Alarms and lighting
Investing in an alarm
and effective indoor and outdoor lighting can deter
or draw attention to a thief.
Outdoor and indoor lighting
Lights triggered by movement can be dangerous to
passing traffic and easily ignored at the crucial time if they are
constantly activated.
The most effective
lighting is controlled by a dusk to dawn switch that comes on only
when it gets dark. It costs very little to run and acts as a
deterrent all night.
An empty home is an attractive target for thieves. If you’re going
to be out all day or are going on holiday, set timers for one
or more lights to come on when it gets dark.
Alarms
Burglars are less likely to target a house with an alarm so it’s
advisable to fit one.
There are two types to choose from. Audible only alarms set off
a siren or bell while monitored alarms are connected to a
central monitoring service and alert police on activation.
These must be installed to BS.EN 50131 standard
and will involve monitoring and service charges.
A house in
darkness at four o’clock in the afternoon does stand out. It says
that it’s likely someone will not be there.
Heather Gurden, Senior Architectural Liaison
OfficerTalk to your local Crime
Reduction Officer, insurance company and specialists about
which sort of alarm is best for you. Companies registered with the
National Security Inspectorate or
Security Systems and Alarm Inspection
Board will be able to help you.
Buy an alarm system that meets British or European
standards.
Contact a professional to install the alarm - a wrongly fitted
alarm can cause all kinds of problems and end up costing you
more.
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