Staying Safe

Staying safe doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. There are things which you can do on an everyday basis that will help to ensure your personal safety. Some are so simple they may not even have crossed your mind and could be easily overlooked. Once you start to actively consider security and what you can do to improve it, you will become accustomed to this way of thinking. Ensuring your own safety will soon be second nature, and you’ll be able to think of plenty of ways to adjust. For the time being, take into consideration the following tips in order to improve safety and security in your everyday life:

1. Always make sure your doors and windows are locked when you leave your premises. Windows are often neglected, so make sure you have window keys for all of them and remain vigilant when it comes to locking up.
2. Carry a personal alarm. If you have to travel anywhere on your own, especially if it’s at night, it’s important to know you have a way of getting help if you need it.
3. Don’t leave valuables on show. This is as important in public as it is at home. Make sure everything is hidden in your car, and be mindful of possessions like mobile phones to avoid them making you a target for mugging. At home, don’t leave items like car keys in view of the front door where someone could easily break in and steal them.
4. Fit some good blinds at home. Partially close them when you’re out so that people can’t see in. This doesn’t attract attention to your house in the same way that drawing your curtains would, but it won’t leave important possessions clearly visible.
5. Join a neighbourhood watch scheme. Some areas will even extend this further, and the streets are policed by local communities to make residents feel safe both inside and outside their homes. Find out about what is available where you live and get involved.
6. Once you’ve started to get to know your neighbours, carry on building up the relationship. It’s very useful having neighbours that you know and trust when you go away. They can keep an eye on your property or even park their car in your drive so that it looks like somebody is at home.
7. Make sure your fences or garden walls are in good condition. They’ll make it far more difficult for anybody to enter your property, and will act as a good deterrent. You may even want to consider using anti-climb paint, or barbed wire for a commercial building.
8. Be aware of who is around you and what’s going on at all times. Methods of robbery are becoming more sophisticated than ever, and people will often try to distract you or trick you into thinking they need help. Of course, some people will be genuine, but keep up your guard to avoid putting yourself needlessly at risk.
9. Ensure that your ground floors are safe. Don’t leave windows open if you’re not in the room, especially if you’re on a busy street where it would be very easy for someone to enter unlawfully.
10. Don’t leave items outside your property which might entice thieves in. Lock up bikes in a discrete place and put away garden equipment and furniture when not in use.