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Householders Security Checklist

Householders Security Checklist ( 344 KB)

This checklist is designed to allow you to take a fresh look at your home security. By reviewing home security measures through the identification of security risks both inside and outside the home, householders are in a better position to take appropriate action to correct any problems to prevent themselves from becoming a victim of break and enter and theft. This checklist is also useful if you have already been a victim of crime and you wish to take steps to prevent it happening again.

House-breaking is one of the most common crimes and can occur at anytime of the day or night. By looking objectively at your home security using this Householder’s Security Assessment Checklist, you can take steps to reduce identified risk areas and therefore reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime, or a repeat victim of crime.

The small amount of time and effort to use the Householder’s Security Assessment Checklist and to make some changes is minimal compared to reporting a crime to police, dealing with insurance companies, searching for and replacing stolen property and dealing with the anxiety involved with the loss of sentimental items as well as the fact that an intruder has been in your home. Through a community approach householders can be extremely effective when they analyse risks in and around the home and take action to remedy or remove that risk.

Present Condition

Consider making changes to the items ticked here

Security Doors

Comments

* at all entry/exits?

Yes

No

security doors deter intruders from entering your home

* finger guards?

Yes

No

finger guards prevent the lock on your security door/s being tampered with

* triple locks?

Yes

No

triple locks increase the strength and security level of your doors

Main Entry/Exit Doors

Comments

* front-solid core?

Yes

No

solid doors are preferred; the door should be as strong as the lock

* front – viewer?

Yes

No

door viewers help you see who is outside your front door before you open it

* back-solid core?

Yes

No

solid doors are preferred; hollow core doors should be avoided

* adequate locks?

Yes

No

dead locks are the best type of lock to use on entry/exit doors

* keyed alike?

Yes

No

for safety and ease of use, one key opens all doors

Sliding Doors

Comments

* patio bolts?

Yes

No

keyed patio bolts on sliding doors strengthen the level of security of these doors

Windows

Comments

* key operated locks?

Yes

No

key operated locks strengthen the level of security of your windows

* keyed alike?

Yes

No

for safety and ease of use, one key opens all windows

* security screens?

Yes

No

security screens, grilles and shutters allow ventilation and can provide security

* warning stickers?

Yes

No

warning stickers may deter intruders from stealing your property

Lighting

Comments

* main entry/exits?

Yes

No

the main entry/exit areas to your home should be well lit

* timers fitted?

Yes

No

lights left on inside your home when you are out often deter intruders

* timers used?

Yes

No

timers should be activated when away from your home at night

* sensor lighting?

Yes

No

sensor lighting in ‘high risk’ areas deter intruders from entering your home

Present Condition

Consider making changes to the items ticked here

Other safety considerations

Comments

* clear vision?

Yes

No

you should be able to clearly see all doors and windows from outside

* trees/shrubbery trimmed?

Yes

No

you should trim any trees/shrubs that conceal doors and windows from being observed from the street

* garage/ shed secure?

Yes

No

garages and sheds should be securely locked at all times

* tools secure?

Yes

No

lock tools away to prevent an intruder using them to get into your house

* wheelie bins secured?

Yes

No

lock wheelie bins away or chain them to a fixed structure away from the house to prevent an intruder using them to climb into your home

* gates to yard secured?

Yes

No

lock gates to the backyard with a keyed padlock to prevent access by intruders

* meter box secured?

Yes

No

your electricity meter box should be locked (contact your electricity provider)

* house numbers?

Yes

No

house numbers should be clearly visible from the road

* smoke alarms?

Yes

No

Install smoke alarm/s & develop a fire evacuation plan

* security alarms?

Yes

No

electronic security alarm systems deter intruders from entering your home

* safe disposal of personal documents

Yes

No

All documents/paperwork containing your personal details (e.g. old phone bills, medical invoices, power bills, rates notices) should be totally destroyed before being placed in your wheelie bin for rubbish collection. This will help protect you from Identity Theft. For more info on this www.crimeprevention.gov.au

Property Marking

Comments

* engraved with code?

Yes

No

property engraving and using WARNING stickers on your property reduces the risk of it being stolen

* code recorded?

Yes

No

your Property ID code should be recorded with police to assist them to contact owners of recovered items

* inventory list?

Yes

No

recording serial numbers, makes, models and descriptions of your property helps police recover stolen items and will assist you if you need to make an insurance claim (you may wish to photograph items & store somewhere safe)

Personal Security in the Home

Comments

* do you provide information to other people about your security arrangements?

Yes

No

be aware of providing information about your home security arrangements to people that do not need to know this information. Highlighting your security weaknesses to others could be detrimental.

* do you provide information over the phone to callers about your personal arrangements ?

Yes

No

Information about bank accounts and balances and personal particulars including your living arrangements should not be disclosed unnecessarily. Be conscious of also providing information to others about your planned absences from home.

* do you store valuables within reach or sight of outside?

Yes

No

Opportunistic thefts can when valuables are in clear view and within easy reach. Valuables are best stored out of sight and in a secure location.

* do you have important phone numbers stored in your phone?

Yes

No

Having your local police station phone number stored in your phone makes it easier to dial, especially in the dark. 000 can also be stored for use in emergencies. It is also useful to store the phone numbers of family and close friends for use by emergency services in the event of an incident.

This assessment along with information provided, is intended to help you make informed decisions about your home security. The Queensland Police Service and its representatives, in providing this assessment tool, make no representation nor give any warranty or guarantee concerning the safety of persons and property. If this information is unclear, please ask a police ofﬁcer to explain it to you. Any enquiries about your general home security may be directed to your local District Crime Prevention (DCPC) Ofﬁce by contacting your local police station or visit www.police.qld.gov.au/services/ Any suspicious activity or information which may help to solve or prevent a crime may be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1300 888 000.

Last Updated: 09/06/2009

Present Condition		Consider making changes to the items ticked here
Security Doors				Comments
* at all entry/exits?	Yes		No	security doors deter intruders from entering your home
* finger guards?	Yes		No	finger guards prevent the lock on your security door/s being tampered with
* triple locks?	Yes		No	triple locks increase the strength and security level of your doors
Main Entry/Exit Doors				Comments
* front-solid core?	Yes		No	solid doors are preferred; the door should be as strong as the lock
* front – viewer?	Yes		No	door viewers help you see who is outside your front door before you open it
* back-solid core?	Yes		No	solid doors are preferred; hollow core doors should be avoided
* adequate locks?	Yes		No	dead locks are the best type of lock to use on entry/exit doors
* keyed alike?	Yes		No	for safety and ease of use, one key opens all doors
Sliding Doors				*Comments*
* patio bolts?	Yes		No	keyed patio bolts on sliding doors strengthen the level of security of these doors
Windows				*Comments*
* key operated locks?	Yes		No	key operated locks strengthen the level of security of your windows
* keyed alike?	Yes		No	for safety and ease of use, one key opens all windows
* security screens?	Yes		No	security screens, grilles and shutters allow ventilation and can provide security
* warning stickers?	Yes		No	warning stickers may deter intruders from stealing your property
Lighting				*Comments*
* main entry/exits?	Yes		No	the main entry/exit areas to your home should be well lit
* timers fitted?	Yes		No	lights left on inside your home when you are out often deter intruders
* timers used?	Yes		No	timers should be activated when away from your home at night
* sensor lighting?	Yes		No	sensor lighting in ‘high risk’ areas deter intruders from entering your home
Present Condition		Consider making changes to the items ticked here
Other safety considerations				*Comments*
* clear vision?	Yes		No	you should be able to clearly see all doors and windows from outside
* trees/shrubbery trimmed?	Yes		No	you should trim any trees/shrubs that conceal doors and windows from being observed from the street
* garage/ shed secure?	Yes		No	garages and sheds should be securely locked at all times
* tools secure?	Yes		No	lock tools away to prevent an intruder using them to get into your house
* wheelie bins secured?	Yes		No	lock wheelie bins away or chain them to a fixed structure away from the house to prevent an intruder using them to climb into your home
* gates to yard secured?	Yes		No	lock gates to the backyard with a keyed padlock to prevent access by intruders
* meter box secured?	Yes		No	your electricity meter box should be locked (contact your electricity provider)
* house numbers?	Yes		No	house numbers should be clearly visible from the road
* smoke alarms?	Yes		No	Install smoke alarm/s & develop a fire evacuation plan
* security alarms?	Yes		No	electronic security alarm systems deter intruders from entering your home
* safe disposal of personal documents	Yes		No	All documents/paperwork containing your personal details (e.g. old phone bills, medical invoices, power bills, rates notices) should be totally destroyed before being placed in your wheelie bin for rubbish collection. This will help protect you from Identity Theft. For more info on this www.crimeprevention.gov.au
Property Marking				*Comments*
* engraved with code?	Yes		No	property engraving and using WARNING stickers on your property reduces the risk of it being stolen
* code recorded?	Yes		No	your Property ID code should be recorded with police to assist them to contact owners of recovered items
* inventory list?	Yes		No	recording serial numbers, makes, models and descriptions of your property helps police recover stolen items and will assist you if you need to make an insurance claim (you may wish to photograph items & store somewhere safe)
Personal Security in the Home				*Comments*
* do you provide information to other people about your security arrangements?	Yes		No	be aware of providing information about your home security arrangements to people that do not need to know this information. Highlighting your security weaknesses to others could be detrimental.
* do you provide information over the phone to callers about your personal arrangements ?	Yes		No	Information about bank accounts and balances and personal particulars including your living arrangements should not be disclosed unnecessarily. Be conscious of also providing information to others about your planned absences from home.
* do you store valuables within reach or sight of outside?	Yes		No	Opportunistic thefts can when valuables are in clear view and within easy reach. Valuables are best stored out of sight and in a secure location.
* do you have important phone numbers stored in your phone?	Yes		No	Having your local police station phone number stored in your phone makes it easier to dial, especially in the dark. 000 can also be stored for use in emergencies. It is also useful to store the phone numbers of family and close friends for use by emergency services in the event of an incident.