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Personal
Safety - Intruders
Securing
your property will make you safer in your home, and make your
home and your belongings safer while you are out. Here are
some guidelines for dealing with different situations you
may find yourself in.
Intruders
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If
you think you have an intruder, only you can decide how
to deal with the situation. Think about what you might do
now – you might not be thinking clearly in a real incident.
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You
may respond differently if you are alone in the house, or
if there are other people there.
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You
could make a noise and hope it puts them off, or keep quiet
and hope they don’t come into your room.
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You
could keep a phone in your bedroom so you can raise the
alarm. This may also make you feel safer.
It is generally best not to challenge an intruder.
Interrupting
burglars
If you
come home and find a broken window or lights on, and you think
there may be a burglar inside, you may think it best not to
go into the house.
Go to
a neighbour’s house and call the police, or ring the
doorbell – someone who should be in the house will come
to the door, whereas intruders are likely to run away.
Abusive
phone calls
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If
you get an abusive or threatening phone call, do not respond
to it. The caller wants a strong reaction from you.
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Put
the receiver next to the phone and move away. Return some
minutes later and hang up.
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You
may want to make a record of when you receive the calls,
so you can see if there is a pattern.
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Some phone companies offer a service which blocks calls
from people who have withheld their number.
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At
night, unplug your phone or turn the ring off, so you are
not disturbed.
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Do
not give your name or number when you answer the phone.
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If
you are receiving many abusive calls, contact your phone
company or the police for help.
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Most
people who come to your door will be genuine callers. But
it’s best to make sure.
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Fitting
a door chain or spy hole will help you check who the caller
is.
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If
you were not expecting someone to call, a genuine caller
will not mind waiting outside while you contact their company.
Find the phone number in the phone book, or look on your
last bill.
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Most
companies have a password scheme.
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If
you let someone into your home, even if it is someone you
know, and you become uncomfortable, make excuses and leave.
Go to a neighbour’s house, or ask a friend to come
back with you.
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