> Taking proactive steps around your home and garden can improve your home security and deter would-be criminals.

> Read our home/residential safety tips to help you keep your property safe, and find out what you can do to minimise the risks of property damage or theft.

> In an emergency, always call 000 (Triple Zero).

For non-emergency police assistance (available 24 hours a day), call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Get help now

For all life-threatening emergencies, if you are in danger, someone is injured, or if a crime is currently in progress – call 000 (Triple Zero).

For non-emergency police assistance (available 24 hours a day), call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

IMPORTANT!

If you hear or see an intruder in your home, do not confront them.

Prioritise staying safe.

If there is no immediate risk of confrontation, leave the house as quickly as possible and call police on 000 (Triple Zero).

If you are outside and see signs of an intruder inside, do not enter the house. Go to a neighbouring house or safe place nearby and call police. Wait in the safe place for police to arrive.

Try to note descriptions of intruder/s, suspicious vehicles (including number plates) and as much detail about the situation as you can.

Home security audit checklist

Security devices such as locks, alarms, motion sensor lights and cameras are proven to reduce the risk of property damage and theft (burglary) in residential areas.

Along with physical barriers, developing connections with your neighbours and having a strong sense of community can also help reduce crime in your local area.

Try following our home safety tips below and download a copy of our Home security audit checklist to identify any risk areas that you may need to address to improve your home security and safety.

Outside your home

Get to know your neighbours

Getting to know your neighbours and building a sense of community is the first line of defence against burglary.
Ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your property and offer to do the same for them.
Consider joining your local Neighbourhood Watch if you would like to get to know more of your neighbours and contribute to local crime prevention.

Make sure your house number is visible

Make sure that your house number is clearly visible from the street both during the day and at night – this helps emergency services locate your house quickly.
If you live on a corner, make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street named in your address.

Keep your keys safe!

Do not leave hidden keys outside your home – it is much safer to leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour, friend or relative.
Don’t put your full name and address on tags attached to your keys. If you lose them, this could allow a stranger to easily identify your home.
Never give keys to your home to anybody you don’t know well – including tradespeople.
When you move into a new home, arrange for a locksmith to come and change all of your exterior locks.
Always secure your premises and lock up when you go out – even if you are not going far or will only be gone for a short time.

Ladders, tools and items outside the home

Don’t leave ladders or tools outside your home when not in use. Not only may an opportunistic thief steal these items, but they can also be used to gain access to your home.
Loose bricks, rocks or other items may also present a security risk if they are left lying around your home.
Store tools, equipment and building materials in a locked shed or garage.

Garden and property boundaries

Gates and fences should be well maintained, and you should check their condition regularly. If you go away, lock your gate for an added security measure.
Install a lockable gate for vehicle entry into your driveway.
Maintain your garden – keep grass low and shrubs trimmed so they can’t provide hiding places for potential trespassers/burglars.
Remove tree branches that provide opportunities for entry into your home, for example – climbing access to balconies.

Mailboxes and rubbish bins

If you are going away for a while and have put your bins out for collection, ask a neighbour or family member if they can bring your bins back in once emptied.
Bins laying on the street for an extended period is a sign that your home may be unattended.
Also think about where you keep your wheelie bins. Don’t place them where they can be used to gain access to your house, for example – someone could use them to climb onto a balcony or through a window.
Ask someone to collect your mail if you are going away or consider asking for mail to be redirected/held at your local post office.

External lighting and cameras

Install security lighting over entry/exit doors to your home. Motion-sensor lights are a great option.
Consider smart lighting options and security cameras. There are many systems on the market designed with different needs in mind including both battery-operated and wired in options. These can alert you of people outside your home via your phone and/or other smart devices and can also record video footage.
If you use a battery-operated device, remember to keep it charged. Schedule a regular reminder in your phone calendar to charge your device/s on a day you are at home.

Inside your home

Door and window locks (including pet doors)

External doors should be of solid core construction and fitted with deadlocks.
It is good practice to have all deadlocks ‘keyed alike’ (the same key can be used to open each door). While deadlocks keep your doors secure from the outside, it’s important that you can also exit the house quickly in the event of an emergency such as a house fire. Keyed alike locks make this easier.
Consider home security devices such as doorbell cameras. A low-cost option is a door viewer (peephole) so you can check who is at the door before opening it.
Sliding doors should be fitted with double-sided locking handles and additional locking bolts on the inside.
Never leave keys in the locks, but do make sure they are stored in an easy to access location inside your home. This is critical in the event of an emergency where you might need to exit the house quickly.
Fit all windows with quality, keyed alike window locks. Windows should be secured and unable to be lifted from their tracks. For sliding windows (and doors) consider installing a blocker on the window track so that the window cannot be opened enough for a person to climb through.
Consider replacing louvre style-windows or install bars/security grills on the outside, as burglars find this style of window easy to remove the slats of glass from and can gain entry to your house quickly.
If you want to install a pet door, choose the smallest size that will accommodate your pet. Make sure that the pet door is installed in a position that doesn’t allow for manipulation of door locks if someone is able to reach through the pet door.
Lock/close off pet doors when not in use – or consider an electronic/smart pet door if you have large-breed dogs.

Staying safe inside your home

If you are using noisy equipment inside your home, for example, a vacuum cleaner, or power tools in the shed, keep your doors locked. This will make it difficult for someone to enter your home unnoticed.
If you are working in the garden or otherwise distracted undertaking work around home, keep your door locked (don’t forget to keep a key with you).
Install security grills or flyscreens to improve safety when your windows are open. Install locking mechanisms or stoppers so that windows only open a small amount.
Keep your garage closed when you are not in it and close and lock it when you are away from home.
Consider whether a security alarm system or internal home cameras are right for you. There are many systems to choose from with varying features.

Keep a list of high value items

Keep a detailed list of high value items in your home, garage and outbuildings such as sheds and storage units.
Record the purchase date, make, colour size and serial number of high value items (where relevant) and don’t forget to update your inventory when new items are obtained. Keeping photographs or adding photos to your list may assist police to recover stolen items.
Engrave high value items where it is practical to do so, for example, power tools and equipment. You can also use a UV marker pen to mark items (you will need a blue light to see the UV marking).

Repeat burglary/s

Unfortunately, repeat burglary/s are not uncommon.

If your home or property has been burgled, there is a real possibility that you could be burgled again within a short period of time.

This is usually because burglars:

know there are additional items of value still at the premises that they couldn’t take the first time (and now they know how to break in)

often return in 4–8 weeks when they think it is likely items may have been replaced by insurance

may have only accessed a shed, garage or outbuilding, and return to attempt to break into the main house or other buildings.

The best thing you can do to prevent repeat burglary is to improve your home security as much as you can as soon as possible.

Check out our Home Security Audit Checklist to identify areas where you can improve your home safety and security.

Links and resources

Tasmania Police Online Crime Reporting Portal – you can report theft or property damage online at tas.gov.au/reportonline
Neighbourhood Watch– A community-based crime prevention program which aims to improve the quality of life within a neighbourhood by minimising preventable crime and fostering community ties.
Legal Aid– Provides legal advice to individuals who qualify under their criteria.
Home security expert – Consider contacting a home security expert in your area who may can advise on security options such as CCTV, sensor lighting and appropriate locks/barriers for entry. Make sure that you check out the reviews online and shop around before engaging a service.

Find out more

For more home safety tips – including extra tips on how to protect your home in a rural environment – download the Tasmania Police Home Security Audit Checklist to find out how you can improve your home security

Home/residential safety tips