User manual | free home security audit

Car Security Begins at Home
CAR-SAFE Home Security Audit
Please print out and complete this form to reduce the risk of car theft happening to you.
In Australia, seven in 10 late model vehicles are stolen by the thief gaining access to the vehicles’ keys or transponder. In half of all cases, these
cars are stolen from the home, with another quarter stolen from a garage or the street outside the owner’s residence. The thefts are almost always
opportunistic in nature, with offenders often entering premises through unlocked doors and windows. Some offenders are even prepared to enter
occupied premises to quickly grab keys left in easily accessible and likely spots.
This Home Security Audit is designed to assist car owners to reduce their risk of theft by ensuring both their home and their keys/transponder
are secure. Complete the audit to assess your risk and make the necessary changes to help prevent car theft and home burglary.1
This audit has been adapted from Victoria Police’s Residential/Business Security Assessment Guide. See police.vic.gov.au
Question
Yes
No
N/A
Comment
Street number
1
Is the street number clearly visible from the street?
2
Is the street number visible at night?
Warning signs
3
Are warning signs displayed?
4
Are warning signs appropriate?
Fences and gates
5
Are perimeter fences in good condition?
6
Are fences constructed of the appropriate materials?
7
Can gates be secured?
Landscaping
8
Can people see your home clearly from the street?
9
Could a person be seen hiding in your yard?
1 This audit is designed to assess the security of residential properties in order to assist in reducing car theft via home burglaries. It cannot guarantee that all risks have been identified or that
no criminal activity will occur if the recommendations are followed.
Car Security Begins at Home
CAR-SAFE Home Security Audit
Question
Security lighting
10
Is there security lighting installed?
11
Does the security lighting work?
12
Are entry and exit points adequately lit?
13
Do you have light timers?
Letterbox and powerboard
14
Is the letterbox fitted with an appropriate lock set?
15
Is the power board enclosed within a cabinet?
16
Is the cabinet fitted with an approved lock set?
Garage and garden shed
17
Can the garage be locked?
18
Does the garage door have an additional lock set?
19
Is the garden shed locked?
20
Are tools, gardening equipment, ladders, etc. locked away when not
in use?
21
Are windows within the garage fitted with window lock sets?
Yes
No
N/A
Comment
Car Security Begins at Home
CAR-SAFE Home Security Audit
Question
Doors
22
Is a peep hole (door viewer) installed?
23
Are external doors of solid construction?
24
Are door frames of solid construction?
25
Are quality lock sets fitted?
26
Are locks in good working order?
27
Are keys removed from locks when no one is at home?
28
Is a security/screen door installed?
29
Are sliding doors fitted with suitable lock sets?
30
Can you restrict people from getting under your home?
Windows
31
Are windows solidly constructed?
32
Are window lock sets fitted?
33
Are unused windows permanently closed and secured?
34
Are windows able to be locked in a partially open position?
35
Are skylights fixed/open?
36
If the skylights can be opened, do they have locks?
Yes
No
N/A
Comment
Car Security Begins at Home
CAR-SAFE Home Security Audit
Question
Telephone
37
Can telephone lines be easily tampered with?
38
Are your telephones pre-programmed with emergency contact
numbers?
Keys and valuables
39
Are car and other keys out of view when your home is not occupied?
40
Are security/screen door keys removed from the lock?
41
Are your keys tagged with a mobile phone number only
(no name or address)?
42
Have you ensured there is not a spare set of house or car keys
in your car?
43
Are other valuables such as cash, laptops/tablets, mobile phones
or jewellery out of sight?
Intruder alarm systems
44
Is an intruder alarm system installed?
45
Is the intruder alarm system monitored?
46
Is the intruder alarm system operating?
47
Is the intruder alarm system used?
48
Does the intruder alarm system cover the garage?
49
Is the intruder alarm system tested regularly?
Personal security
50
Have you discussed with those you live with what to do in the event
that you or they encounter an intruder in the home?
Yes
No
N/A
Comment
Car Security Begins at Home
CAR-SAFE Home Security Audit
Suggested home security measures
Street number
Garage and garden shed
• The street number must be prominently displayed at the front of
your home to comply with local laws specific to local councils.
(Local Government Act 1989 – as Amended 24 September 2010).
• Garages should be locked to restrict unauthorised access.
• The number should be a minimum height of 120 mm (4 – 5 inches)
and be visible at night.
• Garden sheds can also be fitted with a suitable lock set.
• The number could also be painted on the street kerb outside your home
to assist emergency services and visitors to locate your home.
Warning signs
• Warning signs should be displayed around the perimeter of your home
and property to warn intruders of what security treatments have been
implemented to reduce opportunities for crime.
• Be careful of using warning signs that suggest a security treatment that
does not exist.
• Roller, tilt and panel-lift doors can be secured with additional lock sets
in the form of hasp and staple and padlocks.
• Windows with garages and garden sheds should also be fitted with
quality lock sets to restrict access.
• Garden tools, equipment and ladders should be locked away when
not in use to prevent them being used to gain access to your home.
Doors
• External doors and frames should be of solid construction and fitted
with quality deadlocks which comply with AS 4145.1:2008.
• Consider having a peephole (door viewer) installed in the door.
• Thieves look for other cues to confirm if security treatments do exist.
• Locks should be checked and maintained on a regular basis to ensure
they are in good working order.
Fences and gates
• Keys should be removed from locks while you are absent to prevent
thieves entering or leaving your home.
• Ideally, front fences should allow clear visibility to the front door
of the house and any windows.
• Security/screen doors can be used to provide additional protection.
• Consider the use of self-closing gates and lock sets.
• Patio bolts on sliding doors can also be installed.
• Fences and gates should be regularly maintained to maximise their
effectiveness and ensure their good working order.
• Ensure access points under the house are secured.
Landscaping
• External windows and frames should be of solid construction.
• Trees and shrubs should be kept well-trimmed in order to provide
a clear line of sight to the street and reduce potential hiding places.
• Window frames should be anchored to the building to prevent
easy removal.
• Overhanging branches should be trimmed to prevent people using
them to access other parts of the property, e.g. using a tree to get
to an upper level.
• Fit quality key-operated lock sets and keep them locked when not in use.
Security lighting
• Some styles of windows can be locked in a partially open position.
• Motion activated external security lighting can deter intruders.
• If you have skylights to your home, keep them suitably secured.
• Security lighting should be checked and maintained in good
working order.
• For more information on lock sets contact Standards Australia,
standards.org.au
• Consider using light timers to turn lights on/off when not at home.
• Glass within doors and windows may also be reinforced to restrict
unauthorised access.
• Timer globes are also available.
Windows
• Do not leave keys in the locks as thieves may break glass to unlock
windows.
• The existing glass may be replaced with laminated glass.
Letterbox and power board
• The letterbox should be fitted with a suitable lock set to restrict access
to mail.
• The power board should be housed within a cabinet to restrict tampering
with the power supply.
• The cabinet should be secured with a lock set approved by your
electricity authority.
• Metal security grilles or shutters may be installed to restrict access
and reduce attacks. However, caution should be used so as not to
trap occupants in an emergency such as a fire.
Car Security Begins at Home
CAR-SAFE Home Security Audit
Telephones
Intruder alarm systems
• Pre-program the speed dial function on your phone with the emergency
number 000.
• Consider installing a home alarm system that meets AS/NZ 2201.1:2007.
Intruder alarms are considered one of the most effective theft deterrents
when fully utilised.
• Place a sticker on your telephone with the emergency number and local
police number (131 444 in all states except for Victoria. In Victoria,
it is the number of your local police station).
Protecting keys
• Always store car keys out of view and away from external doors
and windows.
• Spare keys should not be hidden in the car or anywhere outside
the home but left with a trusted friend or neighbours.
• If your car is at home but you are out make sure you have all the keys
with you. (When out, do not leave keys unattended in bags, lockers,
or the like).
• Do not leave other valuables in sight such as cash, laptops, tablets,
mobile phones or jewellery to reduce temptation. Items that can be seen
and are easy to hide and carry are most likely to be targeted.
• Monitored intruder alarm systems are considered more effective.
• The system should be designed to provide maximum coverage of the
home and garage.
• Remember to regularly check the battery and test the system.
Personal security
• If you find an intruder in your home leave them a clear exit path
(or vacate the house yourself if it is safe to do so).
• Try to record the descriptions of any suspects or suspicious vehicles
and call 000 as quickly as possible.
• Plan and discuss with your family or housemates what to do in the event
that you or they encounter an intruder entering or already in your home.

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