
| All internal doors should also be fitted with a lock or | | | | Arrangements can be made for the local police to |
| bolt, which should be used at night or at any time | | | | check your house while you are away; it is a wise |
| when the house is empty. It is quite a simple matter | | | | plan also to inform neighbours of your absence. Any |
| to have a burglar alarm system installed and smaller | | | | small valuables such as jewellery and silver should be |
| alarms are now available for use in one room only. | | | | left at the bank if the house is to be empty for |
| Wall safes can be installed to safeguard jewellery | | | | more than a week or so. |
| etc., and range in price from a hundred pounds to a | | | | 4. Secure all doors and windows (removing the keys |
| lot more, depending on the size required. | | | | from the locks) but do not lock desks, etc., for if |
| Every householder should make a point of taking out | | | | thieves do enter, they may badly damage furniture in |
| an insurance against burglary and housebreaking or | | | | breaking it open. |
| see that his general Home Protection policy covers | | | | 5. Would-be burglars sometimes try to check up |
| this risk. Here are some basic precautions to take: | | | | beforehand by ringing up the house, pretending they |
| 1. When you are out, do not leave doors unlocked or | | | | have got a wrong number if they are answered, so |
| fan-lights and windows open, especially downstairs | | | | tell the police if you get a spate of such calls. |
| ones or those which can easily be reached by means | | | | 6. Remember that ordinary policies do not cover |
| of a garage or shed roof. Remember that a large | | | | theft of cash, which should be banked rather than |
| proportion of entries take place at the back of the | | | | being left about the house. |
| house, out of sight of neighbours or passers-by so | | | | |