Tips to protect your home while you’re away

AS WINTER starts to approach and locals are heading north for the warmer weather, Neighbourhood Watch is encouraging people to ensure their home is secure before heading away.

Properties left unoccupied for a period of time can draw the unwanted attention of break-ins.

Neighbourhood Watch Greater Geelong co-ordinator Rhonda Rotherham said there were several steps residents could take to deter crime.

“The first thing is to check that all doors and windows are locked securely and also remembering the doggy door, to ensure that’s locked.

“Chat to a trusted neighbour or friend to have them keep an eye out on your home and to clear your letter box on a regular basis, put your bins in and out each week, just so it looks like somebody’s still at home and cancel newspaper deliveries.”

Other suggestions also included having somebody park their car in the driveway, having lights set on timers, leaving a radio on, leaving some clothing on the clothesline and sensor lighting.

“Give your home that lived in appearance, with the bins in and out, a cleared mailbox, a car in the drive, it gives the appearance that the home is occupied which is often a deterrent to burglary.

“If they sense that there are people around, they’ll move onto another property.”

Ms Rotherham also said security cameras are recommended by Neighbourhood Watch, although they won’t always stop a burglary, it does provide some good footage that could lead to an apprehension.

Neighbourhood Watch and Victoria Police also encourage people to complete an absence from residence form and lodge it with the local police.

The form lets authorities know the resident is not home and also lists an emergency contact who can be reached if there was an incident at the property.

People can complete the form online, or it can be downloaded, completed and handed in to a local police station.

Ms Rotherham also highlighted another element of community safety in getting to know the neighbours, not just during holidays.

“That’s a really important aspect of a neighbourhood, getting to know your neighbours and helping one another, that’s something that we at Neighbourhood Watch encourage people to do,” she said.

For more information and advice on preparing the home before holidays, head to nhw.com.au