Many crimes are crimes of opportunity.

Use the following information to reduce the opportunity for crime and help secure your home and valuables.

A recent analysis of burglaries in the Launceston area has shown some people are still not securing their homes adequately to minimise their chances of being burgled.

Below is a home security checklist that may assist readers in securing their property.

Home Security Checklist

Check the status of these at your home.

- House number clearly visible from the street, even at night

- Doors and windows clearly visible from the street.

- Automatic light timers installed internally.

- Sensor lights installed externally.

- Darkened areas around the house able to be illuminated.

- Lights left on when you go out.

- All external doors solid core.

- Quality security doors installed at all external entrances.

- All external doors fitted with deadlocks.

- All windows fitted with locks.

- Door and window locks keyed alike.

- Front entrance door fitted with wide-angle viewer or peep hole and safety chain.

- Keys not hidden outside.

- Sliding doors and windows unable to be lifted off their tracks.

- Windows fitted with locks.

- Property marked and valuables photographed and serial numbers recorded

- Property inventory list, kept in a secure place, preferably away from the home.

- Meter box locked.

- Gates secured.

- Boundary fences in good repair.

- Garage/garden shed locked when not in use.

- Garden tools locked away when not in use.

- Dog on duty.

- Security alarm installed, used and serviced regularly(including battery change).

- Ceiling access hole (manhole) fitted with hinges and sliding pad bolt.

- Good neighbours - be observant report suspicious vehicles/people.