Basic Security Precautions

It is not always necessary to spend a lot of money to secure your home. Most house break-ins are crimes of opportunity, with entry often gained through an open or unlocked door or window. By developing and maintaining good safety habits, such as using the security you already have, you can go a long way to improving your home security.

Suggested strategies include:

• Get to know your neighbours. Exchange telephone numbers and 'keep an eye out' for each other's homes. Neighbours can decrease prowling, loitering and burglary by being observant and reporting suspicious people or vehicles to police;

• When you are home, lock doors and windows in areas of the home that are unoccupied;

• When leaving the house secure it by closing and locking all doors and windows. Keys should be removed from internal doors and windows when you are not at home;

• when you are out, give your house the 'lived in' look by leaving a light on and radio/television playing. Timing devices are effective for this purpose. Turn down the telephone so it doesn't indicate that no one is at home;

• Ensure your house is visible to neighbours and passers-by so that any offenders may be observed;

• Keep cash and valuables out of easy reach and out of sight;

• Avoid leaving notes on the door as they suggest that no one is at home;

• Avoid leaving a house key under the door mat, pot plant, letterbox or any other obvious place;

• Ensure your house number is clearly visible so emergency services can find your house quickly in an emergency;

• Mark valuable property using the Police Property Identification System;

• In an emergency always ring '000'. Use the speed dial of your telephone to record other important numbers; and

• Know which doors and windows you can use as an exit so in an emergency you can leave quickly and safely.

For more detailed home and property security advice, such as information about doors, windows and alarms, consult the QPS Security in the Home and Property Identification brochures or contact your local police Crime Prevention Coordinator.

Confrontations in the Home

Intruders

Think ahead of possible scenarios around the home that make you feel uncomfortable or concerned. Consider the following strategies for inclusion in your Personal Safety Plan to maximise your feelings of safety.

a) If you are at home and suspect someone is trying to, or has broken in, consider the security and layout of your home in deciding your course of action. Strategies include:

• Leave the house immediately (with all occupants if possible) via a pre-determined exit point and go to the house of a friend or neighbour. Call the police (000) and stay there until they arrive;

• Stay in the house, and:
  • Turn on all the lights both inside and outside the house, turn the television, stereo up to full volume and make as much noise as you can. This will attract the attention of neighbours and passers-by and may scare off the intruder;
  • Leave the house in darkness and find a safe hiding place. If possible, exit the house as soon as it is safe to do so
  • If you are alone, you could call out to a fictitious person e.g., "Harry! I'm ringing the police, I'm sure I heard something."
  • Choose whichever option you believe will keep you and other occupants safe. No matter which option is chosen, call the police (000) at the earliest opportunity it is safe to do so.

b) If you arrive home and suspect that an intruder is inside avoid going in. Instead call the police (000) from a neighbour's house or another safe location

c) If an intruder confronts you, choose the strategy that will best preserve your safety and that of your family. If possible, remove yourself from the situation quickly, thereby also allowing the intruder an easy escape path. If you are unable to do so, other strategies include: negotiating with the intruder; screaming; distracting the intruder to enable your escape; and/or physical defending yourself (using reasonable force).

For further information about these options refer to Dealing with Confrontation in the General Personal Safety Advice section.

Note: These options will depend on how easily you believe an intruder can gain entry to your home. For example, if you have good security, calling the police may be your best option as you are likely to have more time to do so. If you have poor security, and believe the offender will gain entry with relative ease, you may decide to leave the house (and call the police from a neighbours house) or hide.

Confrontations by a known person:

As indicated in the Common Trends of Personal Violence (in Personal Violence and Fear of Crime), most offenders are known to their victims. The majority of offences against women are committed in the home by a person known to them.

If you are threatened or experience violence by a known person, you are encouraged to seek help from your local police and/or from an appropriate service to stop the abuse and preserve your personal safety. A number of services are listed in Resources, Referrals and Further Reading.

For strategies in relation to abuse perpetrated by partner, refer to QPS brochure Domestic Violence.

If you experience any type of harassment or violence from a person you do not live with, take whatever action you need, to best preserve your safety. Depending on the circumstances, strategies can include:

• firmly advise the person that the behaviour is not welcome;

• demand the harassment/violence to stop;

• order the offender to leave immediately;

• leave and get help from neighbours, friends and/or the police (even if it is your home);

• physically defend yourself (using reasonable force in the circumstances).

You may need to escalate your response if the harassment or violence does not stop (Note: Your response should be proportionate to the force used against you). It is also advisable to report the incident to police. For further information about strategies for dealing with confrontation, refer to General Personal Safety Advice.

Callers to your front door or telephone

Time restrictions apply to when hawkers, dealers, salespeople and charity representatives can either visit you or telephone you at home. Contact the Office of Fair Trading (Telephone: 07 3246 1500) for details.

Strategies for callers to your front door/telephone include:

• Ask for, and check, the identification of all unknown callers. Trust your instincts — if someone seems suspicious do not feel compelled to speak to them, or allow them to gain entry. Instead either call the organisation the person claims to represent to confirm their identification or (if circumstances are appropriate) contact your local police. Remember that you have the right to tell the caller you are not interested and to leave your property.

• Be wary of information you disclose to strangers. Personal information such as financial details and whether you live alone should only be disclosed to appropriate people. Do not be afraid to question their reasons for asking.

• If you do not feel comfortable with someone calling at your home and wish to create the image that you are not alone, consider yelling out to a fictitious person, e.g. "Bill, there's someone at the door (or on the telephone), I'll be there in a minute!".

• If you have any suspicions at all about callers to your door or on the telephone, you are encouraged to call the local police. In this instance it is helpful for you to record as many details as possible, without putting yourself in danger, e.g. for a caller to your door: a description of the caller, their vehicle and other relevant details.

Callers to the door:

• Consider creating a barrier between you and callers by installing a peep hole, intercom or security door. (Note: Security doors should meet Australian Standards for manufacture and installation.)

• If a stranger requests help or use of your telephone (even for emergency assistance), trust your instincts. Offer to make the call yourself while the person waits outside.

Callers on the telephone:

• Consider using an answering machine to screen your calls. Remember that an answering machine message should not indicate that you live alone or that the house is unattended for any period of time.

• In the case of a wrong number do not reveal your telephone number. Simply ask the caller what number they're after and let them know it's wrong. Continued...