Is Your Home Secure Part 2: Property Inventory

The following blog post is a summary of the information contained within the Home Safe brochure, a NSW Police Force publication.

Statistics from the NRMA show that the most common items targeted by thieves are small, portable and high-value items such as:

• Laptops

• Game consoles

• Jewellery, watches and accessories

• Cameras and camera accessories

• Artworks and antiques

Young people, renters and those living in apartments are often targeted for such items and burglars are likely to return within three months, once the items have been replaced. Keeping a detailed inventory of valuable items, and marking them is essential for both insurance purposes and for there to be any hope of the items being returned.

Property inventory

Keeping a detailed inventory of your valuable items, including photographs, makes it much easier to fill out your insurance paperwork and increases the chances of your claim being approved in the event of a burglary.

Record the name of the manufacturer, model name/number, serial number and colour of the item and store the details in a safe place outside of the home with a photograph if possible. Depending on the item, you can also engrave, etch or use an ultra-violet pen to mark it with a traceable number such as your driver’s licence.

Home security: the final word

If your home looks unlived in, it is more likely to become a target for thieves. If you are going to be away from your home, even for a week or two, it is important to take appropriate security measures to prevent a break-in. Read our top holiday season security tips, and remember, the more people watching over your home, the better. If you don’t know your neighbours, or are reluctant to ask, you can set timers for lights and other smart devices to turn on making it look like someone is home.

Armitage Security is the leading Shoalhaven security company, providing affordable, high-quality alarm systems and security products to keep your home and business safe.