| Make sure you’re not ‘in the dark’ about
road safety & home security |
Kent Police is offering practical advice to promote road safety and home security when the clocks go back one hour this Sunday (29 October 2006).
As British Summer Time ends and winter draws in the force is campaigning to highlight the increased risks to the public both on the roads and at home.
Darker evenings and poorer weather conditions make pedestrians more vulnerable on the roads. Figures show that road traffic accidents involving pedestrians peak in October and November.
Chief Inspector Mark Harrison says: ‘Pedestrians and cyclists need to be particularly aware at this time of year and need to think about their visibility at dusk. Children walking home from school and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Fluorescent and reflective clothing is essential at this time of year.’
Kent Police is also warning of the increased risks of burglary as the clocks go back with the darker evenings also providing cover for burglars looking for easy pickings. Domestic burglaries rise between October and March with around 60% of all burglaries occurring during the hours of darkness.
Chief Inspector Harrison continued: ‘Don’t make it easy for burglars this winter. Even basic security measures, such as using a timer to allow household lights to come on once it gets dark, are effective in deterring burglars. Fitting more sophisticated alarm and security lighting systems may at first seem costly but will provide peace-of-mind and the potential to reduce your insurance premiums.’
Kent Police is issuing the following advice on road safety and home security:
Road Safety
- § Wear bright or fluorescent clothing during dull or misty days.
- § Apply reflective strips to clothing so you can be seen at night.
- § Always cross roads at the safest place, ideally a pedestrian crossing.
- § Try to plan your route using streets that are well lit.
- § Remember, it is an offence to ride a bicycle at night without lights.
- § When driving, allow your eyes to become accustomed to the dark before setting off.
- § Check your vehicle’s headlights and brakes regularly.
Home Security
- § When you go out, always lock the door and close the windows, even if you are only going out for a short time
- § Avoid leaving side gates open and make sure ladders and garden equipment that could be use to force entry are not left out
- § Consider installing window locks - a burglar is less likely to break in if they have to smash a window
- § If you have deadlocks or mortice locks, use them
- § Don't leave keys (including car keys) or other valuables near doors or windows
- § Avoid labelling house keys in case you lose them and they fall into the wrong hands
- § Don't leave spare keys outside or in garages or sheds
- § Visible burglar alarms, good lighting and carefully directed security lighting can act as a deterrent (but make sure that the lights don't affect your neighbours and that alarms turn off after 20 minutes)
- § Fences at the back of your house may make this area more secure, but walls and solid fencing may let a thief break in without being seen - a good compromise is chain-link fencing or trellises with prickly shrubs
- § Keep hedges trimmed to allow natural surveillance
- § Fitting a spy-hole allows you to see who's at your door before you open it
- § Fitting a chain-link to your door means you can open it and speak to someone without opening the door fully
If you are away from home
- § Use timers for lights and radios - this will create the impression someone is home
- § Enlist a neighbour or friend to keep an eye on your home and clear your front door of post
- § If possible, ask your neighbour to draw curtains at night and encourage them to park on your drive
- § Check you insurance policy - some policies don't provide cover if you are away for more than 30 days
- § If you don't have an alarm, consider investing in a dummy alarm box - it may be enough to act as a deterrent
For more information, log on to www.kent.police.uk or www.crimereduction.gov.uk.
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