Your home and its contents can represent a considerable investment.

By taking a few simple precautions, you can help protect that investment and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your home is secure.

Thieves are generally opportunists looking for an easy target. If you can make your home look occupied and difficult to enter you can often deter them, even from attempting to gain entry.

Plant thorn bushes such as Natal Plum beneath sash, awning, casement and louvred glass windows. Thieves will think twice before approaching those windows!

Install a casement window lock on the inside of all accessible casement windows.

All such doors should be fitted with a secondary lock. Where there is a large gap between the top of the door and the top of the runner, screw a strip of wood into the upper runner or track - this will ensure a more secure fit.

Cement-in the sides of outside piping, especially around support brackets. Don't provide thieves with a means to reach the upper storey of your home.

Ensure that your garage door can be locked and keep it locked whenever possible. Don't allow thieves access to your tools and equipment - they may use them to break into your home!

Householders are strongly recommended to 'U' mark pedal cycles and outdoor furniture. Engravers may be borrowed free of charge from Somerset, Hamilton and St. George's Police Stations.

All external doors should be of a solid core design and be at least 1 3/4" thick. Where there is no glass within arms reach of the catch, fit a single cylinder deadbolt lock. External doors which do contain glass panes or which have glass panels beside them should be fitted with a double cylinder deadbolt lock.

As an alternative to regular outdoor lighting, consider installing a passive infra-red security lighting system. With such a system your outdoor lighting is switched-on automatically for a limited period of time (adjustable), whenever the systems' sensor detects movement or body heat in the immediate area.

Secure with a double cylinder deadbolt lock.

Secure your outside ladder with a length of chain and a good quality padlock. Keep all tools under lock and key.

Install good outdoor lighting on the corners of your house at least nine feet off the ground (well out of the arms reach).

Measure the existing fly screen on the inside of the door and replace it with a metal mesh grille of the same size. With the grille installed your louvred glass panes can still be opened in the usual manner.

In addition, fit a deadbolt lock and if the hinge pins are on the outside of the door, install hinge pins. (see External Hinges) .

Cut back overgrown bushes and trees close to the house - they can provide good hiding places for thieves.

People often overlook this type of window when securing their homes. Fit an expanding metal grille or a metal grille made to measure in the window frame on the inside. Alternatively consider installing security glass in addition to, or in place of the existing glass.

Alarm Systems

Once your home is physically secure, consider buying or renting an alarm system. Both local and silent systems are available in Bermuda and some incorporate fire alarms. For further information consult the alarm companies listed in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory.

Particularly during the evening time, give your house that lived-in appearance. Draw the curtains, switch on lights and if you go out, leave the radio playing. A light with a self-timer is also a good idea to have in the home.

Finally, the property in your home is worth a lot of money and it would be extremely expensive and difficult to replace that property if it was lost or damaged. Consider obtaining insurance on your household contents including personal effects and jewellery, and coverage for the risks of fire, theft and windstorm damage.