Don’t Hang Out Any “Welcome” Signs For Holiday Burglars

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 9, 23 December 1947, Page 5

Don’t Hang Out Any “Welcome” Signs For Holiday Burglars

While you are away on holiday, burglars may be helping themselves in your home. Some people make it easy for them by failing to take a few simple precautions, says Consumer News. Here are a few tips:— See that all doors and windows are securely fastened. Simple enough, but in the haste to depart many people leave a back window unlatched, or even a door unlocked. Don’t pull down the blinds or draw the curtains across the windows. That is a “welcome home” to light-fingered roamers. Stop delivery of papers, milk and bread. There is no more encouraging vista to a prospective thief than to see a lawn littered with several day’s newspapers, or an overflowing milk box. Lock all your jewellery and movable valuables in some safe place. Do not leave the key in an obvious place like the mantelpiece or in a drawer. Better still, lodge your valuables in a bank. Take a note of the numbers on watches, clocks, and radios. If your house is"burgled you will then be able to give the police detailed information which may result in the recovery of your goods. If you are leaving your car in the garage, immobolise it. You can do this by removing the distributor arm. “Park” your tools and o'tiier items in a safe fclade.;/ Advise the nearest police station of the dates you will be away. A constable can then keep an occasional watchful eye on yourhome.

Leave a key with a relative or a friend who can look in every day. If the position of the blinds and curtains is altered daily your home will still have that “lived in” look.