Unfortunately, there appears to be a rise in the number of burglaries in the area as reported in the local papers recently. This rise is also apparent across the country. Easy opportunities e.g. a door left unlocked for a few minutes or a window left open, will be seized upon by the opportunist burglar. Extra vigilance might save yourself or a neighbour the turmoil of a burglary so please do report any suspicious activity to the Gardai at 044 9384000. The garda.ie website has a home security checklist to help make your home less attractive for any unwanted attention. Their checklist is as follows:
Doors and windows
- Are all your external doors properly fitted and equipped with appropriate secure locking systems?
(i.e. 5-lever mortice locks for wooden doors, multi-point locking for uPVC doors etc.) - If you have glass panelled doors – are they reinforced in some way so that they cannot be
shattered? - Have you a wide-angled viewer in your front/main entrance doors or other means of viewing
callers? - Do you have a door chain / limiter fitted and do you use it?
- Since moving into your home (where there may have been a previous occupier) have you had
the locks changed? - Are your spare keys kept with a trusted neighbour and never left under an external mat,
flower pot etc. - Do you lock your external doors when away from home, no matter how short a time?
- Do you lock the doors out of your view when working in the garden / yard?
- Have you installed an additional lock(s) to your sliding glass / patio doors?
- Can you close and lock your garage doors?
- Are the garage / outhouse doors protected with quality locks or deadbolts?
- Do you close and lock your garage /outhouse doors?
- Are all your windows secure?
- Can the window openings be restricted for ventilation?
- Do you check to see if all windows are secured when you leave your home?
Inside security
- Do you ask for identification before allowing unknown servicemen / callers into your home?
- Do you avoid leaving cash at home?
- Have you automatic timers on some lights when your house is vacant?
- Does your home always look like someone is at home?
- Have you recorded serial numbers of your valuables?
- Have you, for identification purposes, photographed your valuables especially items for which
you have no serial numbers such as jewellery, china, crystal, paintings, antiques etc? - Are your car / house keys kept in a location not visible from the outside?
Outside security
- Is your house number visible from the street?
- Is there sufficient illumination around your home to allow visible inspection of any dark areas
around it? - Is there sufficient external lighting outside every door to illuminate visitors?
- Do neighbours and passers-by have a clear view of your home?
- Have you trimmed all hedges and shrubs so they can’t hide a burglar at work on the windows
and doors? - Have you ever walked around your house looking for ways a burglar might be able to get in?
- Do you keep tools or ladders etc. in places inaccessible to potential burglars?
- Are machines, tools and other high value items stored in garages or sheds securely padlocked
or chained to prevent removal? - Is your shed / garage secure?
Holiday security
- Have you a reliable neighbour whom you can notify of your travel plans and give a key to, with a
request for a periodic house check? - Do you have a neighbour collect your mail or newspapers when you are away or do you avail of
Mailminder from An Post? - Do you cancel all deliveries?
- Do you have your neighbour park his / her extra car in your driveway when you are away from
home? - Do you arrange to have your lawn mowed?
- Do you notify the Gardaí of prolonged absences from your home?
Electronic security
- Do you have an intruder alarm system fitted and do you use it?
- Does it conform to the European Norm standard EN 50131?
- Is it maintained and serviced annually?
- Are you aware of the current Garda Intruder Alarm Policy?
- Do you know how to operate and use your alarm system functions?
- Have you considered connecting it to a monitoring centre or your mobile phone?
- Have you appointed a keyholder(s) and will they respond appropriately to an alarm activation?