Home Security

[tinkerbell23]

I avoid using my front door and try to come in the back or patio door.

Id love to secure my side gate that leads round the back, but the postman/windowcleaner uses it!! How can i secure it?

Feels like all I hear just now are houses being “tried” xx :0(

[jno]

does the windowcleaner come when you're out? As far as the postman goes, you could just install a letterbox round the side, in front of the gate, and lock the gate

[tinkerbell23]

Yes windowcleaner does come when out!!

Postie only goes round the back with a parcel when I am not in!! That could be avoided as it would just go to neighbour xx

[jno]

if you trust the windowcleaner you could give him (or her) a key; otherwise, book him when you're going to be in.

[tinkerbell23]

Im thinking of cancelling to be honest.

X

[jno]

ground-floor windows you can clean yourself (though I never have, I find the mud-smeared look quite exotic); upstairs ones, if you have any, you could just get cleaned occasionally when needed and arrange for it on a day when someone's in. Then you can lock up the gate with a clear conscience.

[Gizmonster]

I'm a window cleaner and have a couple of keys that customers have given me.
If he's trustworthy (any reason why he isn't??), then I don't see the harm in giving him a key - just tell him to make sure he locks the gate after him.

[woofgang]

Tinks, how high is your fence? if its a standard one then you are in the same circs as me....anybody who is halfway fit could get over it and even more easily if there is something like a dustbin or wheely bin to hand. I therefore decided that there was little point in securing it because it won't actually add to the overall security unless you add barbed wire or spikes! I have got the means to secure it from the inside because I have got two dogs and if anyone opened the side gate while the dos were in the garden they would be gone off exploring and I live very near a busy main road. if you want to do it to feel safer then by all means but as a matter of practical fact, it won't make much difference.

[margarettom]

We were burgled, many years ago now, when someone entered through a supposedly burglar proof back window. Blocked off the back of the house with a wall and padlocked gate and would never dream of leaving it unlocked.

[tinkerbell23]

Woof you are probobly right!!! Thanks everyone!!!

[jno]

just to add to woofgang's post, people round our way (suburban London, knife fights in the streets every day at noon and 4pm) are quite happy to use barbed wire and/or spikes on top of their gates.

[SawyerOneill]

Hi folks. I've got a question about security. I've recently got a truck so we could move to another city. And I'm afraid someone can just break out if we stop on the side of the road to have some rest. Any ideas on how to prevent that?