• Install windows with iron grilles and good quality key-operated locks.
• Main doors should be of solid construction and fitted with a good-quality mortise lock with a dead bolting feature (where a key is needed to lock and unlock the door).
• Reinforce all doors with iron grille gates together with metal clasp and a close-shackle padlock.
• Fix door peephole, latch chain and surface latches on the main doors.
• Keep large sums of cash in banks.
• Leave the radio on and a light on at night to give an “at home” appearance.
• Cancel all deliveries, such as newspapers, when you are away from home for a few days.
• Lock all doors and windows when leaving the home unattended, even if it is for a short while.
• Ask your immediate neighbours to keep an eye on your house for any unusual occurrences.
• Change all locks when the house keys are lost or stolen.
• Inform your Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) or Neighbourhood Police Post (NPP) when you are away on vacation.
• Do not hide your keys under the door mat, in flower pots or on top of the electricity meter box.

      This article was featured in The New Paper June 4, 2011. Source: National Crime Prevention Council website