Keep your home safe this summer

(HRW) With the summer holidays just around the corner, Luxembourg police have  issued some top tips to help you keep your home safe from burglars.

Burglary is a crime that affects all parts of the country, especially during peak holiday periods, and it is essential that the correct preventative measures are taken. 

Before going on holiday, police recommend implementing the following list of tips:

• If you own one, ensure your alarm system fully working and switched on.

• Ensure that all doors and windows, including basement or attic windows are closed and locked.
• If you have a garage ensure your car is safely parked inside and the garage is locked.
• In case of extended absence, ask your neighbour or a friend perform such tasks as emptying the postbox, turning a light on in the evening, or opening and closing shutters during the day. You can also request for your post to be kept at the local post office to avoid an overflowing mailbox - a sure sign of an empty home.
• If available, set a timer to turn a light on/off or open and close shutters.
• While away do not state this on your answering machine message or publicly accessible social network accounts.
• Do not place objects such as bins, ladders etc  near your home as burglars could use them to gain access to your house.
• Avoid having maintenance work done around the house during your absence or notify a friend/neighbour that this will take place.
• Do not leave valuables at home such as important documents or jewellery. Photos of valuables stored in your home meanwhile, can help police when searching for stolen items.
• Mow your lawn before going on holiday,to avoid it looking unkempt, another sign of an empty home.

In other burglary prevention measures, police have issues the following suggestions.

• Trees and plants near a house can be used to gain access to the property. Consider this when doing landscaping/gardening work.
• Install exterior lighting that will light the property up, for example by motion detector.
• Equip fences and walls to prevent them from being climbed.

Police also urge neighbours to keep an eye out and to report anything suspicious. If you notice a burglar while at home, police urge not to confront them but instead turn on a light and make your presence known in an unsuspicious manner to encourage them to flee.

Luxembourg police offer free advice on burglary protection. More information is available on +352 4997-2333. 

Police also offer a service to regularly pass by a home on a patrol, when notified that the residents are away. Speak to your local police station for more information.

Details are available on police.lu

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