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Many homeowners opt to add security lighting to their home as an additional deterrent to burglars, but how effective are they and which of the many different types should you consider?

While the effectiveness of security lighting in deterring thieves is limited, it is reasonable to assume that some intruders could be put off by it. The risk of being spotted by an occupier or neighbour while attempting to break and enter is likely to make some opportunists think twice.

Keep in mind that adding security lighting to a potential entry-point might be more helpful to the criminal than it is to the people and property it aims to protect. Having trouble seeing a way in? Don’t worry Mr Burglar, here, let me light the way for you!

That said, carefully placed motion sensor lights, with the right functions and features, may be a useful first-line defence and a good accompaniment to your home security. Here are some things to consider:

Motion-sensor lighting
There are different types of motion-sensing lights on the market and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. There are three types to look out for, passive motion sensors, active motion sensors and dual technology sensors.

Passive motion sensors
A passive motion sensor will only detect body heat.

Active motion sensors
An active motion sensor detects any type of movement, from an intruder to a bag blowing in the wind.

Since most of us are not too worried about a security threat from a paper bag and don’t want a light that will trigger so indiscriminately, most people prefer the passive motion sensor lighting systems.

Dual technology motion sensors
In addition to passive and active motion sensors, there is the ‘dual technology’ version. This type will only trigger if it detects both motion and body heat and so reduces the number of false-alarms. However, since these systems will only switch on the lights if both triggers are detected, they could be more vulnerable. If an intruder is able to trick either the passive or active detectors, there will be no lighting at all.

Other features – Detection zone
This refers to the width of the area that the motion-sensor can cover. Some even offer 360-degree coverage, but this may not be necessary for the outdoor areas you would like covered. Some systems even offer an adjustable detection range which can be useful if you choose to move the system to a new location later.

Range
While the detection zone refers to the width of coverage offered, the range refers to the distance, for properties which are close to a road, you will not want a system that detects every passer-by. Properties which are spread across a larger area with outhouses to protect could benefit from a longer range system.

Brightness
Some motion sensor lights are not necessarily designed with security in mind, they tend to have a lower brightness with the aim of simply lighting steps or hazardous areas. For a security system, it is best to opt for at least 300 Watts as a more effective deterrent.

Conclusion
If protecting your home is your top priority then lights alone might not be enough to deter burglars. You’re better off focusing on the basics of home security before investing in fancy motion sensor lighting. Common sense things like locking doors and windows and having some type of home security system should be considered first. In combination, sensor lights can be a helpful ‘nice to have’ addition.

If you’ve ever had your identity stolen, you’ll know the impact can be financially and emotionally devastating. Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information for illegal purposes. It’s one of the most common crimes in Australia. With the use of mobile telephones, tablets, and computers now commonplace in people’s lives, it’s important to protect your identity online:

– DON’T let anybody else access your personal information or your devices.

– DON’T give anyone remote access to your devices.

– DON’T access emails senders you don’t know.

– DON’T share your personal or financial information online such as driver’s license details, date of birth, etc.

Follow these tips to protect your debit or credit card account:

– REQUEST registered mail or pick up from the branch for replacement cards and PIN information.

– SECURELY dispose of banking information, bills and expired/unwanted cards preferably by shredding all documents.

– ALWAYS check your financial statements against your purchases. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact your financial institution immediately.

– USE recommended electronic payment enablers when buying online.

– INSTALL and maintain anti-virus/anti-malware software on your devices.

For more information, visit www.police.nsw.gov.au/fraud_prevention

You don’t need to invest in an expensive home alarm system or install an unsightly barbed wire fence to keep out burglars. Sometimes a couple easy steps are all you need to secure your home.

1. Install some dummy surveillance cameras.

2. Always remember to remove flyers from your doorstep – Never let flyers or menus build up on your doorstep — you risk appearing like you’re on vacation. And if you are on vacation, have your neighbor pick them up for you. Burglars sometimes case a home by planting a flyer and checking to see if someone picks it up.

3. Put bumper stickers on your car – Anything that makes your car more easily identifiable is a good deterrent. And remember to keep it messy if you can.

4. Keep your landscaping neat and trimmed – Eliminate any potential places for burglars and intruders to lurk. Be sure to keep large bushes and shrubs away from windows.

5. Buy light timers for your indoor and outdoor lights – Use fluorescent bulbs to keep energy costs down.

6. Pretend like you’re saying good-bye to someone inside when you leave your home – If someone’s watching you, they’ll be fooled into thinking someone is still home.

7. Don’t leave your electronics boxes out on the curb – Drive them to the recycling plant yourself, or cut them up into smaller pieces and conceal them in your recycling or trash bins.

8. Don’t leave a ladder just hanging out in your backyard – Most burglars don’t BYOL. So don’t make their jobs easier by supplying them with an easy way to get into your bedroom.

9. Make sure that your mirrors don’t reflect your home alarm – Burglars might be able to see if your alarm is unarmed, so make sure you examine your mirrors from all outside angles.

10. Mow your law – People will wonder if you’ve gone on vacation if you let your grass grow too high.

11. Don’t leave status updates broadcasting that you’re away.

12. Fake a TV glow – This little gizmo uses the same energy as a nightlight, works on a timer system, and makes it look like someone’s home. It costs $39.99.

13. If you go out of town, have a neighbor leave tracks in the snow – Untouched, virgin snow is a surefire way to let burglars know that no one’s home.

14. Buy some fake alarm system decals if you can’t afford a real one – Ebay has got plenty of these.

15. Load your car in the garage with the door closed. If you have to do it in public, do it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

16. Reinforce your door jambs if you have weak door frames – Keep your doors from getting kicked in with this supremely easy DIY, which takes under an hour to install.

17. Cancel your newspaper subscriptions and ask the post office to hold your mail while you’re out of town – An obvious build-up of materials will let everyone know no one’s home.

18. Use a wooden dowel or metal bar for sliding doors and windows so they can’t be pried open – Cut a wooden dowel so that it fits into your track when it’s closed.

19. Invest in double glazed or toughened glass windows – Double-glazed windows as well as toughened glass are harder to smash through. Not the cheapest option, but you get added benefits. In the case of double-glazed windows, you’ll save money from increased heat insulation and they’ll block out more noise, which could increase your property value if you happen to live on a loud, busy street.

20. Get a motion-sensor home security system that lets you monitor your home with your smartphone.

21. Build a secret hiding place for your valuables.

Almost 150 motor vehicles are stolen every day in Queensland.  Disturbingly, RACQ research has shown that it’s happening in the one place you’d hope would be safe – the home driveway.

It’s a routine many of us take for granted – grabbing the keys on the way out of the door, hopping in the car and driving to work.  Imagine if one day, the car wasn’t in the driveway. That’s exactly the situation faced by more than 22% of Queenslanders who’ve had their car stolen this year.

The RACQ Insurance 2014 Car Security Index showed that, frighteningly, a majority of those driveway thefts occurred after the car keys were stolen from inside the property.
 
Home driveways remain a high-risk location for vehicle theft, with 22.3% of cars stolen from driveways over the past year primarily as a result of thieves targeting car keys in homes.

The high rate of theft from home driveways is continuing to be driven by overall improvements in car security, forcing thieves to directly target keys in homes either as an opportunistic “find” or as a deliberate theft target.
 
The proportion of motor vehicle thefts from residential locations has increased steadily in recent years. Other locations identified as being a risk for car theft include:
 
On the street of the residence or adjacent street (11.7 %)

• On the street not at the residence (10.6%)
• The home garage (9.6%)
• Bus or rail commuter car parks (8.5%)
• Hotel car parks (7.4%)
• Public car parks (6.4%)
• Work car parks (3.2%)

However, the number of thefts from Queensland shopping centre car parks has almost tripled over the past 12 months, jumping from 7% in 2013 to 19.1% this year.

The significant rise in thefts from car parks suggests that thieves may now be targeting older makes and models parked at these locations and that owners are simply not employing basic car security measures.

Overall, the most popular vehicles stolen were the Holden Commodore VT MY97-00, Holden Commodore VE MY06-13, Toyota Hilux MY05-11 and Hyundai Excel X3 MY94-00.

“Older makes without an immobiliser are being targeted at these locations”, Mr Sopinski said.  “This is concerning as these areas are generally well secured and difficult for thieves to operate in, with video surveillance, regular security patrols and high pedestrian traffic”.

The good news is that, overall, car theft is decreasing.  Australia recorded a total of 53,450 thefts during the 2013/2014 financial year, which represents a 7% decrease from the previous year (57,141).

Mr Sopinksi said this could be attributed to people being more careful with the security of their vehicles although, unfortunately, 30% of motorists surveyed admitted to not always locking their cars.

Vehicle break-in remains a significant problem in Queensland, with RACQ research showing almost one-quarter of Queensland motorists (23.2%) were the victim of a car break-in during the past five years.

As was the case with car theft, the home driveway was identified as the most common location for a break-in, followed by public car parks and the home garage.

“The research showed that many Queensland vehicle owners (12.3%) don’t consider their immediate local area to be a safe place to park their car”, Mr Sopinski said.

* Figures courtesy of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council’s CARS 2013/2014 Annual Statistical Report.

RACQ has developed the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of car theft or break-in:

If your vehicle does not have a factory-fitted engine immobiliser, install an Australian Standards self-arming immobiliser.

• Do not leave valuables in open sight in your car.
• Always lock your vehicle and secure windows when away from your car even when it is parked at home or in the garage.
• Do not hide a spare key in your car, even if you think it is well concealed.
• Park in well-lit, secure areas at night.
• Never leave your engine running while you are away from your car.
• Use off-street parking where available.
• Secure car keys when the vehicle is parked at home or work.

 Article courtesy of RACQ’s magazine, The Road Ahead