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 They may say that their car has broken down and they need to
phone someone for help. They may pretend to be a workman, saying that
they need to check your electricity or water. They might even claim to
be from the council and that they are carrying out a local survey.
Whatever reason a visitor gives, you need to be sure that they aren't
just trying to get into your home to steal something.
There are around 12,000 incidents of "distraction burglary"
each year where strangers get into homes and then steal cash or
valuables while the occupier is distracted in some way. Sometimes they
work in pairs with one doing the talking while the other is stealing,
and they often target the elderly.
Be on your guard everytime the doorbell rings or there's a
knock at your door. Look out your window to see who's there first and
if you don't know who the person is, open the window slightly and talk
to them that way, rather than opening your door. Alternatively, have a
"peep-hole" fitted in your front door so that you can take a good look
at who's there first. If your eyesight isn't so good, don't worry as
you can now get wide-angle viewers to help you see better.
Put the door chain or door bar on before opening the door and
talk through the gap. You could even fit a small mirror to the wall
next to the door so that you can easily see the person you are talking
to. When the stranger has left and you've closed the door, don't forget
to unhook the chain so that any friend or relative you have given a key
to can still get in.
Make sure your back door is locked if someone knocks at your
front door. Sometimes thieves work together with one coming in the back
way, while the other keeps you talking at the front.
Keeping the chain on the door, ask visitors from the council or
any other organization to pass through some identification. If you need
your glasses to check this, don't think it is rude to close the door to
go and get them. A genuine visitor won't mind. If you're still not
sure, ask the caller to leave and tell them to write and make an
appointment so that someone else can be with you the next time they
stop by. The basic rule is if you don't know the person at your door,
don't let them in.
As part of the Government's "Stop, Chain, Check" campaign,
local councils, social services, centers for the elderly have further
information they can provide. They can also help with "peep-holes",
chains, and mirrors, and in certain circumstances, may be able to
supply a personal attack alarm that connects through a control center.
Stay safe! Visit http://www.UrbanSafetySupplies.com and http://www.HiTechHiddenCameras.com for all of your self defense and security item needs.
About The Author
Robert Young is the owner and editor of Urban Safety Supplies and Hi-Tech Hidden Cameras. Stay safe! Visit http://www.urbansafetysupplies.com for all your security item needs. Stun guns, pepper spray, personal alarms, and more! Also visit http://www.hittechhiddencameras.com and see our hidden cameras, spy, and surveillance equipment.
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