Protecting your castle

A person’s home is their castle. Unfortunately, we must work hard to keep not only our castle, but our families, safe and secure.

The first step when considering home security is to look at where you are located. Get outside and have a walk around. Go out onto the kerb and see what is visible from the sides of the house. When lights are on at night, can someone see everything in your living room?

Next ensure that all your doors are adequately secured to prevent easy access. Particularly consider any entrances that are covered from view such as external garage doors or utility room exits. Modern sliding patio doors normally come fitted with anti-lift locks, but many older types do not have them. Fitting a security film on glass doors and installing a light and durable security screen on the front and rear doors can also assist.

Ensure that screen door and security window grilles comply with the Australian Standards. Security doors should also withstand the Australian Standards for impact resistance testing, which is to endure an impact of 100 joules of energy.

All the windows in the house should have a locking mechanism. Use these during the day, especially when you are home.

The best method to connect all these together is to use an example of an onion and its layers.

1. Outer layer - the outer perimeter of your home, starting from your letterbox. Plantings, gravel paths and sensor lights help to provide an outer layer coverage.

Recorded incidents of selected offences in the Lane Cove Local Government Area. Annual totals and 24-month trend from January 2016 to December 2017

Offence Jan 2016 to Jan 2017 to 24 month Annual % Dec 2016 Dec 2017 trend change

Break and enter dwelling 73 141 Up 93.2% Steal from dwelling 52 57 Stable ** Steal from motor vehicle 76 119 Up 56.6%

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research 2. Immediate layer - around the footprint of the house. Ensure that there is a clear path from the windows and a clear line of sight throughout the footprint of the house. Sensor lights angled inwards can provide coverage. 3. The house itself - ensure all doors and windows are secured. Invest in security screen doors.

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Recorded incidents of selected offences in the Lane Cove Local Government Area. Annual totals and 24-month trend from January 2016 to December 2017

Offence Jan 2016 to Dec 2016 Jan 2017 to Dec 2017 24-month trend

4. Inner layer – install an alarm system and/or a IP Security Camera which is connected to your wi-fi and accessible from your smart phone. Other points: • Take the time to get to know your neighbours. • Guard against opportunistic thieves. Be aware when there are unfamiliar cars on your street. Increase your awareness. • Do not use social media to advertise your movements when you are away. Install the maximum privacy settings. • When ringing 000, know where your Annual percentage closest cross street is.

change

Break and enter - dwelling 73 141 Up 93.2%

Steal from dwelling 52 57 Stable **

Steal from motor vehicle 76 119 Up 56.6%

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research

JEFF WALKER is a security consultant, advising clients on security matters ranging from criminal activity to terrorism. He has served in the Australian Defence Force and Australian Jeff Walker Federal Police. is a security consultant, advising clients on security matters ranging from criminal activity to terrorism. He has served in the Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police. Jeff has lived in Lane Cove since 1999. Jeff has lived in Lane Cove since 1999.

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