Home Security

 

There's a lot of adverts these days on TV for home security gadgets that switch lights on automatically, cameras that record intruders and alarms that alert the police that someone is breaking into properties.

Here are some easy to follow suggestions that could protect you in case of a break-in or to discourage anyone from stealing your property.

For example, before we go out we always hide the TV remote control because if someone stole our TV they would not be able to operate it without the remote. I also hide the power lead from the back of my computer so that if stolen it could not be switched on again. 

I have had installed on the wall a door from a safe with all the circular knobs and electronic pads you have on a real safe. When you eventually manage to open it you'll find it is only a door fixed to the wall. There's no safe behind it. But I have wasted the burglar's time trying to open it.

I have also glued some coins on my desk top. That will fool any burglar trying to pick them up and waste his time.

Another trick we do is that before we go out we tip over all the chairs, open all drawers and throw the contents on the floor, throw any pictures off the wall where they hung and make the place untidy. That way, if someone breaks in they'll think we've already been burgled and they'll leave us alone.

At night, I always let the air out of the car tires to make it more difficult to steal.

If I'm at home alone and hear someone at the door I always bark like mad to make them think we have a dog. If I'm not alone, the rest of the family joins me in barking together. Our dog always sits in the corner all confused when we do that. The cat, however, goes to the kitchen and eats his food quickly in case any intruder steals it.

Our piece de resistance however is to leave the TV on and we play recordings of Jennifer Aniston films. That's the best deterrent to anyone breaking in. Even we have to go out the house when she's on TV.