“Burglary” is the most reported crime in Taiwan, and the distress caused by a home burglary can often be severe; other than the loss of a victim’s property, the feeling of privacy invasion and insecurity will become major concerns. Here are a few tips to help prevent burglaries.
- Precautions against home burglary:
- Reinforce front and back door lock security.
- Maintain a habit of closing doors and windows.
- Check all windows.
- Make a list of valuable items.
- Make your residence look like someone is at home.
- Safeguard your keys to ensure door lock security.
- Keep the public lighting or crime reporting instrument in sound condition at all times; repair immediately if there is any damage.
- Maintain good interaction with your neighbors and promote a neighborhood watch to reduce the chance of burglary.
- When going away from home for some time:
- Make sure all doors and windows are properly closed and locked before departure.
- Valuable items should have been listed and properly stored away.
- Ask a reliable neighbor, friend or relative to retrieve your mail, newspapers and advertising flyers from the mail box.
- Carry the door keys with you, or ask a reliable neighbor or friend or relative to keep them for you.
- Inform the neighborhood watcher, building guard or local police station to reinforce residence watch.
- Set a radio or light to automatically switch on during certain hours
- Turn the telephone ring volume down or switch it to mute.
- Leave a copy of your itinerary and contact number to a reliable neighbor, friend or relative.
- Check when you return home:
- If there are signs of intrusion, check with your neighbors and call the police first. Wait for the police to arrive before entering the house.
- If there are signs of burglary, do not disturb the scene. Call the police ASAP.
- Check all door locks and windows first. Do not enter abruptly.
- The earlier you report, the better chance there is to solve the case.