10 top tips for a safer holiday.......Stopping crime over the silly season

Brian from New Lynn

Burglaries
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• Gifts under the tree are tempting for thieves so make sure they, and other valuables, can not be seen from outside the home. Also, be careful when disposing of any tell-tale packaging.
• Do not advertise when the house is empty by leaving messages on the answering machine or on social networking sites, or allowing parcels to be delivered to an empty home.
• Let neighbours know if going to be away, give them a contact phone number, and ask them to clear your mail.
• Make sure it is difficult for someone to break into the house – lock the shed, put away tools and wheelie bins.
• Do not leave a spare house key in an obvious place. Consider security options that complement each other, such as alarms, security lights and deadlocks on doors and windows.
Car theft
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• Lock the car, no matter where it is parked and keep your keys with you. Try to park in open, well-lit areas, or an attended, secure parking building.
• Take shopping and other valuables out of the car with you.
• If you've shopped 'til you've dropped, and must leave items in the car, then keep them in the boot.
• Remove the GPS cradle and mobile charger.
• Install additional security to your car such as an alarm, or immobiliser, to help deter thieves.
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