About Anglian - News
Anglian helps you be safe in your home
Home Office Statistics published in 2007 using the British Crime Survey show that 726,000 domestic properties were the subject of burglaries during 2006/7, a scary thought now that the clocks have gone back and the nights are dark!
As no one wants to feel scared in their own homes, the country's largest home improvement company has produced guidelines to make us more secure.
Norwich-based Anglian Home Improvements, has used the wealth of its 40 years experience in the home improvement industry to share common-sense ways such as - fitting good locks, and making the house look occupied - to deter intruders.
As important, there is also a list of does and don'ts to help householders avoid the tricks that bogus doorstep sellers use to obtain money or information from unwary householders.
"The Home Office figures show that each year in England there are 301,000 attempted burglaries and 425,000 more where an intruder gets in," said communications director, Melanie Russell. "Householders can do so much to help themselves to reduce those awful statistics.
"In 2002 we worked with the National Neighbourhood Watch Association on A Householder's Guide to Home Security which is full of tips on locks, alarms and security marking, which has recently been updated.
"At Anglian home security has been a feature of our products for years, but sadly people don't realise what a deterrent just the site of window locks can be to an opportunist thieve, which is what most burglars are.
"It can take just seconds to get into a home but using good quality key-operated window locks, doors with multi-point locking systems, hinges that add strength rather than creating a week point - all these things can deter because they slow down the thief who wants to be in and out quite literally in minutes.
"Put these with deterrents such as alarms and exterior lighting systems, it can make a thief chose another property that looks an easier target and you can feel much safer in your own home."
The Anglian Home Improvements Guidelines on Doorstep Selling, tackles another worry - the bogus doorstep salesman.
It has a list of does and don'ts on how to deal with uninvited callers, some of whom of course may be quite genuine - but there is always the fear of a distraction burglar, or someone after cash or even personal information which could be used to access credit cards or bank accounts.
The first 'do' is fit a safety chain on the door and always use it. Another point is to carefully check, not just glance at, any ID card produced.
The list goes on to include asking neighbours and friends about the company, or making an appointment for someone to come back when there will be other people in the house. Paying on a credit card gives protection against theft of amounts of more than £100.
The don't list has nine points everything from not being pressurised just because someone is on your doorstep, to not giving access to personal documents such as bank statements or passports, and don't sign anything until you have read it thoroughly.
"If householders follow the advice in the fact sheets they will hopefully avoid a great deal of heartbreak," added Melanie. "We want everyone to enjoy their homes not to feel that they aren't safe there."
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