Safety in the Home

Building a safer home environment

People expect to feel safe and secure in their own homes and statistically the likelihood of a physical encounter with an intruder is low. The chances of such an event happening can be reduced by installing appropriate security devices. This will increase the level of protection in the home, and potential risks to personal safety can be further minimised by observing sensible security practices. While presented with the safety of women in mind, these suggestions can equally apply to any householder. The advice concentrates on those issues relating to personal safety.

Detailed information on physical security covering locks, bolts, alarms and property protection are outlined in the "Safer Communities Together, a Guide to Crime Prevention" booklet, available from Police Stations or on our website.

General security precautions

It is unwise to leave door keys under a flowerpot, mat, in a letterbox or similar hiding place. Burglars find them.

Be wary of leaving keys with tradespeople - keys can be copied.

Items left lying around such as ladders, tools, gardening implements, lawnmowers and bicycles, can attract a criminal onto the property, and some of the items may be used to gain entry.

Open garage doors and open windows can also be attractive to criminals. Windows should have security fittings, particularly if left open.

If you are at home and leave any exterior doors open or unlocked, consider that a prowler could take the opportunity to gain easy access.

If you arrive home and you think there has been a burglary, do not enter, an intruder may still be inside. Go to a neighbour and telephone the Police.

When arriving home alone it can be a good idea to carry a personal or remote alarm for your car or house. If your safety is threatened you can easily activate your alarm.

Carry your house keys in your hand for quick entry if needed.

It is important not to overlook potential fire hazards when considering home security practices. The installation of smoke alarms and availability of fire extinguishers are ways you can reduce the risk of a serious fire occurring in your home.

External security

Be aware that large shrubs, plants, or very high fencing can provide a place for prowlers to hide.

Thorny plants along fencelines can discourage prowlers from climbing over, and having fully enclosed fencing with a gate creates a barrier. Prowlers are less likely to target such a property with restricted access and restricted escape routes.

Ensure your house number can be clearly seen from the road at all times. Visibility of a street number at night is important for Police and other services responding to any emergency.

Many people choose to display their names on letterboxes or doorplates. A woman living alone might consider using her initials rather than identifying gender by use of her first name.

Consider fitting exterior sensor lights to deter prowlers. If returning home at night a sensor light installed near the front door will provide good visibility of the surrounding area.

Joining Neighbourhood Support and displaying Neighbourhood Support, Beware of Dog and burglar alarm signs, can discourage criminal activity.

Internal security

A home that has security features will increase the level of protection against intrusion.

Basic measures to increase security are:

• Fitting deadlocks to outer doors and internal access garage doors
• Fitting lockable bolts to ranchsliders and french doors
• Fitting door viewers and security chains
• Securing louvre windows by glueing into fittings or replacing with an alternative

Other measures:

• Installing a burglar alarm
• Having a panic button for the burglar alarm in your bedroom
• Having a light switch within reach of your bed and a telephone with a list of emergency contact numbers
• Keeping a dog for protection, or acquiring an electronic barking device as a deterrent
• Replacing any hollow external doors with solid core ones fitted into sturdy framing, or installing security screen doors on the outside

Responding to people at the door - male or female

If you are alone you can create the impression that someone else is present by shouting out that you will answer the door.

Ways people may attempt to gain entry to your house:

• Asking to use the telephone
• Asking for a glass of water
• Asking for donations
• Conducting a survey
• Impersonating sales representatives, officials, tradespeople and others

Ways to respond may include:

• Saying NO
• Leaving the person outside and offering to make a telephone call for them
• Denying entry until telephoning their office to verify that they are legitimate

You should not compromise your safety by opening the door to strangers or allowing them inside, unless you have established that it is safe to do so.

If you have advertised an item for sale and have arranged for a stranger to view it, a good idea could be having a friend or relative present in your home."

Prowlers on the property

Prowlers are either potential burglars or the peeping type who will peer through any window where curtains or blinds have not been drawn.

Lingerie left on a washing line overnight may attract this type of person onto the property. Check that all doors and windows are secure when you go out, and before going to bed at night.

A woman by herself in the home can place objects on a porch or similar place, suggesting the presence of another person at the address. A pair of large size boots for example may deter a prowler.

If a prowler is seen, telephone the Police immediately. A description should be provided of the person, clothing, and direction of travel if the person has run away.

After telephoning the Police remain quiet and do not alert the prowler, provided your safety is not being threatened. This will allow the Police a better chance of apprehending the prowler. However, if you think the prowler is about to break in, switch on the lights if at night, and make as much noise as possible.

It's best not to go outside even if you think the prowler has run away.

Going outside could expose you to danger if the person is still nearby or returns, and your presence could hamper Police personnel and dogs engaged on search and tracking operations.

Intruders

Having a predetermined safety plan will enable you to make the best decision for dealing with an emergency.

Making a safety plan involves consideration of the following issues:

• Whether you are alone or if there are children or other adults present in the home
• The internal layout of your home for access to any children and escape routes
• Proximity to neighbours and boundary features of your property
• An agreement with your neighbours on how they will respond
• Utilising an existing room as a safe area, which must have a telephone installed, window security, and a door able to be securely locked from the inside
• Choosing to use a safe room or to escape from the home. This will depend on the particular situation and personal circumstances, and factors to consider may include:

  - The risks of encountering an intruder inside or outside the property during an escape.

  - Whether ground floor windows are accessible if an exit door is blocked by an intruder, and physical agility to climb out and run to safety.

Emergency action

Try to avoid any contact with the intruder.

Telephone the Police on 111 at the earliest opportunity that it is safe to do so.

A quick decision must be made to either secure yourself (children) in a safe room, or to escape from the home.

If you decide to secure yourself in a safe room, telephone your neighbours as well as the Police.

If you do encounter the intruder, try and move out of the way.

Call out to somebody else in the house to telephone the Police, even if you are alone.

You can attract attention by breaking windows and shouting loudly things like "Go away", "Get out of my home", "Somebody call the Police".

If you cannot avoid the intruder and shouting and making a noise has no effect, an alternative is to make yourself calm, then in a firm manner tell the intruder to leave. Being assertive is an important self defence technique.

Display a confident manner, hold your head up, pull your shoulders back, stand tall.

Be prepared to physically defend yourself. The most vulnerable parts of an attacker's body are the eyes, nose and genital area.

You are allowed to use force against your attacker when defending yourself, but be aware that if you use something as a weapon in self defence, it could be turned against you.

You can find out about self defence classes in your area.

During an emergency activate any available, fitted, remote or personal alarm system when it is practicable and safe to do so.

Telephone security

When using the telephone, don't give personal information to strangers or callers representing themselves as market research or telemarketing companies as they may not be genuine.

When answering the telephone, it may be better to use "Hello" rather than reveal your name or telephone number. Do not let strangers know that you are at home alone.

When it appears a caller has dialled your number by mistake, do not supply your name, address or telephone number. Ask the caller the number wanted then advise that a dialling error was made.

When recording an answerphone message, do not indicate what times you will be in or out, and keep personal information to a minimum.

A woman living alone could consider using the term "we" on the recording tape, or have a male friend record the message.

Persons using cellular telephones need to be aware that conversations can be scanned and should be careful not to disclose any information that would assist a criminal and place their safety at risk.

Receiving abusive calls

Most telephone calls of an obscene nature are made to women by men seeking an emotive reaction to achieve power and control.

Some perpetrators may search a directory looking for a female name. A woman living alone could decide not to make her gender obvious by only having surname and initials appearing in the telephone directory. An alternative security measure could be to have an unlisted number.

A person receiving any obscene call should immediately replace the receiver without making any verbal response.

In the event of repetitive calls, the telephone can either be left off the hook, or a whistle or radio played into the mouthpiece. Such tactics act as a deterrent by denying the caller any personal contact.

The date and time of any obscene or threatening calls should be noted and reported to the Telecom Malicious Call Centre on 0800 809 806. Telecom are able to trace the origin of threatening, obscene or repetitive no-speech calls, provided notification is made within 24 hours.

Any obscene or threatening telephone call should be reported to the Police. If you can record any such calls, the tape should be handed to the Police for evidence.

Renting

Choosing a flatmate:

Depending on personal preference and individual circumstances, the presence of flatmates can provide an increased level of security.

If you are advertising for a flatmate, avoid listing your address and home telephone number. Using a Post Office box number or business telephone number may be preferable.

Arranging an initial meeting on safe, neutral ground may be a good idea if you are vetting a potential flatmate who is male.

If you decide to invite the person to view the property, having a friend present will reduce any risks to your safety.

Choosing a rental property:

It is a good idea to take a friend with you when being shown a property by a male landlord, or where a male tenant is seeking a flatmate.

If the landlord or tenant makes you feel uncomfortable, don't move in.

Inspect the property to see if it meets your safety needs. Check the doors and windows have adequate security features.

Ascertain, if possible, how many keys are in existence, who has them, and if the locks have been changed since the last tenants left.

The landlord may be prepared to change the locks or replace inadequate ones if you ask. If the landlord declines, and you are unable to have secure locks fitted at your own expense, it may be preferable to choose an alternative property.

Selecting a property solely on the basis of lowest rental may not necessarily be the best choice for the provision of security and safety. Also take into consideration the general appearance of the street and surrounding houses.

Don't leave SAFETY IN DOUBT - PLAN TO KEEP dangers out

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