GOING ON HOLIDAY

Knowing your house is secure and being looked after does give you peace of mind while away. When cancelling you milk deliveries, try to tell the milkman in person rather than leave a note which anyone could read. Similarly when cancelling newspaper deliveries, try to pick a time when the shop is empty - you don't know who else is listening - better still hand them a note.

It then only remains to ensure that the added protection of a regular visit from a friend or neighbour will ensure mail is pushed through the letter box, that nothing is left on the doorstep, lighting on time switches is working and that the front of your home is tidy to the casual observer. Your neighbour could also put a bin bag outside your home on collection days to make it look as though your home is occupied.

A car parked on the driveway adds to the illusion that someone is at home. Finally, never arrange to be collected from your home address, unless by a friend, for the start of your holidays. Use a nearby location as a pick up point and never leave your return address in open view on your suitcases. It is better to be home again from your holiday before anyone realises you have gone (except for your key holder(s) of course).

Burglars can be delayed long enough to deter them; they may give up or someone may see or hear them. If you were to be locked out of your house, how would you get in? Assuming you haven't left a spare set of keys with a neighbour, can think of an easy way to do this? Bear in mind that if you how this can be done, it won't take a thief long to figure how they can do it. Whenever leaving your home, even for a short period, always lock all external doors and windows, and set your burglar alarm (if you have one).

If you are going away for a longer time, use a timer or sensor to control your lighting so that your home look occupied. Tune your radio to a station where there is a predominantly 'talk' type programmes and leave it switched on whilst you are away. This creates the impression that someone could be in the house but doesn't want to answer the door.

Yale locks are easily forced or slipped and old-fashioned locks of this type should be replaced with a rim lock. These should ALWAYS be supplemented by a mortise deadlock (to British Standard 3621). Shatterproof film is available if you do not have double-glazing. Avoid leaving keys in door locks or anywhere else easily accessible, because burglars secure the front door (to stop you getting in) and then set up an escape route. Master bedrooms are usually ransacked first, as jewellery is likely to be kept there. Record the serial numbers of all items and mark them with your house number and postcode.

There is much less benefit in reviewing your security arrangements after your valuables have been stolen, The time to prevent the crime from happening is NOW.