We’ve written previously about crime rates on the Gold Coast, and how concerns about burglaries are on the rise in Queensland. If you’re a member of your local community Facebook page or keeping an eye on the news, you might be worried about break-ins occurring in your suburb.
Thankfully, there are a few easy steps that you can take to prevent someone from breaking into your home, secure your property and keep your family safe. Here are our top five tips to secure your house against burglary.
1. Close all your doors and windows when you go out
It seems like a no-brainer, but securing all entry points to your home when you leave is one of the best ways to protect yourself from a break-in. Approximately 40% of annual household burglaries are not forced entries. This means someone could easily enter their home, either by climbing in an open window or even simply walking through the front door.
If you’re someone who frequently forgets to close up your house, consider installing security screens on all accessible doors and windows. Security screens are strong enough to withstand almost all attempts at forced entry and will often deter a criminal from even trying to break in.
2. Put away valuables when you’re not using them
If you keep your windows open throughout the day (and, let’s face it — in this beautiful Queensland climate, who wouldn’t?), you’re probably leaving your home open to criminals looking to window shop. If you have several expensive items in plain sight, consider putting them away when you’re finished using them or moving them out of view.
You can also move expensive outdoor items into your garage, like unchained bikes or even portable barbeques. Finally, if you buy a costly item, try to discreetly dispose of the packaging rather than leaving the box sitting next to your bin.
3. Stop hiding the spare key!
Have a spare key sitting under your doormat or a pot in your front yard? It’s a great idea if you don’t want to get locked out of home, but a terrible idea if you’re trying to protect yourself from a break-in. Opportunistic criminals might spot you retrieving your key, or even have a quick hunt around to see if they can find it for themselves. A better idea is to pass along a key to a neighbour or install a lockbox where you can place the key for safekeeping.
4. Get to know your neighbours
A few decades ago, there was very little chance you could get through the week without interacting with your neighbours. In 2022, most people on the Gold Coast have no idea who their neighbours are, or barely talk to them when they see them out and about.
Maintaining a good relationship with your neighbours can go a long way to securing your home, as they can keep an eye on your place while you’re at work or away on holiday. They can also take in your bins for you when you’re away or retrieve your mail, so it’s less obvious that you’re not at home.
5. Invest in some proactive security measures
If you’re seeing break-ins increasing in your neighbourhood, consider investing in a few proactive measures to protect your house. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a fancy security system — many DIY cameras and motion sensor lights can do an excellent job of letting you know that there’s someone outside your home.
Installing security screens on all of your doors and windows is also a practical, cost-effective solution to secure your property. They create a physical barrier that can withstand most types of break-ins, including:
- Impact from kicking, shouldering or using a blunt force tool to gain access
- Jimmying with a sharp object
- Cutting with a knife.
Security screens can be fitted to almost every type of window or door and are often a significant deterrent to criminals looking to gain access to your home.
Consider Goldco for your security screen installation
If you’re looking to secure your home, Goldco Security should be your first choice. We manufacture and install the highest-quality Amplimesh® security screens right here on the Gold Coast. Both our SupaScreen® and IntrudaGuard® Security Mesh screens are tested to Australian Standard AS5039-2008 for maximum impact and shear resistance to keep your home and family safe and secure. Not only that, our security screens are certified Australian made and manufactured right here on the Gold Coast.
Our SupaScreen® unique patented pressure process eliminates the need for screws, rivets, pins or snap-ins to retain the mesh panel. This keeps your doors looking great while also avoiding the possibility of corrosion.
Ready to get the process started? Make sure you chat with a friendly member of our team about our security screen options. We pride ourselves on our quality workmanship, old fashioned service and competitive pricing.
For a free site measure, contact us today!
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