Easter home security advice

Don't let a thief take advantage of you while you're taking advantage of the long weekend! Whether you're getting away from it all, or staying home throughout the Easter break, it's still important to be vigilant about home security.

To reduce the chance of theft from home or vehicles please consider the following Crime Prevention tips to deter would be thieves:

Home security:

* Lock up the house whether you are at home or out. In many cases the burglars have climbed through an open window or walked through an unlocked door.
* Install quality deadlocks on all external doors and key locks on your windows. 
* At night, leave inside lights on which would normally be on if you were at home.
* Consider using electronic timing devices that turn the TV, radio or lights on and off at selected times.
* Keep doors and windows locked at all times and activate alarm systems when leaving your home.
* Consider installing movement-activated external lighting.
* Install key operated locks for doors with glass panels.
* Make windows more secure by fitting locks, safety film, security screens or external roller shutters.
* Put away tools, gardening equipment and ladders – burglars may use these to gain access.
* Remember to lock garden sheds and garages.
* Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to minimise hiding places available to a burglar. Low or see-through fences at the front of homes also deter burglars as they minimise hiding places.
* Mark valuable property with the letters of the state followed by your driver’s licence number.
* Photograph and record serial numbers of all valuable property and keep this information in a safe place.

Vehicle security:

* Lock your vehicle doors and close all windows.
* Install an alarm or immobiliser and activate it every time you leave your vehicle.
* At night park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
* Park off the road and if possible in a locked garage.
* Use secure car parking facilities where available.
* Remove all valuables from your vehicle. If you can’t, then conceal them in the boot before arriving at your destination.
* Avoid leaving your property in the glove box or centre console – this is the first place thieves look.
* Mark or engrave your property with your driver’s licence number prefixed by the letter ‘S’ for South Australia.
* Record the make, model and serial number of electronic equipment, such as GPS devices, laptops and mobile phones.
* Remove registration papers from your vehicle to prevent thieves identifying your home and easily disposing of your vehicle.
* Do not place hand bags, wallets or other valuable items on the passenger seat where they could be easily grabbed.
* Remove your keys from the ignition even if you are gone for a short time.
* At home, don’t leave your keys on the kitchen bench or where they can be easily seen by thieves. Keep them in a safe place out of view.
* Mark key tags with your phone number, never include your name and address.
* Do not hide a spare set of keys on or in your vehicle.

If you see any suspicious behaviour, contact the Police Assistance Line at the time on 131 444 or 000 (triple zero) in an emergency.

Further crime prevention tips can be found at SAPOL - Crime prevention and security