Crime prevention advice

27th May 2024 | Community

Checklist for securing your home when you leave it

It’s vital to leave your home secure whenever you leave it. Getting into an ‘exit routine’ can help ensure that you don’t forget obvious, important things like not leaving your valuables near windows, or to leave lights on if it will be dark before you get home.

Become a creature of habit

Try to get into the habit of following your own course of action when you lock up your home. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything.

Here’s what we recommend you do before you go out:

close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes
double-lock any door
make sure that any valuables are out of sight
keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys, including car keys, as a thief could hook keys or valuables through even a small opening
never leave car documents or ID in obvious places, such as kitchens or hallways
in the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on
if you’re out all day, then it’s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night
set your burglar alarm
make sure the side gate is locked
lock your shed or garage
lock your bike inside a secure shed or garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor.

Going away?

Here are five tips to help you keep your home and belongings stay safe while you’re away:

if you’re off on holiday and wish to post anything on social media, make sure your posts aren’t public and that they’re only seen by your friends
leave lights and a radio on a timer to make the property appear occupied
get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property or join a Neighbourhood or Resident Watch Scheme
consider asking your neighbours to close curtains after dark and to park on your drive
remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries.

For further advice, visit:-

Crime prevention advice | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk)