Saga Home Insurance Saga s guide to home security
Contents Securing your doors Page 3 Securing your windows Page 5 Around the house Page 6 Security outdoors Page 7 Leaving your home unoccupied Page 9 Security marking Page 10 Bogus callers Page 11 Identity theft Page 12 2
Securing your doors If your front and back doors are not secure, neither is your home. If you are replacing a door, take the opportunity to improve your security by installing a door that is certified to British Standard PAS 24-1 Doors of Enhanced Security. Ask for it to be fitted with a chain or bar and, if it doesn t have a window or other means of checking who s at the door, a door viewer. Glass panels on or around doors are especially vulnerable, so replace them with laminated glass or buy special film to stick to the inside that will do the same thing. Make sure the doors and frames are strong and in good condition. Wooden doors should be solid and at least 44mm (1 3/4 ) thick. You can make them stronger by fitting a steel strip and plates to the doorframe and around the lock. Fit five-lever mortise deadlocks (kitemarked BS 3621) to all outside doors, including French doors, and ensure you use them. Keep your doors locked even when you re at home. Use the mortise deadlock or, on PVCu or other enhanced security doors, the fully or double-locked mode - especially at night. Fit mortise bolts to the top and bottom of all outside doors, including both sides of French doors. Remember to fit all security devices with strong screws or bolts. Before fitting locks to PVCu or metal doors, check with the installer to make sure that this will not affect your warranty. Patio doors Patio doors should have special locks fitted top and bottom unless they already have a multi-locking system. For further information, look in your telephone directory for the names of local locksmiths who are members of the Master Locksmiths Association, or visit www.locksmiths.co.uk if you have access to the internet. DOOR VIEWERS If possible, fit a small viewer in your door at eye level to help you identify any callers. LETTERBOXES Never hang a spare key inside the letterbox, as it is an obvious place that a thief will check. Letterboxes should be at least 400mm (16 inches) from any locks. Consider fitting a letterbox cage or other restrictor, which prevents thieves from putting their hands through the letterbox and trying the latches from the inside. Mortise deadlock You can only open a deadlock with a key, so a thief won t be able to smash a nearby glass panel and open the door from the inside. Also, if thieves do get into your home, they can t carry your belongings out through the door. Fit a five-lever deadlock, kitemarked to at least BS 3621, about a third of the way up the door. 3
Rim latch Most front doors are fitted with a rim latch which locks automatically when the door is closed, but can be opened again from the inside without a key. Automatic deadlock For further protection, this locks automatically when the door is closed. It requires a key to open it from both the inside and the outside. CHAINS OR DOOR BAR These are inexpensive and easy to fit, and will help you speak to callers without letting them in. Use them before you open the door, do not leave them on all the time. KEYS Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat, in a flowerpot or behind a loose brick - thieves know all the usual hiding places. If you move into a new home, change the front and back door locks immediately as other people may have keys that fit. Look in your phone book for the names of local locksmiths who are members of the Master Locksmiths Association. 4
Securing your windows Many burglars take advantage of an open window, so ensuring yours are closed whenever possible is essential. Easily visible window locks throughout the house will deter many thieves, or at least force them to break the glass and risk attracting attention. DIY shops sell inexpensive key-operated locks for all kinds of windows. If possible you should: Fit key-operated window locks to all downstairs windows, those that can t be seen from the street, plus easily accessible upstairs windows such as those by a drainpipe. Only do this if these windows are not escape routes in case of fire. Try to ensure that even small windows, such as skylights or bathroom fanlights, have locks. Remember to remove keys from locked windows, keep them out of sight in a safe place, but make sure you know where they are in an emergency. You could also consider the following measures: Louvre windows are especially vulnerable because the slats can be removed easily from the frame. Glue the slats in place with an epoxy resin and fit a special louvre lock, or replace them with fixed glass. If you are replacing glass in or around doors, consider laminated glass for added strength. Before fitting locks to PVCu or metal windows, talk to the installer to ensure that this will not affect your warranty. 5
Around the house LIGHTING Good lighting can put off or draw attention to a thief. The most appropriate type is highefficiency, low-energy lighting, controlled by a dusk-to-dawn switch so that it comes on only when it s dark. This provides a constant and uniform level of light. It costs very little to run and helps to create a more reassuring environment. Lights that come on if they sense movement can be annoying to neighbours and dangerous to passing traffic. If you have these, make sure they are directed downwards. Fit lights out of easy reach, at a height of at least 2.5 metres (eight feet). BURGLAR ALARMS Many burglars will avoid breaking into a property with an alarm. There are many alarm systems on the market. These range from fairly cheap alarms, which you can fit yourself, to more sophisticated systems costing hundreds of pounds, which need to be installed by professionals. Low cost alarms are less reliable and can, through false alarms, be a nuisance to both you and your neighbours. Talk to your insurance company about the alarm companies they recommend before you decide which best suits your needs. The system should meet British Standard BS 4737 or the new European Standard EN 50131-1. IF YOU LIVE IN A FLAT The door of your flat is likely to be the most vulnerable part of your home, so ensure you have the strongest one you can afford. You might also: Fit hinge bolts to stop the door being pulled off its hinges. Consider having your own door telephone entry system installed. On a simpler level, never buzz open the main entry door for strangers, or hold it open for someone who is arriving just as you are leaving. 6
Security outdoors GARAGES AND SHEDS Garages and sheds are attractive targets for thieves, as they frequently contain valuable property such as power tools, lawnmowers, cycles and golf clubs, but they are often poorly protected. It is a good idea to see if your home insurance adequately covers the property in your outbuildings. You could also consider the following: Ensure that your shed and garage doors are solid, and fit them with strong locks such as a closed shackle padlock. For double doors, use a heavy-duty hasp and staple, coach bolted through both doors. If your outbuilding contains a door through to the house, ensure that this inner door is just as secure as your main front door. With an up and over garage door, it is probably best not to rely solely on the centre lock provided. Instead, consider putting padlocks through the inside runners, or fitting padlocks with a hasp and staple on either side of the door. There are also specially designed mortise locks that close into the side frame, and other devices that stop the door being lifted. Replace any cracked shed windows, perhaps with Perspex or laminated glass, use a lock on windows that open, and fit a strong grille or heavy wire mesh wherever possible. If you have a house alarm, you could have it upgraded to include your shed or garage. If the garage is an integral part of your house, make sure the alarm conforms to BS 4737 standard. There are also various stand-alone devices on the market specifically designed for remote use in garages or sheds. SIDE PASSAGES It can be a good idea to fit a strong, lockable, high gate across the passage to stop a thief from getting to the back of the house and working undisturbed. If you share an alleyway with a neighbour, ask their permission and perhaps they will also share the cost. If your alleyway is a public right of way, consult your local council or crime prevention officer on how to proceed. GARDENS, GATES AND FENCES Prevent intruders getting to the back and sides of your home by installing strong fencing or gates. Check for weak spots where a thief 7
could get into your garden, for example, a low or sagging fence, or a back gate with a weak lock. A thorny hedge along the boundary of your property can put thieves off. However, ensure that passers-by can still see the front of your home so that a burglar can t work without being seen. NATURAL BARRIERS One of the best ways of preventing intruders is to use natural means. A thick, prickly hedge may be all the protection you need to deter a burglar, while a mature climbing rose can be more attractive and effective than barbed wire. GARDEN SECURITY Thousands of gardens in the UK are raided each week. The most likely items to be stolen are tools, mowers, strimmers, chainsaws, ornaments, furniture and plants. It is best to make sure you do not leave any items outside unnecessarily. This is especially true of tools and ladders, which could be used to gain entry to the rest of your property, but it is also important to remember gardening equipment, toys and bicycles. Consider securing items of garden furniture in place permanently using special ground anchors, chaining them to a wall horizontally, or filling them with heavy gravel to make them difficult to carry away. Photograph and security mark any valuable statues and ornaments, and remove the labels from new plants. Put expensive plants in heavy containers attached to the ground, or even lock them into their pots with special plant anchors. Some insurers such as Saga provide policies to specifically protect your garden and its contents. These often cover your plants, lawns, greenhouses, rockeries, ornaments and ponds against a range of eventualities such as theft and malicious or accidental damage. To find out more about Saga s Garden Cover call us or visit our website at saga.co.uk 8
Leaving your home unoccupied Nearly half of all burglaries happen when a home is empty. According to the Home Office, in many burglaries it takes the thief just five minutes to break in, steal property and leave. Burglaries are also more likely to happen during the evening or at night. Your home is more vulnerable when you are not there, so it is important to take extra precautions whenever you go out, and especially when you go away. The key is to make it look like you are at home, even when you are not. If you can, get a friend or neighbour to look after your home while you are away. Ask them to collect your post, draw your curtains at night and open them in the mornings, and generally make the place look lived-in. Be prepared to do the same for them. If you are going away: Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries. Cut the lawn before you go, and trim back any large bushes or shrubs that provide a hiding place for burglars. Don t put your home address on luggage labels when travelling to your destination - thieves are on the lookout at airports and stations for indications that particular properties will be unoccupied for a while. If you leave keys with a neighbour don t label them with your address. Remember to lock all doors and windows. Don t leave curtains closed during the daytime and keep all valuable items out of sight. Set time switches to turn on lights, radios and other appliances when you are out. These can be bought cheaply from DIY shops. However, don t use them if they will show a burglar that you are out - for example, in ground floor rooms where the curtains have been left open. If you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set and you have told the police who has a key. Make sure your home insurance is up to date. Double-check everything. Good security will reduce the chance of your home being burgled, but if you get home and do notice signs of a break-in: Don t go in or shout as the burglar could still be inside. Go to a neighbour s to call the police - if you think the burglar is still inside, let the police know. Don t touch anything - you could destroy valuable evidence. 9
Security marking Mark your property Every year, property worth hundreds of thousands of pounds is recovered by the police but not returned to its owners. This is because the police cannot identify it and, if they are unable to prove the property is stolen, they may even have to give it back to the thieves. Marking your property deters thieves, helps police in securing convictions and improves the chance of you getting it back. It is a good idea to write down the serial numbers of your TV, video, DVD, hi-fi, home computer and camera equipment, to assist the police in identifying them should they be recovered. You might also want to mark your lawnmower, gardening equipment, power tools and outdoor furniture. Marking things like jewellery or antiques is difficult and could reduce their value, but you can keep a record of them with a photograph or video, preferably in colour, paying special attention to any distinguishing marks such as initials or crests to help with identification. Take the photograph against a plain background and include a ruler to give an idea of size. Keep your photographs safe at all times. To help mark your property, you can get easy-to-use kits from stationers and DIY stores. It is important where you mark an item, particularly if you decide to engrave it permanently. If you want the mark to be out of sight, choose somewhere behind or underneath. However, don t pick somewhere so hidden that the police would not be able to find it. Whichever method you use, the mark should be so secure that removing it would damage the property or affect how the item performs. You can mark items using a chemical or microdot based marker, etching tool or an ultra-violet marking pen. Your mark should show your postcode and either the number of your house or flat, or the first two letters of its name. Only use UV marking when other methods would reduce the value of the object, because the UV mark can fade. Ceramic marking pens have been developed to mark china, glass or any glazed surface. They do not cut or scratch the surface but leave an indelible mark. Consider permanent paint for gardening equipment and other objects where appearance is less important. 10
Bogus callers Most strangers who call at your home will be genuine, but recognising and dealing with bogus callers or distraction burglars could prove invaluable. They may be men, women or children and work alone or in teams. They may even claim to be from the council or a utility company. All genuine officials will carry identification, but even if you are expecting them you should still check it carefully against any notification letter you may have received. If the letter contains a password, ask them to quote it. If you are in any doubt, do not let them in. It is better to ask them to make a written appointment or request that they call back when you have a friend present. Bogus callers can turn up as builders or gardeners trying to persuade you into unnecessary work. Even if you agree that work needs to be done, ask them to come back when you are not alone and get quotes from other companies in the meantime. Some bogus callers appear to need urgent help and may ask to come in and make a telephone call, or they could simply request a glass of water. In these kinds of situations it is advisable to try and help them without opening the door. If you are unsure about a caller... Lock, Stop, Chain and Check It is best to keep your front and back doors locked, even when at home. Ensure that the back door is locked before opening the front, in case the caller has an accomplice who might slip in the back while you are being distracted. Even before you answer the door, you should check through your door viewer or a window to see who is calling. Before you open the door ensure you have the door chain or bar in place. Check the caller s details and identity thoroughly, even if they have made an appointment. Check any telephone number against the phone book entry; then ring it for confirmation. Do not agree to any work being undertaken, or sign any contracts, until you have got a second opinion from someone you trust. Do not give in to any pressure, genuine callers will always wait patiently while you confirm their identity. Alternatively, tell them to write to make an appointment. If you think that a bogus caller has called, jot down their description, report it to the police immediately and inform your neighbours. 11
Identity theft Your personal details could be used by someone else to commit fraud, such as obtaining goods, services or money without your consent or creating false bank accounts in your name. This is called identity theft. Your details need not be obtained from the internet; they could be intercepted in the post, stolen from a bank or taken from a dustbin. Using the internet Do not respond to unsolicited e-mails asking you to confirm passwords or other personal details. Try to stick to websites you know, especially when buying online. Before submitting credit card details, look for a locked padlock symbol near the taskbar area of the screen. If there isn t one, e-mail the website concerned or use a site where the locked padlock appears. Spotting identity theft The internet is not as risky as many people think, but there are still steps you can take to make it safer. It s best to consult relevant books, magazines, your internet service provider or specialised websites for full security advice, but here are a few essential tips: Install the firewall and anti-virus software recommended by your internet service provider and keep it rigorously up-to-date. Ask your telephone service provider to bar premium rate services unless you need to use them. This helps ensure that you won t accidentally access one from your PC. If your PC begins to misbehave (especially by making its own attempts to dial the internet), investigate immediately. Although they might have straightforward explanations, the following situations may indicate that you could be a victim of identity theft: Unauthorised charges on your credit card statement. Bills for items you have not bought. A refused credit application although you have a good credit record. Debt collectors demanding repayment for unknown debts. Mail not arriving when expected, especially from a financial institution. Applying for a benefit and being told you are already claiming. 12
Tips to avoid becoming a victim According to the Home Office, it is estimated that more than 100,000 people are affected by identity theft in the UK each year. How can you reduce the chances of it happening to you? Shred or destroy any unwanted documents that contain your personal information. Be particularly rigorous with bills, receipts, credit card slips and bank statements. Ensure that your purse or wallet contains minimum personal details. Do not carry your National Insurance card, driving licence, passport or credit cards unless absolutely necessary. If any of these items are stolen, ring the appropriate helpline immediately. Do not keep security numbers, PINs or passwords in your purse, handbag or wallet, or stored in your mobile phone or computer. Take extra care if you live in a property where other people have access to your post. If you suspect items are going missing, contact the Royal Mail Customer Enquiry Line on 08457 740 740. If you change address, advise your bank, credit card provider and other relevant organisations, and ask the Royal Mail to redirect your post. At cash points, do not use a nearby bin to dispose of receipts or mini-statements. Your bank should never ask for your whole security number or PIN. If they call to request details that you are unsure about disclosing, ring them back to check that it is a genuine call. Make a note of when to expect bills, so you are likely to notice if one goes missing. Thoroughly check your bank and credit card statements; if you notice any unfamiliar transactions, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately. 13
Protect yourself with identity theft insurance Having taken all necessary steps to guard your personal information, there is one more important step you can consider. Identity theft insurance provides valuable financial assistance to help you combat the effects of this type of fraud. For 20 a year, Saga s Identity Theft Cover offers the following features: Up to 5,000 towards expenses incurred in reinstating your credit status. Up to 50 a day (overall maximum 1,000) to cover lost wages if you need to take time off work to sort out an identity theft. Up to 500 cover for loan re-application fees, if you have a loan refused following identity theft and are forced to re-apply. Up to 5,000 cover for legal fees to defend actions brought incorrectly by businesses and collection agencies following an identity theft. Cover for legal fees to remove wrongly recorded civil or criminal judgements. Legal fees to challenge the accuracy of your consumer credit report. Please note that Saga s Identity Theft Cover is available only as an add-on to Saga Home Contents Insurance. Saga Identity Theft Cover is subject to an overall maximum cover limit of 5,000. To find out more about Saga s Identity Theft Cover call us or visit our website at saga.co.uk/house. To find out more about Saga Home Insurance, Identity Theft Cover or Garden Cover call our customer service advisers on 0800 068 8412 stating reference FL1901 Lines are open 8.30am-7pm weekdays, 9am-3pm Saturday and 10am-2pm Sunday. saga.co.uk/house CSSI315 HH/LE/HSG/A5/110 14